Our series this month is entitled ONE ANOTHER.
The idea behind the series is to explore the family rules that God expects of His children – those who call themselves Christians – to live by.
Just as a natural family has certain expectations, God's family (the Church), has specific guidelines that guide our attitudes and behaviors. These are identified in Scripture by the phrase, One Another.

Week one - Love One Another
We learned about Biblical love being a "committed action of sacrifice on the behalf of another, regardless of the circumstance and reaction."
Week two - Build One Another Up
We looked at being intentional in our actions to care for others and help people reach their God-given potential.

This week we look at the second most frequently repeated one another principle, Greet One Another.
Romans 16:16

The key word in Romans 16 is "greet". It is a command that implies we practically recognize someone else; welcome them, express good wishes, and demonstrate heartfelt affection.
It’s important that we have a sense of the context/background of the culture to which a scripture passage is written.
In the 1st century people were limited to how they could "greet" one another. Today we have multiple options and yet many still feel alone and disconnected (fishbowl syndrome).
People are social and relational; meant to be living and working in proximity. Printed words and visual image only take us so far, and if substituted for real relationships, will leave us empty and with a deep sense of longing.

In Romans 16:16, greet is a command. The root meaning of the word means "to enfold or embrace in the arms." We know this as a hug.
In that culture, then and today, people often greet each other with a hug and a kiss (on the cheeks).
In this verse Paul adds a thought, a HOLY kiss. It's a greeting as though you are Jesus and the person you are greeting is Jesus. It recognizes the fact that God loves the person you are greeting and is using you in His stead.
The Biblical principle is that we are to greet, which means we are to receive, honor, and treat one another as part of God's family.

Romans chapter 16 is a great example of God's expectation as to how the church should treat one another. We can identify a number of keys to building a church that obeys the Lord's command to Greet One Another.

First - Realize the importance of POSITIVE affirmation.
Romans 16:1-2

Second - Realize the importance of PEOPLE'S names.
Romans 16:3
-Observe how the names include both Jews and Gentiles. A church family should be greater than any racial, cultural, or ethnic difference.
-See that names include upper and middle class and even slaves. A church family should be greater than our social rank or economic status.
-Notice how many women Paul greets. A church family should be greater than our gender differences.
Galatians 3:28

Third - Realize the importance of PRIVATE and PUBLIC recognition.
Romans 16:4

Fourth - Realize the importance of PERSONAL relationships.
Romans 16:5b, 8-9, 12b

Fifth - Realize the importance of PHYSICAL touch.
Romans 16:16

Sixth - Realize the importance of PASSIONATE encouragement.
Romans 16:17-20

Seventh - Realize the importance of PRAYERFUL support.
Romans 16:25-27

Discussion and Application:

1. Reflect on your family, social, and cultural upbringing. How was “greeting” others modeled to you? What are the expectations and fears you might have in connecting with others (whether physical, emotional, or social)?

2. When have you felt alone, in a fishbowl, while the world continued on around you? What were some of the causes for this? How have you worked through these types of situations?

3. Read Romans 16. What insights do you gain about people and the importance of greeting?

4. Review the seven keys from the message that show the how a person or church can improve in the area of “greeting” – making others feel accepted, valued, and loved. Which of these are you really good at now? Which needs the most work?

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Sunday, May 17 - Jeff & Evie Fisher, Dan & Dianna Finkler
Tuesday, May 19 - Alaina Mater, Tim Braden, Jasmyn Erb, Leslie Booher
Wednesday, May 20 - Kevin Erb
Thursday, May 21 - Vaughn Reid, Keith Carpenter
Friday, May 22 - Bradly Sears, Bryan & Sarah Carpenter