Romans | Romans 1:8-17 | John Baker

Faith matters! The way God is writing your story of faith in Jesus matters! Jesus’s gospel is good news for all people; you have no need to be afraid or ashamed to preach it! Your faith in and faithfulness to Jesus matters, and the Holy Spirit will use you! You need your faith in Jesus to be strengthened every day. Your brothers and sisters in Christ also need daily encouragement in their faith. And each day, you encounter people who don’t yet believe in Jesus but desperately need to hear about Him so they too can place their faith in Him. Your faith in and faithfulness to Jesus matters! By faithfully living your life in Christ and sharing it with others, you participate in God’s work to strengthen His people, draw not-yet-believers to Himself, and glorify His name through the power of the gospel. Here are 3 specific applications I would like you to consider this week: Share how Jesus has changed your life with both a fellow believer and someone who doesn’t yet know Him. Consider partnering with someone for accountability, supporting and encouraging each other as you prepare. Celebrate the impact of your sharing, no matter the outcome! Remember, God is the one who brings fruit from your efforts. You may not always see immediate results, but your goal is to remain faithful. Pray for someone God brings to mind, and let them know how you prayed for them. Send them a hand-written note, text, or email. It’s a blessing and encouragement to know someone is praying for you specifically! Take a moment to send a hand-written note, text, or email to someone whose faith in Jesus has encouraged you recently. Be specific! It will mutually encourage both you and them to keep living faithfully for Christ. God is writing your story of faith in Christ, and every act of faith—big and small—carries eternal significance in God’s grand story. Through the Holy Spirit’s work in and among you, the gospel of God will continue to transform lives for His glory among our neighbors and the nations.