Redefining Family: Embracing Radical Inclusion in Christ

How wide is the circle of family? This question challenges us to reconsider who we include in our closest relationships, especially within the body of Christ. The early church, as seen in Romans 16, was a living portrait of the gospel’s power to break down social, economic, and cultural barriers. In those crowded Roman house churches, the family of God was not defined by blood or status, but by allegiance to Jesus. Men and women, slaves and free, Jews and Gentiles, all gathered as equals, supporting one another for survival and flourishing under the gospel. The oikos—the household—was the center of life, commerce, and faith, and its boundaries were radically porous, allowing the Spirit to form a new kind of family.

This vision of family is not just historical curiosity; it’s a gospel imperative for us today. In a world that prizes individualism and self-sufficiency, the call is to open our lives to one another, to move from the porch to the table, from isolation to deep connection. The church is meant to be a place where we owe each other our lives, our support, and our commitment to help one another grow in Christ. This means honoring those who serve behind the scenes, recognizing spiritual mothers and fathers, and encouraging those who quietly wonder if their contributions matter.

The early church’s radical inclusion—where a slave could sit beside a master, and women like Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia could lead and teach—was a scandal to the surrounding culture. Yet, it was precisely this countercultural witness that displayed the power of the gospel. Today, we are called to reimagine our own oikos, to steward our relationships and resources for the good of the family of God, and to resist the luxury of division that comfort and prosperity can bring.

As we gather, eat, serve, and worship together, we embody the reality that life is found not in radical individualism, but in Christ and in His people. The Lord’s Supper reminds us that we are united not just to Jesus, but to one another, cleansed and made fit for God’s presence by His blood. Let us be the kind of family that Issaquah—and our world—desperately needs: a people marked by grace, mutual care, and faithful dependence on one another.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Gospel Expands the Circle of Family The early church modeled a radically inclusive family, where social status, gender, and background were secondary to allegiance to Jesus. This challenges us to widen our own circles, inviting others into genuine relationship and support, even when it stretches our comfort. The gospel compels us to see every believer as true family, not just acquaintances or Sunday companions. [06:21]
• 2. The Oikos: Stewarding Relationships as Sacred Economy In the ancient world, the household (oikos) was the center of life, commerce, and identity. The church reimagined this, making the family of God the primary network of mutual responsibility and honor. We are called to steward our relationships, resources, and care for one another as a sacred economy—an oikonomia—where everyone’s well-being is interconnected. [14:51]
• 3. Radical Inclusion as Countercultural Witness The early church’s practice of seating slaves beside masters, and empowering women like Phoebe and Junia, was a scandal to Roman society. This radical inclusion is not just a historical footnote, but a living testimony to the gospel’s power to break down dividing walls. Our willingness to embrace those different from us is a visible sign of Christ’s kingdom in a divided world. [18:11]
• 4. Every Member Matters—Encouragement is Essential Many who serve, lead, or encourage in the church do so quietly, often doubting the impact of their contributions. The enemy sows discouragement, but the gospel calls us to honor and encourage one another, naming the good we see and reminding each other that our work matters. A simple word of affirmation can be a lifeline to someone who feels unseen or unworthy. [39:18]
• 5. Life is Found in Christ and His People, Not in Individualism The world’s narrative of radical individualism promises freedom but delivers isolation and the endless need for validation. True life is found in Christ—being united to Him and to His people, cleansed and made a dwelling place for God. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder that we are not just saved as individuals, but as a family, called to share life, burdens, and joy together.
  
  ** [46:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:34] - How Wide is Your Circle of Family?
• [02:50] - Building Family Through Adoption and Church Support
• [04:45] - The Roman House Church: A Living Portrait
• [06:21] - The Gospel’s Impact on Community
• [07:25] - Honoring Names and Stories in Romans 16
• [10:22] - Spiritual Mothers, Fathers, and Deep Relationships
• [12:47] - The Oikos: Household as Center of Life
• [14:51] - Stewarding Relationships and Resources
• [16:51] - Radical Inclusion in the Early Church
• [18:11] - Women Leaders and Breaking Social Conventions
• [22:18] - The Luxury of Division and the Need for Unity
• [24:36] - Moving from the Porch to the Table
• [27:57] - Honoring Servants and Encouragers
• [34:59] - Spiritual Parentage and Ongoing Service
• [39:18] - The Power of Encouragement
• [41:29] - The Church as the Family the World Needs
• [42:45] - Prayer for Unity and Communion
• [44:18] - The Lord’s Supper: United in Christ
• [46:25] - Life in Christ vs. Radical Individualism
• [49:53] - Cleansed to Be God’s Dwelling
• [51:23] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Reading

Romans 16:1-16 (ESV) — I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 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, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
Greet also the church in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.
Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.
Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.
Greet my kinsman Herodion.
Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.
Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa.
Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Observation Questions

1. Who are some of the people Paul mentions by name in Romans 16, and what roles or relationships does he highlight among them?
2. What does the term "oikos" mean in the context of the early church, and how did it shape the way believers related to each other?
3. According to the sermon, what made the early church’s way of gathering and relating to each other so different from the surrounding Roman culture?
4. What are some examples from the sermon of people who served or led in ways that might have gone unnoticed by others?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul takes the time to list so many names and personal greetings at the end of his letter to the Romans? What does this reveal about his view of the church?
2. The sermon describes the early church as a place where social status, gender, and background were secondary to allegiance to Jesus. What challenges or tensions might this have created, both inside and outside the church?
3. The concept of “oikonomia” (household management) was reimagined by the church as a sacred economy of mutual care. How does this challenge the way we typically think about our resources and relationships?
4. The sermon mentions that many who serve or encourage in the church may feel unseen or doubt their impact. Why is encouragement so essential in the family of God?

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to widen our circle of family beyond just our biological relatives or close friends. Who in your life might be on the “porch” looking in, and what is one step you could take to invite them to the “table”?
2. Think about your own “oikos”—the people you interact with regularly. How can you be more intentional about stewarding those relationships as part of God’s family, especially when it comes to sharing resources, time, or support?
3. The early church’s radical inclusion was a visible sign of the gospel. Are there people or groups you find it hard to include or connect with? What would it look like to take a small step toward greater inclusion this week?
4. The sermon highlights the importance of honoring and encouraging those who serve behind the scenes. Can you think of someone in your church or community who might need encouragement? What is a specific way you could affirm or thank them this week?
5. The world often tells us that life is found in self-sufficiency and individualism. In what ways have you experienced the emptiness of this approach? How has being part of Christ’s family brought you life or connection?
6. The Lord’s Supper is described as a reminder that we are united not just to Jesus, but to one another. How does this change the way you think about communion and your relationship to the church?
7. The sermon mentions “the luxury of division” that comes with comfort and prosperity. Are there ways you have drawn your circle of family too small out of convenience? What is one practical way you could resist this tendency?