Your Faith Is Being Reported Series

INTRO.- ILL.- Little Billy brought home his report card. His mother was very disappointed with his low grades and she let him know about it. Billy said, “But it’s got a good side to it too. At least you know I’m not cheating.”

ILL.- Another boy came home from school with his report card. He said to his dad, “Dad, here’s my report card along with one of your old report cards.” His dad looked at the cards and said, “Well, son, you’re right. This old report card of mine doesn’t look any better than your report card. I guess the only fair thing to do is to give you what my father game me.”

How did your report card look when you were in school? What kind of grades did you get? And did you get what your father got if you had a poor report card?

I don’t ever remember getting a spanking for poor grades on anything I did in school, but I’m sure I got reprimanded in some form.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

How is your spiritual report card? Is your faith being reported all over the known world? That’s highly doubtful. Is it even being talked about all over town? Or how about in your own family? Do your family members know that you are a person of faith by your actions, your speech, your church attendance, your giving, Christian service, etc.?

What is the evidence of your faith? How would your spiritual report card read? The faith of the Christians in Rome apparently had a good report card. Their faith was reported all over the known world at that time! Wow!

We don’t hear much today of people with faith like that. In the past, Billy Graham’s faith was evident to a large portion of Americans and even around the world. But we don’t hear of many like him today except for Rick Warren and a few others.

Both churches and individuals have a reputation either for good or ill, for faith or a lack of it. I heard about a church in Illinois that was known as a preacher killer and it was! On other hand, there are many churches that have a reputation for being kind, friendly, gracious, and giving.

I wonder our church report card would be considered by outsiders? Small? Hidden? Never heard of at all? Whoever heard of Loberg Lane? Christian Church? What kind? That’s what many people think. The term “Christian” has become somewhat generic to many people outside the church. That can be both good and bad. Many think that most churches are “Christian” in the sense of believing in Christ. THAT’S GOOD. But is there anything else distinguishing about our church that is good or Godly?

PROP.- Paul speaks of the faith of those saints at Rome.

1- A faith that is remembered

2- A faith that is renewed

3- A faith that is rewarded

I. A FAITH THAT IS REMEMBERED

9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I REMEMBER YOU. I REMEMBER YOU IN PRAYERS AT ALL TIMES.

Does anyone think of enough of you to remember to pray for you at all times? Every day? Many times a day. I pray so. I hope so.

Ephesians 1:15-17 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

Philippians 1:3-4 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy...”

Colossians 1:3-4 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people...”

I Thessalonians 1:2-3 “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Do you get the picture? Do you see that Paul was a man who prayed much for others? He remembered them and remembered to pray for them. Are you constantly praying for others? And is your faith remembered by others in prayer?