1. Devotion to God’s Word James 1:5-6 (NIV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

2. “Greet Those in the Lord” Series: Greet One Another (3/3) Sunday, July 25, 2004 Larry Cantrell Romans 16:1-16

3. “Greet Those in the Lord” Paul’s greeting priority 1.Receive Phoebe –she is carrying my message to you (Romans 16:1,2) 2.Priscilla and Aquila –they are committed to the strengthening of the saints (Romans 16:3-5) 3.Epanatus –the first convert and evidence of the work of the Lord (Romans 16:6)

4. “Greet Those in the Lord” Going beyond the superficial… 1.Paul wants servants to be received in the Lord (Romans 16:2) Phoebe carried the letter to the saints in Rome. 2.Paul loves people in the Lord (Romans 16:8) Real affection for God’s people. 3.Paul identified a household in the Lord (Romans 16:11) The gospel was established in the household of Narcissus

5. “Greet Those in the Lord” Going beyond the superficial… 4.Paul recognized saints who work hard in the Lord (Romans 16:12) Tryphaena and Tryphosa were not delicate or fragile. Persis is only known to work “very” hard in the Lord. 5.Paul acknowledges a “chosen” person in the Lord (Romans 16:13) Rufus was chosen in the Lord to serve a specific task.

6. “Greet Those in the Lord” Romans 16:16 (NIV) 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. All the churches of Christ are to have the same missionAll the churches of Christ are to have the same mission Reach Up – worship the living God according to the Scriptures Reach In – greet each other with affection Reach Out – present the message of Christ to every person and community

7. The Lord’s Invitation Romans 16:25-27 (NIV) 25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.