You are what you depend on

Romans 1:8–9 (NLT) — 8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

DEFINE: The Greek word for faith used in this text is the word Pistis which means to depend upon to truth fully.

Let me clarify this text for a moment and let you know what was not being talked about…

They were not talking about the “good works” of the believers. (At least thats not Paul was referring to when he said your faith is being talked about.)

They were not talking about how big their services were.

They were not talking about the miracles.

Here is what people were saying… “You know those ‘Christians’ out of Rome? They are INSANE! They are CRAZY! No like for real they are getting beat up for being a follower of the way and yet they still wont quit it. Like you don’t understand some of them are being flogged in the streets and they won’t renounce their God. No like you are not getting me they act like nothing else in the world matters…”

KEY POINT- Paul is making reference to a faith that the believers had that was so resilient so steadfast so real so undeterred that it did not matter what would happen to them they were going to depend upon God.

KEY- The believers were a living embodiment of Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT) — 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

MAIN POINT- People take notice of Christians in many different instances; our love, good works, etc. There is one specific instance that I believe shakes people and there notions about you. People notice when you are faithful when you are hurting, when its not going right, when you are bleeding.

CHALLENGE- Be a follower of Christ that knows how to stay faithful when you are hurting.