We live in alienating times, when it's not uncommon to walk among thousands of people,

and even in a crowd, the isolation can feel suffocating.

Sound familiar?

It's all too common. In our high-tech world, loneliness has become an

epidemic, even inside the church. Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall unpacks Romans

Chapter 16, a passage often skimmed over, yet it's bursting with profound truth about cultivating

an authentic Christian community.

In this study, we'll see how the early church fostered genuine affection, embraced messy diversity,

and created a family where lonely hearts found belonging.

Let me read for you several excerpts from this great 16th chapter of Romans.

The worship folder I mentioned earlier contains an outline for the morning message that you'll want to have

handy.

There are a couple of three points along the way.

You'll want to take note of.

It will keep us on target and get us through these very unusual 16 verses of Romans 16.

A message we've titled Love and Kisses. Some of you are nervous about the application of that message, so let me put your mind at ease. You have nothing to worry about.

Romans 16. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church, which is at Sincrea,

that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you.

For she herself has also been a helper of many and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

who for my life risked their own necks,

to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

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