From 1994-2004, one of the most successful television series in history ran across TV sets all over the world. That TV series was “Friends.” One of the main characters on that show was Phoebe.

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Well, today, we’re going to learn about Phoebe and some other friends.

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Now, we’re not going to learn about Phoebe Buffay from the television show, but we are, nonetheless, going to learn about Phoebe and some friends. In fact, today’s sermon is entitled “Phoebe and Some Other Friends.”

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Before we go any further, let’s go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to speak to us.

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(prayer)

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So, let’s look at this passage and see what the Lord has to say to us. Look at Romans 16:1-18:

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1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. 2 So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.

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3 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. 5 Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert, to Christ from Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, and fellow prisoners. They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles, and they were also in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

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17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, 18 because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

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So, this may seem like just a list of people and some final instructions from Paul. Yet, it is the Word of God, and it contains some valuable nuggets within it.

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So, let’s find in these verses four things that we can value in the church of Jesus Christ:

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First, we can . . .

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‌I. Value godly servanthood.

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Paul says very clearly in verse 1, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae.”

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Then, he continues in verse 2, “For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.”

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Now, first of all, the word used for servant here is the Greek word diakonos, which is the word we translate as deacon.

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So, some questions have been raised as to whether or not Phoebe was a deacon. I can definitely confirm that she was a deacon because Paul calls her a deacon.

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The question is, was Phoebe in the official deacon office of a church, or was she just living her life as a servant of Jesus?

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Well, we really don’t know definitively, but it appears that she was an official deacon of the church in Cenchreae.

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I will say this, as your pastor: there are much more concerning issues about deacons than whether or not they are women. To be clear, we’