Romans 16

but a supporter of the patron and a benefactor.

So Romans 16, 1 through 2, that she carried Romans is basically the common and reasonable inference.

So she is, I would say, she's functioning as an authoritative teacher of mixed congregation, is not in the text, okay? The letter bearing the patronage is not the elder's teaching or the office.

Juno is almost certainly a woman, we know.

In 1 Corinthians 11, 5, Judea and the sentency labored in the gospel.

Philippians 4, 2, and 3.

Romans 16, names of the women as co-workers.

Co-workers.

And I want to challenge you to do what you can.

The first scripture is Romans 16.

At Romans 16, verses 3, 4, and 5, Paul writes to the church at Rome and says this, "'Greet Priscilla and Aquila.'" My helpers in Christ Jesus.

Now, two interesting things here.

First, Priscilla's name comes first.

But now let me point a couple other things out to you.

The first is that they involve their entire household in the work of the local church.

Did you notice here that in Romans 16, verse 5, the Bible says the church met in their house.

But God has promises yet unfulfilled for the nation of Israel, and He's not cast away His people.

That's Romans 11.

That's a whole different topic.

Point number one, the church did not begin with Abraham.

That church, whatever it was, was the body of Jesus Christ.

And this is before Paul gets saved, so obviously he didn't start the church.

And Romans 16, 7 seals the deal.

Romans 16 and verse number 7.

I think they are one of the most neglected couples of the New Testament, and I say that because we find them repeatedly throughout the New Testament.

We're introduced to them here in Acts 18, but they show up in Romans 16, verse 3.

They show up in 1 Corinthians 16, 19.

They show up in 2 Timothy 4, verse 19 at the end of Paul's ministry.

I'd like for you to read through Acts 18.

Read through Acts 18 and then look up the other references to Aquila and Priscilla throughout the New Testament.

Romans 16, verse 3, 1 Corinthians 16, 19, 2 Timothy 4, 19.

And when we return to our study, I want to give you some very practical things that this couple did to make a difference right where they were.

And I call it his Roman 16 list.

And here's the thing, we all have a Romans 16 list.

We all have names of people that left their fingerprints on our soul.

They discipled us, they loved us, they were available to us, they encouraged us.

They drew us into a story that was larger than our own making.

They helped us develop the character to sustain the calling.

Sunday school teachers, teachers, friends, parents, praying grandparents, pastors, youth pastors, neighbors, who's on your Romans 16 list? And in this season, whose name may need to be added to your Romans 16 list? But then I also wanna flip it this morning.

Whose Romans 16 list will your name be on? Who right now needs a voice of encouragement, needs a little bit of wisdom, needs somebody to just show up and be with, needs somebody to carry their mat right now? Whose list will your name be on? Can I ask us to stand together as the band comes back? Community was so important to Jesus that on the night he was betrayed, on the night he was going to the cross, his last earthly night, as far as they knew, he decided to share a meal with his friends.

By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Romans 16.

Amen.

Pick up your Bibles and put on the armor of God.