Bay Leaf Baptist Church

In Pastor Billy Driver's sermon "The Power of Gospel Friendships," he explores Romans 16 to reveal how our capacity for relationships reflects God's image. Drawing from Paul's extensive greetings to 26 individuals in Rome, Pastor Driver emphasizes three key aspects of gospel friendships: they strengthen us in service, keep us unified in the church, and encourage us to worship God. Gospel friendships are characterized by being "in Christ" rather than defined by race, gender, or social status. These relationships are cultivated through serving together, as Paul's list demonstrates with diverse believers united in ministry. Pastor Driver warns that these same friendships protect us from divisive people and false teaching, as Paul cautions in Romans 16:17-20. When we know God's Word deeply, we can recognize counterfeits and stand firm together. Ultimately, these gospel friendships lead us to worship, as we rejoice in God's saving work through Christ, echoing Paul's doxology in Romans 16:25-27: "Now to him who is