Household of Stephanas
1 Corinthians 16:15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it.”
Have you noticed some people who just scoot after the Sunday service, church attendance was just about enough for them – nothing else matters, though. May be they have to stand in the mutton stall queue, fish stall, may be theatre, TV shows and what not that lures people on Sunday mornings. Or there is this very subtle agenda of not getting too involved with the church activities so that their personal weekend agendas doesn’t get messed up. Anybody listening?
Stephanas and his household are mentioned in only two passages in Paul’s first epistle to the church at Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:16; 16:15-18), and a member of the family is hinted at in one verse in the book of Romans (16:5b), these verses speak of their active participation in the church. Notice it was not Just Stephanas, but his whole household (v 15) were involved in the work. Stephanas, as head of the family, made sure that his whole family (servants as well) were involved. Hallelujah!
Paul says, “Such men deserve recognition”. (v 18) A young hindu girl who joined to take care of my son Joshua got saved in our family and we named her Ruth. When we have our night prayer, she would say , “akka, (sister) I will make the tea, I will clean the church, I will dust the chairs..” Her involvement in ministry activities extended and enlarged besides work in our home. One day a young man called me and said, “ I would like to marry Ruth. Glory to Jesus!
Observe:
• They were the first converts in Achaia, and
• they were not pressurized to help but they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people.
Some people use their ‘conversion’ as an excuse for spiritual stagnation, you know what, ‘I am the only one saved in my family, all the others are idol worshipers.’ Alright, all the more reason for you to buck up and hold fast to God like the household of Stephanas.’ Stop giving silly excuses for your carelessness and lethargy!
Stephanas saw a need in the church, he saw the pastor needed help, assistance in setting up the sound system, clearing the pulpit area, much much more, so he volunteered to help. One day when I went to a church to meet the pastor, I was shocked to see him wearing shorts and cleaning the entire church all alone, yes all alone. It was no just dusting but he was doing a thorough cleaning with water and cleaning powder. Despite many youth in his church, he was doing that all alone, this is the sad case in most churches.
“Submit to such as these” (v 16), says Paul. Wow, this is the ace part of the Bible portion! In other words, Paul says, ‘ape their whole-heartedness for the church, imitate their love for the church and the pastor, imitate their selfless nature and love for Christ.’ I sign off today with tears because there are very few Stephanas today!
