Encouragement Found In Faith Series

ENCOURAGEMENT FOUND IN FAITH

Romans 1:8-12

INRODUCTION

As we live our lives for Christ?it is easy to get discouraged at times

Things don?t go our way?we have bad days at work?at home

Our health begins to fail

There can be much to be discouraged about

Even Paul got discouraged along the trails of his ministry

We all need encouragement in our lives?and I want us to see that there is much Encouragement to be found in Faith

This morning we will look at 1. A reputation of Faith

2. The Blessings and Encouragement of Faith

Read Passage / Pray

TRANS: Paul states in vs 8, that the church in Rome had?

1. A Reputation of Faith

First I ask the question, ?What is faith??

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.

STORY OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBER FALLING

There is a multitude of things that cannot be seen

By faith, we accept the creation of the universe by God

By faith, Abel brought a more acceptable sacrifice to God than Cain

By faith, Noah built an Ark to save his family from the flood

By faith, Abraham went up a mountain to sacrifice his son Isaac

Heb 11 goes on and on about ?Old Testament? heroes of Faith and how they believed God when it seemed impossible

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Faith is vital to our relationship in trusting God in everything about our lives

The word ?faith? is found 229 times in the New Testament

Care to take a guess how many times in the Old test? 2 times

In Deut. 32:20 and Habakuk 2:4?that?s it

But in the Old Test are all of the heroes of faith?they didn?t have to be told about faith?because they were living examples of faith

Well, if faith is defined as partially things unseen?can faith be seen?

Jesus tells us in many passages that it can be seen

Matthew 8:5-10 (NLT)

When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, [6] "Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and racked with pain." [7] Jesus said, "I will come and heal him." [8] Then the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed! [9] I know, because I am under the authority of my superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ’Go,’ and they go, or ’Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ’Do this or that,’ they do it."

[10] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel!

Matthew 9:2 (NLT)

Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven."

Faith that can be seen is faith that has been put into action

James 2:14 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone.

James 2:17 (NLT)

So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all?it is dead and useless.

Paul was saying to the Roman Church that they had a reputation of faith & their faith was becoming known around the world

And evidently their faith was faith that could be seen

He goes on to tell them that he thanks God for each one of them

I have been here for 6 years and I can say that I have seen our church?s faith in action

God has done some great things by people?s faith?and I too thank God for a church of people who have faith

And that faith has gotten around to others?so much so that they ask for us to pray and stand with them

4 CHAIRS or STORY OF UMBRELLA

2. The Blessings and Encouragement of Faith

Romans 1:11 (NLT)

For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord.