(Rom 16:1-2) I commend unto you [Phebe our sister,] which is a [servant of the church] which is at Cenchrea: [my brackets]

{2} That 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 {supporter my inserts} of many, and of myself also.

It seems now when so many women are confused about their role in the work of God, it is important to find some way to affirm the positive role model of Godly women who make up a unique and a large part of the Body of Christ.

Our text is at the close of the most important book in the New Testament. We note one of the hallmarks of Paul’s ministry in his moving from the Doctrine to the practice. He never got so Heavenly minded that he was of no earthly good. As he closed the letter he names several people who were to be commended as he passed out the flowers while he could.. Today, we want to look at Phebe, probably, her name was given by her parents to honor a pagan goddess by that same name, but had personally come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior!

Note what Paul wrote about her in Romans 16:1. For men and women there is a great deal of pressure internally and externally to be a success in our world today. The world’s definition of success would be one of fame and fortune. Who winds up with the most toys seems to be the winner in the worlds eye, but for the Christian, the definition must be different. We must ask ourselves whether God is pleased with our life and work. The compensation of the world cannot be compared to the commendation of the Lord. The old saying seems to be true so often, the pay is not much, but the benefits is out of this world.

Thus, the Christian Mother must look at her spiritual life and Christian work to determine just how successful she is! While we do not know if Phebe was a Mother, we do know that Phebe was successful perhaps even in the world’s use of the word. Some Bible scholars suppose that she was a wealthy widow who was going to Rome to handle a business or legal matter.

When Paul decided to send this letter to the Romans by her. She carried one of the most important documents the world would ever see. She could not have known the countless number of people who would read her name in the Holy Bible. Mothers, you are charged with the most important living epistles that this world will ever see. Those little ones that God has committed to your charge and care. (2 Cor 3:2) Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

Note three characteristics that made her, and can make any woman,  A Woman Worthy of Commendation:

I. She Was a Sister in Christ Vrs. 1

1. Regenerated [Born Again]

A. Paul did not use the term Brother or Sister lightly, He used it to refer to people that were born again.

B. She had been redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ and, thus, was a Sister to Paul and every other believer. Regeneration comes as one repents of sin, turns to God in Christ, and is gloriously saved. This can only happen when a person is drawn to Christ by the Holy Spirit. Phebe had experienced this process firsthand.

2. Relationship

A. New Family
     When ones accepts Christ as Savior, they are placed in a new
      family, sometimes will more interest than your immediate.
B. New Faith
      Remember the account of the Pharisee and Publican,
     (Luke 18:9) And he spake this parable unto certain which       trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised       others:

3. Responsibility

A. She was Responsible. She is to be commended also for doing her part in the work of God.
B. She did not Rely upon another to carry out her responsibilities. We must pray that other believers will take their responsibilities that seriously.

II. She Was a Servant to the Church Vrs. 1

It is kind of like a paradox, in Phebe carrying this Most Important Letter to the citizens of Rome, we find the Word of God in Her:

1. Her Head
Was Bowed in Submission to the Lord A servant is one who does the bidding of another. For Phebe to be a Servant in the church, she had to first be a servant of Jesus Christ.

2. Her Heart
Was Moved in Sympathy with the Lord Paul said that she had been of assistance to many believers. She felt the love for people which the Lord felt for them. Such a woman is to be highly commended.

3. Her Hands
Were Extended in Service for the Lord She put her hands to the plow and did not look back, her life for Christ was more than WORDS.
(James 1:22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 

III. She was a Supporter of the Great Commission
       Vrs. 2
        Matt. 28: The Lord Jesus Charged the Apostles to
        carry the Gospel Message to every nation.

1. Encouragement
She had assisted others. She had been a person of encouragement. There is no way to estimate the worth of an encourage in the church. So many people are negative and drain the church of energy and resources. It is wonderful to have around us some precious people who are such an encouragement that the gospel is spread with power and joy!

2. Investment
Paul said that she had been a “succourer” [Helper] to many and even to himself. This means that she had invested in them. She had been a source of meeting needs. She put her finances to work for the Lord! We often think about men of wealth financing the work of God, but even in the early days of the church it was more women than men who often supported the work faithfully.

3. Involvement
She was involved in a positive way to the Glory of The Lord Jesus Christ.

A. POSITION AND POWER
No doubt she had been a great help to Paul. She was not a woman looking for worldly Position or Power; Reward and Recognized

B. DECORATED AND DEDICATED
She was not a Feminist or Famous liberal. She was not trying to get her rights in the church. She just loved Jesus with all of her heart and was willing to pray, support, encourage, work, give and assist in the work of Him! She was, indeed, a woman to be commended.

Some of you ladies — like Phebe — are an encouragement; you invest your resources in time, talent and tithe for the Lord; and you are deeply involved in getting the Gospel to the ends of the earth! God bless you and may your number increase.

Others of you need to move to a new level of service for your King. There are women and girls here today who need the Savior. Like Phebe, you will find the greatest joy in life as a sister to all believers and as a servant of Jesus Christ!

 

Bro. Roger Pickett
105 Pickett St.
Jonesville, N.C. 28642

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