Romans 16:1-6 (KJV)
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea. 2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus. 4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
Kingdom service is what we are called to do, and we are privileged to serve the Lord. Serving God in any ministry capacity is a blessing and not a burden. It is something we must never complain about. Anytime we do anything for the Lord, we must do it cheerfully.
Today my assignment is to make us understand that kingdom service has dimensions. The Lord wants us to know how much kingdom service impacts his work in our time.
From our text we see that Paul was commending Phebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea. Phebe was commended because she was a servant of the church! When you’re a servant of the church, you’re a servant of God! Phebe was serving in the church of Cenchrea, what are you doing in your church today? Now let’s look at what it means to commend.
What Does it Mean to Commend?
- It is to praise someone.
- It is to present as suitable for approval or acceptance.
- It is to support and recommend someone for favour and honour.
- It is to vouch for someone’s reputation.
Paul says the Church should assist Phebe in whatsoever business she hath need of you. The church will assist everyone and anyone but especially kingdom Servants! Paul said Phebe must be assisted in any business, meaning, she must be a priority. There are many people today who wants assistance from a church, they don’t sow into, what an error!
Church attendance doesn’t qualify you, but your service is what qualifies you. The work you do in the kingdom qualifies you for kingdom assistance. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat”. Phebe has been a succourer to many especially Paul, I will explain more later, on succourer.
Paul sends greeting to priscilla and aquila, who laid down their necks for Him. He also greets Epaenetus, but says something about Mary in verse 6 “She bestowed on us much Labours”. The meaning of what Paul is saying in the last statement is that she (Mary) gave the church challenges. There are some people that are a burden to the church. Apostle Paul didn’t specify what she did, but she wasn’t a burden lifter, she was a burden loader!
This morning, I prophesy the grace of God that was upon Phebe on you now in Jesus name! I declare you will be recommended in Jesus name!!!
7 Dimensions to Kingdom Service
- KINGDOM SERVICE BRINGS YOU HONOUR
Phebe was recommended for honour!
Paul said she must be received in Cenchrea as a servant of the church. To serve God in kingdom service is to be honoured. Remember the donkey Jesus rode on? That donkey received Honour. It didn’t work on the ground but on clothes and people waved palms in honour. Whenever we give ourselves to the Lord for service, we will be honoured! Matthew 21:8 reads “And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way”.
Prayer: I declare that every trace of dishonour disappears out of your life by the frequency of kingdom service in Jesus name. Amen!
- KINGDOM SERVICE MAKES YOU A SUCCOURER
Apostle Paul said, Phebe is a succourer to him and to many!
Who is a succourer?
A succourer is someone who runs to support, help or relieve when in difficulty, want or distress. It is someone who rushes to assistance and support in times of hardship and distress.
When someone engages in kingdom service, they’re a succour to the Pastor, HoD and ordained Ministers. They’re always racing to assist if there is any need. These are the people who will not want the work of God to be difficult.
Paul says, Phebe is a succourer to many and Himself. This means she served with everything she has, including in her giving!
- KINGDOM SERVICE MAKES YOU GOD’S PRIORITY
Everyone wants to be God’s priority but it’s impossible. It is when you put God first that God will put you first. It is when you honour God that God will honour you. It is what you sow, that you reap.
Phoebe was given a priority by Paul’s recommendation, so she became a priority. You don’t pray to be God’s priority, you serve to be God’s priority!
- KINGDOM SERVICE MAKES YOU SELFLESS
Kingdom service is a proof of your selflessness! When you’re a believer, you cease to live for yourself but for Christ and the kingdom. Phebe was selfless as she served as a succour. You must look beyond yourself if you must see Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!
Kingdom service is a selfishness killer!!! Every genuine church servant is selfless, they live for kingdom. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them”.
- KINGDOM SERVICE RAISES YOU TO STAND IN THE GAP
Romans 16:3-4 says “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus. Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles”.
Priscilla and Aquila were helpers who laid down their own necks for the Life of Paul. These people were risk takers, they were like the mighty men of David who risked their own life for David’s when they brought him water from the enemy’s camp, and David refused to drink the water and offered it as an offering to the Lord. We can see that in 2 Samuel 23:16 “So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD”.
- KINGDOM SERVICE WILL PROVOKE THANKSGIVING
We can see that Apostle Paul was thanking God for the service of Phoebe, Aquila and Priscilla. Right now, our church in Leeds is moving, those who have been engaged in the moving project, have provoked so much thanksgiving.
A kingdom servant is a kingdom helper. As you help in doing the work, thanksgiving will go up to Heaven because of you. Romans 16:4b “Unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles”
- KINGDOM SERVICE MAKES MINISTRY TO BE STRESS-FREE
Can you imagine if the Pastors had to do everything in Church? Just imagine the General Overseer of your church doing everything like sweeping the church, teaching Sunday school, playing the drum, etc.
Can you imagine if no one gives to the work of God? When God called me, I wanted to work very hard to support the work of God, but God made me to see His faithfulness when He told me to go fulltime. Many were sowing and this work has never lacked!
Phebe made ministry to be stress-free for Paul. Aquila and Priscilla were divine stress removers as they worked with their lives. Everyone should know that the devil wants to always frustrate the work of God, as kingdom servants we refuse it, we make ministry a stress-free mission.
Let us then ponder on this scripture in 1 Corinthians 16:17-18 that says “I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well”.
- By Pastor Ovie Emmanuel
