In my own pastoral experience, I am most refreshed and stimulated to renewal when people seek the Lord and eagerly join in the ministry of the church. The Apostle Paul expressed his own joy and renewal over the service and love of people who rolled up their sleeves and jumped into service with Paul.
Stephanas’ long-haul devotion to service, with his household, rejuvenated Paul’s spirit as he recounted to the Corinthians:
Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people (1 Corinthians 16:15-18).
Paul’s heart overflowed with thanksgiving, joy, and comfort because Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus had refreshed the hearts of the saints around them:
I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you (Philemon v.4-7).
[Editor’s note: This article is incomplete. The link (URL) to the original article at Gentle Reformation is unavailable and has been removed.]
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