June 14, 2012

WHAT'S IN YOUR NAME?

Romans 16

Scott DeBow
Thursday's Devo

June 14, 2012

Thursday's Devo

June 14, 2012

Central Truth

Riding on the coattails of a good name, good behavior, or past success is not enough. Wherever we find ourselves today, we must always strive to be wise about what is good and innocent of evil.

Key Verse | Romans 16:19

For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. (Romans 16:19)

Romans 16

Personal Greetings

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant 1 16:1 Or deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert 2 16:5 Greek firstfruit to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, 3 16:7 Or Junias my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, 4 16:7 Or messengers and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers 5 16:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17 who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Final Instructions and Greetings

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, 6 16:18 Greek their own belly and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. 7 16:23 Some manuscripts insert verse 24: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen

Doxology

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Footnotes

[1] 16:1 Or deaconess
[2] 16:5 Greek firstfruit
[3] 16:7 Or Junias
[4] 16:7 Or messengers
[5] 16:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17
[6] 16:18 Greek their own belly
[7] 16:23 Some manuscripts insert verse 24: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen

Dive Deeper | Romans 16

What is associated with a name is important -- here are a few examples:

1. Abraham Lincoln -- Emancipation Proclamation, 16th president, known for great humility while wielding great power. Also one of the more believable and lifelike figures in the Hall of Presidents at Disney World.
2. Mother Teresa -- Humanitarian and advocate for the poor/helpless, devotion to serving orphans, National Prayer Breakfast keynote speech in 1994.
3. Apple -- computers and Steve Jobs, but most especially as a delicious fruit with a healthy balance of Vitamins A, C, and B6

In Romans 16, Paul references more than 20 people who were a part of the care and teaching of the church. These were people who "risked their own necks" (verse 4) for each other, worked hard for the Lord, and were "outstanding among the apostles" (verse 7). This is a group that will help others grow in their understanding of being "wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil" (verse 19), and it should encourage us to run harder after Christ.

This passage causes me to ask myself two things:

1. Am I living my life in a manner that helps my wife, children, family and others to draw closer to God?

2. When they think of my name, are they encouraged?

To be honest, it's sometimes easier for me to recall a great work of passion, success, or a "ministry thing" I did a year or more ago than to describe what I am doing today to honor the Lord with the life He's given me. Paul challenges us on this in verse 19. To paraphrase, he says: "Good work, and I rejoice in it. But don't get lazy!" Paul recognizes how fickle we can be in light of achievement, and it's something he first recognized in himself: "Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." (1 Timothy 1:15, KJV)

God can make us new, restore our names, and reconcile us to Himself through Christ our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). I pray for God's blessings on you today. Let's go be faithful!

Discussion Questions

1. People are either "wind in your sails or anchors in your tails." Who do you spend the most time with?

2. Do you think people think of you as wind or an anchor?

3. How does your family's opinion of you at home compare with your co-workers' opinion at the office?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

Romans 13-1 Corinthians 1 (June 11-15)

Read Romans 13:8-10.

• What is a debt?
• What does verse 8 say we should do with our debts?
• Why do you think we have a debt to love others?
• Who paid our debt by dying on the cross?

We can show how thankful we are for what Jesus has done for us by following His command to love our neighbors.

• Who is your neighbor (not just your "neighbors" who live near you)?
• What does it mean to "love your neighbor as yourself?"

Activity: Make a list of the ways that you take care of yourself. Think about everything from eating healthy foods, to wanting to be listened to, to memorizing Scripture to combat the enemy. Be exhaustive. Pick five of your "neighbors" and choose something for each of them from your list of how you love yourself and love them specifically in that way this week.