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’s 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’s chosen vessel to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. He eventually suffered for His name's sake. God used Ananias (verse 17) to lay hands 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 were 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 and 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 and 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, the whole world, and 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 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 Pastor Robert Williams
Paul expressed how eager he was to go to Rome and preach the gospel -- the good news – the power of Jesus Christ’s 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’s chosen vessel to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. He eventually suffered for His name's sake. God used Ananias (verse 17) to lay hands 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 were 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 and 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 and 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, the whole world, and 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 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 Pastor Robert Williams
2 Comments
Thank you for this devotional! Help me to never be shy about or ashamed of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ!!
Wonderful devotional! What I really enjoy about the apostle Paul's witness & testimony concerning Jesus Christ is that he was genuine & truthful about what God had done in his heart. No one can take away our testimonies...we're not ashamed whenever we share what Jesus has done for us. Relationships can grow with communication. The world won't know unless we share the Gospel of Christ and live out our stories.