My wife and I spent some time on the mission field under the auspices of United World Mission. We had a summer training period in Florida and numerous meetings about our future work on the mission field. One of things that the board recommended was a good 35 millimeter camera. This would turn out to be one of the biggest ways for you to communicate with the people at home. While in Spain, we had about seven missionary units under the direction of United World Mission and we would often take a group photograph of everyone waving to the folks back home. This would show the “team” of workers that were seeking to do the Lord's work on any given field in the world. The camera would be our lifeline to tell others about the work that is going on around the world. The Apostle Paul didn't have a Canon camera or a Nikon but still sent word back from the evangelistic team. Romans 16:3-4 says, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”
Chapter 16 is a picture of all of the people that were involved in the ministry of the Apostle Paul. I counted around 35 different names that are mentioned in this one chapter. We find mention of Priscilla and Aquila a couple of other times in the New Testament and in this passage, we learn that they “laid down their ow3n necks” for that of Paul. That is quite a statement. There is probably a story to tell involving each and every person in this long list of co workers. In many cases, we do not know exactly what they did but they were important to the Apostle and he shared their names to the church in Rome. There may be times in your life and in mine when we don't realize all of the people that are involved in the ministry. We are quick to state that any work that is done is the Lord's work and we deserve no recognition for our accomplishments. We also realize that everyone is important in any given work that is being done. Our home church supported us with 80% of our needs but their support was no more valuable than the two ladies in St. Petersburg, Florida who faithfully gave 3 dollars a month for all of the time we were gone. Missions shows us the need for the team approach as we find help in the ministries of others. The interesting part in all of this is that it is still going on. The Lord's work goes on in the lives of every believer and our relationship with others makes shows us that all of us have the common goal. We simply take a picture to share with others, but named them all, one by one and Romans 16 becomes the Polaroid photo of the evangelistic team. Praise God today for all of the people that are a part of the Lord's ministry in your life.
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