Read Romans 16:13 (NIV): Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. If Rufus is the same as the one mentioned in Mark's gospel, Paul may have met his mother in Antioch of Syria. Rufus's father, Simon, has been identified as the Simeon who was a teacher in the church there (Acts 13:1). Paul was brought to Antioch of Syria by Barnabas, where they spent a year (Acts 11:25-26). Perhaps Paul lived with them, and Rufus's mother had special concern and love for Paul—seeming like a mother to him. On several... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:13 (NIV): Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Rufus was “choice” in the general sense in which that word is used today. He was an extraordinary Christian, known for his love and work for the Lord and for the Lord's people. We learn from Mark's gospel, which was written in Rome after Paul wrote this letter to Rome, that Simon of Cyrene (a city on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa), who was pressed into service by the soldiers to carry Jesus' cross, was "the father of... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:12 (NIV): Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. In verse 12, Paul greets and commends three women. The first two, Tryphaena and Tryphosa, possibly were twin sisters, whose names mean "delicate" and "dainty," respectively. Those words may have characterized their lives before salvation, but spiritually they were active and faithful workers in the Lord. The word "labor" means to work to the point of exhaustion, toiling to the point of collapse. The point is that the two... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:11 (NIV): Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. The believers in this household were the enslaved "in the Lord." Not all of the household were believers. Paul greets only those who were believers. The phrase "in the Lord" is in contrast to the phrase "in the world" (see 1 John 2:15-16). It is probably a deliberate wording to contrast the difference between the laboring slaves and their wealthy master. Narcissus was probably the wealthy secretary to the Emperor Claudius. He determined the appointments of the Emperor and... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:10-11 (NIV): Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. In Digging Deeper this week, we are continuing to take a closer look at the individuals that Paul listed in Romans 16. In verse 10, the apostle referred to the household of Aristobulus. This is the name of a grandson of Herod the Great who ended his days in Rome, apparently as a private citizen. He was on friendly terms... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:10 (NIV): Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Apelles was a believer who had been tried and approved as faithful. Apparently, Apelles had undergone some extreme suffering and had stood against it, proving his loyalty beyond question. The trial and suffering had been so severe that it had made a lasting impression upon Paul and is mentioned in Scripture. So far as we know Apelles was a lay believer. The fact that he was tested so fiercely shows that God will meet our need in... Continue reading

Here’s what’s happening at NorthStar the week of May 11, 2014. SUNDAY Happy Mother’s Day! NorthStar celebrates moms on Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 11, by providing several photo spots. Look for the map in this Sunday’s In The Know To Go. SUNDAY The Framily Plan series continues: This Sunday, May 11, at 9:30am and 11:00am in the Live, Connections, and Connections Patio venues, senior pastor Mike Linch continues the five-week series The Framily Plan with part three, “How Mothers Make a Difference.” During this series, we want to encourage our NorthStar family to post a TBT (Throw Back Thursday)... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:9 (NIV): Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. This believer was a helper, that is, a fellow-worker in the ministry. Three things in particular are noteworthy. He was a man who worked side by side with God's minister, Paul. He was a man of unusual diligence. The very fact that he would be laboring with Paul and would be mentioned as a fellow-worker by Paul indicates this. He was a man of unusual faithfulness who was loyal to Christ wherever he traveled. Remember: he met Paul while on a trip away from Rome... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:8 (NIV): Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Ampliatus is another of those beloved by Paul; once again we discern the warmth of affection with which the apostle regarded his fellow workers. The name is a common one often connected with the Emperor's household. A number of commentators draw attention to a tomb dating from the late first century or early second century in the catacomb of Domitilla, the earliest Christian catacomb. It bears the inscription AMPLIAT[I]. One commentator wrote, "The single personal name suggests a slave: the honour of an elaborately painted tomb suggests that... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:7 (NIV): Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. These two believers were early converts who were imprisoned with Paul. They were perhaps man and wife. The facts given about them are interesting, for they reveal that Paul had some relatives who were also believers. They were "kinsmen," that is, relatives of Paul. They were imprisoned with Paul at some point in his ministry. This indicates that they were genuine believers willing to stand up for their... Continue reading

Read Romans 16:6 (NIV): Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. This week in Digging Deeper, we continue looking at most of the individuals that Paul mentions in Romans 16. First up this week is Mary. Paul would not know firsthand who had worked hard among the believers in Rome, so he is probably speaking from information given him by others, possibly Priscilla and Aquila. Note that Mary was a member of the Roman church. Paul had never been to the Roman church; therefore, Mary had ministered to him and his fellow-workers someplace else. In fact, she had ministered... Continue reading

In Friday's video devotional, Mike shares that prayer is the glue of a strong family. Continue reading

Read Romans 16:5 (NIV): Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Epenetus was probably a member of the household of Stephanas whose house is said to have been the first fruits of Achaia (1 Corinthians 16:15). It took raw courage to be the first convert to Christ in the midst of a pagan society. Just imagine the changed life, the surrendering of himself to Jesus as Lord, and the giving of all he was and had to the Lord's cause. Just... Continue reading

Here’s what’s happening at NorthStar the week of May 4, 2014. SUNDAY The Framily Plan series continues: This Sunday, May 4, at 9:30am and 11:00am in the Live, Connections, and Connections Patio venues, senior pastor Mike Linch continues the five-week series The Framily Plan with part two, “How to Encourage My Family.” During this series, we want to encourage our NorthStar family to post a TBT (Throw Back Thursday) pic on social media each week and tag it #NorthStar or #NSCFramily just for fun! More: northstarchurch.org/theframilyplan. SUNDAY Premarital Seminar: Newly or nearly engaged? This three-hour seminar will set you up... Continue reading

Mike shares in today's video devotional that families become strong by the hard work of love. Continue reading

Read Luke 9:4 (NIV): Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. Priscilla and Aquila opened their home for the church to meet there. This was a common practice as using homes was the method Christ chose for evangelizing (see Luke 10:5f). The disciple was to carefully investigate and search out a receptive family and home. He was to make that home the center for ministry. Note several things about this method. It emphasized the family, making it the very hub of ministry. Nothing on earth is to be any more secure and stable than the family.... Continue reading

In Wednesday's video devotional, Mike shares how the teamwork of every family member working together can build a strong family unit. Continue reading

Read Romans 16:3-5 (NIV): Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. They were a hospitable couple who opened their hearts and home even at the risk of death. Priscilla and Aquila were close companions of Paul. They were originally residents of Rome. But the Roman emperor, Claudius, had the Jews banished from... Continue reading

In case you missed it, watch this past Sunday's ITK video below and be In The Know about: NorthStar 101: Join the Team! Ready to join NorthStar in membership? Join us for NorthStar 101 this Sunday, May 4, at 9:30am in the Staff Commons Area (True North building, 1st floor). Register: northstarchurch.org/101. Premarital Seminar: Newly or nearly engaged? This three-hour seminar will set you up for successful lifetime of marriage. This Sunday, May 4, 9:00am-12:00noon, True North Conference Room. Register: northstarchurch.org/premarital. NSCY Beach Week: High school students, Beach Week is July 14-18 in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Cost is $279 per... Continue reading

In today's video devotional, Mike talks about the hard work and persistence it takes to build a strong family. Continue reading

Read Romans 16:1-2 (NIV): I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Phoebe deserved to be welcomed and befriended in the Lord. There are two reasons for this. Believers are always to welcome and befriend other believers. The church is not an exclusive club or a society of cliques. It is to be a welcoming center... Continue reading

Today Mike begins a new feature, a short, daily video devotional that will help us all to apply Sunday's message. In Monday's video, Mike asks us how we can intentionally keep Jesus at the center of our families. Continue reading

Read Romans 16:1-2 (NIV): I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. During The Framily Plan series, Digging Deeper will take a closer look at the names Paul mentioned at the end of Romans. Let’s start with Phoebe. The name Phoebe is one of the names of the goddess Diana; therefore, Phoebe was probably a convert... Continue reading

Read Mark 16:8 (NIV): Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. If any of the resurrection was planned or staged, there would be no mention of the women and their reaction to the resurrection. The fright and silence of the women was actually proof of the resurrection. Note the women were as anyone would be: trembling, amazed, silent, and afraid. As they ran to tell Peter and the disciples, why were they silent and afraid, saying nothing to anyone? The angel had told them to tell... Continue reading

Here’s what’s happening at NorthStar the week of April 27, 2014. SUNDAY New series The Framily Plan begins: At the end of Paul’s theology-filled letter to the Romans, he takes time to mention 26 people by name. Paul took the opportunity to note and encourage these fellow workers in God’s family who helped him spread the gospel. In The Framily Plan, we’ll glean some principles from Romans 16:1-16 about building a strong family at home and in our church. This Sunday, April 27, at 9:30am and 11:00am in the Live, Connections, and Connections Patio venues, senior pastor Mike Linch begins... Continue reading