Be not ashamed

2 Tim. 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

1. Be Not Ashamed! 2 Tim 1:8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

2. If I was to go around and ask each on of you here tonight, “have you ever been ashamed before?” What would your answer be? I know that for me, the answer would be “yes!” Perhaps for something I said, or something I did, maybe for acting a certain way, or reacting badly. Whatever it may have been, I am sure we have all experienced shame before!

3. Tonight we will be studying about what Paul wrote to Timothy when it seems he had become discouraged! Paul wanted him to understand that there was no need for him to fear men because he answers to God! Mt 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Act 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

4. You see, many times we become ashamed of who we are or who we know because of fear of men! There are something in life we should never be ashamed of! Jn. 7:13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. Jn. 9:22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Jn. 12:42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;

5. Many love the praise of men, more than the praise of God! Jn. 12:42-43 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Are we willing to stand for what is right, even if we have to stand alone? Don't answer this too quickly, one day you likely will have to choose!

6. I. Not Ashamed of Our Savior ! 2 Tim. 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, Not ashamed of His Pain ! Are we willing to identify with the cross of Christ? (1 Cor. 1:18-31 cf. 2:2) 2 Cor. 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Rev 1:5 ...To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

7. Not ashamed of His plan ! 1 Cor 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, Are we willing to identify with the Gospel message? (Rom. 1:16-17)

8. Not ashamed of His people ! Paul warns Timothy to not be ashamed of the people of God, himself included that was often imprisoned for the cause of Christ! 4 of his letters written from prison! We are called to come out of the world we are in and be different! Js. 4:4 1 Jn. 2:15-17 2 Cor. 6:14-18 Eph. 5:11-14

9. II. Not Ashamed of Our Salvation ! 2 Tim. 1:9-10 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, The greatness of our salvation! “Has saved !” from so- zo = to deliver, protect, be safe, to save (Strong’s) We can “know” we are saved! (1 Jn. 5:13)

10. The grace of our salvation! Grace = Divine favour! Eph 2:4-5, 8 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

11. The glory of our salvation! Paul tells Timothy that through the Gospel Jesus has abolished death and has brought life! We that were dead in sin, Jesus has given life again! Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, We have been saved by grace to show/share God’s glory! Mt 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

12. III. Not Ashamed of Our Service ! 2 Tim 1:11-12 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. The appointment in service!(Cf.2Tim2:2) Paul declares “I was appointed” a preacher, an apostle and teacher! Preacher = proclaiming the message! Apostle = sent with the message! Teacher = teaching others the message!

13. The affliction in service! Paul was not ashamed to suffer for the cause of Christ! 2 Cor 11:23-25 Are they ministers of Christ? - -I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 2 Tim 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

14. The assurance in service! “For I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able !” Do we have complete confidence, do we know that God is able? Heb 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Eph 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

15. Conclusion: We began tonight by asking a question, “have you ever been ashamed before?” Hope that now we see there are some things we must never be ashamed of! May none of us ever be ashamed to share the saving message of Christ! If you are here and not yet a Christian, then tonight is the night! Today is the day of your salvation!