Greetings Romans 16:1-16

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Nonsensical People

In his play, Our Town, Thornton Wilder described the atmosphere in a New Hampshire village at the turn of the century. Observing all the pettiness, personal idiosyncrasies, and tragedies of normal life, he wrote: “Wherever you come near the human race, there’s layers and layers of nonsense …”

-Similarly, we have a saying in pastoral leadership: “Church would be great if it weren’t for all of the people!”

-Servants of God must live in relationship with each other

I. Called to Receive God’s Servants vv. 1-2

Paul begins this section by commending a particular lady to the church at Rome, Phoebe

We don’t know a lot about her identity, but Paul notes that she is a servant of the Lord

Literally, the word used is the same word as the title that we use for deacon

Possibly, she is the one delivering the letter from Paul to them

Regardless, she is coming to them and Paul makes it clear that she is worthy of a warm reception and help from them

Why should they receive and help her?

First, because she is the Lord’s servant; God intends that the supply for His servants come through His people

Second, because she has been a patron to other believers; she has generously supplied so that others would be able to serve freely

This is a call that extends to us today; we ought to graciously receive those whom God has called out to serve Him.

This can look like a lot of different things and none of it should happen under compulsion

However, it is right and good to offer a generous welcome to those folks who serve the Lord.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Hospitality and Missions

A Chicago businessman called his wife to get her okay for him to bring home a visiting foreigner as a guest for dinner that night. At the time, the wife had three children in school and one preschooler, so there were plenty of important things to do besides entertaining strangers. But she consented and the meal came off without a hitch. The foreigner, an important Spanish official, never forgot that meal.

Years later, some friends of that family went to Spain as missionaries. Their work was brought to a standstill, however, by government regulations. When the Spanish official got word that the missionaries were friends of that hospitable Chicago couple, he used his influence to clear away the restrictions. There is a church today in that province of Spain, due in part to that one meal!

II. Called to Remember God’s Servants vv. 3-15

Next, Paul goes through a list of greetings

Why is he so interested in greeting all of these folks?

I believe that he wants them to have an update on his situation while he has opportunity

I also believe that he wants to give them an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing through him

What are some of the defining characteristics of the folks Paul reaches out to?

They are fellow workers in the Kingdom for the Gospel: vv. 3-5, 6,9,12

They have a “family” connection: vv. 5, 7, 10, 11, 13-15

They are believers vv. 5, 7, 10, 13

They are loved by Paul vv. 8-9

These connections are important because Paul has a genuine affection for these people and Paul trusts that they share the same concern for him

In offering greetings to these folks, the Roman Christians should gain a clearer insight into the quality of Paul’s ministry and should grow in confidence to partner with him

When we share life together with deep connections and relationships, we have people in our lives who are also able to commend us to others!

We must be wary of a version of Christianity that is so highly individualistic that it cuts off from all other believers and becomes a completely private matter

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Family Encouragement

A mother whom I baptized as a young girl, now married and living in Australia, mentioned that her grandmother in America would soon celebrate her ninetieth birthday. Whereupon her father-in-law suggested it was important for her to be with her blood family in Saint Louis and provided her with a round-trip plane ticket.

As time for her departure from Saint Louis approached, her grandmother inquired if she needed anything. Kathy replied that she had her limit in baggage and that she really did not need anything. Subsequently, the grandmother said she should be able to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle on the ranch in Australia and presented her with a check for the purchase.

III. Called to Relationship with God’s Servants v. 16

Finally, we see a final word of instruction and greeting from Paul

It turns out that everything in the Kingdom is about relationships that are:

Friendly and genuine

Completely chaste

Born out of a shared solidarity in the person and mission of Jesus

We must not miss the opportunity to grow together as the people of God!

There was a young boy whose mother, unknown to him, planned a surprise birthday party. After he got home, he went upstairs to his room. Then all his classmates and teachers gathered in the living room. When his mother went to his room to get him, he was gone. He had climbed down a tree outside his window and was hiding in a nearby park.

The rest of the children went on to enjoy a good time, but Johnny never turned up. When he came in for supper his mother asked where he had been; he had missed a wonderful time, planned just for him. He tearfully confessed he had heard her call but hid until suppertime because he thought she had a chore for him to do!