Have you ever been really embarrassed by a close personal friend? In those moments, while we may love our friend, we feel a good sense of shame, thinking, "I can't believe that's my friend."
It's hard not to feel ashamed when we feel embarrassed.
ARE YOU ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS?
Many of us fear rejection from people when sharing our faith. "What will they think of me? Will they look down on me?" We can act as though we are ashamed of Jesus because of our fear!
LUKE 4:18 NLT "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,
You carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ! You carry words that bring freedom for the prisoners and sight for the blind!
ROMANS 1:16 NLT For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-the Jew first and also the Gentile.
Paul speaks specifically to the power of the Gospel. In this day and age, Rome was the undeniable superpower of the world. They had conquered the world through their undefeatable army and powerful kingdom. Rome was a proud city and was quick to boast in their own strength.
The message of the Gospel was ludicrous to the people of Rome, that a humble Jewish carpenter who was murdered on a cross, was a king and even God Himself.
Paul boldly proclaims that he is not ashamed of the Gospel, no matter what the public opinion may have been. He challenged the power of Rome with the power of God. Just like Paul wrote, we must share the Gospel with confidence, too!
Don't be ashamed. Be bold in confidence. You are carrying the true power of God Almighty in your soul - the power to set people free for eternal life through Christ.
GO WITH CONFIDENCE.
Hebrews 10:35-39 NLT [35] So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! [36] Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. [37] "For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. [38] And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away." [39] But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
Some translations use the phrase: "shrink back." The literal word used here is "hesitancy or timidity." We do not belong to those who shrink back! That is not our calling! Instead of leaning away from confidence, lean in with perseverance.
We need perseverance in confidence, fully alert in faith that the power of God is at work through the sharing of the Gospel.
A simple definition of perseverance is endurance and/or patience. It's holding out in faith, knowing that we have to share the Gospel - no matter how others respond.
Make a decision now to stand firm in endurance. Be patient! Even when people don't respond or are uninterested. Don't stop sharing. Don't stop telling people about Jesus. Don't quit. Don't give up!
DON'T STOP SHARING THE GOSPEL!
Don't stop sharing the Gospel. Make a decision today to walk in confidence and boldness no matter the response of others!