The Tie that Binds – Romans 16:1-16

 I must confess that it is with fear and trepidation that I first thought about preaching from Romans 16. As you can see, we have here a long list of names – primarily of people of whom we know very little. Intellectually, I was thinking that I should be able to come up with a few Sunday-night messages, dealing with doctrinal matters and things pertaining to living the Christian life. But I prefer to preach a message on Sunday morning which presents the gospel in some fashion. Can a bunch of names and incidental comments give us that opportunity? Yes they can. For example, last week we looked at little known Phebe. She was a succourer of many, and a servant of the church in Cenchrea. But she was also a saint and a sister. “Saint” and “sister” – ah, there is an open opportunity to preach the gospel.

If I count correctly, there are 27 people mentioned in the first 16 verses of this chapter. Unfortunately, they don’t all give us the same opportunity that we had with Phebe. So you don’t have to fear that I will preach 27 messages from these 16 verses.

Obviously, these people were important to Paul, or he wouldn’t have immortalized them in this fashion. Some of them were his helpers in the ministry at one point or other. One was among the very first converts to Christ in Achaia – the region around Corinth. Some of the ladies mentioned gave Paul room and board before they moved on to Rome. In fact one or two of them were almost like mothers to him. One of the people mentioned appears to have been a blood relative, besides being a brother in Christ. That church in Rome had great potential with such eminent saints as members.

And in that regard, what makes a person eminent? What made these people important to the Apostle Paul? They apparently had a varied background and a varied ministry in the places where he had met them. But there was also a common link – a common denominator between them. At first I didn’t see it, but eventually it jumped off the page at me. Ten times and in nearly ten ways, all of these people came together “in Christ Jesus.”

If John Fawcett had lived 1750 years earlier, Paul might have suing Fawcett’s hymn as he wrote this chapter. “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. We share each other’s woes, our mutual burdens bear; and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.” What is the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love? Isn’t it Christ Jesus and being “in Christ?”

I’d like, this morning, to quickly outline some of these things which are, or which should be “in Christ.”

Last week we touched upon Paul’s exhortation that the church receive Phebe “IN THE LORD.”Try to put yourself into the shoes of those Roman Christians – what is Paul telling them? Into our worship service comes a stranger – someone that we have never met before. We haven’t had the opportunity to read Paul’s letter yet, so we don’t know anything about his recommendation. And these are days when persecution could come from any quarter and under any guise. This woman could be a spy for the FBI, CIA or ATF – she could be a Muslim terrorist. Do you suppose that she asked whomsoever she gave this letter, to begin reading the epilogue first?

What was it that Paul was asking the church to do in regard to Phebe? What does it mean to “receive her in the Lord”? It means to receive her in the Lord’s name, or for the Lord’s sake. It is a suggestion that they accept this woman as a Christian, just as they look upon their fellow church members.

I know that this is difficult – and remember that it was difficult for that church as well. We are often cautious about strangers for doctrinal reasons, because we know that very few people who come through that door even come close to believing the Bible as we understand it. But one of the things which makes our situation different from theirs in Rome, or in so many other places in our world today, is that the visitor who comes to us will probably not be carrying a handgun or be strapped to high explosives with a desire to become a martyr. The saints of God in Paul’s day were under a constant threat of death, which we don’t commonly face. How important were recommendations like this.

Nevertheless, the principle still applies, if these visitors profess to be children of God, then they should be received as saints in Christ, whether or not it has yet been determined that they are of like faith and practice. We should make it a point to greet every visitor and to make them feel as welcome as possible. We should assume that they are “in Christ,” or that they are seeking the truth and that the Lord is drawing them to Himself. If later they prove to be disruptive, then they should be handled as such, but it is unbiblical to make that assumption before the facts are exposed. Every child of God should be received “in the Lord.”

This tie that binds our hearts in Christian love is next expressed in OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE.“Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus“ – verse 3. “Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ” – verse 9. “Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord” – verse 12.

Of these six labourers and helpers we know nothing – except for Priscilla and Aquila. Urbane, Tryphena, Tryphosa and Persis, all appear to be Gentile names. Urbane and Aquila are men’s names, while the others are feminine. It is ridiculous to hear some people say that the Bible puts women down, minimizing their position and their opportunities to serve the Lord. Even though they may not become pastors, just as they can’t ever become fathers, they can be mothers and they can serve the Lord in their unique way. At least half the people mentioned in this chapter are women – and they are mentioned with great honor.

Together these four names remind us that the Lord was calling people to His Name from various tribes and peoples of the earth. Were all these people Jews? No, but some of them were. Were all these people men? No, but some of them were. Were all these people wealthy? Probably not, but we know that some of them were.

How did these men and women help the Apostle? We know that Aquila and his wife opened up their home to Paul as a place to live. They also helped him financially, in giving him a secular job, if nothing else. And they supported his ministry with their “amen,” when speaking to Apollos and others. They took what they had been taught, and they shared it with others. If everyone consistently did this, the ministry of the man of God would expand exponentially.

How did these other four people help the Apostle? We don’t know, except for one thing: their help was “in Christ Jesus.” Their assistance was somehow a blessing to the ministry and the preaching of the gospel. If it was financial, then Paul wouldn’t have to spend time stitching tents and buying materials. If it was fixing food and furnishing meals, then it was a blessing to his body and to his health. It might have been little more than encouragement and the promise of daily prayer on his behalf.

So here is the Apostle of God – arguably the greatest missionary in Christian history – and surrounding him are a handful of people who are his helpers, laboring together with him. By the way, the word “labour” comes from the Greek word which means “to become weary and exhausted by working.” Whether or not they considered it exhausting work for the Lord, Paul looked at their labour in that way. And once again, it was “labour in the Lord,” and they were “helpers in Christ.” As the song says, “only what’s done for Christ will last.” At the Bema – at the Judgment Seat of Christ – all our sinful, all our selfish, and most of our secular work will be laid aside as wood, hay and stubble. Only what’s done for Christ will pass the test and be brought into eternal glory.

Amplias was one whom Paul LOVED “IN THE LORD” (verse 8).As every woman knows, men have a hard time expressing their emotions. No wife hears her husband express his love to her as often, or as freely, as she would like. And of course, words are not enough, because she needs to see that love sacrificially expressed as well. Fathers tell their children that they love them, but as those children grow older, that expression is heard less and less, until some special point is reached and it begins to grow again. Men, why is it easier to tell our daughters that we love them, than it is to tell our sons? Is there some sort of discrimination here?

Whatever is involved there, Amplias was not a blood relative of Paul. This takes us into an area where most modern men do not want to travel. There are occasions when I have told some of our church people that I love them. Often after the services when the kids come running up to me for hugs, I tell them quite sincerely that I love them. I have expressed my love to some of our other young people, but only under special circumstances and generally only to our young ladies or small groups. It’s not that I don’t have Christian love for all of you, but perhaps you know how difficult it is for men to say such things. I have no trouble telling Forrest Keener at the end of a phone conversation that I love him. He is somewhat older than I am, and we have been good friends for 40 years. I love him “in the Lord” – as a Christian, and I love him as a father. I have no problem telling him so. Often when Bro. Parrow and I speak on the phone our conversation ends with an expression of love, but generally with the addendum “in the Lord.” I have told Brother Erik Berg that I love him and there was a great deal of stuttering and stammering when we finished. I have even said that to one or two of the men here today, but it was so awkward that it wasn’t ever tried again. Why is that? Of what are we so afraid?

“Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.” The primary thing which bound the heart of Paul to this man, Amplias, was their union in Christ Jesus. They were brothers, and there is nothing wrong with brothers expressing their love for one another. If they feel it necessary, then go ahead and add “in the Lord.” “Brother, I love you in Christ our Saviour.”

Apelles was someone whom Paul considered to be “APPROVED IN CHRIST” – Verse 10.This word “approved” takes us in an interesting direction. In II Corinthians Paul spends a paragraph talking about pride and self-congratulations. I won’t read it all, even though we should probably all read it at least once a week. He says, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is APPROVED, but whom the Lord commendeth.”

James 1:12 takes this word in a direction which might seem a bit strange. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is TRIED, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” This word “approved” is talking about putting something to the test and finding it genuine. A few months ago, I acquired a small set of postage stamps that I discovered were a bit strange. I sent them to an organization which specializes in authenticating rare stamps. They put my sample through a battery of tests and determined that it was a genuine mistake. I am the owner of what may be only the second complete set in all the world. My stamps were put to the test and “approved” as genuine.

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Study to shew thyself APPROVED unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Apparently as far as this Apelles was concerned, he had been put to the test, and in the eyes of the Apostle Paul, he had been approved in Christ Jesus. Oh, may it be said of you and me.

The key element in true eminence takes us to the Saviour – relationships which are found only “in Christ.”

There are three other verses which come together for our last point this morning.“Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were IN Christ before me” – verse 7. “Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are IN the Lord” – verse 11. And verse 13 – “Salute Rufus CHOSEN in the Lord.” In the case of these people, Paul is not talking about their service in Christ, or in their relationship to the Apostle through Christ. Here he is talking about their relationship to the Saviour Himself.

What does Paul mean here – “in Christ”? There are a lot of people who that think that in order to become a Christian the sinner must “ask Jesus to come into his heart.” Now, the idea is correct that Christ dwells in the heart of His people through the Holy Spirit. But it is foreign to the Bible and alien to the Truth that Christ enters our hearts because we ask Him to do so. It is more appropriate to think of a Christian as someone inside Christ, than as Christ being inside him. We can reverse the image to get the right effect – To be lost is to be outside of Christ. Paul told the Ephesian Christians that they had been aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. They had been strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God. In fact, they had been without Christ; meaning they were outside of Him. But now, since they were IN Christ Jesus, they were made nigh by the blood of Christ.

And how did these people enter the Lord? It was by invitation, and by an effectual call – an invitation and offer which could not be refused. “Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord.” There are many who say that this choice means something else, but the Greek word is “eklektos.” Rufus was elected by God to be “in the Lord.” With a willing heart, and with great joy, he accepted that call, repenting of his sin and believing on Christ.

To illustrate being in Christ we might look at a baby inside his mother. The Christian is wrapped tightly in the robe of Jesus’ righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 – “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” To be in Christ is to be sprinkled with and cleansed by Christ Jesus’ shed blood. To be in Christ is to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last day.

“To be in Christ” is a pretty good description of what it is to be a Christian. To be in Christ is the basis for the sinners acceptance with God. In Christ is our source of our eternal life. In Christ is the sphere of all our spiritual activities. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus …” , “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 4:16 says that the dead in Christ shall live again. II Timothy 1:1 says that the promise of life is found in Christ Jesus. If you are not “in Christ Jesus” you are OUT-of-luck.

When a person is in Christ there is a visible change, an admirable change and a complete change. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Did you hear that little word “behold”? It’s a word which means that this is something special. The change in a sinner when he is “in Christ” is special – a revolution, not slow evolution. It’s a chopping off the head, not just a cutting of the hair. It’s a new form of government, not just the Republicans beating the Democrats. When a person is brought “into Christ” there is a change which is real to that person himself. And it will be visible to others as well. And Paul had seen this in the people to whom he refers. A nasty old truck driver had recently become a child of God. When asked what proof there was of that, he said: Well, when somebody tailgates my truck, I no longer drive on the shoulder of the road to kick gravel up on him. When people are “in Christ Jesus” there are changes made in their lives.

And those changes are admirable changes. There have been millions of people, who from time to time have given up certain sins. The Surgeon general has said that smoking is hazardous to his health, so he quit. The doctor said that alcohol was destroying my liver and brain, so he quit drinking. Reader’s Digest reported that marijuana makes men sterile, so he quit smoking pot. These changes may be commendable, but they are not admirable.

No, when a person is in Christ, it is the Lord who makes the changes. There will be a different attitude about sin, for example. And notice that I didn’t say “New attitude about sins,” but about sin. There will be an abhorrence, not for just selected, detestable sins, but all sin. When the Holy Spirit says that the Christian’s favorite pastime is sinful, he will hate it too. When he is convicted about his ungodly vocabulary, his words will change. In fact, the new creature in Christ will even go out looking for sin in his life. He will ask God to reveal and expose his wickedness, so that it might be forsaken. Sin will be a feared and fretful thing in the “new creature’s” life. And there will be a difference in that man’s attitude about God. He will rejoice to be a part of the family of God. He will be delighted that God has chosen him, and chosen to direct his life. He will long to hear his Father’s voice; and long to see his brother’s face. There will be an admirable change in that man’s relationship to the House of God. I will always doubt testimony of man who hides from his ecclesiastical responsibilities. Those who are truly “in Christ” will want to be in the body of Christ. When a man is in Christ Jesus, there will be a change in his entire outlook. He will long for the Saviour’s return and for the establishment of His kingdom. More and more he will groan earnestly to be clothed upon with his house which is from heaven. Death will be less and less a fear in his life. He will more and more enjoy the peace of God. The man who is in Christ is be a different person from the same man who was “without Christ.”

What made these people in Romans 16 special to the Apostle? They were special to him, because they were special to Christ. The important things about them all related to their salvation – their existence “in Christ”.

So I conclude by asking – “Are you in Christ Jesus?” Is the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear that you need to be in Christ? Why not submit yourself to Him this morning? Repent of your sins and trust the redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus.