Message Notes

Senior Sunday School 15 June 2025
Text: Romans 16
Subject: A Circle of Friends I

INTRODUCTION

1. King David was blessed with a Circle of loyal friends

a) David and Jonathan (1 Samuel)

b) David had a list of “Mighty Men” (2 Samuel 23:8-39)

c) The list ended up with 37 names (2 Samuel 23:39b)

d) They were mentioned for their:

i) Courage

ii) Commitment

iii) Loyalty

iv) Devotion to David as their king and friend

2. The Apostle Paul had a strong Circle of Friends too

a) Phoebe

i) A deaconess of the Church in Cenchrea (Romans 16:1)

ii) She was a worthy saint (Romans 16:2)

iii) She was a helper to many, including Paul (Romans 16:2d)

b) Priscilla and Aquilla

i) Fellow-workers

ii) They risked their lives to help Paul

iii) Their home was a house-church (Romans 16:4-5a)

c) Epaenetus

Described as “the firstfruits of Achaia” Romans 16:5b

d) Mary

Described as one who laboured much for Paul and team Romans 16:6a

e) Adronicus and Junia

i) Countrymen of Paul

ii) Fellow prisoners

iii) Of note to the apostles

iv) They were first known to the apostles in Jerusalem

v) They became good friends of the Apostle Paul

LESSONS FOR US TO CONSIDER

1. To cultivate a strong circle of friends

a) Good friends do not grow on trees

b) Friendship is not easy to build

c) It takes a lot to build a strong circle of friends

2. Building friendships on solid principles

a) A common faith in the Lord Jesus

b) Serving the Lord together

c) Building bonds of love for each other

d) Being faithful and true to the Lord’s cause and to each other

e) Daring to make sacrifices

f) To be committed to being friends for life

3. To have faithful friends is a special blessing from God

A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17