She Was A Helper Of Many

Note with me her testimony. She wasn’t a preacher. She wasn’t a pastor. She wasn’t an evangelist. It doesn’t seem that she was a missionary in the modern sense of the word.

She was a servant. That is such a lowly title in our society, but among believers in the local church, it should be an honorable distinction.

Peter was a servant.

2 Peter 1:3 - Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Paul was a servant.

Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God

Jesus was a servant.

Philippians 2:5-7 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

He washed the feet of the disciples and etched into their memory a picture of servanthood that they carried with them for the rest of their lives.

What was Phebe’s testimony? She was a servant - not of any particular person, but of the church family at Cenchrea. She was a helper to whomever she could in that church family.

Application: You don’t have to be a preacher to be used of God in the ministry of the church! Every person in our church can play a valuable role. You can have a valuable part in the ministry here. You don’t need to have a title to minister. It really is as simple as getting to know those around you and finding ways to encourage them as a Christian.

Christian, don’t belittle your role in the ministry of this church. Don’t think that your part in this church doesn’t matter. Every member of the body is important - that’s exactly what Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 12.

As I come and go on the church property, I’ll sometimes see our yard with clean cut grass. Sometimes I’ll smell the scent of a freshly cleaned building. Thank God! Praise the Lord! I am so thankful for all that participate in this and in other ways.

It may not be much thought of in our day, but more than anything, be content being a servant. If Phebe could be a servant, if Paul could be a servant, and if Jesus could be a servant, surely you and I can also.

Next slide here

Her difference in the church - “a succourer of many...”

“succourer” - a helper, an assistant

Phebe was a difference-maker. She made a difference in the church at Cenchrea. She was a helper of many! How did she do this? We don’t know, but she served where could.

Phebe influenced Paul’s ministry. Do you think he planted churches all across the Roman Empire all on his own? No! He surrounded himself with people that helped make it happen. It was a team effort. Luke, Timothy, Epaphroditus… the list of names goes on and on. So many helped the apostle Paul.

Phebe was someone who helped Paul also. Maybe she was the piano player on his travelling team!

Application: What about you? Are you making a difference in this church family? Whose lives are you touching?

If we all do our part to be like Phebe, there’s no telling how much we can touch each other’s lives and the lives of the people in our community.

Next slide here

Her commendation to the church - “I commend unto you…”

When God moved Jana and I to Eastern North Carolina, one of the blessings that I found was the opportunity to meet a whole new group of Baptist pastors and to build new friendships. Pastor Bill Wingard, Pastor Dwight Williams, Pastor Tim Daniel, Pastor Jim Kohr, Pastor Rick Aldridge, Pastor Jay O’Dell, Pastor David Hildebrand and many others were a huge help to me.

Several of these men were known for being particularly gracious men. Once I had the opportunity of getting to know them personally, I quickly discovered why they had that testimony.

It didn’t matter that I was just getting started in full time ministry.

It didn’t matter that they had years of ministry experience and I did not.

When I preached at a pastor’s fellowship, it didn’t matter that they could have preached a far better message - they listened intently and thanked me profusely afterward.

You see, a gracious person make you feel valued, loved, and appreciated. They cheer you on. They encourage you!

That’s exactly what Paul did here when he commended Phebe to these Romans. Paul was a gracious man. Instead of being a bigwig apostle, he brought attention to and praised his sister in Christ!

Real men are gracious men.

“commend” - to recommend, to introduce, to vouch for

Paul recommends Phebe to the church at Rome and tells them to lovingly receive her as a sister in Christ. Phebe was respected and trusted with the greatest of confidence. How do we know this? She was the one who carried this letter to the brothers and sisters at Rome.

Application: Phebe never planted a church, but she was considered a vital helper to the apostle Paul.

Invitation

What role do you have in this church? How are you serving others? How are you serving Christ?

Do you feel as though your work is in vain? Do you feel as though your service isn’t touching any lives? Be assured that it is. God sees it. He will reward you in His time.