Many times when we read the New Testament there lists of names that we might read past quickly to get to what we believe is the real "meat" of a passage.  Have we ever stopped to think about what is said of those individuals?  A few words said about someone can mean everything and if the Lord chose to give us these names by inspiration then they are worth noting.  This morning we will examine Romans 16.

PAUL UNDERSTOOD YOU NEED TO HAVE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE FOR THE LORD AND THEY CAN HAVE A TREMENDOUS INFLUENCE ON US. Many years ago Dale Carnegie wrote a classic book in the motivation business titled "How To Win Friends And Influence People".  Carnegie understood the value of friendship and how we have power in influencing others and how others can influence us.  Pay close attention to the names as we study them.  You will notice how different people influenced Paul in different ways.

A)  THE LIST - 16: 1-15 (PLEASE REFER TO THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED.)


B)  WATCH FOR DISSENSIONS AND HINDRANCES
      1.  "Turn away from them" 17 turn away, turn aside, shun (Thayer)
      2.  Why?  1 Cor 15:33 - evil companions corrupt good morals
      3.  These evil influences might have been the Judaizing teachers who were so influential in Galatia teaching the brethren there to obey the Old Law (Gal 1 :6-9)
      4.  The Roman brethren had not been influenced and Paul commended them by saying " I am rejoicing over you"
      5.  Again, what were they to do?
            a.  "keep your eye on" - mark (17)
            b.  "turn away from them" (17) Why? They were interested in their own appetites (a marked contrast to those commended by Paul in the list. The friends of Paul were interested in others)
            c.  be "wise" - (19)

C)   APPLICATIONS
      1.  Our Christian friends help us in our spiritual growth(16:17-20)  
           a.  a true friend will lovingly correct ( Proverbs 27:6), counsel (27:9), console (27:10) and help us into the person we should be (27:17)
           b.  Our Christian friends are there for us when things aren't going well
                1.  we are reminded of Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila,  and Andronicus and Junia
                2.  Proverbs 17:17 - a friend loves at all times
           c.  Christians friends are genuinely interested in us and want to be involved - (3-16)
                1.  As we read they extend care, serve in a spirit of cooperation, were busy in the kingdom, the attention they gave to their duties, etc,
                2.  NOTE!!  Proverbs 18:24 - a man who has friends must himself be a friend!

               
Conclusion:  Be a true, Christian friend!                            POWERPOINT