Honoring Saints: Unity, Diversity, and Community in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Unseen Impact of Saints

Reflect on the saints in your life who have shaped your faith journey. These individuals, often unnoticed by the world, have left a lasting impact through their love and dedication. Consider who these people are for you and how you can honor them. [00:59]

Romans 12:10-11 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

Reflection: Identify one person who has significantly influenced your spiritual journey. How can you express your gratitude to them this week in a meaningful way?

Day 2: Embracing Diversity in the Body of Christ

The body of Christ is beautifully diverse, encompassing people of different races, classes, and genders. This diversity is a testament to the inclusivity of the gospel, which unites us all as equals in Christ. Embrace this diversity and strive to be a part of a community that reflects it. [13:48]

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

Reflection: Think of a person from a different background in your church community. How can you reach out to them this week to learn from their perspective and build a stronger connection?

Day 3: Guarding the Unity of the Church

Be vigilant against those who cause division within the church. Prioritize the unity and truth of the gospel over personal opinions. Remember that our ultimate authority is the Scripture, and we must align our beliefs with it. [21:22]

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent disagreement or conflict within your church community. How can you contribute to resolving it in a way that prioritizes unity and the truth of the gospel?

Day 4: Finding Strength in Community

Find strength in your faith through relationships with fellow believers. Engage in small groups and be vulnerable with others. Allow yourself to be known and supported, and in turn, support others in their faith journey. [30:39]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Consider joining or starting a small group within your church. What steps can you take this week to foster deeper connections with fellow believers?

Day 5: Living Out the Gospel

Let the gospel transform your heart and motivate you to share your time, talent, and treasure with others. Be a person who makes a difference in the lives of others, and strive to be on someone's list of influential saints. [34:28]

James 2:14-17 (ESV): "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: Identify one way you can use your gifts to serve others this week. How can you actively live out the gospel in your daily interactions?

Sermon Summary

In Romans chapter 16, we are reminded of the profound impact that the saints in our lives have on our spiritual journey. Paul, in his letter, takes a moment to acknowledge 29 individuals who played significant roles in his ministry, many of whom are not mentioned elsewhere in the Scriptures. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and honoring those who have influenced us, whether they are well-known or remain in the shadows of history. These individuals, like the Sunday school teachers, neighbors, and mentors in our own lives, have shaped us into who we are today. Their love, dedication, and service have left an indelible mark on our hearts.

Paul's list in Romans 16 is not just a roll call of names but a testament to the diversity and unity within the body of Christ. It includes men and women, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, all working together for the gospel. This diversity reflects the beauty of God's kingdom, where all are equal and valued. It challenges us to consider who would be on our list of influential saints and to strive to be on someone else's list through our own acts of love and service.

The chapter also contains a warning against those who cause division within the church. Paul urges us to be vigilant and to prioritize the unity and truth of the gospel over personal opinions and preferences. This call to unity is a reminder that the work of God transcends human divisions and that we are all called to be one in Christ.

Finally, the chapter emphasizes the strength that comes from our shared belief in the gospel. It is through our relationships with fellow believers that we find encouragement and support in our faith journey. We are reminded to be active participants in the community of faith, to be vulnerable, and to allow others to know us and support us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Influence of Saints: Reflect on the saints in your life who have shaped your faith journey. These individuals, often unnoticed by the world, have left a lasting impact through their love and dedication. Consider who these people are for you and how you can honor them. [00:59]
2. Diversity in Unity: The body of Christ is beautifully diverse, encompassing people of different races, classes, and genders. This diversity is a testament to the inclusivity of the gospel, which unites us all as equals in Christ. Embrace this diversity and strive to be a part of a community that reflects it. [13:48]
3. Guarding Against Division: Be vigilant against those who cause division within the church. Prioritize the unity and truth of the gospel over personal opinions. Remember that our ultimate authority is the Scripture, and we must align our beliefs with it. [21:22]
4. Strength in Community: Find strength in your faith through relationships with fellow believers. Engage in small groups and be vulnerable with others. Allow yourself to be known and supported, and in turn, support others in their faith journey. [30:39]
5. Living the Gospel: Let the gospel transform your heart and motivate you to share your time, talent, and treasure with others. Be a person who makes a difference in the lives of others, and strive to be on someone's list of influential saints. [34:28]
** [34:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - A Special Salute to the Saints
[02:04] - Remembering Influential Saints
[03:15] - The List of 29 Names
[04:25] - Champions of Faith
[05:10] - Phoebe: A Deaconess and Patron
[06:32] - Priscilla and Aquila: Risking for the Gospel
[08:17] - The Unsung Heroes
[09:12] - Making the Church Work
[10:50] - Unknown Yet Known by God
[13:01] - Diversity Among the Saints
[15:37] - Unity in Diversity
[16:32] - The Power of the Gospel
[18:13] - Gender and Class in the Church
[19:33] - One Church, No Divisions
[20:33] - A Warning Against Division
[22:52] - The Role of Elders
[24:48] - Oneness in Faith
[25:43] - Paul's Inner Circle
[27:46] - The House Church Movement
[29:22] - Strength in Belief
[30:39] - The Importance of Community
[32:53] - Application: Honoring Influential Saints
[34:28] - Living Out the Gospel
[35:28] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

There are so many saints in your life that have influenced and caused you to be the person that you are. No man is an island unto himself. And the person that you are is deeply impacted by the mentors, the friends, the loved ones in your life. I think it is so important in the church for the church not to forget those saints of old. [00:00:11] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Those special saints who invested in Paul and in the work in Rome, he wanted to make sure to remember them. I call your attention to those special saints in your life, the older ones who loved you in Sunday school, the neighbors who taught you around in the neighborhood at Boy Scouts, the teachers who trained you well in geometry, and some of us not so well in geometry. [00:00:59] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

A special salute to the saints and those saints who are special to us should have a special salute. And Paul does this even, and it's interesting because I keep trying to figure out who all these people are and they're just not mentioned anywhere, some of them. And isn't that your story too, that some of the people who meant the most to you, no one else knew. [00:02:09] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Phoebe, a deaconess. I believe a deaconess. Why? Because, and it says her, a diakonos. I believe a deaconess. Many Baptists do not believe that women can be deacons. I don't believe women can be deacons. I believe women can be deaconesses. And here's one. A servant of the church at Centraea. And that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and help her in whatever she may need from you. [00:04:57] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And it says, verse 4, about them, they risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Fairly obscure figures, mentioned, yes, in Romans, and mentioned in Acts 18. I see that they're there, but they're not chapters written about them. But their impact is broad. [00:07:49] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

The Bible says He is taking slave and slave owner and bringing them into a new reality and that is equality in the gospel. How beautiful. Family, household language. Diversity. They're so different. Coming from different places and different cultures. And this message never gets old. Never gets old. It's the same now. [00:15:48] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught. Avoid them. Verse 17 is a very important reminder for the local church that we must both be gracious and love grace and love truth. I'm begging, appealing you, watch out for those who cause divisions. [00:21:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. [00:22:33] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And there is this oneness feeling. Do you see it? Do you feel it? And then lastly, verses 25 through 27, there's a belief that strengthened them, a oneness between them and a belief that strengthened them. Notice this belief. Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages, but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations according to the command of the eternal God to bring about the obedience of faith to the only wise God, the only wise God be glory forevermore. Thank you. Through Jesus Christ. Amen. [00:29:29] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

I want to encourage you get involved in a small group. You say, well, that I've never done that before. I'm talking about being vulnerable, letting yourself know others and for them to know you. there's all kinds of groups happening all the time there are groups happening you say well i went to that group it didn't quite work for me it wouldn't go to a different group you're living like a lone ranger in a world that was intended for you to live like a partner in faith with other champions of faith it's wrong it's you you're living all alone in a world that wasn't intended for that now some of you in a circumstance where you're sick your family's sick and you just can't i know to the best of your ability if you will try to be around other people more when you can their class is all the time during the day at night you don't need a class you need people in the class that's what you need you you need real people in your life to encourage these champions that paul is mentioning where did he come up with them all was he sitting in an auditorium one day and just started taking names of people he thought were were important leaders in the church these people given their lives for him one of them nearly gave their neck for them another one gave his house to them so they could have church i'm talking about genuine authenticity an influence that comes by you being around other people you say well it's messy yeah that's uh... you get your feelings hurt yeah sometimes [00:31:14] (114 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?