Reading through Romans

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.
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A reading from Romans: Romans 16:3-16 (NLT)

aquila-and-priscilla 1 — Priscilla and Aquila

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.

Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
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Reflection: Romans 16:3-16 (John Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World)

Conclusion: The providence of God in the ministry of Paul (Romans 15:14–16:27)

Paul takes the Roman church into his confidence about the salient characteristics of his ministry… giving us insight into the outworking of God’s providence in his life and work.

His commendation and greetings (Romans 16:1–16)

‘I think’, wrote Chrysostom, ‘that many even of those who have the appearance of being extremely good men, hasten over this part of the epistle as superfluous …Yet’, he went on, ‘the gold founders’ people are careful even about the little fragments …it is possible even from bare names to find a great treasure.’

2. Many greetings (3-16)
Paul sends greetings to twenty -six individuals, twenty-four of whom he names, adding in most cases an appreciative personal reference…. Reflecting on the names and circumstances of the people Paul greets, one is particularly impressed by the unity and diversity of the church to which they belonged.

a. The diversity of the church

The most interesting and instructive aspect of church diversity in Rome is that of gender. Nine out of the twenty-six persons greeted are women…. Paul evidently thinks highly of them all.

The prominent place occupied by women in Paul’s entourage shows that he was not at all the male chauvinist of popular fantasy.

b. The unity of the church

Alongside the Roman church’s diversity in race, rank and sex, it experienced a profound unity which transcended its differences.

The toleration of ethnic division in the Roman house churches would be entirely incompatible with Paul’s sustained argument in chapters 14 –15, and with its climax…. Such an arrangement would contradict the church’s unity in diversity.

Heterogeneity is of the essence of the church, since it is the one and only community in the world in which Christ has broken down all dividing walls.
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Paul concludes his list of individual greetings with two universals.

The first is that, although only a few of them have been greeted by name, they must all greet one another with a holy kiss… a visible and tangible gesture, although what form the ‘kiss’ should take will vary according to culture…. Paul’s second universal follows: all the churches of Christ send greetings… writing representitavely.
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“One Bread, One Body”

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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 28 September – Romans 16:1-2 ~ welcome Phoebe

Reading through Romans

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.
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A reading from Romans: Romans 16:1-2 (NLT)

Phoebe (1st century) was a deaconess of the Church at Cenchreae, the port of Corinth.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.
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Reflection: Romans 16:1-2 (John Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World)

Conclusion: The providence of God in the ministry of Paul (Romans 15:14–16:27)

Paul takes the Roman church into his confidence about the salient characteristics of his ministry… giving us insight into the outworking of God’s providence in his life and work.

His commendation and greetings (Romans 16:1–16)

1. A commendation (1–2)

It seems very likely that Phoebe was entrusted with the responsible task of carrying Paul’s letter to its destination in Rome, although other business was apparently taking her to the city as well, perhaps commerce or ‘quite probably a law suit’. So she needed a ‘letter of commendation’ to take with her, which would introduce her to the Christians in Rome. Such letters were common in the ancient world, and necessary to protect people from charlatans. They are several times mentioned in the New Testament.

In his testimonial for Phoebe Paul asks the Roman church both to receive her, giving her a worthy Christian welcome and hospitality, and to give her any help she may need, as a stranger in the capital city, presumably in connection with her other business. Before and after these requests Paul supplies some information about Phoebe, ‘so placing on each side of the needs of this blessed woman’, writes Chrysostom, ‘her praises’. Indeed, he goes on, ‘see how many ways he takes to give her dignity’.

First, he calls her our sister, ‘and it is no slight thing to be called the sister of Paul’.

Secondly, he acknowledges her as a servant (‘minister’, REB; or ‘deaconess’, RSV and NIV) of the church in Cenchrea, which was Corinth’s eastern port at the head of the Saronic Gulf.

Thirdly, she has been a great help to many people, including Paul…. Phoebe was evidently a woman of means, who had used her wealth to support the church and the apostle.
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“Come to the Banquet” – by Fay White

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Canticle

Blessing

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Sunday, 27 September: Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 ~ Spirit break out

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening Prayer:

Pour out your Spirit, O God, over all the world to inspire every heart with knowledge and love of You. Grant that we who confess Jesus as Lord may shun whatever is contrary to our faith and give witness to Your love that has saved us in Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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Hymn: “Breathe On Me, Breath Of God”

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Numbers 11:25-29 (NLT)
[Moses is asked to prevent some followers from acting as prophets, but declines. God’s gifts are for all, not just a few.]

And the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Then he gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again.

Moses chooses seventy elders (1739) Jacob de Wit City Archives, Amsterdam — Moses chooses seventy elders (1739)
Jacob de Wit
City Archives, Amsterdam

Two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed behind in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but they had not gone out to the Tabernacle. Yet the Spirit rested upon them as well, so they prophesied there in the camp. A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”

Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant since his youth, protested, “Moses, my master, make them stop!”

But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14 (NLT)

The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.
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They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.
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How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
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“Psalm 19”

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A Reading from the Letters: James 5:1-6 (NLT)
[James condemns the rich, those who perceive they have no need of God.]

Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 (NLT)
[Jesus teaches his followers to recognize people who are helpful, and shows them how to deal with obstacles to faith.]

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”

“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.
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“Spirit Break Out” – Kim Walker-Smith

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Intercessions:

Brothers and sisters, let us make our needs known to the Lord.

+ For Church leaders around the world – that their faithful witness to the Gospel may strengthen and encourage the believers under their care…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the men and women called to minister in the Church – that the Spirit may help them to become good servants…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the rich and wealthy — that they may remember their call to godly stewardship and generosity…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the refugees seeking food and shelter — that they may receive the help they need to sustain them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For war-torn, corrupt countries and governments – that self-serving leaders may be replaced with godly servants of their people…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the people in our communities who are sick — that the Lord may raise them up to health and wholeness…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died in the service of Christ, and all our family and friends who have gone before us in faith – that they may receive just reward of their labors…. Lord, hear us.

Eternal God, You provide for those who rely on You: send us grace and resources sufficient unto the day, we ask You, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” – Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Bring the presence of the risen Lord To renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your Word to come alive in me; Give me faith for what I cannot see; Give me passion for Your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.

Holy Spirit, come abide within; May Your joy be seen in all I do— Love enough to cover ev’ry sin In each thought and deed and attitude, Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my striving into works of grace. Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.

Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made, Show Your power once again on earth; Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways. Let the fragrance of our prayers arise. Lead us on the road of sacrifice That in unity the face of Christ Will be clear for all the world to see.
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Benediction:

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 26 September – Romans 15:30-33 ~ praying God’s will

Reading through Romans

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.
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A reading from Romans: Romans 15:30-33 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.

And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.
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Reflection: Romans 15:30-33 (John Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World)

Conclusion: The providence of God in the ministry of Paul (Romans 15:14–16:27)

Paul takes the Roman church into his confidence about the salient characteristics of his ministry… giving us insight into the outworking of God’s providence in his life and work.

Prayer as a struggle (Romans 15:30-33)

Paul refers to prayer as a struggle: our need to wrestle with the principalities and powers of darkness; and/or an activity demanding great exertion, a struggle in fact with ourselves, in which we seek to align ourselves with God’s will.

Paul’s reference to the will of God in relation to prayer is very significant…. His use of this qualifying clause throws light on both the purpose and the character of prayer, on why and how Christians should pray.

The purpose of prayer is emphatically not to bend God’s will to ours, but rather to align our will to his. The promise that our prayers will be answered is conditional on our asking ‘according to his will’. Consequently every prayer we pray should be a variation on the theme, ‘Your will be done.’

What about the character of prayer? Is praying… ‘if it be your will’ a cop-out and incompatible with faith? In response, we need to distinguish between the general and the particular will of God. Since God has revealed his general will for all his people in Scripture (e.g. that we should control ourselves and become like Christ), we should indeed pray with definiteness and assurance about these things. But God’s particular will for each of us (e.g. regarding a life work and a life partner) has not been revealed in Scripture, so that, in praying for guidance, it is right to add ‘by God’s will’.

If Jesus himself did this in the garden of Gethsemane (‘Not my will, but yours be done’), and if Paul did it twice in his letter to the Romans, we should do it too. It is not unbelief, but a proper humility.

Prayer is an essential Christian activity, and it is good to ask people to pray for us and with us, as Paul did. But there is nothing automatic about prayer. Praying is not like using a coin-operated machine or a cash dispenser. The struggle involved in prayer lies in the process of coming to discern God’s will and to desire it above everything else. Then God will work things out providentially according to his will, for which we have prayed.
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“Let Your Kingdom Come” – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir