Proclaiming Faith: The Power of Mutual Encouragement

Devotional

Day 1: Faith That Is Proclaimed

The faith of the early Roman church was so vibrant and genuine that it became known throughout the entire world, not just because of their evangelism, but because of the visible transformation and unity among believers from different backgrounds. Their lives together in Christ were so remarkable that news of their faith traveled far beyond their city, inspiring others and bringing glory to God. Today, we are challenged to consider whether our own faith is observable and proclaimed in our communities, workplaces, and even online, so that others might see Christ at work in us. [08:43]

Romans 1:8 (ESV)
"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world."

Reflection: In what specific way can you make your faith in Jesus visible to someone around you today, so that it might be “proclaimed” beyond just your private life?

Day 2: Faith That Encourages and Is Encouraged

True Christian faith is not a solitary pursuit but is meant to be lived out in community, where believers both give and receive encouragement. Paul longed to visit the Roman church not only to strengthen them with a deeper understanding of the gospel, but also because he knew he would be encouraged by their faith in return. This mutual encouragement is essential for spiritual growth, reminding us that as we invest in others, God also strengthens and blesses us, and that we are built up by building up others. [20:59]

Romans 1:11-12 (ESV)
"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine."

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally encourage in their faith this week, and how might you allow yourself to be encouraged by them as well?

Day 3: Faith That Is Fruitful

A living faith in Christ produces fruit, not only in the form of new believers coming to faith, but also in the spiritual growth and maturity of those who already believe. Paul’s desire was to see a harvest among the Romans—both conversions and the deepening of spiritual fruit like love, joy, peace, and self-control. This fruitfulness comes not from our own efforts, but from abiding in Christ and growing in our understanding of the gospel, which transforms us from the inside out and enables us to impact others for God’s glory. [29:33]

John 15:5 (ESV)
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you long to see more spiritual fruit, and how can you intentionally abide in Christ in that area today?

Day 4: Faith That Embraces Both Obligation and Eagerness

Paul describes himself as both obligated and eager to share the gospel, showing that a mature faith recognizes the responsibility to proclaim Christ while also growing in genuine desire to do so. This sense of obligation is not a burdensome duty, but a joyful response to the depth of what Christ has done for us. As we deepen our understanding of the gospel, our eagerness to share it with others increases, and we find ourselves naturally speaking of Jesus out of gratitude and hope. [35:47]

1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV)
"For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"

Reflection: What holds you back from sharing the gospel with others, and how might a deeper grasp of Christ’s work for you transform your sense of obligation into eagerness?

Day 5: Faith That Matures by Making Disciples

Spiritual maturity is not measured by knowledge alone, but by the way God uses us to help others grow in faith. Mature disciples are those who invest in others, encouraging and equipping them to follow Jesus more closely. As we share what God is teaching us and walk alongside others, we not only help them mature, but we ourselves are transformed and strengthened in the process, living out the call to be disciple-makers for God’s glory. [41:03]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally invest in spiritually this month, and what is one practical step you can take to help them grow as a disciple of Jesus?

Sermon Summary

In a world where instant communication is at our fingertips, we often lose sight of the depth and intentionality that comes from true, heartfelt connection—something the early church experienced through the writing and receiving of letters. The opening of Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that faith is not a private, hidden matter, but something that is meant to be seen, proclaimed, and celebrated. Paul’s gratitude for the Roman believers, whom he had never met, is rooted in the reality that their faith was being talked about throughout the known world. Their unity—Jews and Gentiles together in Christ—was so remarkable that it became the talk of the empire, spreading far beyond the city of Rome itself.

This kind of faith is not just about personal belief; it is a faith that encourages and builds up others. Paul’s longing to visit the Roman church is not driven by mere curiosity or a desire for personal gain, but by a deep desire to impart a spiritual gift—a richer, fuller understanding of the gospel that would strengthen and mature them. Yet, he also recognizes that this encouragement is mutual. As he pours into others, he himself is built up. This is a vital principle for us: true Christian maturity is not found in isolation or self-focus, but in the mutual encouragement that comes from investing in the faith of others.

Paul also speaks of a faith that is fruitful. He longs to see a harvest among the Romans—not just new converts, but also the growth and maturity of those who already believe. Fruitfulness in the Christian life is not the result of trying harder, but of abiding more deeply in Christ and understanding the gospel more fully. As we grow in our grasp of what Christ has done, we become both obligated and eager to share this good news with others. Obligation and eagerness are not opposites; in fact, the more we understand the riches of the gospel, the more natural and joyful it becomes to proclaim it.

Ultimately, the mark of maturity is not just knowledge, but fruitfulness—seeing God use us to encourage, disciple, and even lead others to faith. The same vibrant, active faith that marked Paul and the Roman church is available to us today. God calls us to a faith that is proclaimed, encouraging, and fruitful, for his glory and the good of the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith That Is Proclaimed Genuine faith in Christ is not meant to be hidden or confined to private gatherings. The faith of the Roman church was so visible and transformative that it became known throughout the world, challenging us to consider whether our own faith is observable and noteworthy to those around us. Our lives should provoke curiosity and conversation about Jesus, both in our communities and beyond. [08:43]
2. Mutual Encouragement in the Body Spiritual growth is not a solitary pursuit. Paul’s desire to visit the Romans was rooted in a longing for mutual encouragement—he knew that as he sought to strengthen their faith, he too would be built up. Investing in others’ spiritual lives is one of the primary ways God matures us, and we should seek out opportunities to both give and receive encouragement within the body of Christ. [20:59]
3. The Danger of Consumer and Self-Sufficient Christianity There are two pitfalls in church life: coming only to receive, or thinking we have nothing left to learn. True Christian community is neither consumeristic nor self-sufficient; it is a place where we are both served and serve, both encouraged and encourage. Maturity is found in the humility to receive and the willingness to give, recognizing our ongoing need for both. [25:04]
4. Fruitfulness Flows from Abiding in the Gospel The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—does not come from self-effort, but from a deepening understanding of the gospel and abiding in Christ. As we grasp more fully what Christ has accomplished, we are transformed and become fruitful, not only in our own lives but in the lives of others. This fruitfulness is the true measure of spiritual maturity. [29:33]
5. Obligation and Eagerness in Proclaiming the Gospel Paul felt both obligated and eager to share the gospel, showing that duty and delight can coexist in the Christian life. The more we understand the depth and breadth of the gospel, the more natural it becomes to share it—not out of guilt, but out of gratitude and joy. Our eagerness to proclaim Christ grows as we see how the gospel addresses every need and longing of the human heart.

** [34:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - The Lost Art of Letters and the Power of Christian Communication
[03:27] - Faith Proclaimed: The Reputation of the Roman Church
[08:43] - From Fearful Disciples to a World-Proclaiming Faith
[10:10] - The Spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome
[12:00] - Is Our Faith Observable?
[13:01] - Faith That Encourages: Paul’s Persistent Prayers
[14:35] - Paul’s Longing to Impart Spiritual Gifts
[17:12] - The Gift of a Deeper Gospel Understanding
[19:34] - Mutual Encouragement in Ministry
[20:59] - Growing by Serving Others
[24:05] - The Dangers of Consumer and Self-Sufficient Christianity
[26:25] - Building Up Others as the Path to Maturity
[27:43] - Faith That Is Fruitful: The Harvest Paul Seeks
[29:33] - Fruitfulness Through Abiding in Christ
[31:44] - Obligation and Eagerness in Gospel Proclamation
[34:32] - The Gospel: More Than Heaven or Hell
[37:35] - Sharing the Gospel Naturally in Everyday Life
[38:53] - The Marks of Mature Faith
[41:03] - Measuring Maturity: Fruitfulness in Others
[42:15] - Closing Prayer and Call to Active Faith

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 1:8-15 — First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 1:8, what was so remarkable about the faith of the Roman church that Paul mentions it in his letter?
What does Paul say is his reason for wanting to visit the Roman believers, and what does he hope will happen as a result?
In verse 12, Paul talks about being “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” What does this suggest about how spiritual growth happens in the church?
What kind of “harvest” does Paul hope to see among the Romans, and how does he describe his sense of obligation and eagerness to share the gospel?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul thank God for the faith of believers he has never met, and what does this reveal about his understanding of Christian community?
Paul says he wants to impart a “spiritual gift” to the Romans, but then clarifies that he expects to be encouraged by them as well. What does this teach about the relationship between giving and receiving in the body of Christ?
The sermon warns against both a consumer mentality and a self-sufficient attitude in church life. Why are both of these dangerous, and how do they prevent true maturity?
Paul describes his motivation to share the gospel as both an obligation and an eagerness. How can these two attitudes exist together, and what does this say about the nature of Christian mission?

Application Questions

The faith of the Roman church was so visible that it was “proclaimed in all the world.” If someone observed your life—at work, at home, or online—would your faith be obvious? What is one area where you want your faith to be more visible this week?
Paul’s desire to visit the Romans was not for his own benefit, but to encourage and strengthen them. Who is someone in your life you could intentionally encourage in their faith this week? What would that look like?
The sermon says that spiritual growth happens most when we invest in others, not just focus on ourselves. What is one practical way you can serve or build up someone else’s faith in your church or community?
Are you more likely to approach church as a consumer (coming to receive) or as someone who thinks they have nothing left to learn? What is one step you can take to move toward a healthier, mutual approach to church life?
Paul says that fruitfulness comes from abiding in Christ and understanding the gospel more deeply, not just trying harder. Is there an area of your life where you’ve been relying on your own effort instead of resting in Christ? What would it look like to “abide” more deeply this week?
Paul felt both obligated and eager to share the gospel. Do you tend to see sharing your faith as a duty, a joy, or something else? What might help you grow in eagerness to share the good news with others?
The sermon says that true maturity is not just knowledge, but fruitfulness—seeing God use us to encourage, disciple, and lead others to faith. How would you measure your own spiritual maturity in light of this? Is there someone you could begin to disciple or encourage in their walk with Jesus?

Sermon Clips

But if you spend any time at all online or in the public square, you can quickly tell our communication has not gotten better. We have not improved in our ability to open the doors into our hearts and our minds and our lives and engage ideas and share them with one another. And truly, it seems that in losing the art of writing letters, we have lost something substantial. [00:00:48] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

And 20 years later, the news of faith in Rome is so profound. It's consistently making the journey out months long journeys to the far corners of the world so that people are hearing about this group of people who believe in Jesus Christ and who have fellowship together in him. That's an amazing reality taking place. We went from 12 scared guys hiding out, 11 scared guys hiding out at the crucifixion to thousands of people believing in the whole world, hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. [00:10:46] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

If someone encounters you in person and you talk to them for a bit, are they going to see and understand the faith you have in Jesus? Heaven forbid someone encounters your online presence, your social media presence. Are they going to know based on what they see and hear from you that you have faith in Jesus Christ? Could it be proclaimed? Could your faith be proclaimed by others? So they go, listen, I met this person and I don't understand it, but they have faith in Jesus. I've never seen anything like it before. [00:11:30] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow, by God's will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you, for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, by yours and mine. [00:13:01] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

He understands that when he goes to minister to the church at Rome, although he will be the one doing the preaching and the teaching and unpacking the truth of the gospel, he will be the one pouring himself out for their sake. Guess what? Paul's not going to be depleted by that activity. In fact, much the opposite. He's going to be encouraged and built up by that. [00:20:21] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

You might think when you're immature in your faith that you have to lock yourself away and focus on growing to a level when then you can go out and encourage others. But I'm telling you right now, the greatest blessings of the Christian life are the blessings of investing in and serving others so that their faith may grow. Guess what? If you're doing that, you're not going to get passed up. God is going to bless and encourage and strengthen you as you work to encourage others. [00:22:58] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

The fruitfulness in our lives comes from growing more deeply in our understanding of the gospel, understanding more completely how we're entirely forgiven and transformed by Christ's finished work and knowing that through him and through faith in him, we become fruitful by his strength, not our own. So Paul wants to go there because he's convinced that as he continues to deepen their understanding of the gospel, what's going to happen? Will some people be converted? Yes, just like among all the rest of the Gentiles. But others are going to grow up in their faith in amazing ways. Others are going to begin to produce more fruit than they ever imagined as they deepen their grasp of the gospel. [00:30:33] (41 seconds) Edit Clip

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