August 23rd, 2000, Wednesday Evening

"I Am Not Ashamed"
Public testament of your Lord and your Saviour

OPENING: Romans 1:16, KJV

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• The growth of our church is proportional to the amount of the gospel it preaches. If few preach (i.e., the pastor and a few of the truly faithful) then few will be saved. If many preach (every church member says something to someone they are related OR NOT RELATED TO), many will come and may be saved!
  
  
• Romans 1:16: God discriminates against NO ONE. He loves everyone on earth.
  
  
• A lot of peer pressure is pushed on teenagers today, but what about the adults? 90% of those saved do not tell about Jesus Christ to others (especially people they don't know) because they're either embarrassed or ashamed.
  
  
• 2 Tim 1:7: Fear is not a trait or personality we inherit. So we cannot blame our failure to witness on anyone but ourselves. God doesn't expect us all to be as bold as a pastor because not everyone is called to be one. Your pastor and God both know some people are timid and others are outgoing. However, God does expect you to display the traits in this verse.
  
  
• God's will is that our temperament not control us but the Holy Spirit control our temperament.
  
  
• If you're saved, Jesus Christ wants you to be a witness and not ashamed of Him.
  
  
  • True Story: Years ago, our pastor Byrd used to preach the word on an old street corner. His public testimony that the grace of God set you free was one of the most liberating experience pastor had ever felt and one of the greatest you can do--just like Paul said in Romans 1:16.
    
    
  • The greatest stumbling block for almost all churches is for its members to be open and proud about being saved by God.
    
    
  • Don't draw attention to yourself by acting like a fool (because some thrive on that). Rather, if you're publicly testifying for God, you may look like a fool to others but if you're saving souls, God sees that as good.
  
  
• God's business of saving souls has been turned over to us. We give the word, the Lord works in that person's heart or causes an event to sober that person spiritually, and, Lord's will being, that person will look to be saved.
  
  
• BEING ASHAMED
  
  
  • #1/5: What is it?
    
    
    • First, we need to examine the definition of ashamed and focus in on the reputation aspect of the definition.
      
      
    • Some people believe being public about Jesus Christ and praying (i.e., dinner table in a cafeteria or restaurant) labels them as fanatics, nuts, weirdoes, etc. by the general populous.
      
      
    • Today, many TRY to have a reputation for being "tough." The way they dress, walk, and act is to label them to everyone as the tough guy (or girl, now). Others see themselves as weird, indifferent, professional, etc... but what do you see yourself as?
      
      
    • Being labeled a "Little Christ" (a.k.a. Christian) is the best thing you can be and be known as.
      
      
    • Paul gave up the human-recognized prestige of being a Pharisee to be lowered to the level of one of God's apostles. How low on the human scale but high on God's scale to be.
    
    
  • #2/5: Causes of
    
    
    • Your conscience; you think/do something wrong and are later ashamed of it because you were caught.
      
      
    • Disobedience; self-conviction that you did something wrong without anyone having to tell you the same. Besides that, knowing that God knows all, sees all, and hears all.
      
      
    • 2 Tim 2:15: Study the Word of God because God will go over your life's progress with you when you stand before His Judgment Seat.
      
      
    • 1 John 2:28: Be careful of what you're doing. The Rapture could happen at any moment and if the rapture occurs while you're doing what you shouldn't, you will be embarrassed and ashamed ... to say the least.
      
      
    • If someone points you out as a church-goer and that they saw you go to church, do not be ashamed.
      
      
    • When your "reputation" is at stake. Some people have that tough reputation that they are hard as nails and they fear nothing (i.e., those "No Fear" stickers). But God and Jesus are just the opposite--pure love, not tough, and they are to be feared. If you hold that tough reputation and confronted about Jesus, you must choose between one or the other. So what's your reputation stand for?
    
    
  • When Jesus Christ returns (the Rapture) and you stand face to face with Him, looking in his eyes of pure love, His back ripped open, blood dropping from his brow ... then you will be devastated if you look back and realize you were ashamed of Him all those times. We are all guilty of it--even I. Even Paul denied Jesus three times and as Matthew 26:75 goes, Paul was heartbroken and wept when Jesus simply looked at Him that third time.
    
    
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:14: If you associate with people (including other saved Christians who disobey God, the bible says to make note of them and have no company with them so they may be ashamed of themselves
    
    
  • #3/5: What to not be ashamed of?
    
    
    • Romans 1:16: As Paul said, do not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
      
      
    • Romans 10:11
    • Romans 9:33
      
      
    • 2 Timothy 1:8: Don't be ashamed of the testimony of Christ or those who are persecuted for preaching it.
      
      
      • This "persecution" could simply mean a lady being made fun for dressing the way a lady should to protect her modesty or if your pastor was thrown in jail for preaching--do not be ashamed of him or that.
        
        
      • True Story: Pastor Byrd, as a young unsaved teen, almost drown in a lake if it weren't for his friend, Tommy Butler, racing to him and pulling him out.
        
        Now would you be ashamed of this person who saved your life if you were walking down the street with him? Because if you're saved, Jesus pulled you from the jaws of Hell!
      
      
    • Romans 5:5: The Salvation the saved have makes that person not ashamed.
      
      
    • Philippians 1:20: That your boldness and eagerness to proudly proclaim Christ is nothing to be ashamed of.
      
      
    • 1 Peter 4:16: When we're suffering for Jesus Christ, we should not be ashamed. But when we're not suffering by denouncing him in front of friends, then you should be ashamed.
      
      
      • Some may financially suffer when they tithe. Praise the Good Lord--tithing comes first regardless of your financial status.
        
        
      • If something has happened to you--something broke, an illness in the family, etc... run a spiritual checklist on yourself: have I tithed? Have I gone to church? If you've done everything the bible says to do, then praise the Good Lord for your misfortune.
    
    
  • #4/5: Why we should not be ashamed?
    
    
    • We serve the most high God.
      
      
    • God (our Father) is not ashamed of us.
      
      
      • Heb 11:16: God is not ashamed to call us His God.
      • Hebrews 2:11: Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brother.
    
    
  • #5/5: How to overcome being ashamed.
    
    
    • Who are you associated with? God! The King of the universe!
      
      
    • We have in our possession the power of salvation--eternal life!
      
      
    • Use that power of salvation to take the gospel to others who have it not.
      
      
      • Do not be ashamed to call another a sinner and that the penalty is death in hell. You and I are guilty of it, as well!
        
        
      • There are only two types of people in this world--saved and lost.
  
  CLOSER

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• If you let God use you in His way, you won't live in fear.
  
  
• Your reputation means very little, on earth. Jesus Christ was God come to earth in the flesh but He made no reputation for Himself. So be not ashamed of Christ and have no reputation that sets you apart from Jesus.
  
  The result will be more preaching, and more people being saved!