Unashamed: Living in the Power of the Gospel

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

This is a bold statement

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ

Let’s first look at why it is such a bold statement

Paul faced may hardships,

tribulations,

and persecutions

because of the Gospel of Christ and his bold preaching of the Gospel of Christ

Let’s look at some of those hardship

tribulations

and persecutions

Prison

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Acts 16:23-24

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Acts 16:23–24 KJV 1900

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Not just prison

but the hole

solitary confinement

feet locked in stocks

why

Paul was living out the Gospel

I encourage you to read the whole story this week but what led to this imprisonment was

Paul cast out a spirit of divination and it cost the slave girl’s owners lots of money

they should have been happy the slave girl was delivered from demon possession but no they were very angry because by Paul casting out the demon they lost their source of income and because of that they had Paul thrown in prison

the world will reject you for doing the work of Christ

Smuggled Out Of Town

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Acts 17:10

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Acts 17:10 KJV 1900

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Acts 17:14

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Acts 17:14 KJV 1900

And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

Notice in verse 10 Paul had to be smuggled out because he was preaching the Gospel of Christ and what did he do when he arrived at Berea......went to the synagogue to preach the Gospel of Christ

Nothing should ever stop us from preaching the Gospel of Christ!

Laughed At In Athens

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Acts 17:32

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Acts 17:32 KJV 1900

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Athens was the intellectual capital of the world

this is where debate was born

the philosophers and their disciples would argue and debate the thoughts and ideas of the day

Paul would have been heard here because of his upbringing and schooling

yet some mocked him because he preached the Gospel of Christ and when he spoke of Jesus’ resurrection some mocked him

made fun of him

laughed at him

Regarded A Fool

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I Corinthians 1:18

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1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV 1900

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

This is why some mocked and laughed at him

those who are perishing count the Gospel of Christ as foolishness

still happens today

Stoned in Galatia

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Acts 14:19

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Acts 14:19 KJV 1900

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

They picked up rocks and threw them at Paul and hit him with the rocks in an attempt to kill him

this wasn’t punishment designed to teach him a lesson and shut him up

they intended to kill him and in fact thought that they had

that is why the drug him out of the city because they thought he was dead

but God had other plans

All of these things Paul endured because he preached the Gospel of Jesus

yet he stands and boldly proclaims

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

There was nothing the people

there was nothing the religious leaders

there was nothing the Roman officials could do to him.....including trying to kill him that could make him ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

So many today claim to be Christian

So many today claim to be changed by the Gospel of Christ

so many today claim to have made Jesus their Lord and Savior in response to the Gospel of Christ

yet

they never proclaim the Gospel of Christ

People all around them use the Lord’s name in vein both by cussing and speaking things about Him that are not true but nothing is ever said

Those claiming Christ consume entertainment that glorifies satan

So many claim Christianity however there is no change in them

Paul was willing to be killed for the Gospel of Christ and many today....maybe even you...refuse to even talk about or acknowledge the Gospel of Christ outside of the church setting or outside of your Christian friends

Church the only way CCC grows if you start today talking about the Gospel of Christ outside of this place

You testify to anyone who will listen and even to those who mock

those who laugh

those who reject

those who will throw stones on facebook and social media

because some will receive

some will come

some will find Jesus and become brothers and sisters in Christ through repentance that leads to salvation

people aren’t just going to show up

in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk killing there is a push to get back to God

people are looking for churches to attend why not this one

because we are not asking them

we are not sharing the Gospel of Christ with them

we are not living from Jesus

we are not loving them as Jesus loves us

if we were this place would be full

why

because

Evil surrounds us

however because evil surrounds us so many Christians today, maybe even you, cower to evil

they accept evil’s demands

they refuse to stand on Truth and therefore are ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

Because they are ashamed they don’t live in the power of the Gospel

God’s power is unchecked

God’s power is undefeatable

God’s power is over all.....physical and spiritual

There is no power that can even hold a candle to God’s power

In fact everything is powerless when against God!!

That is why we are to be unashamed of the Gospel of Christ

Jesus takes being ashamed of Him very seriously

Mark 8:38

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Mark 8:38 KJV 1900

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Church

Brothers and sisters

Friends

Please listen to Jesus’ words

if you are ashamed of Jesus

Jesus will be ashamed of you

If you deny Him

He will deny you

Adulterous and sinful generation

sounds like today doesn’t it

so many people putting so many things ahead of God.....idols....adultery

adulterous generation claiming Christianity yet living in sin

supporting sin

celebrating sin

even defending sin

Today churches have homosexual pastors

gender confused pastors

If you are in a church that accepts and celebrates homosexual lifestyles

transgenderism and any of the other parts of the homosexual, sexually immoral alphabet lbgtq whatever

LEAVE it is founded on evil and sin not the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ

churches today refuse to stand against abortion.....the murdering of innocent lives in the womb.....they instead call it women’s reproductive healthcare

if you are in a church that supports abortion LEAVE

it is not a church based upon scripture but upon evil

churches allow government officials to persecute the church unchecked....

first leave the church then

fire the government officials with your vote

you must not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ or Jesus Himself

this world hates Jesus

this world attacks Jesus

So many of the things you watch

so many of the things you listen to

so many of the things you read on social media

go directly against Jesus yet you refuse to stand against them

you instead consume them

you celebrate them

you support those who make them by giving them your money and time and devotion

shame on you

that is being ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

Church we must take a stand

Melody and I just wrestled with this in our lives

I have watched WWE wrestling since I was a little boy

loved it

Melody started watching it with me and it was something we did together

however recently the WWE has allowed evil to be glorified

the women barely wore clothes

people came out with devil horns on and dressed as evil characters

it got to a point where I said to Melody I can’t watch this anymore

it hurts my spirit when I watch it because it is against Jesus

so we canceled all the subscriptions like Netflix and espn app that we used to watch it and I don’t miss it because to continue to watch it for me

to continue to support it with my money

to continue to allow it in my house

meant that I was ashamed of Jesus and the Gospel of Christ

we must live unashamed of Jesus or He will be ashamed of us

He will deny us sending us to hell in judgement!!!

We must all wrestle with what this looks like for us

The Holy Spirit will guide and direct and convict you where needed

The question is will we be doers or be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ

the second part of verse 16 is just as powerful as the first

Power Of God Unto Salvation

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Salvation is freedom

Salvation is liberation

Salvation is deliverance

John 8:31-36

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John 8:31–36 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

First this is to Jews who believed on Christ

If you continue in My Word

The power of the Gospel of Christ is God’s Word

You must continue in it

You must, through the Holy Spirit apply it to your life

You must change to match it not change it to match you

It is the Truth of the Bible that sets you free!

Your mind is changed.....molded into the mind of Christ by obedience through the Holy Spirit

I want to spend a little time here this morning

Romans 12:2

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Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The freedom comes in the transformed and renewed mind

That freedom then allows you to not be conformed to this world

how does that happen

how do you renew your mind

II Corinthians 10:5

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2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV 1900

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The Word of God

you must be in the Word

you must study the Word

you must through the Holy Spirit apply the Word of God to your life changing you from the inside out

that is renewal

that is freedom

When you sin you become a slave to sin and satan because of that sin

you will eventually die and face judgement.....kicked out of God’s presence because you are enslaved to sin

Only Son’s remain in the house forever

sons and daughters are saved and set free from the power of sin

God loves to deliver His children

Exodus 6:6

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Exodus 6:6 KJV 1900

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

God still redeems

God still delivers.....here Israel from Egyptians but now His children from the power of sin

Christians cannot be possessed by demons and evil spirits but they can be oppressed therefore still need deliverance today

when you live in sin we live in oppression

you allow evil spirits to oppress us

that is why Halloween is such a danger to everyone

it is a holiday created to celebrate satan and his demons and evil spirits

when you celebrate halloween you invite them into your home

into your life

you are for sure ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and displaying a neon sign for evil

i don’t care what you emotions are

I don’t care what you feelings are

I care about what God cares about and that is the Word of God and refusing to call evil good

if you dress your kids and grandkids up in costumes, especially evil costumes you are telling them satan is cool

satan is okay

satan is someone we celebrate because halloween is all about satan

everyday since october has started a young one at weber has asked me if I am excited for halloween

they ask what am I going to dress up for as halloween

my response is nothing I hate halloween because it is evil

i refuse to be ashamed of the Gospel

if you are oppressed there is an answer and a deliverance available to you

II Timothy 4:18

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2 Timothy 4:18 KJV 1900

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Do you see it

POWER!!!!!!

FREEDOM!!!!!

DELIEVERANCE!!!!!!!!!

GOD STILL DELIVERS

all in the Gospel and person of Jesus Christ

Do you believe

Do you live like you believe

do you have faith

are you unashamed of the Gospel of Christ

have you been delivered by the Gospel of Christ’s power to save

do you live like you are set free from every evil work

If you have been delivered and live unashamed of the Gospel of Christ you will see things beginning to happen in and through and around you

Righteousness Of God Revealed

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How is righteousness of God revealed

Faith

Habakkuk 2:4

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Habakkuk 2:4 KJV 1900

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: But the just shall live by his faith.

Faith = action

faith = obedience

faith = righteousness

Galatians 3:11

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Galatians 3:11 KJV 1900

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

This is so important

You can never do anything to earn salvation

you can never do anything to deserve salvation

you can’t pay enough money

you can’t say enough prayers

you can’t do enough works

you can’t attend enough church services

you can’t attend enough Bible studies or discipleship groups

you can’t teach enough sunday school classes

you can’t do anything to get salvation on your own

Salvation is a result of your faith in Jesus

faith that Jesus did in fact walk this earth as a human

faith that Jesus lived a perfect life in

actions

words

thoughts

and intentions

faith that Jesus willingly became your sin and my sin and the sin of the entire world

faith that Jesus then willingly died for that sin on the cross to pay the debt owed as a result of that sin

faith that through the Holy Spirit God raised Jesus up to eternal life on the 3rd day

faith that Jesus is the only way to the Father and salvation

When you have faith in all of that you repent leading to salvation

that is righteousness of God revealed

Romans 1:17

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Romans 1:17 KJV 1900

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

you are called to live by faith

If you are saved you must live by faith

the only thing you have is faith

it is faith that saves and the saved must live by faith

What does that look like

to live by faith

First let us define Faith

Hebrews 11:1

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Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

your hope is Jesus

your hope is salvation

your hope is eternal life in heaven

you faith is developed and grown and strengthened

through the Word of God

through the Holy Spirit

through spiritual gifts

through spiritual fruit

through the Holy Spirit applying the Word of God to your lives....changing you from the inside out

that is the evidence of things not seen

that is faith

every Christian knows beyond a shadow of a doubt Jesus is real or they wouldn’t have repented leading to salvation

Faith is everything

In fact without faith one cannot please God

Hebrews 11:6

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Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Faith is your access to God and must be your way of life as a Christian

I pray you are getting this

I pray the Holy Spirit is laying

circumstances

situations

relationships

habits

sins

on your heart

I pray God is showing you anything standing between you and living in faith

and I pray that here in a few moments you will run to this altar to deal with what God has been showing you this morning because

That is God loving you

That is God guiding you

That is God leading you to righteousness

That is God leading you to walk in the faith

That is God leading you to live by faith

But you have to be obedient

Church you will face evil everyday

church you will face hardship

church you will face hurts....deep hurts.....loss of loved one’s hurts

you will face tribulation

you will face troubles

you will face persecution

it is in the midst of those things that you must live by faith

Psalms 34:18

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Psalm 34:18 KJV 1900

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

The world wants authentic

they know fake

they are tired of fake

they are sick and tired of being lied to

they are sick and tired of being taken advantage of

they are sick and tired of being sick and tired

they know they are dying

they know there is more to life than what they are living and experiencing

they want the real thing

they want something authentic

they want Jesus they just don’t know it yet

I want to ask you a question

does the world look at your life

does the world look at your reactions

does the world look at your decisions

does the world look at your life and see a life lived by faith?

There is power in how you live your life by faith because there is power in the Gospel of Christ

Live in that power

I struggle to try and bring to you each week real life applications and stories etc

this week God gave that to me through a brother living by faith

I talked last week about Jerod Lamb’s son Bryce and his accident and the serious....critical condition he was in

Last Sunday Bryce was in ICU

he was on a ventilator

he had part of his skull removed to allow his brain to swell

it was not known if he was going to live or die

Last week Jerod’s brother Josh, Bryce’s uncle and my dear brother, was at church in Sheldon leading worship and as I watched and listened to his words and heart I thought this is exactly what living in faith

looks like and

sounds like

this is what living by faith truly is

This is living by faith

show the video

Church that is what it is all about

I don’t show you that to bring Josh glory but God

He knows who God is

He knows the one He places all of his faith in

therefore he can live in faith as he walks this very painful, difficult road

he can live unashamed of the Gospel of Christ because he knows the power held in that Gospel

he can rejoice always

he can praise in the midst of this horrible storm

he can live on his faith in Jesus

what about you?

Invitation

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