Unashmed

i Introduction – Illustration and Direct Audience Address

Imagine a young man named Marcus growing up on his block in the city. Every day, he sees friends and neighbors smoking weed, drinking Hennessy, living life by the street rules. It’s the easy path—to fit in, avoid being singled out, and survive by going along with the crowd.

But Marcus recently heard the gospel and believes in Jesus. Now he faces a real dilemma: does he blend in with the friends to avoid ridicule and gain acceptance? Or does he stand firm in his faith, saying no to behaviors that dishonor God? He knows standing for Christ might mean loneliness, mockery, or losing respect on the block.

Friends, Marcus’s struggle might sound very familiar—because it is the struggle many of us face in our own neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and social circles.

You feel the pressure to blend in. You want acceptance, respect, and to avoid conflict or isolation. You wonder, “Will I lose my friends? Will I be mocked if I stand out for Jesus? Can I really live faithfully in this culture that dismisses the gospel?”

Paul’s words in Romans 1:16 come crashing into that tension with boldness: “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” This is a call to courage and conviction—to take a stand, knowing the gospel is more powerful than fear, rejection, or peer pressure.

Choosing to stand firm in faith instead of blending in is not easy. But it is the path to true life, freedom, and a future that no street party or temporary pleasure can offer.

Big Idea

Be willing to unashamedly tell the truth about Jesus no matter the circumstance.

Exposition of the Text

1. The Gospel Removes Shame (v.16a)

Paul begins: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel…” The Greek verb epaischunomai means to shrink back out of fear of disgrace. In the Roman honor/shame culture, associating with a crucified Messiah was scandalous.

Yet in Christ, shame is swallowed up. Jesus bore our shame (Hebrews 12:2: “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame.”). To confess His name boldly is to honor Him who freed us from condemnation.

Application: Refuse to tone down or hide your faith to avoid mockery. Boldness shows trust in the One who conquered shame.

2. The Gospel Is God’s Power to Save (v.16b)

Paul continues: “…because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.”

The word dynamis (“power”) indicates divine, effective might. The gospel is not human wisdom but God’s living power to rescue sinners.

Salvation (sōtēria) is deliverance from sin and death.

It is universal: offered to Jew and Gentile, breaking down every dividing wall.

Cross-reference: 1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.”

Urban Illustration: Just like electricity unseen powers a whole city, the gospel’s power reaches into dark places like our neighborhoods to bring life and hope.

Application: Stop relying on your own hustle or social status. Trust the gospel’s power for real transformation.

3. The Gospel Reveals God’s Righteousness (v.17a–b)

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith…”

God’s righteousness means His justifying act—not just moral goodness but declaring sinners righteous by faith in Christ alone.

“From faith to faith” means the Christian life begins and continues by trusting God.

Cross-reference: Galatians 2:16 – “…a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…”

Urban Illustration: Like planting a seed and watering it daily, the believer’s life grows and is sustained by ongoing faith in Christ’s provision.

Application: Rest fully in God’s gift of righteousness, not your own efforts.

4. The Gospel Calls Us to Live by Faith (v.17c)

Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous will live by faith.”

In an urban context where people rely on self, hustle, or image, Paul calls believers to a higher way: trusting God daily to guide, protect, and provide despite pressures.

Urban Illustration: On the streets, survival often depends on toughness or blending in. But faith calls us to depend daily on God’s strength, courage, and grace to navigate life’s challenges.

Cross-reference: 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

Christ-Centered Exposition

The gospel is God’s dynamite of power because Jesus lived the righteous life we could not, died to take our shame, and rose again to declare us righteous by faith. His victory is the foundation of our boldness.

Gospel-Centered Application (Urban Focus)

Stand unashamed in your city—your faith is your true honor.

Trust God’s power, not your hustle or reputation.

Live each day by faith, leaning on God’s promises in tough environments.

Share the gospel with everyone around you—your block, your circle, your city—because Jesus is the power of salvation for all.

Closing: Jesus Was Not Ashamed of Us — So We Should Not Be Ashamed of Him

Paul’s bold claim, “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” is rooted in the heart of Jesus, who was never ashamed of us despite our sin and brokenness.

Jesus humbled Himself, becoming fully human to walk among us (Philippians 2:6-8).

He dined with tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts, showing no shame in embracing the rejected (Luke 5:29-32).

On the cross, Jesus bore our shame, taking upon Himself the punishment we deserved (Isaiah 53:3–5).

Though mocked, rejected, and abandoned, Jesus never denied His mission or us (Hebrews 12:2).

Because Jesus was unashamed of us, He calls us:

To boldly confess Him before others (Matthew 10:32): “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”

To not be ashamed of Him in hostile or indifferent cultures (2 Timothy 1:8): “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel.”

To overcome the fear of rejection and stand firm in our faith (Mark 8:38): “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words... the Son of Man will also be ashamed of them.”

Example: Just as Jesus stood firm with sinners and bore shame for their sake, we are called to stand unashamed in our communities, empowered by the gospel that saved us.

Transformation Tag

“I will live this week boldly unashamed of the gospel because Jesus was never ashamed of me.”