Romans 16
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant [deaconess ] of the church at Cenchreae, 2 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.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 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. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert [first fruit] to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, [Junias] my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, [messengers] and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 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 [brothers and sisters] 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.
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, [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. [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]
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.
Lots of opportunities for these young people, more than they can imagine. Lots of God Bless You's for all the road ahead.
I have been good. I have not whined to my husband or my sons about the empty nest. But I will rely upon the Lord to fill my need to nurture and be useful to young people. And there is going to be a twang when I tell Him. Father God, here are my hands, fill them, please.
So, voi·là! Here is the article God put in front of me today:
Keys to a Useful Life
By Ward Williams
· Illustration: Thomas Huxley said, “A feeling of uselessness is the severest shock that a human system can endure.”
· The secret to a happy life is not in keeping busy, but in being useful.
· The Good Samaritan is a good representation of what it means to be a useful, caring person.
· Big Idea: The ultimate standard of a useful life is not what you think and expect of yourself as much as what you are willing to do for those around you.
Transition: Applying this story to our lives requires concentration on three keys to a useful life.
Avoid the danger of generalities.
· Christianity is not a philosophy; its approach to life is concrete.
· The gospel calls us to test our belief by acting upon it.
- Illustration: A cemetery headstone in England reads, “Here lies Thomas Cobb, who mended shoes in this village for 40 years to the glory of God.”
· Neighborliness is not a generality; it is serving the needs of individuals.
Be aware of what is important.
· Jesus implied that all the religious rituals in the world were not as important as the fellow who lay bleeding beside the road.
· Jesus’ choices were always made in terms of people and their needs.
· The Samaritan did not act out of an expectation for reward or thanks.
· The Good Samaritan was motivated by a good conscience, a sense of satisfaction, and a desire to be able to say he had led a useful life.
Help others help themselves.
· The Samaritan’s intentions were to get the wounded man on his feet, not to make him dependent upon charity.
· Illustration: Williams works with a nonprofit organization that finances cottage industries in Venezuela to teach skills leading to financial independence.
Conclusion
· Jesus lived the model of usefulness.
- Philippians 2:7;
but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
- Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
· A useful life is not defined by knowing who our neighbors are, but in demonstrating neighborliness.
· he said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
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