Young People's Group

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

by Mitchell Tan
June 16, 2017

DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF COWARDICE

Why is it that people feel ashamed of Christ and His gospel? Sometimes, it is because they fear the fallout and opposition that may result against them if they were to bear witness for Him. This was a problem that Timothy faced as he sought to minister in the early Church. Paul had to explain that God had not given him a spirit of cowardice but of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). He did not need to give in to feelings of fear and cowardice.

IDENTIFYING WITH THE LORD JESUS

“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”
2 Timothy 1:8

Paul challenged his protégé to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord Jesus because He himself was not. Paul was in prison for the sake of the Lord Jesus and the gospel. This was also a principle that the Lord Jesus taught His disciples, to not be ashamed of Him and His word lest He be ashamed of them when He returns for them (Mark 8:38). Paul challenged Timothy to share with him in terms of suffering for Christ.

A DEPTH OF APPRECIATION OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

“For the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us”
2 Timothy 1:8-9

“Who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel to which I was appointed a preacher”
2 Timothy 1:10

1. PAUL’S EXAMPLE OF BEING CALLED

Paul suffered for the sake of the gospel. It was in Christ that Paul was saved and called with a holy calling. There was tremendous purpose and grace given to him. He would suffer anything for Christ.

2. LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL

Through the appearing of Christ, the light of the gospel was revealed to all. Our Lord had destroyed death and has given us life and immortality. There was no need to fear suffering, even death, because of the eternal life we have in Christ.

3. FULFILLING OF DESTINY

Paul had been appointed a preacher, an apostle and teacher of the Gentiles. He was to bring the gospel to them. He sought to fulfil his destiny

ENCOURAGEMENT TO NOT BE ASHAMED BY RELYING ON HIS POWER

How do we go about being not ashamed? We learn to rely on the power of the Lord.

1. THE PROVISION OF POWER

“But of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7

2. THE PERSONAL APPLICATION OF POWER

“But share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God”
2 Timothy 1:8

It is according to the power of God that we too can seek to suffer any hardship for Christ. Let’s learn to rely on the dynamic power of God to not be ashamed in sharing our faith with others.

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