Gtcotr/ss101021
Romans 16:11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Herodion = Heroic
·
They
are “my kinsmen” Paul said
·
They
are like me – serving Christ by serving others.
Narcissus = Stupidity
·
There
are people in the church that are of the household of stupidity
·
Narcissist
– from the flower named after the mythological character by the same name who
died of thirst rather than disturb his own reflection in the pool of water.
o From Narke – as a
narcotic
o The stupefaction which
comes from The drug of self
o Confused, befuddled,
bemused, bewildered, stupefied
o Romans 16:11 … who are in the Lord. (In the Church)
No less than 35 times Paul greeted/saluted/appreciated/honorably mentioned people by name in the 16th chapter of Romans, plus all the sisters, mothers, and friends of those he mentioned.
It
is interesting that those in the Lord can be in one of two groups:
1.
Those
who are gathering people for Jesus
2.
Those
who are dividing people for the devil
3.
Those
who are heroic (if you want to be great … serve others)
4.
Those
who are stupefied (Meaning confused, or bewildered as to why Jesus came and
where they fit into that picture. “It’s about me!”)
a. Jesus came to save the lost not to lose the saved.
Romans 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
·
BTW
- Give all of them a holy kiss of appreciation for me …
·
And
… once again … in the Church there are both the:
o The Obedient and Wise
and the Contrary and Divisive
o Take notice and avoid
those who only want to argue.
o The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has people who serve Him and those who serve themselves.
17 ¶ Now I beseech you,
brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine
which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such
serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and
fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Who
are the heroic in the Church? You are!
·
Goers
·
Stayers
·
Prayers
· Payers
Who
are those narcissists who are in the Lord? Please don’t let it be you!
·
The
Contrary and Divisive who had rather be right than righteous.
· God help us to recognize and resist the devil steadfast in faith.
BTW
- Jesus did not say: (Matthew 25:31ff)
·
“I
was hungry, and you felt bad for Me!”
·
“I
was thirsty, and you hoped I’d find some water!”
·
“I
was naked, and you wished I’d put some clothes on!”
· “I was sick and in prison, and you wanted someone to go see Me!”
God’s hope is that we would have more good works than good words and more fair practices than fair speeches. God wants us to prefer being righteous more than being right. God has His heart set on saving your family and friends. He needs your help. Good News: Your obedience is come abroad to all men … (Pictures of our Kenya feeding program yesterday; Info on our Thai Child Trafficking Rescue this week).
Now
for the rest of the story … Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under
your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
