Sermon Outline  Feb 10, 2008 Morning Service

Topic: Phoebe: Servant Of God

Text:    Romans 16:1-2 

Introduction

I.       Paul seems to have wanted to accomplish three things with this letter:

A.     To introduce himself and enlist their help in spreading the Gospel.

B.     To develop and defend the truth of the Gospel he had been preaching.

C.     To encourage believers to rely on God’s grace for their salvation.

II.      As Paul is concluding his epistle he included a list of personal greetings.

A.     The first personal greeting is about a woman named Phoebe.

B.     Paul tells a little bit about who this woman is.

C.     But while we know little about her there is much we can learn from her.

Text

I.       Paul called Phoebe a sister.

A.     There is something very meaningful in that word.

B.     Paul was indicating a spiritual relationship.

C.     But being a part of a family means having responsibilities (Hebrews 10:24).

D.     Being part of a family should be the most important thing in our lives.

E.     Phoebe reminds us to take seriously our relationship with God and His children.

II.      Paul called Phoebe a servant.

A.     While family and fellowship is the first part of being the ideal Christian, but we’re not in this just to hang out with other Christians or even to praise God all day.

B.     A true disciple of Jesus Christ will learn to become a servant.

C.     Some people think that ministry means standing in a pulpit and preaching to hungry listeners.

D.     Unfortunately, very little actual ministry takes place in many churches.

E.     We need to discover ministry and service (Romans 12:4-8).

III.     Paul called Phoebe a saint.

A.     Why would Paul instruct these brethren to receive her in a manner worthy of the saints?

B.     Being a saint, or being sanctified, is an ongoing process.

C.     Realize that it takes time to truly develop a sanctified life.

Conclusion

I.       Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

A.     Can you imagine what this world would be like, what the church would be like, if every Christian began to live out God’s Word every day?

B.     We just might turn this world upside down—again!

II.      We would do well to follow this wonderful woman’s example, working together to as one family toward spiritual maturity.

III.     What is the perfect, the ideal Christian?

A.     What was Phoebe?

B.     She was:

1.      A sister: a vital part of God’s family, fashioned for God’s family.

2.      A servant: willing to use her talents to further God’s kingdom, made for ministry.

3.      A saint: dedicated to spiritual growth, created to become like Christ.