As the youngsters step out of the door for school we shout a question or two. “Have you got your lunch, your key, your homework?” Quite often last remarks are the most important.

1 Corinthians 16: 15-18 is a paragraph whose weight is increased by being the final thing Paul writes before the closing greetings.

You know the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who Joins the work and labours at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Key People⤒🔗

This is Paul’s last shot to the deeply troubled church in Corinth. You will remember how there were clashes over personalities, immoral lifestyles, spiritual gifts and fundamental Christian truths like the resurrection. It was a church on the brink of fragmenting and this is Paul’s final appeal. And interestingly he sets before the church not another argument to understand but a set of role models to imitate­ the household of Stephanas. “Be like these folk. Pattern yourselves on this family. Follow these Christians.”

Because we are in Satan’s sights, every church will come under pressure to fragment in some way. But Paul’s Answer is to hold up an example of people who are heart and soul behind the work. Every church needs people like the household of Stephanas who were fully devoted to Christ and set the tone for the church. The question is, despite the demands of secular Jobs, are we going to be like them or not?

Challenge to Individuals←⤒🔗

“Submit to such as these” (v 16), says Paul. Part of that submission would be seeking to copy their whole-heartedness for the church. They joined the work and laboured at it.

It might be Just straight-forward worldliness which lures us into hanging loose from the church – the temptation of the TV, or of laziness or of Just not wanting to get “too involved” so we can follow our own agenda. But there are other more subtle ways of diverting us nowadays. Many can be committed to their fellowship groups but be missing from the congregation. Some play off being involved in the children’s work or para-church organisations, against the prayer meeting. “Well, I can’t be expected to be at both!” Yes, we may need a break occasionally, but I don’t get the impression that such sentiments would have dominated the household of Stephanas. Jesus had sold himself out for them, and they were happy to be sold out for Jesus.

Challenge to Families←⤒🔗

Notice it was not Just Stephanas, but his whole household (v 15) who were right behind the work. Stephanas, as head of the home, made sure that his whole family (servants as well?) were involved. The church was not played off against the family. The rationale for not being at church is often, “Well, I must spend time with the family.” I’m all for that. But why play one thing off against the other? In my own experience families where Mum and Dad and youngsters all get stuck in together at church are not only an immense help but strangely often are the closest to each other and produce the best youngsters in the long run.

I know of a church with a large Sunday morning congregation, but sadly, only a dozen or so come for worship in the evening. Why? I suspect because Sunday is seen as a family day, rather than the Lord’s day. But let’s be clear, neither the battle for our own spiritual growth, nor the battle for the soul of the nation is going to be won by staying away from church. What impression does dwindling church attendance – be it morning or evening – give to the secular world? How does it bring glory to God?

Challenge to Leaders←⤒🔗

Paul says, “Such men deserve recognition”. (v 18) Leadership at Corinth had broken down. The church was a shambles in need of direction. Who should take on the leadership roles? Should it be the big personalities or those with extraordinary gifts? Paul is saying here that it is people who are absolutely devoted to the church and its work – like Stephanas – who should be recognised as leaders.

Are you, could you be, a leader like Stephanas? In a postmodern, consumer society where individualism and personal choice reign supreme, the idea of devotion, tying yourself down to the church, is way out of fashion. Sadly, some seek leadership these days because they want to be some kind of celebrity in the church. But if Stephanas ever became a leader it would simply have been because he loved the church and he trained his family to do the same.