Romans 16:13-16

 

Romans 16:13-16

Church of Christ

 

Rom 16:13  Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 

Rom 16:14  Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 

Rom 16:15  Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 

Rom 16:16  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 

 

• More often than not, we give men like the Apostle Paul too much credit for the building of the first century church. The reality is that we should give much more credit to the literal army of believers that labored tirelessly to advance the Kingdom of Christ.

 

1. The Church Needs Individuals Called Out for Christ’s Work – vs. 13a
1. Rufus was probably a son of Simon the Cyrene

                                                              i.      Mark 15:21 

2. Rufus was chosen of the Lord

                                                              i.      Christ calls many but few are chosen

1.      Matthew 20:16 

                                                            ii.      You were chosen before the beginning of time

1.      Ephesians 1:4 

                                                          iii.      You have been chosen in order that you may be sanctified

1.      2 Thessalonians 2:13 

                                                          iv.      Christ has chosen you because He wants to produce fruit through you

1.      John 15:16 

2. The Church Needs Motherly Women – vs. 13b
1. She is the mother of Rufus and probably the wife of Simon of Cyrene
2. She is a motherly figure in Paul’s life

                                                              i.      Proverbs 1:8-9 

                                                            ii.      Which means she probably gave him the some of the following

1.      Wise counsel

a.       Proverbs 31:1-4 

2.      Devoted prayers on his behalf

a.       Hebrews 4:16 

3.      Encouragement

 

 

4.      Help

a.       She probably cooked him meals

b.      Mended his cloths

c.       Nursed him when he as sick

d.      Bandaged his wounds

3. The Church Needs Dedicated Small Groups – vs. 14
1. Discipleship is the heartbeat of a church. You should always be looking for someone that can disciple you and some you can disciple.

                                                              i.      Discipleship needs to be Christ centered

1.      John 15:1-4 

                                                            ii.      Discipleship needs to be marked by love

1.      John 13:34-35 

                                                          iii.      Discipleship needs to have maturity in Christ as the goal

1.      Colossians 1:28-29 

                                                          iv.      Discipleship requires people to be prepared to receive tough warnings

1.      Hebrews 3:13-14 

4. The Church Needs Committed Families – vs. 15
1. Families need to be dedicated to family devotional times

                                                              i.      Ephesians 5:19-20 

2. Wives need to be submitting to their husbands

                                                              i.      Ephesians 5:22 

3. Husbands need to be leading their homes

                                                              i.      Ephesians 5:25 

4. Children need to be obeying their God given authorities

                                                              i.      Ephesians 6:1-2 

5. The Church Needs Genuine Fellowship – vs. 16
1. Fellowship needs to be edifying

                                                              i.      1 Thessalonians 5:11 

2. Fellowship needs to be consistent

                                                              i.      Hebrews 10:25 

3. Fellowship needs to be Christ centered

                                                              i.      1 John 1:3 

4. Fellowship needs to build unity

                                                              i.      Acts 2:46