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Remembering names can sometimes be a very hard thing. If you pray for people, that will help you remember their name. Some people pray for those they have met during the day - and they remember their names more easily.

We come to Romans Chapter 16 and verse 3 – A married couple - Priscilla was a highly born Roman lady - she married a humble Jew. Aquilla like Paul was a tentmaker. They had moved from Rome to Corinth. It was there they met Paul.

They are never mentioned separately - they are a team - partners in the Lord’s work - they opened up their home for the Lord’s work. They were prepared to die for the Gospel. They risked their nets. There were many so grateful for their ministry.

Verse 5 – Epaenetus - my first convert to Christ in Asia. You always remember your first of anything - but especially your first convert to Jesus Christ.

Strong ties bind a spiritual father to spiritual children.

Verse 6 - Mary worked hard for the Lord - to toil to the point of exhaustion - no work for Christ goes unnoticed - be busy in the service of Christ Jesus.

Verse 7 – Andronicus and Junia - my kinsmen - fellow Jews - they had been in jail with Paul. And they had been Christians before I was - they must have been converted very near the beginning - perhaps even on the Day of Pentecost?

Amplias. Urbanus - belong to the city. We know nothing about the next few names - but we see this - note where they lived - not only in Rome, but in Christ.

Aristolbus - the grandson of Herod the Great - the brother of Herod Agrippa.

Verse 12 – Tryphena and Tryphosa - when names begin like this we know that they were twin sisters - their names mean Dainty and Delicate. They too worked to the point of exhaustion for the Lord. Who dared say that Paul was prejudiced against women? That could only be said by someone who was totally ignorant. Paul speaks so generously in his appreciation.

Persis - a Persian Christian - from Iran.

Verse 13 – Rufus - red head - his father was an African - he had a black skin - his name was Simon of Cyrene - a leader of the Church at Antioch. It was Rufus’s father who carried Christ’s Cross on the road to Calvary. Rufus’s mother was a mother to me - no doubt this was in Antioch. Was this the woman who did Paul’s washing for him - and looked after his needs when he came home from these long missionary journeys?

These next names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life - e.g. Philologus - a little bit of humour here as Paul even remembers his nickname - someone who is fond of talking - it might even have been one of the local pastors!

In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek - neither male nor female - neither bond or free. All are here - what a mixture. No division of class - or race - or sex.

This is part of the membership roll. If you are in Christ you will meet these people some day. The Church militant on earth - and the Church Triumphant in Heaven is one Church. To be a member of the one and only Church you have to be in Christ.

Paul loved the Lord’s people - these were his friends - these lowly ordinary people are now read all around the world.

We see here Paul’s tender affection - and his appreciation of kindness. And see the high value he places upon Christian Friendship in this life.

Paul’s best friends are committed Christians. He was going to be loyal to them - and he expects them to be loyal to him.

His best friends lived at the same address as him - IN CHRIST.

“Lord God Almighty – thank You for these names – real people – serving in the Church of Jesus Christ – working away in the Kingdom of God. Help us to appreciate those around us – fellow workers in the Kingdom – men and women saved and rescued by Christ Jesus – having their sins forgiven. Father, we give thanks for the fellowship of the Church of Jesus Christ – and we pray on in the Name of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.”

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Curse is Gone