Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 11 June 2023

Text: Romans 1:8-12

Subject: Encouragement through our mutual faith

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 

10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 

12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Romans 1:8-12

THE CHURCH IN THE FIRST CENTURY

1. There were no physical church buildings in the first century

a) Paul used synagogues to teach in (Evangelism)

b) Believers formed themselves into a cohesive community

c) The word “church” in the New Testament age never refers to a physical church edifice

2. The meaning of the word “church”

a) A gathering of believers

i) They were called out of the world

ii) Their centre of focus was the Lord Jesus Himself

b) A community of brethren

i) It may be in the home of a believer

ii) Most were “house-churches”

PAUL’S HEART FOR THE ROMAN BELIEVERS

1. He thanked God for them

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all” Romans 1:8a

2. Commendation of the Faith of the Roman Christians

“That your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” Romans 1:8b

3. Praying for the Roman Christians

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 

10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.  Romans 1:9-10

a) Praying for others was a natural activity of Paul

b) In all his epistles, he would mention he prayed for his readers

c) A specific request to the Lord was made

i) That he may make his way to Rome to see the brethren

ii) That this request may be within the will of God

4. Explanation as to why he wanted to visit Rome

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 

12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Romans 1:10-11

a) That he may impart some spiritual gift

i) A teaching

ii) A special insight

b) That he may help them to be even more established in the faith

i) The Romans were already well-commended

ii) But there was always room for greater improvement

c) Paul also looked forward

i) To being encouraged by the Roman brethren

ii) They had “a mutual faith”

iii) Paul looked forward to the hope that his faith would also be further encouraged/ uplifted!

iv) This is an amazing insight to the humble spirit of Paul

GOOD LESSONS FOR US TO PONDER ON DEEPLY

1. On Prayer

a) To be more prayerful

b) To be moved to pray for others

2. On Appreciating the Faith of other believers

a) Paul was an apostle

b) Yet, he could appreciate the faith of other believers

3. On being a blessing to others

a) Paul wanted to help others be established in their faith

b) This is a good and positive outlook

4. On being blessed

a) Through mutual faith sharing

b) Through fellowship

5. Let us be challenged

a) To seek further growth in faith

b) To cultivate ourselves as believers in every way possible