Champions Behind the Gospel

Day 3 — The Champions Behind the Gospel

Read

Read Romans 16:1–7, 16:19 and 1 Corinthians 16:15–18 slowly.

Romans 16:1–2 (HCSB)

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. 2 So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many, and of me also.

Romans 16:3–5 (HCSB)

3 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus,

4 who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. 5 Greet also the church that meets in their home.

Romans 16:19 (HCSB)

19 The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil.

1 Corinthians 16:15–18

Paul recognizes the household of Stephanas for devoting themselves to serving the believers. He encourages the church to recognize and support people like them, whose faithful work strengthens the Church.

Reflect

When we think about the people who helped spread the gospel throughout the New Testament, we naturally think about the apostles. Paul, Peter, James, and John are names we're familiar with because Scripture tells us so much about their lives and ministries.

But the more you study the early Church, the more you begin to recognize just how many other people were involved in advancing the gospel.

In Romans 16, Paul spends much of the chapter greeting and recognizing people who had played important roles in the church. In just fifteen verses, he mentions more than two dozen individuals, many of whom we know very little about.

And yet Paul knew their names. He knew their contributions. He recognized their faithfulness and the sacrifices they had made for the gospel.

He mentions Prisca and Aquila, who risked their own lives for him and opened their home to a gathering of believers. He recognizes Mary, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Persis for their hard work in the Lord. He greets people who had served alongside him, endured imprisonment, and faithfully supported the work of the Church.

Then in Romans 16:19, Paul writes, "The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you."

I love that.

Paul wasn't simply celebrating how many people attended church or how widely his own ministry had become known. He was recognizing the faithful obedience of people who had helped move the gospel into their communities.

And this wasn't unique to the church in Rome.

Throughout the New Testament, we discover so many other Gospel Champions.

Barnabas advocated for Paul when other believers were afraid to trust him. Phoebe used her resources and influence to support the Church. Onesiphorus stood beside Paul when imprisonment made association with him costly. Epaphroditus nearly died while serving and supporting Paul's ministry.

Joanna helped financially support Jesus and His disciples. Lydia opened her home and used her resources to support a new community of believers. The household of Stephanas devoted themselves to serving other Christians. Tychicus faithfully carried messages and encouraged churches, while Tertius used his ability as a scribe to assist Paul's ministry.

Think about all the different ways these people championed the Church.

They took notes. They delivered letters. They opened their homes. They gave tangible and financial gifts. They risked imprisonment. They supported and defended Jesus, His Church, and those He had called to lead it.

Many of these names are rarely mentioned in sermons or Bible studies. Some are almost entirely unknown to us beyond a brief reference in Scripture.

But their contributions mattered.

Without people faithfully serving in these different ways, the gospel would not have spread as it did through the early Church.

They were Church Champions then, and their work continues to have Kingdom impact on churches today.

And as I think about these men and women, I'm reminded of all the Church Champions God has placed at Kairos over the past nine years.

There are people who have been standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us since the very beginning. Others have joined along the way. Some serve in visible roles, while many quietly give their time, talents, and resources without ever expecting recognition.

There are people who faithfully prepare our building, welcome guests, serve children and students, lead Crews, teach Scripture, pray with others, make coffee, support our ministries financially, and help create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus.

So many small and big things are done by people who simply love Jesus, love His Church, and want to see the gospel move into our community.

And like Paul, when I think about these people, I can genuinely say, "I rejoice over you."

But here's something else worth recognizing.

The people Paul mentions weren't all apostles, pastors, or prominent leaders. Many were ordinary Jesus followers who simply used what God had entrusted to them to strengthen and support His Church.

Not everyone preached. Not everyone taught. Not everyone traveled from city to city planting churches.

But everyone had opportunities to contribute.

The same is true today.

You may never preach a sermon, lead a ministry, or have your name publicly recognized for something you've done. But that doesn't mean your contribution is insignificant.

The gospel continues moving into our communities because ordinary Jesus followers faithfully give their time, talents, and treasure to support the mission of the Church.

And when we work together, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, God uses those individual contributions to accomplish something far greater than any one of us could accomplish alone.

Respond

As you consider the different Gospel Champions mentioned throughout the New Testament, whose example stands out to you most? What about their willingness to serve, sacrifice, give, or support others challenges or encourages you?

Think about the people who have helped strengthen your own relationship with Jesus. Perhaps someone taught you Scripture, invited you to church, prayed with you, encouraged you during a difficult season, or simply made you feel welcomed and connected.

Have you ever taken time to thank them for the role they've played in your life?

Now consider your own involvement in the local church. Are you using the gifts, abilities, experiences, and resources God has entrusted to you to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus?

Today's challenge: Identify someone who faithfully champions the Church, especially someone whose contributions may often go unnoticed. Take time to personally encourage or thank them for what they do.

Then consider one way you can follow their example by becoming more actively involved in supporting the mission of your church.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the countless men and women who have faithfully served Your Church throughout history. Thank You for those who sacrificed their time, talents, resources, and sometimes even their lives so that the gospel could continue reaching others. Thank You for the Church Champions You've placed in my life and for the ways they have encouraged, equipped, and strengthened my relationship with You. Help me recognize that every act of faithful service matters, whether it is seen by many or known only to You. Give me a greater willingness to use what You've entrusted to me to support and strengthen Your Church. Help us continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder, encouraging one another and faithfully carrying the message of Jesus into our community. Amen.