Persis: A Worthy Emulated Bible Character's Service Life

BIBLE TEACHING ASSIGNED AND DELIVERED BY PASTOR E. OLA AKERELE, OWUTU-AGRIC AREA SUPERINTENDENT DURING THE LAGOS METROPOLITAN AREAS MINISTERS’ MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL AND BUSINESS MEETING HELD AT THE NATIONAL TEMPLE, OLORUNDA – KETU, LAGOS ON WEDNESDAY 27^{^TH} NOVEMBER, 2024 BY 10. 00 A.M.

TOPIC -: PERSIS: A WORTHY EMULATED BIBLE CHARACTER’S SERVICE LIFE.

TEXT-: ROMANS 16:1-16 (12).

“Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who laboured in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.” Romans 16:12. KJV

“My greetings to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work in the Lord’s service, and to my dear friend Persis, who has done so much work for the Lord.” Today’s English Version

“Salute those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet my dear Persis, who has worked so hard in the Lord.” AMP

OUTLINE:

Introduction
Who was Persis?
The things that are not worth labouring for that nearly everybody is striving for in this contemporary ministry.

iv. The areas of importance of labouring much in the Lord.

How to labour much in the Lord profitably.
Some Biblical examples of those that laboured in the Lord.
Aftermath of idleness in the Ministerial service of the Lord
Our labour much in the Lord is not in vain

ix. Conclusion

x. Recommendation.

INTRODUCTION.

Studying Bible characters is a good way of studying the Bible. Bible characters are categorized into the godly and ungodly ones. The godly ones are to be emulated while the ungodly bad examples are not to be followed. Persis is one of the good Bible characters in the New Testament.

While writing the church in Rome, Paul mentioned some names in the conclusion of his Epistle. He had not been to Rome while writing this Epistle, however, he was familiar with the work done in the Romans’ church and had also become familiar with some names, including Persis, without any controversy, it is because of their commitment, labour and labour much in the faith.

The names of some Bible characters ring the bell while others do not of which is Persis. However, they are equally as important as the famous ones because their lives are full of positive testimonies and of inspiration. It is worthy of note that God will judge and reward us according to our works not according to our fame. When we are talking of God’s generals, we will not get it right, if we only refer to the popular ones. We celebrate people who occupy positions in the church as heroes and heroines today whereas heroes and heroines may be among those who sweep and taking care of church auditorium. May be this woman is one of such. She laboured much in the Lord. How sincere and faithful are we in our labour for the Lord in our ministerial services whether high or low today? I hope we still remember that our calling is a call to service. We are called to serve anywhere and at any giving time.

WHO WAS PERSIS?

Judging by her name, Persis was of Persian descent brought to Rome, probably as a slave. Whatever reason brought her to Rome was immaterial; however, one thing about her was that she associated herself with the church. Persis had many reasons not to be part of the church. Some of these are:

Rome was a godless and immoral Empire.
1. Caesar, who was the king, was the god that many Romans worshipped.
1. Christianity then was considered as an illegal Religion.
1. Persecution awaited any non – conformist, who may be jailed, thrown into the lion’s den or faced any other ruthless punishment. Yet, she remained loyal and faithful to her Redeemer.

Let us consider what Christianity does to our world. Apostle Paul, a Jew living in Corinth, wrote a Persian woman living in Rome. Distance, race, and language did not succeed in forming a barrier between them. In the Christian religion and ministry, all races are fused into one. The church and ministry is supposed to be a melting pot in which everyone blends without prejudice and discrimination. Ephesians 4:1-6.

III. THE THINGS THAT ARE NOT WORTH LABOURING FOR THAT NEARLY EVERYBODY IS STRIVING FOR IN THIS CONTEMPORARY MINISTRY.

Status. b. Fame. c. Money. d. Honour e. Name. “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16. Cf., Proverbs 22:29; Philippians 3:19.

THE AREAS OF IMPORTANCE OF LABOURING MUCH IN THE LORD.

Without any doubt, we all know that church is all about three P(s): PEOPLE, PROGRAMME, and PROJECT. Acts 2:42. These three P(s) make up the Church, which requires much labour that reflects in these ways:

1. In the word of God, in teaching/preaching undiluted messages to the church. The messages that can convict, convince, and drive souls to the Saviour. Cf., Acts 2:14-41 (37). Acts 5:27-29; 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:1-2. The word of God provides the framework for laboring in the Lord – Deuteronomy 4:4-8. 1 Timothy 5:17. We must be the Doers of our messages and not preachers or hearers alone. Acts 1:1; Romans 2:21-22; James 1:22-23, 25.

2. In prayers. Isaiah 62:6-7; Luke 18:1-8. The Apostolic church is a praying church. Acts 4:23-31, 12:5. As Ministers, we need to do more in the area of intercessory prayers.

3. In souls winning and retention of members. Luke 10:2. We must labour in soul winning. We must also labour in souls retention, making sure that those souls we have won to the Lord stand strong. John 4:38. Matthew 9:37-38. We must adventure into aggressive evangelism through outdoors method: Evangelical Party, all members, Tracts distributions. Telecast, Radio, and mediums of social media, etc.

A Scholar called Donald Anderson McGavran identifies three types of Church growth as biological Church Growth; transfer Church Growth and conversion Church Growth.

Biological Church Growth.
Transfer soul winning or Church Growth.

iii. Conversion Growth – Matthew 28:19-20.

4. In the ministry of visitation and follow up. Ezekiel 34:4-6; Matthew 18:12-14; Acts 14:21-28.

5. In living the life of overcomers. We must strive against sin so that we live right and not live carelessly. Romans 2:21-23; Hebrews 12:3-4; James 1:25, 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

6. In giving our resources for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Malachi 3:8-12; 2 Corinthians 9:8-10; Galatians 6:6-9. When we give to the cause of the kingdom, we are labouring.

7. In publishing Christians’ books and developing the habit of reading. Psalm 68:11; 1 Timothy 4:13.

8. By holding on to faith. We must labour in contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints – Jude 3, and we must labour in making faith works. Faith is work. Faith is labour. 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:10. Faith in God must be laboured for. Hebrews 11:6.

9. In raising up our children in a godly way and giving them qualitative education. Proverbs 22:6.

10. Let us labour to enter into life eternal full of glory. Matthew 6:33, 11:12; John 7:26-27; Hebrews 4:11.

V. HOW TO LABOUR MUCH IN THE LORD PROFITABLY.

1. By laboring much in the Lord with passion in all the stations of our ministry. Lamentation 3:22-23; John 13:1. There is no soldier in the army that has the right to determine his own duty post. However, today as Ministers we all want to choose our stations, where to enjoy only, where there is no labour. We want to be where others have laboured only to be there harvesting. No, not at all. Ralph Ransom says, “Before the reward, there must be labour. You plant before you harvest. You sow in tears before you reap joy.” Cf., Psalm 126:5-6.

2. By labouring much in the Lord wholeheartedly with positive motive. Colossians 3:22.

3. By labouring much in the Lord consistently and tirelessly. Proverbs 28:20. Cf., Jesus Christ in John 4:34.

4. By labouring much in the Lord committedly and sacrificially. Psalm 126:5-6.

5. By laboring much in the Lord with good examples. 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17.

VI. SOME BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF THOSE THAT LABOURED IN THE LORD.

a. Jesus Christ – All Jesus Christ did for us are entrenched in Redemption Hymnal number 580; John 4:5-34; John 10:15.

b. Apostle Peter – He laboured in the ministerial service from the day one of his call till he laid down his sword at the feet of Jesus Christ. Matthew 19:27;

c. Apostle Paul – The life of Apostle Paul is worthy of emulation. Colossians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 2:9. He laboured with much afflictions to expand the kingdom of God traveling from one place to the other. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. He wrote thirteen Epistles out of twenty-seven Books of the New Testament. What a wonderful labour in the Vineyard of the Lord. “He said, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. He finished strong and well!

e. Epaphras, a faithful servant – Colossians 4:12-13. He laboured fervently in prayer for the church – Colossians 4:12, laboured in the ministry zealously – Colossians 4:13 and was a fellow prisoner of Apostle Paul in the course of labouring in the service. Philemon 23.

f. Ephaphroditus – A companion in labour with Apostle Paul, who was sick to the point of death because of the work of Christ. – Philippians 2:25-30.

g. Timothy/Timotheus – a man likeminded of Apostle Paul, who naturally care for the church. While others were pursuing their own things, Timothy proved himself as a Son to Paul who served along with him in the gospel. Philippians 2:19-24.

h. Priscilla and Aquila – they lived, worked and travelled with Apostle Paul, who described them as his “helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their necks:” Acts 18: 18-19; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19. It is not until one occupies leadership positions that one can labour much to advance the kingdom of God. If one does not start as fresher in the ministry, even, if one becomes Pope, one will not still do anything!

VII. AFTERMATH OF IDLENESS IN THE MINISTERIAL SERVICE OF THE LORD. JEREMIAH 48:10.

(i). The church and the ministry will suffer for it. (ii). Spiritual dormancy and stagnation (iii). Prayerlessness and lukewarmness (iv). Inactiveness and unproductivity (v). Tendency of entering into temptation. Luke 22:46.

VIII. OUR LABOUR MUCH IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN. Colossians 3:23-25; Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18.

Proverbs 14:23. If in all labour, there is profit, what of much labour in the Lord? There must be much more rewards. Isaiah 65:23; Psalm 128:2; Matthew 20:8.

1. Health. Divine health or divine healing is a reward from God who wants to keep one labouring for Him. He is able to keep one healthy. When one is sick, he is incapacitated to work for God effectively and efficiently; therefore, God watches over us and keep us fit for His service always. Proverbs 13:17; Jeremiah 17:14.

2. Divine provisions. Cf., Israelites in the wilderness, they were fed with manna from heaven – Exodus 16:1ff. Ravens fed Prophet Elijah and a widow of Zarephath – 1 Kings 17:1-16, Jesus fed people in the desert twice –Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 8:1-9. Cf., Philippians 4:19. Prosperity comes with much labour. Rewards 13:4.

3. Honour. Proverbs 27:18; 1 Timothy 5:17.

4 . Increase in grace – Zechariah 4:7; Proverbs 13:11, 1 Corinthians 15:10.

5 . Divine commendation and elevation. Redemption Hymnal Number 690 stanzas 5.

6. Eternal rewards such as joy, glory, bliss, and various crowns such as Incorruptible Crown – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25. Crown of Rejoicing – I Thessalonians 2:9. The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8. The Crown of Glory – 5:4 and the Crown of Life – Revelation 2:10.

IX. CONCLUSION.

If anyone is too big to be corrected by God, one will be too big to be led by Him. Persis was a model of true service. Based on her works, Persis was a very good example of what one can be in the church and ministry.

She was able to labour much for God because she was in the Lord. If one is not in the Lord, one will be full of complaints, murmuring, and excuses and will not be able to labour acceptably for the Lord.

Let us watch our pride. Sometimes, one will labour unacknowledged and unrewarded by the church. This should not stop one from doing one’s work wholeheartedly and committedly. After all, it is God that we first be accountable and responsible to.

Persis service is immortal. She did her own over 2000 years ago and we are reading and studying her Christian’s service today. Our service in God’s vineyard will never die. In the absence of encouragements and accolades from anybody, we should know that our services are registered in heaven. Revelation 22:10-12.

X. RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Resuscitation of Evangelical Party in all our Assemblies for aggressive evangelism.

2. The church leaders to take Evangelism/Preaching of the word of God to Television and Radio Stations “…ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine,…” Acts 5:28b.

3. Upgrade of GVTV for good production, wide coverage, and availability of decoders for members of the church.

4. Raising the banner of tracts printing and distributions for widest gospel publicity.