In Christ Relationships

Romans 16:1-2, "I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also."

Paul finishes his letter to the church similar to how he starts it, with the longing to see his fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.

In Romans chapter 16, Paul mentions people by name, including households and home churches. We can see from this chapter the value that Paul placed on these divine connections that he had. The way he spoke of them was with kindness, honour and cherishment.

We can learn a lot from the apostle Paul and how he viewed the relationships that God gave him.

Throughout the New Testament, the revelation of the Body of Christ unfolds, how Jesus is the Head of the Church, and how we are each individual members of His Body. God has specifically set each person in the Body. Each of us has been given divine graces to function in a divine place. Along with that grace comes the connection to other body parts. These connections are vital, they have been orchestrated by God for the growth and function of the Body.

Not only has God given us divine connections, but He also has given us gifts that are assigned to us for our development and growth. One of those gifts is the office of the pastor.

Ephesians 4:11-12 says,

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, or the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

God has given us pastors to help us, train us, encourage us, correct us, lift us, and release us in our God-given gifts. The office of the pastor is different to the other fivefold ministry gifts because the pastor is instructed by God to live with the sheep. They are assigned to us with the commandment from God to keep and look after the sheep.

What a wonderful gift pastors are to the Body of Christ.

The Body of Christ is truly a wonderful mystery! The Church is God's plan, it is how He wants to equip and train His children, and how He wants to get the Gospel message to the world.

We are a church that recognises the value of these God-ordained connections. We purpose to remain vitally connected to the Head of the Church, and the members we have been purposefully connected to.  

Praise God for the local church!

Remember, we love you, and we are praying for you.

Blessings,

Chloe

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God’s Family

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The Enduring Mercy of God