Issue 21 - Day 6

Romans 16

Romans 16:1-2
1)  I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2)  That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

I have two questions of you this morning, and I think both are a challenge to us all. Firstly, how would others describe you, and secondly how do you treat servants within the church?

Phebe is recorded for all eternity in scripture as being a servant of the church, and a succourer of many including Paul himself. Is that how people would describe you? Are you seen by all as a servant of the church? The implication here is that if you went to Cenchrea, basically the eastern port of Corinth, you would find Phebe helping out with whatever needed doing in the church. everything from cleaning to serving food, from teaching the children to caring for the elderly, she would be there helping. She also had a heart for those in pain. If you were struggling through difficulties in your life, she would be the first one there with an encouraging word and counsel. Is that you? If we follow the example of Christ it should describe us all, though I know it does not.

As I said, the second challenge is how we treat others in the church. It should not have been necessary for Paul to say anything as all believers should be this way, however we know we are not so hence the challenge. When someone is heading up a project and asks for your help, are you willing to do whatever you are able? When someone comes to visit are you ready to make them feel at home? Let us all have the same mind and heart as Christ.