Do not be ashamed of the Gospel
Notes
Transcript
Final Instructions
Final Instructions
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave some final instructions to His apostles, and in turn has been recorded for us to learn and apply.
To preach the gospel (turn to Mk16:15-16)
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Or in Matthew we may be familiar with (turn to Mt28:19-20)
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The commission made it a mission to get the word out, to evangelize, to proclaim the gospel.
It started local, right where they were at - Jerusalem (ref: Act2:36-39)
Then through persecution the word went out when the church was disbursed (Act8:4-5, 14:5ff, 20:24)
Then to to whole world the whole word, (Rom10:16-18; Col1:23)
(Transition) this series is all about are we proclaiming the gospel. Are we “unashamed” to boldly live for Christ, living the gospel message and ready to share it with others? This morning we are going to address looking at the question, are we ashamed? And then why we should not be ashamed.
Are we ashamed of the gospel?
Are we ashamed of the gospel?
It is good for us to ask questions, to ask questions of the scripture, to ask questions of ourselves, to evaluate ourselves in line with the word and our christian walk.
So, may we start with that question, are we ashamed?
When was the last time you personally shared the gospel?
I share it all the time, but do I share it personally with people all the time?
This is more than just a spiritual conversation on spiritual topics, but the good news, the gospel which is the power of God unto Salvation.
Is sharing the gospel a priority in your life, I know, I need to make adjustments even in my own life. I am not ashamed of it, but my actions do not always show that.
How about a gospel meeting, what is the purpose of a gospel meeting? Is it for the saved or the lost? May we look to put on a true gospel meeting, where we invite our unsaved friends and family to hear the gospel message.
You may be ashamed of the gospel if we do not personally share the gospel, if we do not invite people to hear the gospel message, where evangelizing is not a priority.
We might be ashamed of the the words of truth, Jesus words that they may be offensive (read Mk8:38)
38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Jesus words are truth, they can be offensive, He wants you to be offended by sin, to know the sin of the world that separates man from God.
We live in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation (Php2:14-16; Mt16:4)
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
We are light, you appear as light of the world or of Christ. Are you embarrassed to talk about Jesus, share His words, if so, you may be ashamed of the gospel.
We might be ashamed of the gospel if we are concerned about looking foolish to others. May we remember we are not the fool, the message is foolishness to may.
Turn to 1 Corinthians 1:18–24
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
May we remember what Paul said and we have used before (quote Gal1:10)
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
We may be ashamed of the gospel if we believe in Jesus but are not willing to confess Him: (turn to Jn12:42-43
42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
(Transition) - I know that may have been hard to listen to; hard to think about, so now let’s move on.
Why we should not be ashamed
Why we should not be ashamed
The Gospel is the power of God (Rom1:15-16)
15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Paul was preaching the gospel to the Jews in the synagogues, the religious folks, and to the Gentiles. for He knew it was the power of God. Even to people that heard it before. Remember Paul did not start the church in Rome, he had never been there. Still he wanted to preach the gospel to them.
The gospel is the power of God because it is incorruptible seed (1Pt1:23-25)
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
Remember the word is alive, it is sharp (ref: Heb4:12) it cuts to the heart of the issue, sin. Sin has to be identified so it can be cut out.
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Salvation from our past sins (Rom6:23; Rom3:23)
Salvation from our present storms that we face so that we can weather them (conside Mt7:24-27; 1Cor10:13)
Salvation that is being worked out with fear and trembling (Php2:12); and salvation from future judgment that all men will face (2Cor4:10; Rom5:8-9)
For those who are in Christ Jesus the judgment is without the wrath of God for Jesus took that on for you.
Jesus is not ashamed, not only is He the way, He is willing to proclaim you, call you brethren (Heb2:11)
May we be unashamed of the gospel, consider 1Jn2:28
28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
May we not shrink away in shame but looking for His coming, expecting His coming and sharing the certainty of His coming with others.
May we be unashamed of the gospel and may we live the gospel
Consider 2Tim1:8
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
and Mk8:38
38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
This sermon, this series is not meant to beat you up, but to build you up, to encourage you to stand firm in your faith. To stand firm in the gospel message.
I love what I read: “Embracing and proclaiming the gospel publicly demonstrates our belief in its transformative power and the reality of Christ’s work in our lives, urging us to live unashamedly for Him.
I am not ashamed!
I am not ashamed!
Things we should remember when it comes to the gospel.
It is the power of God unto Salvation (Rom1:16)
We are encouraged to not be ashamed of the testimony, the gospel, even if we may suffer for it (2Tim1:8)
May we be praying for boldness and be unafraid to align ourselves with Christ more than just in our heart, but in our very lives (Mk8:38).
We have the most important message the world needs to hear!
(Invitation slide) have you heard the gospel message? Have you responded to the gospel message? Are you reminded of when and how you responded to the gospel message?
(Song) (Prayer) (Exit)
