Coworkers in Ministry—Romans 16:1-15
Have you ever watched someone take the credit for doing something but he failed to acknowledge those who helped him? The Apostle Paul did not want to make such a mistake. He had three enormously successful missionary journeys. People came to know Christ, the Gospel spread throughout Asia, and churches were planted. But many others stayed home and supported Paul through prayers and financial support. So he dedicates one entire chapter of Romans to passing on his gratitude and his greeting for his Christian brothers and sisters also involved in doing the Lord’s work. What had they done for him? And how could we be partners in missions now?
Phebe gathered and distributed needed supplies and gave encouragement to Paul and to many others. What can you do? Could you help gather supplies for Baptist Medical Missions or for needy churches in storm-torn areas?
Priscilla and Aquilla worked and traveled with Paul, risking their own lives for the Gospel’s sake. They also opened their own home to minister to others. Could you have a Bible study in your home? Or could you take some vacation time to travel to a foreign or interstate mission field and help encourage a missionary there?
Epaenetus was the first convert in a particular city but he remained faithful to the Lord. Do you know what an encouragement it is to missionaries to know that people to whom they have ministered in the past are still faithful? Do you know a missionary personally? Could you write them a note to let them know how they influenced your life? Could you encourage them by letting them know what God is doing in your life right now?
Mary served the apostles with much labor. Could you show hospitality and prepare a meal in your home for a missionary traveling on deputation? Could you put together a care package from home and send to them? Could you write and ask how you could help lighten their burden?
Andronicus and Junia shared Paul’s suffering and even went to prison with him for a time.
Still others benefited Paul’s ministry simply by their expressions of love, encouragement and affection. How could you do this? Do you have some good news of events in your church that could encourage a missionary? Could you find out the dates of the missionary’s family members and send them a card or a small gift? Could you just send an occasional e-mail or postcard to let them know you stand ready to diligently pray about needs they have?
Too many Christians and too many churches have forgotten that we all have a responsibility to involve ourselves in missionary activity. Christ included every Christian in His great commission (Matthew 28:18-20): “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. “ How does your life, your use of time, your checkbook, and your home reflect on your obedience to this command of Christ? Would you decide today to do something distinctly missionary? Would you pray about how God can use you to carry the Gospel to others?
Author: Robert W. Rohlin
This devotional first appeared August 22, 1999 in the Advancer , a Sunday school teacher’s guide published by the Baptist Publishing House . It is gratefully reproduced here with permission from the publisher.