“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.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

WORKERS IN GOD'S VINEYARD

MEMORY VERSE : I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive,Acts 20:35.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Num 2, Ps 36, Eccl 12, Phm 1

Just as organizations and companies recruit staffs from time to time, heaven also recruit staffs. Who are the staffs of God? They are workers in the vineyard of God . The moment you become a worker, heaven opens an employee file under your name. Earthly employment offer many benefits some which are good pay packages, pension schemes, insurance to mention a few. There are a lots benefits in working for God. According to Isaiah 40:31, those who wait on the Lord i.e serve, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 

As we all know, different jobs carry different pay package. The same happens in the Kingdom of God. One of the highest paid jobs in the Kingdom are sanctuary keepers (church cleaners) and prison evangelist. When an individual is obsessed with making sure that the house of God is clean and tidy, God will ensure that such life is free from mess. When a fellow takes it upon himself to ensure that the house of God is always in order ( talking of ushers) , God will ensure that the life of such fellow is always in order. When a fellow engages in spiritual battle for the church (prayer warriors), God will engage in Spiritual battles for such fellow. When a bro or sister begins to tell the world about Jesus ( evangelism team), just as they go about telling the world about the name Jesus, the Lord will ensure that there names will be heard all over the world for good . Whatever you do for God, is what He will do for you. Malachi 3:7 says if you return to God, He will return to you. Proverbs 8:17 says those who loves Him, He loves them in return. 

There is a lot to touch on this matter but for a reason or two I will quickly go to one of the most important section. Just as organizations have codes of conducts, the heaven has a code of conduct. There is an expectation on every staff to perform. Every non performer is on his way out of the job sooner or later. There is also an expectation on every staff to conduct themselves well both at work and outside work. That's why once you go to jail, your employer will automatically terminate your employment.I pray you will not go to jail. A staff who fails to abide by the code of conduct is either guilty of a misconduct or a gross misconduct. A gross misconduct attracts a heavy penalty, nine out of ten the end is dismissal. An offence classed as a gross misconduct is stealing from your employer. The same applies in the employment of God. Stealing from God is classed as a gross misconduct. How does one steal from God? By not paying your tithes, Malachi 3:8. A worker who does not pay his tithe his stealing from his employer - God. The pastor may keep quiet but heavens have taken note. I pray you will not work for God in vain. 

ACTION POINT : If you are owing God tithes, as a worker you better pay up so that you don't loose your reward. This is also an opportunity for those who are not yet workers to join the workers in their church.