December 14, 2018

Leave a Legacy

Romans 16

Bobby Crotty
Friday's Devo

December 14, 2018

Friday's Devo

December 14, 2018

Central Truth

The people Paul identifies in Romans 16 are part of his legacy in Christ. Many—and perhaps all—are people he has invested his life in. Reading this chapter always causes me to ask myself, "In whom am I investing my life?" Who is your legacy?

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

Let's face it. Romans 16 is a chapter many of us are tempted to pass over as one of the blah-blah-blah chapters of the Bible. But that would be a BIG mistake. I used to read it that way—lots of names, most of which I know nothing about, much less how to pronounce them.

But then Paul's description of these 40-plus people made me start to wonder about their stories. We each have a story that is important to God. And I started to notice how Paul describes these people:

  • "a servant of the church" (Romans 16:1)
  • "my fellow workers" (Romans 16:3)
  • "risked their necks for my life" (Romans 16:4)
  • "beloved" (Romans 16:5, 8, 9, 12)
  • "kinsmen" (Romans 16:7, 11)
  • "fellow prisoners" (Romans 16:7)
  • "approved in Christ" (Romans 16:10)
  • "worked hard in the Lord" (Romans 16:12)
  • "chosen in the Lord" (Romans 16:13)
  • "a mother to me" (Romans 16:13)

And their stories started to matter to me as I realized that these people were a part of the Apostle Paul's legacy in the Lord. He had invested his life in them, he knew their stories, and he cared deeply about them. I also noticed that he listed his community group in Romans 16:21-23. These were the guys with whom Paul was doing the work of the ministry of the gospel. And he cared about them as well.

Finally, I started thinking about my legacy. Certainly, my family is a big part of my legacy—especially our five precious little ones. I have spent 12-plus years of my life in ministry at Watermark and had the privilege of investing my life in a bunch of men and women at Watermark. I have gotten way more out of this time than any of the men and women did. These friendships have so enriched my life, and I value and care about each one. And I am grateful to the Lord for opportunity to serve the cause of the gospel with them.

So what's your legacy? Or, more importantly, who is a part of your legacy in Christ?

This month's memory verse

The Example of Christ

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

– Romans 15:1

Discussion Questions

1. How have any Join The Journey writers or commenters been a part of your story or legacy? Leave a comment to share that information with The Journey family.

2. If you think you have no legacy, how can you start to invest your life in others today? Serving at Watermark or your local church is a great place to start!

3. Paul likely wrote this letter in approximately A.D. 57, which means that he had been engaged in the ministry of the gospel for 20-plus years. How long have you been engaged in the ministry of the gospel? The answer for each of us should be as long as we have been believers in Christ. We all are a part of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and have a perfect mission to tell others about our Savior. Whom can you tell about Christ today? Keep building each day that legacy of people in whom you are investing your life.

Thanks for being a part of Join The Journey in 2018! We hope that you enjoyed reading through and meditating on Romans this year, and we pray that the power of the gospel for salvation and life transformation has become more real to you. Leave a comment to let us know how reading through Romans has impacted your walk with Christ in 2018.

The Journey will resume on January 1, 2019, as we begin a journey from the Promised Land to the Promised King. The Journey will also for the first time celebrate December with Christmas devotionals. Use the time between now and then to build your legacy in Christ!