Missions Paul

Can you imagine having a name which means ‘fourth’? That’s all we know. There isn’t anything recorded about Quartus except this:

“Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.” (Romans 16 v 23)

He probably wouldn’t make many teams but he was on the Apostle’s.

In this team he sits alongside the director of public works of the city of Corinth!

The Church is the place where everyone in society is given respect and status. Quartus may not have done many things that can be written about but he was known as a spiritual brother and that is enough to make the team.

I was in a church yesterday and met a man (who was slightly disappointed that I actually wasn’t the BBC North Weatherman!) sat on the front row and very much part of that community of believers. The Pastors clearly loved him. He wasn’t just occupying a chair. He was part of their team. He may not be on many teams outside the Church but in that place he was important.

Do you honestly think that the team Jesus put together were a group of male models with designer hair, bleached white teeth, muscular, supremely gifted in every area of life and the most amazing influential communicators the world has ever seen?!

Every team needs people where others might say, ‘why are they on the team?’ The answer? ‘They’re our spiritual brother/sister.’

Everyone has a frontline. Healthcare, education, government etc. Placed there by God.

“Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.” (Romans 16 v 23)

Today look around at those in the pews who are influencing people outside the Church through a variety of ways, whether they are paid or in the voluntary sector; encourage them, we need them there, they are a huge blessing to the city and the Church.

Can you remember who baptised you?

Our next member of the Apostle’s team had a claim to fame. He was baptised by the great Apostle Paul.

“Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.” (Romans 16 v 23)

The Apostle and the church in Corinth benefited from the generosity of Gaius.

Those who understand privilege are generous people.

Baptism was an accepted practice in Paul’s day and has stayed so into our generation. Paul had made a decision for the sake of unity in Corinth not to baptise anyone lest the baptised were tempted to think they were better than anyone else. That is apart from a few, Crispus, the household of Stephanus and our man Gaius!

What did Gaius do with that privileged experience? He chose to become known for his generosity.

Have you experienced what others haven’t?

Are you privileged?

Many of us are.

The temptation is to use it for more personal gain. But it isn’t the Gaius way.

To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48)

Peter used Silas as his secretary (1 Peter 5:12) and here we see the only mention of Tertius.

“I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.” (Romans 16 v 22)

Imagination kicks in as we think what just happened? Did Tertius interrupt the Apostle and say ‘I want to say hello too’? Was Paul distracted for a moment by someone entering into the room and Tertius took the opportunity to add his own personal greetings?

Whatever it was I see a lovely permission culture that the Apostle had created within his team. Tertius wasn’t ruled by fear of stepping out of line. He was being dictated to in writing the letter however not by a dictator where there was no room for him to make a suggestion.

It is a reminder to us of the Bible revealing the human story. These people were just like you and me. A complete different culture perhaps but the same human beings trying to handle circumstances of life and work, just like us.

Perhaps you are dictating to someone today or whatever the equivalent of that maybe then allow freedom of movement, permission for the human story to take place which might not be yours, but ultimately gets into the story of God.

These 2 were also in Corinth and send their greetings through Paul.

“Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.” (Romans 16 v 21)

Sosipater which was abbreviated to Sopater in Acts 20:4 was part of the magnificent seven who accompanied Paul heading back to Jerusalem. That’s all we know about him. But that’s not to be ignored. Think of the people who have accompanied you through life. You will be able to name them. They stayed by your side when others had left. They encouraged you to keep going when you doubted. They didn’t want the limelight they just wanted to accompany you. Importantly they have paid a price for this journey on many occasions.

Where Sosipater would teach us the importance of accompanying someone, Jason would give us examples of the price that needs to be paid at times.

Paul experienced a move of God in Thessalonica. All we know of Jason is that since converting to Christ he faced trouble. Jason had shown hospitality to the Apostle in his house and because of this he was accused of hiding Paul from the authorities.  His house were searched, he was manhandled and dragged before the authorities. Did he sign up for this when he gave his life to Christ? Yes most definitely. This was the price of being part of Paul’s team.

My friend and CEO of Release International, Paul Robinson, posted this week a powerful quote from a missions co-ordinator serving the work of God in northern Nigeria where so many killings and abductions of Christians are taking place right now.

‘To preach the gospel for us is to die, to be safe is to stop preaching the gospel … The gospel in Nigeria cannot be preached without casualties.” Such a powerful quote!

Accompanying the Apostle to Jerusalem, the church planting in Thessalonica, the preaching of the gospel in The Sahel, accompanying your own life or you journeying with someone else, there is a price to pay. Jason and Sosipater teach us that paying that price is worth it.

So here’s where I’m at – if the Apostle is now sending ‘hello’ messages from his team that are with him in Corinth then I think it is a good chance that Lucius is the abbreviated form of Luke the evangelist, the recorder of Acts of the Apostles, because in Acts 20:5 he reveals he is there with Paul’s team. It would be indeed strange if Paul never mentioned Luke in his greeting messages. I am comfortable in comparing the translations that Jason and Sosipater are the Jewish members of his team. If some translations are correct then they are not ‘fellow Jews’ anyway but kinsmen, cousins, relatives. If Luke was put together in the category of a fellow Jew then that theory would go against the traditional view that he was Gentile and could mean he was a relative of Paul. Herein lies the end of the debate! Back to the devotional blog!

“Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.” (Romans 16 v 21)

So as I sit here thinking about Luke and looking through the Bible I draw a list (though not exhaustive by any means) that might encourage someone today:

Luke 1: 1-2 “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

Acts 1:1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

1. Hide your name so that Jesus is seen.

The Gospel is more important than the communicator.Luke’s name never appears in his writings but because of who it is written to and the strong connections in Acts it is accepted as being Luke.

• Prove yourself trustworthy.

Luke was a credible person. He had experienced life as a doctor. He became a team member on Paul’s 2^nd missionary journey and who continued to stay alongside him even when he was under house arrest.

• Get friends.

Luke wrote to someone specific, Theophilus. The name means a lover of God. But Luke calls him ‘most excellent Theophilus’ which is the title Paul gives to the Governor Felix in Acts. This indicates that Luke’s friend is a person of prominence, at least a Roman soldier but maybe higher.

• Pursue Christ.

Luke personally investigated the life of Jesus from the beginning, not just relying on other people’s experiences or what they had written, he dug further.

• Details can be unnecessary.

Luke doesn’t record everything. For example, the really important collection campaign of Paul’s is recorded but we don’t know of any results of that (see Acts 21:17; 24:17)

• Data is not unnecessary.

In Acts 27 Luke records there were 276 on board the ship within the storm. He counted them. Peter caught 153 fish in John 21. Someone counted them. We count because we care. We count because it shows where we are.

• There’s always more.

Luke has written his gospel (his former book) and is now writing further (Acts).
There is more. Your experience of Jesus in the past, no matter how amazing, is just a part of what can be fully experienced. There is more. Write again. God hasn’t finished with you yet. Notice how Luke ends the account of Acts 28:31 “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” He doesn’t tell us what happens to Paul. He doesn’t tell us how Paul was feeling, if he was struggling being kept under house arrest chained to a guard. Instead he focuses on what Paul does, the work of God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is Luke’s focus not Paul. It is the same today. We are people within the story of God. What is His story? It is the good news of Jesus. Luke says that no man was able to stop Paul sharing this good news.
No man can stop you either. Paul may die but his gospel will never die. Whatever happens to you, your gospel will never die.

The Apostle has sent greetings to 26 people in Rome. Then he passes on greetings from 8 members of his team there in Corinth where he is writing this letter.

I’ve been sat here reflecting on some of the things I see in Timothy. This is no way a definitive list (others are better at that) but hopefully it will encourage you this morning as it does me:

“Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you” (Romans 16 v 21),

1. Discipleship starts in the home. (“from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 3:15)
2. A new season may demand a new pain. (“Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3)
3. We should open doors for others. (“ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you … I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare … you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Philippians 2: 19-22)
4. Ministry involves conflict management. (When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace …” 1 Corinthians 16: 10-11) And sometimes it isn’t successful as the story of Paul and Corinth tells us.
5. God-given gifts can lay dormant. (“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” 1 Timothy 4:14)
6. Confrontation has to be done at times. (“stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer.” 1 Timothy 1:3)
7. Whatever age you are your task is to carry the baton to the next generation. (“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2)

You are not here to be beaten up, pushed down or held back.

The Apostle asks them to have discernment over good and evil and he now reminds them of the end result: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (Romans 16 v 20)

Whatever you are facing today (and it may not be the false teachers that the Apostle is alluding to) be reminded of this powerful verse for your life.

There is a demonic plan working behind the battle you are in.

You can be confident that it will not be you that is trampled upon.

Many wake today needing peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7).

God is your peace.

Paul tells them that this battle will soon be over. How can he be so sure? It is because Satan has been totally defeated. God has placed all things under the feet of Christ (Ephesians 1:22) and so He will place these satanic attacks under your feet too.

You have the opportunity to trample on all the work the enemy seeks to do in your life and you also have the ability. So do it. How?

His grace over your life. When the enemy reminds you of what you cannot do because of your past or even your present; when he tries to destabilise you because of your inadequacy or lack of whatever then remind him of God’s grace over your life.

You can live in victory today.

Using only these verses and see the emboldened words:

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Romans 16 v 17-19)

Is it in alignment with the Bible?

Is it in alignment with the Lordship of Christ?

Is it in alignment with goodness?

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Romans 16 v 17-19)

Four simple words emboldened there. Remember the Apostle has told them to greet one another with a holy kiss but now it is the direct opposite to that. Avoid, give a wide berth, walk away; don’t go near these Church destroyers.

1. Don’t be hospitable to everyone. There are some you should not fellowship with. Wisdom is knowing who to leave behind.
2. Don’t walk with people who are only in it for themselves otherwise you will end up not only walking with them but also serving their selfish agendas.
3. Don’t be taken in by the praise of man which is a drug to lull you into false security.