Bigger Than Life (Introduction)

Reading of the Word

Romans 16:1–16 (NASB 2020)

I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea (Sen-cree),

that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila (a-qu-la), my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;

also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus (e-phen-a-tus), my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.

Greet Andronicus (a-dron-e-cus) and Junia, my kinsfolk and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding in the view of the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Greet Ampliatus (am-flee-a-tus), my beloved in the Lord.

Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys (stay-cus) my beloved.

Greet Apelles (a-pel-les), the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus (air-a-stob-u-lus).

Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus (nar-sis-us), who are in the Lord.

Greet Tryphaena (try-phen-a) and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.

Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.

Greet Asyncritus (a-syn-cri-tus), Phlegon (fla-gon), Hermes, Patrobas (pa-tra-bus), Hermas, and the brothers and sisters with them.

Greet Philologus (phil-o-e-gus)and Julia, Nereus (ne-re-us) and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Prayer of Illumination

Gracious God, as we open your Word, send your Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts and minds. Grant us understanding, wisdom, and a deeper knowledge of your truth. May your Word guide us, challenge us, and transform us to live according to your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s Get Started

On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy stood at the podium of Rice University and announced that the United States would put a person on the moon within ten years. From our technologically advanced vantage point today we shudder at the audacity of that vision. However, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon. His words, “That’s one small step for [a] man; one giant leap for mankind,”1 resounded across the crackling radio both profound and prophetic. Kennedy’s vision and Neil Armstrong’s footsteps dominate the history books, but like most major accomplishments, a closer look reveals that we should acknowledge more than just the exploits of two men. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recently produced a series of articles highlighting the Apollo space program. The BBC’s conservative estimates indicate that the successful Apollo 11 mission to the moon and back required the combined efforts of over 400,000 people!

Significant things, the kinds of things that test the limits of human capabilities and change the world, are seldom solo endeavors. We may remember Kennedy’s audacious vision or Armstrong’s first steps on the moon, but the successful journey to the moon and safely back to earth would not have been possible without the cooperative efforts of 399,998 other people dedicated to a common cause and working together to see it become reality.

Barber, Sam. People of Grace: Becoming Disciples Together (p. 6). The Foundry Publishing. Kindle Edition.

There really is strength in numbers, and the Bible agrees.

The Great Commission is not a solo endeavor but one that the church “every believer in the finished work of Christ” is called to.

We often fail because we try to do this solo.

Sadly, too often we approach our spiritual journey as a solo endeavor when Jesus taught us to live in community and to pursue his will as a team

I. The Traveling Missionary Giant

For the last two thousand years, the Christian church has regarded Paul as one of the greatest servants of Christ in church history. To most, he was bigger than life.

• He was an exceptional evangelist who took the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.

• He wrote thirteen books of the New Testament, composing nearly one-fourth of its content.

• He “fought the good fight, . . . finished the race, . . . [and] kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).

• He died as a martyr for the faith and received the “crown of righteousness” (v. 8).

Yet God calls every disciple of Christ to get involved in making disciples just as Paul did.

II. Paul followed Christ’s example.

A. Paul encouraged believers to “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).

B. Christ invested personally in his disciples.

1. He invested much of his attention in the three: Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17:1).

2. He invested heavily in the Twelve: all of his apostles (10:2-4).

3. He invested in the seventy-two (Luke 10:1).

C. Paul was not a lone individualist who ministered solo; he built a web of workers and supporters in every local church to multiply his ministry.

III. Paul invested in fellow believers at every level of ministry.

A. Romans 16:1-15 names a few of the ordinary disciples who assisted Paul, supported his ministry, and got involved in building God’s kingdom through discipleship in local churches.

1. Some, like Pricilla and Aquila, preached and taught alongside Paul (vv. 3, 6, 9).

2. Some offered their homes as meeting places for the church (v. 5).

3. Some befriended Paul and worked hard behind the scenes (vv. 5, 8, 12).

4. Some suffered in prison with Paul (v. 7).

5. Some served as exemplars of Christ’s transforming power (v. 10).

6. Some nurtured Paul as a family member (vv. 13-14).

B. Paul’s ministry flourished in local communities of faith that he started or nurtured because he trained and left lay leaders in charge of these communities when he moved to his next assignment.

IV. Paul welcomed everyone who showed an interest in God’s kingdom.

A. Every community of faith must provide a welcoming and nurturing environment to everyone who visits.

B. The Holy Spirit draws those who need Christ through prevenient grace to individuals who know Christ so they can share the gospel with them.

Always be looking for the opportunities that God provides you to share the Good News with others.

They may come at any moment. If we aren’t actively looking for these opportunities, they may pass us by.

If God tells you to share, then just do it. Don’t let fear or anything else get in the way of an opportunity to share Jesus with others.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” -Mary Angelou

C. Christ’s disciples must accept responsibility for nurturing individuals into the faith and then helping them grow in grace until they become mature believers.

To Sum It Up

The Great Commission isn't a solo mission—Paul followed Christ's example by investing in others and building communities. Will you step up and do the same, investing in people and working together to fulfill Christ’s call?

Wrapping It Up

Just before Jesus left his disciples to return to his Father, he challenged them with the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus did not address his command to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (vv. 19-20) only to those called into full-time Christian service He addressed it to every believer from that day to today. Jesus assists us in fulfilling his command in two important ways: he gives us a nurturing community of faith within which to serve, and he gives us his presence to guide us every step of the way (v. 20).

If you want to go to the moon, you’ll never get there alone. If you want to be a disciple and make disciples, you can’t do that alone either. Let’s discover together an innovative and effective method for discipleship.

Prayer After Message

Gracious God, we come before you, humbled by the magnitude of your call, knowing that your purpose is far greater than our own lives. Help us to grasp the depth of your mission and step boldly into the work you’ve set before us. May your Word take root in our hearts, transforming us into vessels of your love and grace. Empower us to live with courage and compassion, sharing your truth and hope with those around us. Guide us as we strive to be faithful disciples in a calling far bigger than ourselves, trusting in your Spirit to lead us.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Benediction

May the Lord bless you and keep you; may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. As you go forth, may you carry the light of Christ into the world, embodying His love and grace in all that you do. May you be strengthened in your faith, united in community, and empowered to fulfill the calling placed upon your life. Go in peace, knowing that you are never alone, for the Lord walks with you always. Amen.