John 13:1-14 Servant Leadership

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ² During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴ rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” ⁷ Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” ⁸ Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet,^[a] but is completely clean. And you^[b] are clean, but not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

¹² When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 

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While reading Luke’s record of Paul’s travels in 20:1-10, I couldn’t help but notice three things concerning the reason why it is important to attend Church as well as specifics of the essentials of a church service!  

First: Consistently going to Church will gives you three things:

ï Vs. 1 It will SUSTAIN you in God’s glorious grace, after the world has shouted at you!

ï Vs. 3 It will WARN you when you are about to get on board with something or someone that would destroy you!

ï Vs. 6 It will ENCOURAGE you when the journey you’re on faces tough sailing!

Second: Notice the FIVE ingredients that make up a Church service which will sustain, warn, and encourage you:

-Vs. 7a Time, people, and a place 

-Vs. 7b A time when we gather for the worship of God

-Vs. 7c,11b A time of instruction from the Word of God

-Vs. 11a A time of fellowship with the people of God

-Vs. 9-10 Most importantly the presence of God

In the first part of this passage the emphasis is on the Church and the section before us now, Paul has some things to say to the Pastors about how to lead the Church!  

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Bill Daly’s Ordination, 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Preach the Word

4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound^[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

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Luke 1:39-56 “Two Mothers”

³⁹ And Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,

⁴⁰ and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth.

⁴¹ And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.

⁴² And she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

⁴³ And why is it granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

⁴⁴ For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

⁴⁶ And Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord,

⁴⁷ and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

⁴⁸ For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name.

⁵⁰ And His mercy is on them that fear Him, from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He hath shown strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.

⁵⁴ He hath helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,

⁵⁵ as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.”

⁵⁶ And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

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The Gospel of Luke: 

Luke 1:39-56 The Birth of Christ Part II

³⁹ And Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,

⁴⁰ and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth.

⁴¹ And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.

⁴² And she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

⁴³ And why is it granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

⁴⁴ For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

⁴⁶ And Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord,

⁴⁷ and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

⁴⁸ For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name.

⁵⁰ And His mercy is on them that fear Him, from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He hath shown strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.

⁵⁴ He hath helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,

⁵⁵ as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.”

⁵⁶ And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

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The Gospel of Luke:

Luke 1:26-38 “The Birth Of Christ”

²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷ to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

²⁸ And the angel came in unto her and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.”

²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast about in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰ And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God.

³¹ And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus.

³² He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David,

³³ and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.”

³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”

³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that Holy Being who shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

³⁶ And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth: she hath also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” And the angel departed from her.

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Intro

This Sunday we continue our examination of Luke’s preface to his gospel in the first four verses of chapter 1. As mentioned last week Luke’s introduction is unique in the first three gospels as it is the only gospel in which the instrument the Holy Spirit utilized steps out of the pages and on to the stage by the use of the pronouns “us and me”. This places the instrument, Luke, into the very pages he was used in writing. To the Greek scholar they would also be impressed with the writing style as the instrument uses. The style of writing Luke uses is the same as all the great Greek historians used. It seemed as if Luke knew the style of his fellow Greek historians and decided that if their style was good for the Greek history then Luke could do no less for the greatest story ever told. Furthermore it is interesting that as noted last week Luke mentions that there were other narratives that had been written of Jesus prior to his gospel and yet he still chooses to write another gospel. What this suggests to the reader isn’t that the previous narratives were in any way inadequate but instead it suggests that Luke didn’t want to just rely on another copy of one of those; instead he wanted to offer to Theophilus his own investigation and study not just a copied manuscript. Luke wanted and invited a new and fresh rediscovery of Jesus for himself and that is what he delivered in this gospel to Theophilus. This morning we will finish the preface as we take a look at Luke as he affirms the product of this gospel as he indicates that he engaged in the most careful historical research and investigation.

II. Vs. 3a A little bit about the author

In all credible investigations of this gospel all agree in the instruments authorship as being that of Luke, so it’s not something that I will spend any time on and instead will focus my attention upon just who is this man known as Luke. As far as direct biblical references on his name it only appears three times:

1. Col. 4:14 “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you”.
2. 2 Timothy 4:1 “Only Luke is with me.”
3. Philemon 24 “As do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.”

Beyond those brief references we can piece together that along with this gospel account that when you compare Acts:1:1 where he writes “The former account I Made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach..” it becomes clear that Luke was also the instrument used in writing the sequel to this gospel the book of Acts. It is also easy to see that Luke traveled with Paul while he traveled through the pages of the book of Acts as we can see that Luke again writes himself into the pages when he uses the first-person pronoun “WE” in chapters 16:10-17, 20:4-15, 21:1-18, and 27:1 – 28:16. As brief as those references are they are non-the-less informative. His name is suggestive as it is an abbreviated Greek name that would be used as a pet name. When reading Paul’s closing in Colossians he mentions greetings to those fellow Jews that he calls “are of the circumcision” and then he mentions greetings to those that were NOT of Jewish ancestry and Luke is mentioned among those. So that would make Luke a gentile and not a Hellenistic or Greek speaking cultured Jew. He mentions himself in both of his books as a friend of Theophilus whose name appears to also a nickname as it means “Lover of God”. Luke’s method of addressing Theophilus as “most excellent” or “Your Excellency” and this is very revealing for both the writer Luke as well as the recipient Theophilus. Those terms in ancient Greek history were reserved for a freed man addressing his former owner. This makes it quite possible that Luke was a freed man, who had at one time been a slave and that most likely Theophilus had been his master. And it appears that Theophilus had freed him and the two had remained very close friends as well as followers of Christ. It is clear that Luke wrote this two-volume narrative to a person whom he regarded as his friend as benefactor. There are evidences that Luke was an educated Greek as he wrote in a manner that only educated Greeks would write. There are church history accounts that mentions Luke’s education as being educated in the schools of Tarsus where we was a fellow student alongside Saul (Paul) as well as Apollos though one can’t know for certain. From the Col. 4:14 we note that according to Paul that Luke was a physician, and this is easily verified by Luke’s many references medical terms. Another interesting indicator is found in Acts chapter 27 as Luke places himself on the shipwreck voyage and while referring to the even uses both nautical terms as well as medical terms and that causes some to think that it was possible that he may have been a ship’s doctor at one point. The point of all this speculation and examination is to show the uniqueness of the instrument that the Holy Spirit has chosen to write this narrative. The Divine inspiration of this book is further enhanced when we consider the human instrument that the Spirit of God chose to write with! God wrote through the personality that was selected by the Holy Spirit and perfected for that purpose. God selected a man with the gifts, education, and experience that when controlled by the Holy Spirit was fitted for the work! Luke was a man that came not from Judaism but paganism to Jesus Christ. He was trained in a Greek school and his outlook on life was Greek and that is entirely different that a Hebrew outlook. He would have had an entirely Greek philosophy on life, and we know what that looked like by other Greek writers in history. The master passion of Greek philosophy was the perfection of the personality of man. In the 300 years of Greek history and development was the perfecting of human personality. If you compare ancient Greece with ancient China you see that China’s history stretches for 1000’s of years while Greece was only lasting for 300 years but in those 300 years Greece had amazing philosophers and educators where you don’t see that in China. China focused upon the worship of their ancestors and solidarity of their people. Greece wasn’t concerned with this and instead focused upon the perfecting of the individual and this is visible in their arts seen in the multiple marble statues depicting the individual ideal, as well as the writings of all their philosophers and educators. Luke was a man, who in spite of all of his Greek education, philosophy and experience found in Jesus the One Person who was Perfect Man, Jesus was Perfection of Personality. Jesus fulfilled all that the Greek philosophers had imagined and beyond as Jesus broke the ideal by His greatness. As such Like’s account draws from his Greek background as he examines our Lord from that standpoint, Jesus alone fulfilled the ideal of complete and absolute perfection. Luke discovered in Jesus the One person who was by His very nature that which all the other Greek gods could never be seen as achieving as they were always shown with human frailties. Oh, they many had superhuman speed, or strength but their personalities were always enveloped in sin and the Greek philosophers always showed them that way. Matthew could have never shown Jesus this way, nor could Mark or John. Each of these gospel writers had the same basic material and the same subject but as different men chosen by the Holy Spirit saw different views of the same truth and person. Luke, saw in Jesus the One person that not only was the ideal perfect Human but also destroy the myths and all that was false in the Greek ideal.

            So with Luke the Holy Spirit found the person who was a scientist a scientific examination for truth, and he set out with that method in examining the personality of Jesus. But Luke was also a historical philosopher. The early church fathers spoke of Luke as an artist and poet who wrote early church hymns. So in Luke you have a man chosen by the Holy Spirit who examined the personality of Jesus like a scientist, and once disc overed the truth with regards to Jesus was emotionally propelled to worship Him as an artist would. Luke was well traveled a personal friend of the apostle Paul and was certainly influenced by that relationship. As you put all of this together, Luke was the perfect choice to write this gospel as he found in Jesus the Perfect Personality what his Greek ancestry had longed for and in Jesus Luke found more than what the Greeks longed for but what all of humanity needed the head of humanity!                                       

III. Vs. 3b-4 The subject, sources of information, method, and purpose of writing

Vs. 3b-4 Lastly in this preface in the gospel according to Luke, the instrument gives us four things:

1. Vs. 2 He names the subject: Luke writes in that the subject that he was interested in was the same as the other gospel recorders were interested in as Luke writes in verse 2 “just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us.” So then the subject of Luke’s investigation was the WORD but what is interesting is that in many translations the subject matter is relegated to the Bible as being the word. It is only when you examine this “word” that you realize that it is the same title that the Apostle John had used as a title for Jesus, “LOGOS”, and you see that the translators in many cases should have capitalized the “W” in word as the subject for Luke was not the bible but rather the subject of the bible Jesus! Luke’s examination will lead him to realize the “humanity of deity” “God manifest in the flesh of humanity”. It is interesting that as Luke tells the story of Jesus he calls Him the Perfect Man but when he finished his investigation and wrote this preface Luke no longer write of Jesus as Perfect Man he only calls Him what the Apostle John called Him “THE WORD”.             
2.  Vs. 1-2 He gives us the sources of information: Luke records for us two sets of sources of information in these verses: In verse 1 he describes them as “Many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of things that have been fulfilled among us.” Clearly this reference would include the gospel records of Matthew and Mark, but I also believe that verse 2 also gives us a reason to believe that Luke also included many other stories and interviews from those that he describes as “eyewitnesses and ministers… that delivered them to us.” It seems that Luke collected the stories and investigated them, and he was looking for two primary sources those that had first-hand information and those that had been in direct contact with Jesus serving with Him in ministry. The word Luke uses for “eyewitnesses” is a medical term and is very interesting as it is the Greek word we get our English word “autopsy” from. Luke wanted information from those who had personally had a first-hand investigation, those who had seen for themselves Jesus. And the word Luke uses for “ministers” is also a medical term as well as a nautical term as it means an “under rower” and it describes a person of the 2^nd deck of a slave ship who rowed from under the top rowers. But it also describes a person who was in attendance during a personal medical examination. What this suggests to me is that this gospel was no short story, was not written in a few months but most likely took many years to complete. Luke first had to gather the information from those that a first-hand experience with Jesus those who were in attendance when Jesus was present. Luke talked to those who had all those stories, people Like Jesus’ Mother who was there and heard the angel Gabriel and had information that no one else did.         
3. Vs. 3 He describes the methods of his examination: First Luke says in verse 3 in the phrase “it seemed good to me also” that he traced those in verse two that “who from the beginning  were eyewitness and ministers of the Word (Jesus)”. Luke means that he obtained all the material and then traced the course of all the things recorded accurately. What this describes is the work of true scientific investigation of the whole of the stories that Luke had gathered about Jesus. The word used for “beginning” is a word that means “from above” and I believe that Luke is referring to the fact that this scientific investigation was inspired by the Holy Spirit, under the guidance of God Himself. And that God empowered the thoroughness of the work and that it wasn’t dependent upon human power to do the work. What Luke prepared was properly but not apart from the guidance and power form heaven, but Luke also uses the word in verse 3 saying the product of the gospel ended up an “orderly account” and that word in the Greek is a word that is an artistic word as it describes a work of art. This is how Luke describes the methods of the examination.         
4. Vs. 4 He reveals the purpose of his writing: Luke finally describes the purpose of this writing of the gospel as “that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.” Luke says that this far more than an intellectual conviction, instead that his purpose was to provide safety and security in Theophilus faith. Notice the word “instructed” as it tells us that Luke’s gospel was to strength the previous method by which Theophilus had come to faith which is a word where we get our English word for catechism which is instruction by word of mouth. Theophilus had come to faith by word of mouth and Luke wrote that he might have more than word of mouth for his faith. Luke wanted Theophilus to have certainty and security to place with what he had believed by word of mouth. The Bible fixes our faith upon truth and grants us security and causes us to become immoveable in our faith.

So we conclude our examination the preface to Luke’s gospel and next week will start up verse 1:5-25 The forerunner, John the Baptist.

Intro

As we take up this new study in one of the gospels I think it a worthy question to ask and answer and that is, “Why should we gather together and study this book?” The reason for the question really addresses the broader question and that has to the certainty of our Christian faith. It has been noted that there are four facts that start with our daily life and move towards the greatest certainty of our faith.

• Unique life: There are unmistakable evidences of our faith that deal with our daily transformation such as: A peace in our spirit, a consciousness of a relationship to the presence of our creator, and hope and fearlessness about our future that causes us to be joyfully excited about our departure instead of fearful. This is further realized in the reality that this “Unique life” is visible in a “Universal life”. There is the fact that ill regardless of background, time periods education and experiences all have experienced the same unique life. Even in different cultures and in churches that don’t all agree on every detail of doctrine there is a universal life that all have and continue to experience.
• Unique Organization: Here I think perhaps it’s best to say that the church is Unique entirely because it’s not an organization but rather an organism. As an organism it can be traced back to the “living” connection that a handful of men had with their Master that united them together in a way that even the gates of hell could not separate. This organism has withstood the storms of time and will continue no matter how much satan and the world tries to destroy and divide.
• Unique book: Here again we have 66 books by over 40 different writers over a 4000-year period of time with a complete consistency as indeed it was written by One author. Its message is unique: That salvation is from sin and that we can enjoy this for free, fully, and permanently! Its power is unique: it is from God the Spirit; its life is unique as it isn’t just about the destination but equally about the journey. It’s thought is superior as it critiques all other thoughts and influences all other opinions. Its preservation is unique: This book has survived the unending criticism of men in sciences, education, geography, history. Those who have held the truths of this book have died believing the truths and time again were proven right for them and the continue trust in God’s Word!
• Unique Person: The greatest certainty of our faith is in the Person Jesus Himself as we have the Uniqueness of His life: That Jesus’ earthly life was sinless and was testified as such be friend, family, and foe. Those that that observed His earthly life witnessed the perfect balance of a person who was the ideal Man and the Son of God. That witnessed His Work and His words and saw that there was no difference between them. His work was not ended at His death but instead magnified by His death as witnessed in His resurrection. There is no other figure in all of human history be that religious or otherwise that can measure up to the PERSON OF CHRIST. There is no other Name given among men then the name of Jesus and at that Name every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He alone is Lord and savior.          

Vs. 1-2 Why do we have four gospels?

Vs. 1-2 In the preface of this gospel (the first four verses) we discover some very interesting facts about the gospel itself. The first is realized when we understand that it is the aim of every preface to introduce the reader to the book they are about to read. But what you may not be aware of is that the fact that a “Preface” is never written at the beginning of the book even though it is placed at the beginning of the book. Instead it is written at the end of the book then place in the front. Luke’s preface to this gospel is the same as the tenses in the first four verse proves this. Luke says in verse 3 that, “it seemed good to me also….to write to you.” The words “to write to you” are past tense which suggests that he had already written this gospel before he had written the preface. The second thing I note about this preface is in verse 1 as it eludes to other gospels. Luke says that “Inasmuch as MANY HAVE TAKEN IN HAND TO SET IN ORDER A NARRATIVE”, which means that Matthew and Mark were already written by the time that Luke takes up pen and parchment. The question that this brings up is: “Why did God see fit to give us four very different accounts?” And a follow up question, “What does reading the gospel according to Luke provide the reader that they couldn’t achieve by reading a different account.” Before we start digging into this account we will briefly address four reasons these four gospel records benefit the reader.

1. By giving us four different records by four different men we have a stronger foundation for our faith especially as it relates to Jesus’, birth, life, death, and resurrection. In Matt. 18:16 we are told that “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established”. And here in the four gospels God has given witness by the Holy Spirit not by two or three witness but instead by four. 
2. Another reason why God has given us four gospels is that it is impossible to present Jesus as Lord apart from four different aspects.
   • Matthew was chosen to present Jesus as the promised Messiah, the King of Israel.
   • Mark presents Jesus as God’s perfect, faithful Servant both towards the Father and towards humanity.
   • John presents Jesus as the Manifestation of Deity, the Eternal Son of the Father, who became Man to bring salvation to man and end the curse from the fall of Adam. We read of that in the very first chapter where John declares Jesus as the Word made flesh that dwelt among us and that the disciples beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
   • Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man in all of His perfection as that is one of Luke’s favorite expression concerning Jesus in this account. This is clearly seen in Luke’s presentation of Jesus’ prayer life where He is connected to humanity and never makes a move apart from first seeking the Father.       
3. Another aspect of four gospels appears to be a fulfillment of prophecy as Ezekiel saw four faces of one of the cherubin: The Lion which is the majesty of Matthew. The ox which is patience in service of Mark’s account. The eagle which is John’s view of Jesus from the heavenly flight of the eagles’ eyes. And lastly Luke’s view which reveals Jesus in His earthly perfection as the Perfect Man who alone would be the sacrifice or redemption sinful humanity.
4. Yet another reason for the four different accounts of Jesus may have to do with the four different offerings found in Leviticus chapters 1-5. A careful reading of these chapters with the four different gospels reveals a very interesting parallel that Jesus need to fulfill all four of these sin offerings:
   • Matthew presents Jesus as fulfilling the trespass overing as man at trespassed against God’s holiness. The trespass offering sets forth the death of Christ because of the sins actually committed against God and man.
   • Mark presents Jesus as fulfilling the sin offering as man’s sin had separated him from a relationship with the Living God. The sin offering speaks of Christ dying for what we are, (sinners), not only for what we have done, (sin).  
   • John presents Jesus as the burnt offering totally consumed on the altar as a tribute to God for man’s sin. The burnt offering speaks of Christ dying to glorify God. 
   • Luke presents Jesus as the great peace offering as Jesus has made peace between god and man by the shedding of His blood on the cross. The peace offering speaks of peace made by the shed blood of the Lamb of God.   

It is my view that no one view in the gospel records will ever be enough to completely view Jesus. Understanding our Lord and Savior can never be a secondhand activity, a carried over story or a repeated tale. It is these that aid in our personal experience and discovery.  As such God’s revelation of His only Son does not come to the person who sits with their hands folded and a lazy mind and only waits but instead it comes to the person who’s mind is actively engaged in as they think, seek, and search out each of these gospel records. God’s revealed inspiration comes when the mind of a person meets the revealing Spirit of God.

 I will conclude or talk this morning by noting the differences in the Gospel of Luke when compared to the other gospel accounts before we take up the remainder of these four verses next  week where we will examine two things:

1. Vs. 3a A little bit about the author
2.  Vs. 3b-4 The subject, sources of information, method, and purpose of writing

Luke’s account is the only of the four gospels that gives us the wonderful account of the “virgin birth” of Jesus, though it is corroborated in Matthew’s account. The reality of this perspective is evident from the fact that Luke said that he had exact knowledge of everything he wrote and had probably interviewed Mary the mother of Jesus personally, where he would have learned of the miracle of the incarnation from her own lips. Furthermore it is also the only gospel record that brings out truths from a medical perspective, which makes since seen that elsewhere in the bible is called a physician. Luke alone tells us of the visit of the angel Gabriel to Zacharias and Mary. He is the only one that records the song of Mary as well as the prophecy of Zacharias. He is the only one that records the birth of Jesus in a stable as well as the angel’s announcement to the shepherds. He alone records for us the presentation of the child Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem and the welcoming given Jesus by Anna and Simeon. Luke alone gives us the first meeting in Nazareth in the 4^th chapter along with the great gathering of fishes. Also Luke mentions the meeting with the women in the house of Simon the Pharisee found in the 7^th chapter. In the 10^th chapter Luke records the beautiful story of May at Jesus’ feet as well as the mission of the 70 disciples. Much of the material found in chapters 11-18 are exclusive to Luke’s account, like the story of Zacchaeus. Luke alone mentions the coming of an angel to Jesus to strengthen Him in the garden of Gethsemane.  If not for Luke’s account we would not have known of the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus. Neither would we have known of the risen Jesus visit with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Then looking at the parables in the Bible Luke alone records for us the story of the Good Samaritan, the rich fool, the barren fig tree, the great super, the lost coin, the prodigal son, the unjust steward, the story of Lazarus and rich man, the unjust judge and widow, the Pharisee and the publican, and the parable of the pounds.

 I think that this brief start in Luke will whet your appetite for more as will take up the rest of the first 4 verses next week.              

Intro

The 16^th chapter of Romans is not an insignificant relic of the past; names that are easier to forget then they are difficult to pronounce! Instead it is a chapter of the future not the past, a testimony that what matters most in this life is not our possessions or positions but our friendships which is all of this life that will remain and pass into eternity. What we have in this chapter is not a mere list of names, but a testimony of what God does in lives that will last forever. A quick peek into the “Family Album” which is a true representation of heaven as we gather around the throne of God Who alone has made our enduring love and friendship possible.

Behind every name is a story and the ones listed here would make up a “love story” as these are all folks that God loved and loved God. The story is in their transformation and how God was now using them to love others in making new friends. Many of these names and their stories will have to wait as we don’t know much of them, but we will one day. Of the 24 specific names mentioned six are women which is interesting concerning the fact Paul is often maligned for what many perceive as his disregard for women in authority. I suggest that if you want to know what Paul thought of women you only need to read this chapter to see that he valued them as equals in serving Jesus and verbally shows his appreciation for all they do. Three times (verses 6, 12) Paul says that these ladies “labored” and he chooses a word in the Greek that means “to work to the point of exhaustion”. Two of these names mean “dainty” and “delicate” but Paul says that these two aristocrats had developed a habit in Christ of working until they just couldn’t do another thing.  Of those 24 specific names 13 occur in inscriptions on official documents in the Emperor’s palace in Rome. This is interesting because of what Paul wrote in Philip. 4:22 that, “All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.” Christianity had penetrated the imperial palace of the world empire in less than 70 years, and it had done so on the back of friendship.

Vs. 1-16 Friends to greet

Paul was a friend maker and because of this he was a soul-winner! As Paul recollected their names he sent them a message of love which has become embalmed in the Holy Scriptures. Spurgeon once said, “It is better to be God’s dog than to be the devil’s darling.” God loves multiplication and in the words of “Three Dog Night” “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do”. This chapter divides into three sections of which we will only look at the first part of it this morning:

1. Vs. 1-16 Some friends to greet: The first list found in verses 1-16 is of those folks that Paul was sending a greeting too.
2. Vs. 17-20 Some foes to avoid: Sandwiched between these two lists (verses 17-20) is people to avoid so that their obedience can continue to be known to all.
3. Vs. 21-24 Some friends to thank: The 2^nd list found in verses 21-23 is a list of those he was sending a greeting from while he was in Corinth.

Of the 33 names mentioned our eluded too:

• Nine of them were with Paul: Eight men and one woman
• Twenty-four of them were in Rome: Seventeen men and seven women
• Two households are mentioned: As well as two unnamed women the mother of Rufus and the sister of Nereus, as well as some unnamed men

Vs. 1-2 The letter was carried by a traveling businesswoman named “Phoebe” and the Church through history ought to be grateful to this faithful servant who traveled from Corinth to Rome carrying this precious letter. Paul tells us that she was from the seaport of Cenchrea about 9 miles from the city of Corinth. Her name “Phoebe” is the feminine form of a title given to the pagan god Apollo and meant “the bright one” and she certainly seemed to fit her name (this would make her a Gentile not Jewish). Phoebe was on her way to Rome and the fact that we are reading this letter suggests that Paul’s commendation was well founded. This was a faithful lady who obviously could be entrusted with a very important task. There is an indication in the language here that she labored spreading the gospel and teaching the Word as did Paul as he describes her as a helper of many.  

Vs. 3-5a Paul turns his greetings to a wonderful couple that we know quite a bit about Priscilla and her husband Aquila. Their names are mentioned some 6 times in the scriptures and four of those times Priscilla’s name is mentioned first, which indicates that she had a more visible role in ministry then did her supporting husband. Paul says that they risked their lives for him and that may be a reference to the riots that broke out in Ephesus mentioned in Acts 19. They also had a church in their house as the first 300 years of the Church there were no buildings as we have now.

Vs. 5b-6 “Epaenetus” was the first believer led to the Lord when Paul came to Asia which capital was Ephesus located in modern day Turkey.

            Mary recorded here seems to be associated with him and Paul distinguishes her by what she did among them saying that she labored or toiled among them. There are 6 Mary’s in the bible, and you usually think of Jesus’ mom or Mary of Bethany the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Yet all we know of this Mary is that she is a worker and the word used means to sweat. Think of that: This gal joins a list of Mary’s because she was willing to break a sweat for Jesus! Oh saints don’t you see that notoriety isn’t in what we do it’s in how we do it and Who we do it for!

Vs. 7-10a Some see “Andronicus” and “Junias” as relatives of Paul be that as it may, he doses say that they shared other things in common as they were “fellow prisoners” and were known among the leadership of the Church. What I find of further interest is Paul’s words saying that they were saved before he was. They predated his conversion, and no doubt knew him when he was “Saul of Tarsus” persecuting the Church in Jerusalem and consenting to the death of Stephen. Imagine what encouragement these two were to Paul as they could see his progression in Christ. They could testify of his heart and love for people as they shared a cell with him. They were well regarded among the apostles, having become Christians sometime in the first three or four years after Pentecost. The idea that Andronicus and Junia are apostles themselves (though not of the twelve), is in the sense of being special emissaries of God, not in the sense of being of the twelve.

            “Amplias” (verse 8) is an interesting name as they have found a single tomb in the Domitilla cemetery in the catacombs in Rome with this very name. The single name infers that he was a slave but yet the tomb is very ornate which suggests that he was a Christian and highly regarded in the Church in Rome. We know nothing of “Urbanus” and “Stachys” (verse 9) other than what is recorded here that they were loved, and Paul appreciated his work. “Apelles” (verse 10), name means “Called” and Paul says he was, “approved in Christ”. The word approved means to “endure testing, to withstand the pressure”. Oh dear ones that us what our calling ought to signify that we have endured the testing of our faith, withstood the pressures of life all because we have found our home in the Lord. In Psalm 61:3 we read that God has “been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy”, that is what “Apelles” had proven by his life!

Vs.10b-11 Also mentioned by Paul is some Christians that had risen to high places within the Roman government. “Aristobulus” (verse 10) was the great-grandson of King Herod the Great who killed all the Jewish males 2 years and under in Bethlehem seeking to kill Jesus. He killed his children, his wives and anyone else that was a threat to his power. Yet with that said the servants of his great grandson are named among the believers in Rome! Aristobulus had been a close friend of Emperor Claudius and it seems some from his household had become believers and upon his death it is reported that they became property of the emperor. In connection to this household of servants Paul also sends a greeting out to “Herodion” (verse 11a) who he calls a relative an indication that Paul had a family connection to the ruling family of Jews.  Friends don’t worry about the fact that you come from dysfunction family God does His most amazing work in the garden’s full of dirt!

“Narcissus” (verse 11b) is another name that pops in ancient Roman history as he was the housekeeper for Flavius Clemens who became the consul of Rome the highest political office of the city. Flavius was condemned to death by the Emperor Domitian in 95 AD some 35 years after this letter. He was put to death because he was a Christian and his wife Domatilla who was also a believer was banished Island of Pontia. What this seems to indicate is that Roman society had already been infiltrated by the Lord through believing servants who lived in such a way that their masters became followers of Jesus.

The interesting twist to this story is that Flavius Clemens was the son of Flavius Sabinus who had been Nero’s consul when Nero had ordered him to persecute Christians charging them with the fires which almost burned Rome to the ground in 64 A.D. Nero had ordered him to roll believers in pitch and set them on fire making them human torches. Could it be that 30 years earlier the young Flavius Clemens had witnessed the courage of these Christians at the hands of the brutality of his father and the influence of a young “Narcissus” became a follower of Jesus himself?  

Vs. 12 The names of “Tryphena” and “Tryphosa” suggest nobility as their names mean “dainty” and “delicate” yet in Christ they had become hard workers. Think of that a moment as Jesus can take a person born in slavery and make them royalty and he can take one born to nobility and make them even greater royalty by making them His servants. “Persis” (verses 12b) was yet another woman who served whom Paul calls “the darling” she must have been a sweetheart in her service to others.

Vs. 13 Rufus perhaps is the same one spoken of in Mark 15:21 and if so his father was Simon the Cyrene who was compelled to carry the cross of Jesus on that first Good Friday as he was there to celebrate the pass over.    

Vs.14 It seems here in these five names as well as those not mentioned is a group of young Greek businessman that that had come to Rome and started a home church at their place. I love that When folks that share something in common band together to share Someone in common pooling their time, talent, and treasure to impact their communities!

Vs. 15-16 Here again is another group that most likely made up a house church: “Philologus” (verse 15) was probably a nick name as it means “lover of the Word” and he gathered together with these men and women to “love each other” because they loved the Word! 

Of the rest of these names, Paul finds something wonderful to say about almost every one of them – noting their labor, his special regard for them (beloved), their standing in the Lord (approved in Christ . . . in the Lord . . . chosen in the Lord). It shows Paul’s generous way of paying compliments in a way meant to build up God’s people. In Luke 7:45 we are told that the common greeting was a kiss. Based upon a comment from Clement of Alexandria it seems that this practice was later abused.