Romans 16:12  Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.

 

When I think about the bands I have been a part of, both as student and teacher, there is often a student or two in each group that stands out. Someone who was so into band that they had an influence on most everyone in the group. They often weren’t even the best musician. They just loved the group and so drew others to themselves and the band became like a family of sorts. 

Today’s verse from Romans 16 was chosen as an example. Paul wrote a bunch of others that could have served. Tryphena and Tryphosa (I picture them as twin sisters!) labored in the Lord. So did Persis. They had an impact on Paul, not to mention many others. They made church seem like something very special. I would guess that they made other people want to be a part of their church.

Sometimes today the Church gets a bad rap. There are plenty of people that will tell you that going to church, being part of a church, is completely unnecessary for a follower of Christ. Scripture tells a different story. The New Testament, after the Gospels, tells the story of the Church. The Church is God’s idea. It is Christ’s body. Amazingly, the Church is God’s chosen instrument to do His work on earth.

Do people in the Church sometimes get it wrong? Of course - they’re people. Read Paul’s letters, or Peter’s, or James’, or Jude’s, or the author of the Hebrews. People mess up sometimes. But the Church is still God’s plan.

I want to be a Tryphena, a Tryphosa, a Persis. I want to be someone who labors much in the Lord. I’ll do that much more effectively with my church to help me.

Blessings,

Pastor Russ