Greetings and Thankfulness

Mr Khoo Cheok Kau

14/2/2010

Romans 16:1-16
: I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who serves the church at Cenchreae. Receive her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and giv her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me. I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in the service of Christ Jesus; they risked their lives for me. I am grateful to them -not only I, but all the Gentile churches as well. Greetings lso to the church that meets in their house.

Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first man in the province of Asia to believe in Christ. Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you. Greetings also to Andronicus and Junias, fellow-Jews who ere in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.

My greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the fellowship of the Lord. Greetings also to Urbanus, our fellow-worker in Christ's service, and to Stachys, my dear friend. Greetings to Apelles, whose loyalty to Christ has been proved. Greetings to those who belong to the family of Aristobulu. Greetings to Herodion, a fellow-Jew, and to the Christian brothers in the family of Narcissus.

My greetings to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work in the Lord's service, and to my dear friend Persis, who has done so much work for the Lord. I send greetings to Rufus, that outstanding worker in the Lord's service, and to his mother, ho has always treated me like a son. My greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the other Christian brothers with them. Greetings to Philologus and Julia, to Nereus and his sister, to Olympas and to all of God's people who are with them.

Greet one another with a brotherly kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.

This passage in Romans-often just a glance as it is seen as a list of names

Paul's List of Appreciation
* Paul concludes his letter by personally thanking 5 households and 27 individuals, 9 of whome are ladies.
* Paul sends his warm appreciation by way of greetings - "Greet" someone 19 times.
* Give generous thanks to others.
* He describes in 14 instances exactly WHY he appreciates the person.

Paul's Greetings and Commendation for Phoebe (vs1-2)
* Greet means literally to be fond of, to cherish, to be devoted to, to be deeply welcoming.
* Phoebe = "radiant or bright" - She is an active worker in the Christian congregation at Cenchrea Greece
*Cenchrea is 1 of the 2 seaports of Corinth
*Some people don't greet because we get no reaction to it

Reflection:
* Our human tendencies are to focus on the big names, those in the limelight, and not realize the scores of people who do the tough work.
*God knows but he wants us to say thank you to Him

Takeaway Message:
*Welcome God's servants; Welcome and help believers from other churches; Welcome everyone irrespective of background.
v2 Recieve her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and give her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me.
*Paul's Request : Paul ask Romans to recieve Phoebe- help her, connect with her.

Paul's Greetings for Priscilla and Aquila (v3)
* Priscilla - a Jew with a Greek name; Aquila- Latin name for eagle.
*Both husband and wife came from Italy as Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome

(Acts 18:1-2)- After this, Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, for the Emperor Claudius ahd ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them.

*Both Priscilla and Aquila did not leave their Christianity behind when they move, whether in Corinth or Ephesus or Rome.

Reflection:
*Do you keep growing in your Christian faith when you move away from home?

Paul's Commendation for Priscilla and Aquila (v4) - Paul's Appreciation
*Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul (v4) - Probably at Ephesus
*Both instructed Apollos

(Acts 18:26) - He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home with them and explained to him more correctly the Way of God.

Rahab
*Rahab risked her life by hiding the 2 spies sent by
*Joshua before the fall the boom

Corrie Ten Boom
*Safe a lot of Jews from the Nazis
-provided food, collect food strands, risked her life

*Is there someone of who you have taken advantage of ?

Thanks to God 1st -
1 Chronicles 17:16 - The King of David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down, and prayed, "I am not worthy of what you ahve already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family.

Develop habit of thankfulness -

Philippians 4:6- Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.

*Continue to serve the Lord eventhough nobody says thanks

Reflection:
* The day may come when we are persecuted for Christ. Will you be willing to risk your life to save other believers?
*Greet many who worked very hard for you

Paul's Appreciation for Mary and Others who Laboured much (v6, 12):
* Greek term "laboured" = worked hard and toiled laboriously even to the point of weariness and exhaustion
*Labouriously -  meaning of work hard -Tryphene, Tryphosa and Persis (Also worked hard)

Reflection:
*Are we working hard for the Lord?
*We forget those who contribute to the ministry
*Paul comments publicly, acknowledging many
*Always be people who honor and acknowledge others

Epilogue:
*Whate you do in secular employment is important paying the bills and providing a service, but it will be forgotten before long. What you do for Jesus will be remembered by the Lord.

Application:
*Send them a note of thanks and greetings as Paul does.
*Try to remember everyone who has ever done anything to bring you nearer to Christ.

Memory Verse:
Amos 8:7 : "Surely I will never forget any of their works."

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**