Being Ashamed of Christ

INTRODUCTION

I want to begin this morning by asking you a question

Are you ashamed of Jesus Christ?

Your answer is probably an immediate “No”!

But I want to challenge your answer this morning

It’s easy not to be ashamed when you’re at church but what about when you’re not here—when you’re at the grocery store or at work or with family and friends?

And what type of shame are we talking about?

Are we talking about fear of rejection or ridicule?

Or a desire to fit in that you don’t mention Jesus?

Or a fear of being persecuted if you do mention Him?

Or are you embarrassed to say you know Him?

Or is it some personal sin that you’re caught up in that makes you not mention Jesus?

Or is it a fear of losing opportunities if you do mention Him?

Or is it the influence of the world?

The world hates Jesus and all of us have an opportunity to be cowards for Jesus and never say anything about Him

Well as you can see “Being ashamed of Christ” is our subject today

Please take your Bible and turn to Mark chapter 8

There’s one verse in chapter 8 that addresses this issue and it’s verse 38

Notice what it says…

Jesus is speaking and He says in Mark 8:38, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Imagine standing in front of a king—crowned in glory, surrounded by angels, and seated in divine authority—and hearing Him speak your name

Would He speak it with joy, or would He turn His face in sorrow, saying, “I never knew you”?

In Mark 8:38, Jesus delivers one of the most sobering warnings in all of Scripture

But to understand its weight, we must first consider the context

Just prior, in Mark 8:31–33, Jesus makes the shocking announcement that He must suffer, be rejected, killed, and rise again

This declaration marks a turning point in His ministry—a move toward the cross

Peter objects, but Jesus sharply rebukes him, saying, “You are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

Then in verses 34–37, Jesus issues a radical call to discipleship: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”

He speaks of losing one’s life to gain it, and warns that gaining the whole world means nothing if your soul is lost

And then comes verse 38—a warning not to be ashamed of Christ in “this adulterous and sinful generation.”

It is the final blow to shallow, crowd-pleasing discipleship

In essence, Jesus asks: Will you stand with Me now, or be disowned by Me later?

This verse is not about momentary failure

It’s about ongoing shame, a life that refuses to publicly identify with Christ

And it is especially relevant in a time like ours, when truth is mocked and silence about Jesus is often easier than standing up for Him

As we explore this verse, we’re forced to answer a personal and eternal question: Am I ashamed of Christ… or am I willing to confess Him boldly, no matter the cost?

Our text begins with…

The Audience (v.38a)

is “Whoever”

According to verse 34 it refers to “the crowd with His disciples”

What Jesus was about to say applied universally to both groups

There is no exception

Don’t think that because you have made a profession of Christ, you’re safe

This is a test of your profession and possession of Christ

It goes beyond your “words” and focus’ on your “actions”

Listen to…

The Statement (v.38b)

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words”

Are you “ashamed” of Him and His “words”?

The phrase…

“Ashamed of Me”

Means (“ashamed” epaischunomai) “to feel shame or embarrassment, to be unwilling to be associated with”

In this context, it implies “disowning” Jesus, rejecting His identity, teachings, and mission

This is a personal rejection

This is a shame that causes withdrawal

It reflects inward disbelief or fear of association with Christ

To be ashamed is to reject Jesus

This is not the only time Jesus gives this statement

Jesus said in John 12:48, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”

He said in Matthew 10:32–33, “32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”

Luke 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

Luke 12:8–9, “8 “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”

The apostle John said in 1 John 2:22–23, “22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.”

If this describes you, you’re not saved—you’re not a Christian!

Scripture identifies people who were ashamed of Jesus during the first century:

Titus mentions the…

Cretans - Titus 1:16

John mentions the…

Antichrists - 1 John 2:22-23; 4:1-3

Deceivers - 2 John 1:7

Jude mentions…

False teachers - Jude 1:4

J.C. Ryle said, “We must never be ashamed of Him who was not ashamed to die on the cross for us.”

You may be asking, “What about Peter?” (Mat.26:69-75; Luke 22:54-62)

Let’s compare this event with what Jesus said in Mark 8:38. Notice first the…

Nature of the Act

Luke 22:54-62 - A momentary failure under pressure

Mark 8:38 - A persistent, willful rejection of Christ and His Word

Motivation

Luke 22:54-62 - Fear for his life and weakness in the face of danger

Mark 8:38 - Embarrassment, pride, and allegiance to a sinful world

Duration

Luke 22:54-62 - Brief (within hours)

Mark 8:38 - An ongoing, unrepentant lifestyle

Response

Luke 22:54-62 - Deep remorse and repentance (“he wept bitterly” – Luke 22:62)

Mark 8:38 - No repentance is implied; instead, the person is disowned by Christ

Outcome

Luke 22:54-62 - Forgiven and restored by Christ (John 21:15–17)

Mark 8:38 - Public rejection by Christ at His return in glory

Heart Disposition

Luke 22:54-62 - Contrite and humbled; he ultimately clings to Jesus

Mark 8:38 - Hardened, ashamed of Jesus, and aligned with the world

Theological Type

Luke 22:54-62 - Temporary denial by a true believer, covered by grace

Mark 8:38 - Final apostasy; rejection that proves lostness.

Biblical Parallel

In Luke 22:31–32; Jesus prays for Peter’s restoration

“Mark 8:38 is not about stumbling; it’s about refusing to follow, being ashamed to identify with Christ because of a love for the world.” (John MacArthur)

Peter’s denial was a sin, but not apostasy

He denied Jesus verbally, but his faith did not fail entirely (Luke 22:32)

He was also later restored to Christ - John 21:15-17

R.C. Sproul said, “Peter’s denial shows that even true believers may fall grievously—but God’s grace restores.”

Mark 8:38 refers to final apostasy not momentary cowardice but a settled, willful, and proud shame of Christ

The verb tense suggests an ongoing lifestyle of being ashamed

Peter’s story reminds us that failure is not final when met with repentance but Mark 8:38 reminds us that consistent denial without repentance leads to eternal loss

Peter’s denial was a moment of weakness, redeemed by repentance and grace

The person in Mark 8:38 is someone who lives in sustained shamed and rejection of Christ, with no repentance and faces judgment

Peter is not the only one who struggled with this, Timothy did too - 1 Timothy 1:7-8

Others suffered but were not ashamed of Christ - 2 Timothy 1:12; Romans 1:16; Acts 5:41

Jesus not only warns about being “ashamed of Me” but also adds…

“Ashamed of…My words”

To be ashamed of His words is to reject His teachings, particularly, in this context, His call to suffering, rejection, and self-denial in vv.34-35

To be ashamed of His words is also a rejection of the authority of Scripture

Paul Washer says, “Many profess Christ, but are ashamed of His teachings — especially when those teachings offend culture.”

Notice not only the audience and the statement but next…

The Location (v.38c)

Where is this shame occurring? “in this adulterous and sinful generation”

This is a description of the world in every time period and culture

Their actions are “Adulterous” and “Sinful”

Jesus uses this terminology in Matthew 12:39 and Matthew 16:4

As “adulterous” it is describing them as spiritually unfaithful (Hosea 3:1; 4:12; James 4:4)

As “sinful” it’s describing them as being actively rebellious against God and morally depraved

They are characterized by pride, greed, sexual immorality, injustice and violence

2 Timothy 4:1-9 gives an apt description

Philippians 2:15 says it is “a crooked and perverse generation”

This is a sign-driven culture during the time of Christ that demanded signs rather than believing in Jesus by His words and the testimony of Scripture

This contrasts a life of righteousness with a life of unfaithfulness

Jesus is highlighting the cost of following Him in a corrupt culture—being faithful in a faithless world

John MacArthur notes that this generation is characterized by spiritual adultery—forsaking God for the pleasures and approval of the world.

He writes, “The adulterous and sinful generation is one that has forsaken God for the world, and it is in such a world that Christians are called to live out their faith boldly” (Grace to You).

R.C. Sproul adds that this generation is hostile to the cross because it represents God’s judgment on sin.

He states, “The world hates the cross because it represents the judgment of sin, and it hates those who bear the cross because they are living reminders of that judgment” (Ligonier Ministries).

Today, we live in a culture that often rejects biblical values, celebrates sin, and marginalizes those who stand for Christ

Whether it’s the pressure to conform to secular ideologies or the fear of being labeled intolerant, the temptation to be ashamed of Christ is real. Yet, Jesus calls us to stand firm in this very generation.

1 John 2:15–17 says, “15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

Notice…

The Response (v.38d)

“the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

“The Son of Man” is a Mark is familiar with

He mentions it 14 times

It’s a Messianic title that is taken from Daniel 7:13-14

Jesus used it 30 times in the gospel to speak of Himself

It emphasized His authority in final judgment, not just His humanity

To the one who is ashamed of Him and His words, Jesus, the Son of Man, “will also be ashamed of him”

This implies rejection at the final judgment

To those who hide their faith now will be disowned by Christ later (Luke 9:26; 2 Timothy 2:12; Matthew 7:22-23)

Christ will come “in the glory of His Father with the holy angels”

Matthew 16:27 (closest parallel)

Matthew 25:31

Luke 9:26

2 Thess.1:7-10

CONCLUSION

Mark 8:38 is not just a warning; it is a call to action

It’s a call to evaluate your commitment to “deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him”

In a world that increasingly rejects Christ, we are called to confess Him boldly, even when it is costly

Here are practical ways to apply this truth:

First: Examine your heart

Reflect on areas where you might be tempted to be ashamed of Christ

Are you hesitant to share your faith at work, school, online or with your family and friends?

Ask God to reveal any fear or compromise in your heart

Second: Confess Christ publicly

Let your life be a testimony to the gospel

Speak of Christ’s love, sacrifice, and truth, even when it’s unpopular

As Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16).

Third: Embrace the Cross

Following Christ means taking up your cross daily (Luke 9:23)

Be willing to suffer for His sake, knowing that your reward is eternal

The Protestant Reformers, like John Calvin, faced immense opposition for their faith, yet they stood firm

“Christ requires openly declared allegiance, so that He may not be falsely denied. For true faith is not idle, but bursts forth in confession.”

— John Calvin, Commentary on Romans 10:10

Declare your allegiance to Christ today

“Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him”

There is a cost for following Christ

Salvation may be free for you and me but it’s not without a price

It cost Jesus His life

It will cost you yours!

Let’s pray

Lord’s Supper