“SALUTE URBANE, OUR HELPER IN CHRIST”

MEMORY VERSE: Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Romans 16:9

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Philippians 3 – Colossians 4

In Paul’s epistle to the church in Rome, he spoke about Justification, Salvation, Baptism and other biblical doctrines. Towards the end of his letter, he sent personal greetings to some brothers and sisters in the church. In his greetings, he mentioned their names and said something brief about them. Today we will look at Bro Urbane. Romans 16:9 says, “Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.” Paul did not say much about this brother like he did in the case of Priscilla and Aquila and other brethren. His age, surname, past, background, origin, financial status, employment status, immigration status, etc was not mentioned. When it comes to serving in the vineyard of God, friend, your age, surname, past, background, etc, does not matter. You do not have to be rich or young to serve in the vineyard of God. Even as a granny, you can still serve in one department or the other in the church. You can be the children Sunday school teacher or a greeter. Friend, your children are not too young to serve in the vineyard of God. How lovely will it be to see a six year old boy or girl singing with the choir?

Paul could only find four words, ‘Our Helper in Christ’, to describe this brother and those words speak volume. Who is a helper? The-Free-Dictionary describes a helper as a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose. From this definition, we conclude that Bro Urbane contributed to the fulfillment of a/the need in the church of God. Any time the church in Rome was in need, Bro Urbane would come to the church's rescue. When they need someone to clean the church, Bro Urbane would volunteer himself. When they need someone to go and pick up a visiting pastor from the airport or garage, Bro Urbane would volunteer himself. This brother was not a bench warmer. He was an asset to his pastor, denomination and Christ. Many a times when most of the members miss mid week service, Bro Urbane will be at church. This brother also contributed to the furtherance of several efforts to establish the church. When the church was trying to buy a building, Bro Urbane was part of those who contributed. When the church was trying to organize their anniversary, Bro Urbane did everything he could to make the anniversary a success. His wife must have decorated the church free of charge. His children must have joined the children Choir to sing at the anniversary. All these they did so that the Lord will not be put to shame in the life of their pastor and ministry. So every time his pastor wrote to Apostle Paul, he would say, “Please thank God for the life of brother Urbane, pray for him and his family because they are an asset to the church.” When Paul was writing to the church in Rome, he remembered all Bro Urbane had contributed towards the growth of the church in Rome and wrote: “Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ” (Romans 16:9).

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: If your pastor or leader were to describe you in four words, what would it be?

PRAYER: Father, help me to be an asset in your vineyard.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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