What we talked about in this session was "something very special to the apostle Paul and very important to us ramping up our effectiveness as mighty servants of God."
Wouldn't sanctification be so much easier if there weren't a lot of people in our life? Beth says, "we would do so much better under the steeple without some of those people."
We began chapter 3 of 2 Timothy with Paul telling us that not only will it be perilous times because of circumstances around us, but the last days would be perilous times because of people.
He talks about what people will be like. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
We're right in the middle of Paul telling us all the things that are going to go array and 2 Timothy chapter 4 tells us things that have gone array with people because of relationships. He ends it up with such a tenderness and love. You realize how much people have meant to apostle Paul.
We see something amazing about Paul - something that we must reflect in our own life, if we're going to have joy while here on this journey.
We read Romans 16:1-16 (which is a letter by Paul as well). We see 27 names of associates of apostle Paul that he is sending greetings to. These names reveal an "authentic holy networking."
Many women were mentioned in this list of names.
Beth reminded us that if we are going to ramp up our effectivness, we also need to ramp up our connectedness. In these verses are revealed many connections with people. Many of these people are also mentioned in other NT books.
We are so much stronger together. We're meant to encourage one another across the generations.
Beth mentioned that "in our culture today, it's unfortunate that we tear each other down in a public place". Facebook, twitter etc.
We must stand together as one body of believers - servants of Christ.
In I Corinthians 4:1 the word "servant" in Greek means "under rower". Servant: subordinate, servant, attendant, or assistant in general. The subordinate official who waits to accomplish the commands of his superior.
Beth went on to give us four points about the under rower:
1. Rowers don't build up and maintain muscle by rowing downstream.
We can be spiritual steroids to one another.
2. Staying in rhythm and sync with a team takes concentrated effort.
We don't always get to choose our fellow rowers. Iron sharpening iron. Getting through conflict and reaching the other side can sharpen us and make us stronger. Are we willing to work through conflict and not just walk away?
3. Rowing also necessitates a certain amount of repetition.
Expect repetition. It can be tedious, but we have "boat songs": every worship service we sing our "boat songs".
4. Rowers have each other's backs.
Satan know that if he can come between those rowers (us), he can get the boat off course.
Have we slandered our brothers and sisters in Christ? Have we been faithful behind their backs? Have we affirmed the slander of others by remaining silent?
We have been with "rowers" who are not safe with us behind their back. We must repent.
"Life is hard enough for our brothers and sisters - let's have their backs."
Next session: "Face to Face
