Not Ashamed
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Date:
Text: Romans 1:16
Title: Not Ashamed
Introduction:
We are excited about Holiday Bible Club. (HBC) (Tuesday, 27th - Friday, 30th July) 10:30 AM....
- God has provided a place where we can meet.
- Our church children are excited about coming.
- We are now trying to encourage other kids to come.
ill. The last HBC we had here Nelson was 7 or 8, very interested in having children come to HBC for his team. He would keep an eye on the play park and go over and invite children to come.
In our devotions this week I offered the boys a reward for their labour - telling them that I will give them a pound for every child that comes to our HBC. (I'll make the same offer to all of our church children.) (God gives rewards and I don't think it is bad motivation and it is a good investment.)
exp. I was seeking to prepare this message and Mac came down and said, "There are three boys at the park, we should go invite them to HBC."
note: Immediately I wanted to dismiss his desire and primarily for reasons having very much to do with what we are going to consider. (Reasons you may not expect as I often do evangelism.)
- What if they say no? What if they don't like me?
- What will they think of us, but more importantly me?
- They probably don't want to come to church and may even laugh at my invitation.
- They may be rude and act like I did something I shouldn't have done.
exp. We invited them - they were very nice - we will see whether or not they come.
YOU AND I ARE SURROUND BY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE THE GOSPEL.
...every day, every week, every month, every year - we come into contact with people.
ill. In the past month God has given some great opportunities to share the Gospel.
- Tommy - Livingston Mall - standing and handing out wee Gospel flyers.
- Janice - two weeks before (her brother's funeral was the day before.)
- Allistair, John (Yahn), Alex - Door to door opportunities
- Moray - cyclist - told him about our webpage - messaged me on The Journey Channel
- I pass a man regularly when I walk - I gave him a tract as he passed me. I gave another man a tract recently in the same way. (I miss opportunities as well.....)
We have these Gospel opportunities - Why do we often pass them by? (main reason?)
- Are we - Too busy, too unconcerned, too pre-occupied, too unprepared....
However, perhaps THE MAIN REASON WE DON'T tell them is that ....
WE ARE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL?
- If you don't think so, why do you hesitate to tell people about Jesus?
- If you don't do regular evangelism ... why don't you?
Why don't you give out tracts, knock on doors, engage people in Gospel conversation?
exp. If your answer has anything to do with the fear of man ='s ashamed of the Gospel.
(Jesus said) Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
note: Satan wants us to be ashamed - he will seek to make us ashamed - EVEN THOUGH WE SHOULD NOT BE. WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE GOSPEL.
Paul says in our text: Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Do not be ashamed to tell the Gospel! Can you say with Paul,
"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ?"
Prayer:
I. Do not be ashamed to say, "I have good news for you!"
For I am not ashamed of the gospel....
def. gospel: A good message
ill. Have you ever had good news and you couldn't wait to share it?
- Letting people know - a baby is coming - the baby has come - the baby is walking, the baby is talking, the baby is riding a bike, the baby is driving, the baby has graduated from highschool, the baby is getting married, the baby has written a book, etc.....
exp. Generally with really good news - we are shameless....
- showing home videos, photo collections....(grandparents)
A. Tell them the good news; "Your debt has been paid!"
exp. The Gospel Good News is more like - finding out that a debt has been paid.
ill. Some of you are aware of Logans surgery - craniosynostosis - 60k USD debt in 2006. Posada Foundation negotiated to pay a reduced rate and paid it in full!
exp. Your sin put you into such debt - you can only pay for it by going to hell for eternity.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
app. The, "it is finished" (paid in full) that was for your sin! Praise God! I'm not ashamed today to say, "I have good news for you - YOUR DEBT HAS BEEN PAID!"
B. Tell them the good news; "God loves you and desires you."
note: The Gospel is like finding out that someone loves you even though you spurned their love.
ill. Adultery is a horrible sin - ripping apart families. But, it also at times miraculously reveals the strength of love in the hearts of the spouse and children. (Unbroken love despite the pain inflicted.)
hymn: It's Just Like His Great Love"
A friend I have called Jesus,
Whose love is strong and true,
And never fails howe’er ’tis tried,
No matter what I do;
I’ve sinned against this love of His,
But when I knelt to pray,
Confessing all my guilt to Him,
The sin clouds rolled away.
ill. My wife and I lived - before emails, texting.... (We hand wrote letters, love letters....)
exp. God has hand written a love letter - he penned it with the blood of His Son.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
app. It is wonderful to say to those who have spurned God's love by sinful living - I've got good news for you - God loves you and desires you!
transition:
Do you not be ashamed to say, "I've got good news for you!"
II. Do not be ashamed to say, "The Messiah (the Christ) has come!"
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:
exp. The Gospel is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
note: The word "Christ" in the New Testament is "Messiah," the annointed one, promised deliverer.
ill. One of the great proofs that the Bible is a divine book is that is has prophecy. "Messianic...."
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
question: Do you like a good mystery - novel, film - we like the old Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone" Deductive reasoning.... Fun to see the logic and the unraveling of a mystery.
exp. If you were reading this when it was written 600 BC, you would be reading a mystery. Who is this man who would be abused for OUR SIN?
note: In the NT these Messianic prophecies are a revealed mystery. (Fulfilled prophecies.)
Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
note: Paul concluded from the Scripture that, THE CHRIST, HAD TO SUFFER, DIE, RISE AGAIN AND THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST.
question: Since the Gospel means the Good Message why does it include Jesus crucifixion?
Ill. Paul's summary of the Gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
exp. Good news!
- 1) CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS.
- 2) CHRIST ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY.
ill. Day of Atonement: anxious waiting while the High Priest went in to offer the sacrifice.
1) Taking away God's wrath.
2) Taking away man's sin. REJOICING WHEN IT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
exp. Jesus, the eternal Son of God did this once for all. 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
app. GOOD NEWS - THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST - THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! Are you ashamed of what your Saviour did? Or are you ready to boldly declare it?
III. Do not be ashamed to say, "You must follow God's way!"
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is....
ill. Our world has had a year of medical education - pandemic, social distancing, vacines, treatment options.... Thankfully much has been done medically to help save the lives of those who have had a bad case of covid 19. One way to find out if a medicine is effective is to run a trial with volunteers - some of which take REAL MEDICINE AND others that take A PLACEBO. (sugar pill)
note: Once you find a real life saving drug - you set about convincing people of it's efficacy. (If there was only one drug that was the remedy - you aren't ashamed to say to someone dying of an illness - you have got to follow this way.) (You would persuade them as best you could.)
exp. Generally there is probably more than one way to treat an illness. THERE IS HOWEVER ONLY ONE WAY TO TREAT MAN'S SIN. IT IS WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (Man has rejected God's remedy.)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
NOTE:
Sin men are dying and going to hell
and since Christ is the remedy
and since we know that
WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO TO UNASHAMEDLY DECLARE IT.
App. You may feel like you can't do it - FINE - but go to where the disciples got their boldness - because people are going to perish in hell if you don't.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
exp. THESE MEN PRAYED FOR BOLDNESS.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
app. Christians - are you content to not be bold and not to speak? Are you afraid to say, "You must follow God's way?" God helps us to get on our knees like the early church and pray for HOLY GHOST BOLDNESS. Don't be ashamed of the ONLY WAY MEN CAN BE SAVED!
IV. Do not be ashamed to say, "Your life can be changed!"
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God....
Ill. In the last month I've witnessed to people who have a great need for a life change.
1) One man grew up with an abusive father. His mum died from brain hemorage.
2) Another man was an addict for 25 years and is living in fornication.
3) Another man disagreed with his siblings over an inheritance and is embittered.
4) One woman's brother had just died and she was going to drink her sorrow away.
our message to all men - THE GOSPEL IS TRANSFORMATIVE
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
exp. If they stay in their fornication, bitterness, drunkeness, they will go to Hell. BUT THE GOSPEL CAN SAVE THEM.... as it has saved many by TRANFORMING their lives.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
ill. George Minsick - in Al Capone's Gang in Chicago - became a faithful preacher of God's Word.
ill. Our missionary, Layton Kelly - was a heroine addict - he's a great preacher - godly man - good leader - New Hope Residential Centre in Dublin.
app. Are you ashamed of the Gospel that changed George Minsick and Layton Kelly's life? Are you ashamed to give NEW LIFE TO THOSE DYING IN THEIR SINS? Do not be ashamed of the Gospel - declare it loudly - "Your life can be changed!"
V. Do not be ashamed to say, "You don't have to perish!"
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation....
ill. Kelly, Katie's sister, told us of a man who is fighting for his life with covid. The doctors have given very little hope for his recovery. We're praying for God's intervention.
exp. For those who do not receive the Gospel - there is NO HOPE.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
- Religion won't save them - sincere, faithful, (does not matter....)
- their unbelief won't save them - hell didn't disappear
- Science won't save them. - professing themselves to be wise they became fools.
- Their family can't save them - work out YOUR OWN salvation with fear....
THEY HAVE PURCHASED PASSAGE ON A ONE WAY SHIP TO HELL, THE SHIP IS SINKING, WE HAVE A GOSPEL LIFELINE TO THROW THEM- "You don't have to perish!"
hymn lyrics - Ella Fitzgerald, Throw Out the Lifeline
Throw out the life line across the dark wave;
There is a brother whom someone should save;
Somebody's brother! o who then will dare
To throw out the life line, his peril to share?
Throw out the life line! throw out the life line!
Someone is drifting away;
Throw out the life line! throw out the life line!
Someone is sinking today.
Throw out the life line with hand quick and strong:
Why do you tarry, why linger so long?
See! he is sinking; oh, hasten today
And out with the life boat! away, then away!
app. Are you too ashamed to act concerned when you know PEOPLE are perishing. Do you care what people will think of you throwing out a lifeline to people WHO THINK THEY ARE NOT PERISHING? Does it matter what they think? They are slipping further towards hell!
VI. Do not be ashamed to say, "Anyone can be saved!"
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one... to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
exp. The Gospel is the only way, but the Gospel is ALSO available to ALL.
ill. 1904-05, Welsh Revival - love song - "Here is Love"
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise;
Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.
In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee
app. Is your heart being drawn out to God? It is because you can be saved. Jesus died for you. Jesus loves you. Believer - are you ashamed to tell people that the Gospel is FOR THEIR SALVATION?
VII. Do not be ashamed to say, "You must believe on Jesus!"
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
ill. Speaking with a young man this week and asking him - "Since Jesus died for all men, what makes the difference between someone who is SAVED and someone still on their way to Hell?
exp. The difference is this - SOME HAVE BELIEVED THE GOSPEL, some have not.
ill. Remember Paul's summary of the Gospel 1 Cor. 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
question: Is there a time where you personally received the Good News - Jesus Christ into your heart? The Gospel is GOOD NEWS FOR ALL MEN, but ONLY those who believe it will be saved.
app. Do you believe the Gospel (CHRIST DIED FOR SINNERS (YOU), CHRIST ROSE AGAIN, YOU CAN HAVE JESUS IN YOUR HEART IF YOU WILL REPENT AND BELIEVE ON HIM!
BELIEVER - if they don't believe they won't be saved - Are you ashamed to plead with them to believe on Jesus?
conclusion:
What have you done, there are souls to be won, did you yell to warn them of eternal doom, did you go out of your way today?
What if Christ had not gone out of his way, what if He in Heaven had chosen to stay,
there would be hell to pay at the sinner's cost, but Christ paid the debt on Calvary's cross.
What have you done there are souls to be won, will you go out of your way today?
CHRISTIAN - IT'S TIME TO CROSS THE ROAD TO GIVE SOMEONE A TRACT.
IT'S TIME TO GET OUT OF YOUR CAR TO GIVE SOMEONE A TRACT.
IT'S TIME TO TELL OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST.
Unbelieving friend - don't put it off - THE GOSPEL IS AVAILABLE - YOU MUST TAKE IT.
