Marks of a Healthy ChurchRomans 16

More than just a list of names...

1. Includes a wide variety of people– Jews and Gentiles– men and women (9 women; 5 highly

commended)– slaves, former slaves, wealthy patrons

More than just a list of names...

1. Includes a wide variety of people2. Includes 3 home churches3. Commends them for their service– Pheobe: “servant... helper of many”– Prisca & Aquila: “fellow workers... for my

life risked their own necks”– Mary: “worked hard”– Urbanus: “our fellow worker in Christ”

Marks of a healthy church

1. Full of selfless servants (v1-16)

Matthew 20:26–28 “...whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Marks of a healthy church

1. Full of selfless servants (v1-16)

– Find a place to serve– Praise people’s service

Danger of false teaching (v17-18)

Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

Danger of false teaching (v17-18)• Divides believers (v17)

• Deceives believers (v18)

Marks of a healthy church

1. Full of selfless servants (v1-16)

2. Devoted to essential doctrine (v17-20)i. Determine what beliefs are essential

essential: One God, One Gospel (v25-27)essential: truthfulness of scriptureessential: return of Christ; heaven & hellnon-essential: end-times detailsnon-essential: sign gifts (tongues)

www.grace-bible.org About Grace Who we Are Doctrine

Marks of a healthy church

1. Full of selfless servants (v1-16)

2. Devoted to essential doctrine (v17-20)i. Determine what beliefs are essentialii. Know the essentials by heart

www.grace-bible.org Downloads Bible Studies Essentials

Marks of a healthy church

1. Full of selfless servants (v1-16)

2. Devoted to essential doctrine (v17-20)i. Determine what issues are essentialii. Know the essentials by heartiii. Beware teaching that contradicts the

essentials

Marks of a healthy church

1. Full of selfless servants (v1-16)

2. Devoted to essential doctrine (v17-20)