I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: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 of many, and of myself also. 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. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Romans 16:1-16

As we look at our text today, many people probably just skim over this part, figured is not really important, but their is great beauty in what the Apostle Paul is doing here. As I’ve stated previously, even though the Apostle Paul gets much of the credit for spreading the gospel to the Gentiles, for planting many Churches, it was truly a group effort. The body of Christ was never designed to be a one-man operation. Look at all the names that have laboured for The Lord , they share in the same glory as Paul, we share in the same glory , the Kingdom of God being built one soul at a time. The time, the sweat, the blood, all the sacrifices being put in for an eternal purpose! The Kingdom of God is at hand! (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15)

We as a Church do a terrible job loving one another, lets be honest. As you look through this list, you see Jew and Gentile, male and female, rich and poor, all one in the body of Christ. Today we divide up into different sects, recently with the death of Charlie Kirk, I heard Christians, even Pastors proclaiming his death had nothing to do with them. These people claim to be part of the body of Christ, but they neglect the body of Christ that doesn’t align with them. Maybe because Charlie was white, maybe because Charlie was a Protestant, maybe because Charlie was too political, whatever maby be the reason , brothers and sisters in Christ decided he was not worthy of being greeted

I believe in the past few weeks, The Lord has been exposing our hypocrisy in the Church. The body of Christ is not made of one race, we are the great multitude. Consider what the Word of God says “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9)

What makes a Christian? Our race? Our denomination? No, we were washed by the blood of the Lamb! (John 1:29) Greet your brothers and sisters, love one another because Christ has commanded you too (John 13:34) The Churches of Christ I greet you! Amen!