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A Servant
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: Romans 16:1 In this final chapter of Romans, Paul identifies many Christians who have been integral and helpful in the ministry of Christ. Paul first introduces Phebe whose name means “bright”. It is clear from her life and Paul’s comments that the brightness of Christ radiated from her life. What did Paul comment about Phebe that we can learn to apply our own lives? She was a servant of the church. Paul did not say that she was a servant of Christ, but she was a servant of the church. She was a…
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Helping the Poor Saints
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. Romans 15:26 There were significant trials and temptations in the lives of the Christians in Jerusalem. There was opposition, persecution and a large proportion of the believers were materially poor and unable to manage daily needs. Paul knew of this situation and instructed, on the basis of love and care for the brethren, to take up a practical collection of financial resources to help the situation of the poor brethren. When there is a need that is expressed, those with a kind and helpful attitude will contribute, but what…
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To Minister
But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. Romans 15:25 In the beginning of this epistle, Paul writes that he is a servant, a bondslave, of Jesus Christ. Paul was a servant because of his love of the Lord Jesus. Paul’s devoted service to Christ all started because Paul learnt how much Christ loved Him. When an individual genuinely loves the Lord Jesus, he will want to serve Him. How did Paul demonstrate in this verse that he served Christ? He served God anywhere. Paul was essentially called to be the apostle to the Gentiles. God’s primary will for Paul was to reach the Gentile world for…
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The Minister of Christ
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:16 All Christians, born again of the Spirit of Christ are servants of Christ. We are called not merely to sainthood but also to servanthood. (Colossians 3:24) In verse 16, Paul teaches three areas that the servant of Christ must be mindful of and when he does, he honours the Lord and His will in his life. Firstly, as a servant of Christ, we have a definite role. “Paul a minister of Christ to the Gentiles”…
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He Shall Turn the Heart of the Father to the Children
He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children Malachi 4:5-6 Malachi, towards the end of his prophecy, looked ahead to a day when the fathers and the sons will be restored to one another. Implied in this verse and prophecy is the distraction of the heart. The heart of man was created to centre on the Lord His Creator and all things good and wonderful. Men, however, sought out other inventions because of its own deceitfulness. The heart says it loves the Lord but it chases after other pleasures. The heart deceives itself that it is right with God but it has left the Lord it should…
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A Father’s Heart
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which … our fathers have told us Psalms 78:2 – 3 Asaph, the musician, writes confidently of his conviction to proclaim the word of God to the next generation. The word of God is to be shared, not stored. It is to be spoken out from the mouth, not stowed in the heart. It is to be proclaimed from the rooftops, not placed on shelves. These words, important to be proclaimed, were told by the fathers to their next generations. Asaph remembered the words of the fathers of old. The ancient people of the Jews…
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What Genuine Faith Produces
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 Our God is a God of hope: He gives hope, inspires hope, and in Him, we possess the hope of eternal life, and eternal joy. Hope in the Bible is always 100% sure, unlike the promises of man. Therefore, we are assured of our hope. Paul asks the Lord of this hope to fill the Christians in Rome with joy and peace in believing. Genuine faith produces hope. Paul prays that this faith in them will produce joy. In trials and…
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Praise the Lord
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7 Christians ought to live in peace and in unity according to the word of God (Psalm 133:1). It is God’s will that His people love one another so that others can see the love between Christian brothers and sisters (1 Peter 1:22). Spiritual conversion in our hearts ought to produce genuine love to the brethren. Many Christians know this in their minds, and even in their hearts but many times, we are slow to show these actions of loving one another practically. Paul admonishes the Christian church members to receive one another. This…
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Receiving One Another in the Name of Christ
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7 Christians ought to live in peace and in unity according to the word of God (Psalm 133:1). It is God’s will that His people love one another so that others can see the love between Christian brothers and sisters (1 Peter 1:22). Spiritual conversion in our hearts ought to produce genuine love to the brethren. Many Christians know this in their minds, and even in their hearts but many times, we are slow to show these actions of loving one another practically. Paul admonishes the Christian church members to receive one another. This…
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United in Mind in Christ, United to Praise Our God
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5 – 6 In the midst of human relationships, there will be conflicts and disagreements. In our response to such conflicts and disagreements, we need the patience of God in our lives to respond in a way that will glorify Him. Proper response to human conflicts need supernatural help. When we fail to realize this, we fail in our human relationships. Paul’s prayer for the church at Rome and the Christian…