Thank you for being my friend

Andrew Gold : Theme song to the Golden Girls

I almost went with “You’ve got a friend in me” Randy Newman.

Doing Life Together

World Series last night. Boston Down 0 -4, won 9 - 6

When they were down, they were motivating one another, when they were winning they were cheering and celebrating with one another.

Church family is about doing life together. Loving one another, encouraging one another. laughing together, crying together, praying for and with each other. Eating together. and of course worshiping together.

Paul, not only preaches it, but this chapter emphasizes, that he lives it.

Romans 16:1–2 NASB95

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2 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.

Phoebe - Carrying the letter.

Servant - Deaconess.

1 Timothy 3:8–12 NASB95

8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

:8-

Deacons: take care of the physical needs of the Church

FBC: Couples

The Greetings

Prisca and Aquila: In Acts they had left Rome and gone to Ephesus

my fellow workers in Christ Jesus

Romans 16:4 NASB95

4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;

Romans 16:

The Church in their house.

Epaenetus: first convert to Christ from Asia

Mary: Who has worked hard for you

Andronicus and Junias: my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, outstanding amon the apostles who were in Christ before me.

Ampliatus: My beloved in the Lord.

Urbanus: Our fellow worker in Christ

Stachys: My Beloved

Apelles: The approved in Christ

Household of Aristubulus

Herodion: my kinsman

Household of Narcissus

Tryphaena and Tryphosa: Workers in the Lord

Persis: the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.

Rufus: a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.

Asycritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them.

Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister and Olympas and all the saints who are with them.

Romans 16:16 NASB95

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:

A leopard and his spots

Romans 16:17–19 NASB95

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

Romans 16:17-

Don’t let down your guard.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 NASB95

21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

1 John 4:1 NASB95

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Such men are slaves, not of Christ, but their own appetites

by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

2 Timothy 4:3 NASB95

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

Wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

(Nieve vs sheltered)

Matthew 10:16 NASB95

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

1 Corinthians 14:20 NASB95

20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

1 Corinthians

Our Testimony: Young conversion.

Romans 16:20 NASB95

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Romans

Greetings from Us

Romans 16:21-2

Romans 16:21–23 NASB95

21 Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.

Romans 16:24 NASB95

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Romans

Doxology:

How the letter to the Romans was authenticated:

Romans 16:25–27 NASB95

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.