Sermon Notes - Romans 16 - Littleby Baptist Church - July 20, 2025

1.        As we wrapped up the 15^th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Roman’s he continued to address Christ followers.

a.        Recognizing their ability to help each other grow.

b.       But also, reenforcing the calling that God has put on his life to share the Gospel with the gentiles.

c.        In hopes that those who had not grown up knowing about the Messiah would turn to Jesus.

d.       That they would become a sanctified and holy offering to God.

e.        Not because of anything that Paul did.

f.          But because of the work of the God.

g.        Because of the power of the Holy Spirit.

2.        Then we walked through Paul’s travel plans.

a.        He had it all laid out.

b.       Jerusalem to Rome to Spain.

c.        Two of those places happened, but not the way he expected.

d.       God works in our lives.

e.        He may be preparing us for things.

f.          He may give us glimpses.

g.        But we cannot map it all out and expect it to happen according to our plans.

h.        We need to trust in God.

i.          Let things happen in His time and in His way.

3.        Let’s continue as we wrap up our time in Romans.

4.        Romans 16:1-2

a.        As we see in many of Paul’s letters he mentions people at the end of his letters.

b.       In this case it is believed that Phoebe may have been one of the people who brought the letter to Rome.

c.        He is asking the Roman church to help her in any way that she may need.

d.       As she had been a help to others and Paul.

5.        Romans 16:3-5a (in their home)

a.        Prisca and Aquila were from Rome.

b.       They had left Rome as many Jews had during the persecution we have talked about a couple of time.

c.        They met Paul in Corinth.

d.       They spent time with him in Ephesus.

e.        Then at some point they returned to Rome.

6.        Romans 16:5b (greet my dear)

a.        Believed to be the first convert in Ephesus.

7.        Romans 16:6

a.        Not a lot to go on her, could be Jew or Gentile.

8.        Romans 16:7

a.        A couple we don’t have a lot of details on.  

b.       Best educated guess.

c.        A husband-and-wife who are Hellenistic Jews.

d.       Christ following Jews who were in Christ before Paul.

e.        They believed in Jesus likely before He died on the cross.

f.          It states they were prisoners, likely for sharing the Gospel at some point and speculation is that is when they met Paul.

9.        Romans 16:8-9

a.        A couple of others that Paul knows are in Rome, but we have no information.

10.   Romans 16:10

a.        Apelles has likely proved his faith by going through some ordeal.

b.       Those who belong to the household of… those who are slaves of Aristobulus.

c.        Sounds like those who belong to the household may believe but the owner does not.

11.   Romans 16:11

a.        Another individual.

b.       And another group of people who belong to a household.

12.   Romans 16:12

a.        Imagine having someone like Paul saying you have worked hard or very hard in the Lord.

13.   Romans 16:13

a.        Rufus ‘could be’ the son of Simon of Cyrene the man who carried the cross of Christ the day He was crucified.

b.       Paul’s emphasis here is that Rufus’ mother cared for him.

c.        Provided hospitality for him on occasion.

14.   Romans 16:14-15

a.         Two groups of people meeting together in their house churches.

15.   Romans 16:16

a.        Greeting each other with a holy kiss, a kiss of peace, a comforting hug, a brotherly handshake, or whatever way you are comfortable welcoming another person.

b.       In other words, welcome each other as Christ welcomes you.

c.        Greet each other with open arms.

d.       Let there be no division amongst you.

16.   Paul then adds that all the churches of Christ send them greetings.

a.        These being the words of God through Paul.

b.       We can trust that the Holy Spirit is telling this young church that the Church of Christ welcomes them.

17.   Romans 16:17-18

a.        A word of caution.

b.       Be careful of those who cause division.

c.        They will twist the truth.

d.       They will try to lead you astray.

18.   Sadly, we have all probably seen things like this.

a.        At work, in our families, and even in churches.

b.       People like this tend to be self-serving.

c.        Some will do whatever they can to get ahead or get their way.

d.       They do not worry about who they hurt in the process.

e.        We need to watch out for those who do not follow the teachings of the Word of God.

f.          Not talking about those who are not perfect.

g.        None of us are.

h.        But those who purposefully twist things for their advantage.

i.          And those who flat out deny the truth.

j.          Be watchful of them.

19.   Romans 16:19

a.        Another way of putting this.

b.       ‘Be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves’, Matthew 10:16.

c.        The Roman church was faithful.

d.       Paul wanted them to keep their eyes open.

e.        They needed to be alert. 

f.          He did not want them to be led astray.

g.        To be taken advantage of.

h.        A good lesson for us to listen to.

i.          Keep our eyes open.

j.          Do not be led astray.

20.   Romans 16:20

a.        While people may try to deceive you.

b.       While people will try to twist the truth.

c.        People will work to create division.

d.       You are to stay true to the Word of God.

e.        As you are grow in Godly wisdom.

f.          As you remain innocent about what is evil.

g.        The God of peace will make you triumphant.

h.        Jesus will be with you.

21.   That is a truth that we can hold on to.

a.        Our Lord Jesus is always with us.

b.       We will be triumphant as we draw near to Him.

c.        That does not mean things are going to be perfect in the here and now.

d.       It does not mean our bank accounts are going to be full.

e.        It does not mean our bodies are going to be healed.

f.          That our relationships are going to be restored.

g.        But it means that we are not forsaken.

h.        We ARE Redeemed.

i.          We ARE forgiven.

j.          We ARE Triumphant through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

k.        It is a done deal.

l.          All we have to do is believe and give our lives to Jesus.

22.   Romans 16:21-23

a.        A listing of who were with Paul when the letter to the Roman church was written.

b.       Timothy we get to know better through the two letters we have in the NT that Paul writes him.

c.        Gaius, the man behind the pen is believed to be the same one mentioned in 1 Cor.

d.       The others, we cannot be sure of.

23.   Romans 16:25

a.        To God.

b.       The One who is able to Strengthen us.

c.        Through the work of Jesus.

d.       Through His Gospel.

e.        The life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

f.          It is through that work that we are strengthened.

24.   Jesus works in us when we accept the gift that He is offering.

a.        He gives us wisdom.

b.       Strength.

c.        Peace.

d.       Joy.

e.        Hope.

f.          And so much more.

g.        But we need to accept that gift.

h.        Without it we are lost.

i.          We are weak.

j.          We will be tossed about in this world.

k.        With Jesus we can stand strong.

l.          With Jesus we can stand true to ‘the revelation that was a mystery kept silent for long ages.’

m.     A mystery that we did not see.

n.        With Jesus we are saved.

25.   Romans 16:26

a.        A mystery that was made know through prophecy.

b.       Something that Paul has pointed out throughout this letter.

c.        The Jesus that they believed in is the Jewish Messiah.

d.       The same one foretold of in the OT Scriptures.

e.        The prophecies were given and all of the earthly work of Jesus was done…

f.          So that people would come to believe and obey the Gospel.

g.        That they would come to accept the message of Jesus.

h.        That they would share it with others.

26.   Romans 16:27

a.        To God.

b.       Who carried out His plan through His Son Jesus.

c.        May He receive all the Glory Forever.

d.       May the Father receive the Glory and honor He is due.

27.   Paul ties off the letter pointing to the Father.

a.        Reminding us that no matter how our God uses us.

b.       We are not successful on our own.

c.        We do not deserve any honor or glory.

d.       It is all due to our God.

e.        It is not our plan.

f.          It is not our resources.

g.        It is not our giftings.

h.        It is 1,000% Him.

i.          We need to give God the thanks for using us to carry out His will.

j.          Then give Him the honor and glory He deserves.

28.   We have spent 37 weeks in Romans.

a.        A timely discussion for the world we live in.

b.       We need to be transformed and renewed so that we are not tossed about.

c.        The only way that happens is by giving our lives fully to Jesus.

29.   Don’t hold back any part of your life.

a.        Give Him every ounce of your life.

b.       Step out in faith to whatever He is calling you to.

c.        Start by talking to Him about it.

d.       Talk to a brother or sister about it.

e.        Pray about what steps you need to take.

f.          Then trust in God and step out in faith.

g.        Then Give God your all and Serve Him.

30.   If you do not know Jesus.

a.        Do not wait.

b.       Scripture shows us that several thousand years ago that Jesus’s birth and death was prophesied.

c.        God laid out His plan.

d.       So that He could save you.

e.        All you need to do is give your life to Him.

f.          If that is you, I would love to talk to you.