Don’t be Ashamed

27/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Don’t be Ashamed

2 Timothy 1:8-12So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 

While Paul was writing 2 Timothy, he was in prison again.  Paul had been in prison before.  He’d been beaten.  He’d been lied about.  He’d been mocked, criticized, and rejected.  He was given so many opportunities to be ashamed of Jesus that if anyone knew how to follow Him without shame, it was Paul.

Paul’s key to keep following Jesus without being ashamed was that he knew without a doubt that he’d been called by the One who conquered all, to collect others into the same calling.  You can have the same conviction in your heart, and follow Jesus without any shame. 

YOU’VE BEEN CALLED…

1. Saved“[God] has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” – 2 Timothy 1:9a

• Paul told Timothy that the first key to following Jesus without shame was to understand what He did – that He saved you and called you to a “holy life.”
• God didn’t save you because of anything you did, but just because He wanted to do it (Ephesians 2:5).
• God even rescued you from a life of sin while you didn’t care anything about Him (Romans 5:10).  And He’s always ready to keep rescuing you if you need it.
• If you’re a Christian, what did God save you from?
• By God’s character, He has always been a “God who saves.”  He always brings “escape from death” (Psalm 68:20).  Nowhere is this more evident than in what Jesus did by taking our place on the cross.
• Jesus loved you enough to die for you!  How can you be ashamed of that?

2. Set Apart“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” – 2 Timothy 1:11

• Paul knew that God had not only saved him but also set him apart and called him to work for Him as an apostle.
• God has called each of us and set us apart as His own people (Leviticus 20:26).
• In Ephesians 1:18, Paul said that God sees us as His “glorious inheritance.”  (See Psalm 4:3 for more.)
• In addition to these general callings as the people of God, you have been set apart with a specific destiny to fulfill, one that only you can accomplish (Romans 8:28).
• How does it make you feel to know that God has set you apart for Himself?

BY THE ONE WHO CONQUERED…

1. Sin“Christ Jesus ..  has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” – 2 Timothy 1:10b

• What else kept Paul following Jesus without shame?
• Paul knew what God had done for Him, but he also knew that Jesus was the one who “destroyed death” and “brought life and immortality to light.”
• Jesus destroyed death by conquering sin when He died on the cross and rose again (Romans 5:20-21).
• 1 John 3:8 says Jesus came to destroy sin and the works of the devil.  Genesis 3:15 says the same, that the devil struck Jesus, but that He crushed Satan’s head.
• Because Jesus died in our place, we can now die to sin and “live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).  Also see Hebrews 10:11-14.

2. Sickness“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

• What else did Jesus conquer by His death and resurrection on the cross?
• When Jesus died on the cross, He died to conquer sickness.  Isaiah prophesied that “by his wounds we are healed.”
• When Jesus was on earth, he regularly healed “all who were sick” who came to Him (Matthew 8:16).  He’s no different today.
• Also while on earth, Jesus told His disciples to follow in His footsteps and heal the sick like He did (Matthew 10:8).
• In Matthew 28:18, Jesus says that He’s been given “all authority,” so it follows that He has even more power over sickness now that He’s risen from the dead, and that we can appeal to that authority when confronted with sickness.  Also read John 13:3.

3. Sorrow“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…” – Isaiah 53:4a

• When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He conquered sin, sickness, and also sorrows.
• Paul found strength to preach the gospel and serve God without shame because he knew that Jesus had conquered all sorrow.
• Ephesians 1:22 says that God placed “all things” under Jesus’ feet, including every sorrow and difficulty in this world.  Even including the shame you might sometimes feel when sharing the Gospel.
• This doesn’t mean that everything will go perfectly, but that you’ll be able to endure until the day God permanently gets rid of all mourning (Revelation 21:4).
• What would you say brings the greatest sorrow in the world?
• Death probably brings the most sorrow, and Jesus has conquered it (Revelation 1:18, Revelation 20:14, Isaiah 25:8, and 1 Corinthians 15:2

So don’t be ashamed

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God… – 2 Timothy 1:8

• Knowing that you’re called by the One who conquered all things to collect others into His kingdom means you can follow God without shame or embarrassment.
• Don’t be ashamed to speak up about God!
• When you trust in God and just speak for Him, He’ll defend you (Isaiah 28:16).
• As you look to Jesus and gain His strength, you can serve Him without being ashamed (Psalm 34:5), so you can bring His words to the world (Psalm 40:10).
• Jesus told us to go and preach, so go do it without being ashamed!  See Mark 10:7-8

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” – Romans 1:16 

• To be a follower of Jesus, you can’t be ashamed of Him.  If you’re struggling with that, you can win the battle!
• Know that the Gospel is the power of God – it really changes lives and is something great!
• The Gospel brings salvation – people need it and want it, so let ‘them have it!

You and I have no reason whatsoever to be ashamed, rather lift your head high, look the world right in the eye and remember you are a child of the Living God.

Have a great day

John

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