Ashamed

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Romans 1:16-17
 16 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."

The word "ashamed" means guilt or disgrace. The gospel is the power of God to bring people to salvation. The world is very vocal but the Church too many times has been quiet. We don't want to offend anyone so we don't witness or testify. Paul wasn't ashamed of the gospel and he let the whole world know.

We must not be embarrassed about telling others about salvation. When we do, the power of God is there to bring them to Christ. Many times you hear ministers just telling stories from the pulpit. Sometimes they don't even open their Bibles or give a verse. But there is POWER in the gospel! There is no power in just telling stories. We must give the gospel. In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.

Romans 10:11 tells us that whoever believes in God will not be put to shame. We may be ashamed of our past and feel that we have no right to testify to others. But when we come to Christ our past is wiped out. We don't have to fit in with the rest of the world and we also don't have to be silent. Christ has forgiven our sin and we have a right and a duty to share with others what the Lord has done for us. Paul told Timothy to not be ashamed of the Lord. It is the gospel according to the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:8-12)

Peter denied Christ- but after his conversion and filling with the Holy Ghost, he was a changed man! The past was gone- he was a new creature and had the power of the Holy Ghost to testify boldly. He was no longer ashamed of his past.

The power of the gospel wipes away any shame we may have felt. It is the devil's tool to keep us embarrassed or ashamed of witnessing to the power of the Lord. Are you ashamed? Are you too quiet? Realize that the power of Christ rests in the gospel and in you- be bold in your testimony and in your life for God.

(Taken from Pastor Keith's message, 1/18/ 2014)

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