Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Scripture:  Romans 1:16-17 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Paul expressed how eager he was to go to Rome and preach the gospel --  the good news – the power of Jesus Christ’ death, burial and resurrection – the power that transformed his life.  

Before Saul’s life was changed, he journeyed near Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 9:2-20)  A light was shining around him from Heaven as he fell to the ground and was blinded, and Saul asked the question -- Who are you Lord?  Then the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.  Saul said -- What do you want me to do?  We should daily ask the Lord the same question – What do you want me to do Lord?  (Verse 6)  Saul surrendered his life and will to the Lord Jesus Christ!  (Verse 15) Saul was Jesus Christ’ chosen vessel to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  He eventually suffered for His name sake.  God used Ananias (verse 17) to lay hand on Saul so that he would receive his sight and to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.  As we look at the word power in the Greek, dunamis, which we get the word dynamite or dynamic, it has to do with dynamic energy producing results.  It doesn’t matter what the opposition is.  It doesn’t matter how powerful the adversary is.  The Holy Spirit gives us His power as born-again believers. (Acts 1:8)  Paul and Silas was not ashamed of the gospel as they were persecuted and thrown in jail, but at midnight they began praying and singing to God.  The power of God came down and there was a great earthquake.  Immediately the prison door was opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.  And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.  But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.  Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  (Acts 16:25-34)

When Paul was later in prison, he was not ashamed to pray, and he opened his mouth boldly to speak the gospel as an ambassador in chains. (Ephesians 6:19-20)  He had confidence/boldness to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Paul passed on his faith to Timothy and the new generation of church leaders.  In II Timothy 1:7-8 and 12 he said to Timothy – Do not fear or be ashamed of my suffering and the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Why?  Because I am not ashamed (verse 12).  I have suffered these things also, but remember Timothy --  I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day. When we are tempted to be ashamed of sharing the gospel, remember to have faith/confidence – depending on Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that lives in you.  Can you say – I am not ashamed to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who I come in contact with?  No matter what I am facing, I will pass it on to my family, friends and the whole world and/or the next generation.  

Prayer:  Father thank you for sending Your Son who bled on the cross for our sins, and He was not ashamed to lay down His life.  Help us not to be ashamed to witness of the saving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Help us to share the gospel with a sense of urgency as the end is drawing near.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

(by Min. Robert Williams)