Nevertheless I Am Not Ashamed
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Intro; If you’ve ever bought a vehicle you have done some serious negotiations. The price they put on vehicles now is ridiculous [show MSRP image]. So you have the get the most for your trade and then haggle with the dealer to get that crazy price down to where it’s half-way affordable and you feel like you have won the day. After that we go out and show off that new vehicle and brag on what a good deal we got.
Wouldn’t it be great if as Christians we would brag about salvation in Christ the same we do about the vehicle or house that we bought. After all, we didn’t have to haggle with Jesus over the price of salvation and we got the best deal in the world, more than we’re worth or deserve!
This morning I want to talk about “Nevertheless, I Am Not Ashamed.”
Text; 2 Tim. 1:12
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
1. I Suffer These Things; 12a
1. I Suffer These Things; 12a
Paul was writing to his young protege Timothy, who may have been wavering in his faith due to some of the harsh trials being faced by Christians.
Paul was in prison suffering for preaching the gospel throughout the Roman empire. Paul was in prison as a common criminal awaiting his execution by Nero, and Paul knew Timothy was suffering by what was taking place in his life.
[v.3-4] Paul suffered loneliness and heartbreak for Timothy for he knew the end was near [being mindful of your tears].
[v.8] Paul suffered the confines of prison, no longer in a rented house. Paul was in a hole in the ground.
Paul also suffered many trials throughout his ministry for the Gospel of Christ
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—
Paul reminds Timothy that those who will faithfully serve the Lord will be tested, tried and afflicted as part of the deal when we come to faith in Christ.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
(Ill.)The Potter and the clay. To mold the clay, the Potter has to exert pressure on the clay. As He does, the clay is formed into a shape that pleases the Potter. This molding process may be painful and it may cause us to wonder about the Potter’s wisdom, but we must always remember this: The Potter is never closer to the clay than when He is in the process of molding it into a vessel of honor!
Carr, A. (2015). Be Not Ashamed (2 Timothy 1:8–12). In The Sermon Notebook: New Testament (p. 3129). Alan Carr.
Paul says “for this reason I suffer these things; nevertheless”
2. Nevertheless I Am Not Ashamed; 12b
2. Nevertheless I Am Not Ashamed; 12b
Even though Paul suffered and died for the gospel, he was not ashamed of it! Matter a fact, he boasted about Jesus and the gospel! Why? He got a great deal!
[v. 9] Paul was saved and called by God’s own purpose and grace, before time began.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
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.
[v.10] Paul also said he was not ashamed of the gospel in Christ because it abolished death and brought life and immortality. Paul knew that a person could actually be saved from death and receive eternal life/immortality to live with God face to face throughout eternity by trusting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
[v.11] Paul was appointed his role in ministry of the Gospel.
Preacher emphasizes his function in ministry. One who proclaims the message of his King. [Every believer has its function in the Body of Christ]
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Apostle emphasizes his authority. One who is sent with orders on behalf of his King. [Every believer is sent with orders by our King in his authority]
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Teacher emphasizes his interpreting the message he proclaimed. One who shows men the way of salvation, or who tells men about how to come to know his King. [Every believer is a teacher of the gospel of our King]
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
[v.12c] I Believe and am Persuaded. Believe [continue], Persuaded [convinced]
Paul believed and was persuaded of God’s keeping power. Paul had committed both his life and work to Christ—all that Paul was as a person and all that Paul did upon earth was entrusted to Christ.
The word committed (paratheke) means to make a deposit.
A.T. Robertson says that Paul means, “ ‘My deposit’ as in a bank, the bank of heaven which no burglar can break in and steal.
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Paul deposited his life into the hands of Christ; therefore, Christ increased his life, guided his life to bear the richest interest and the greatest return.
[Crown of Righteousness]
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
We inherit this crown through the imputed righteousness of Christ. It is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. Through our enduring discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity.
[Crown of Life]
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
This crown is for all believers, but is especially for those who endure sufferings, who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death.
Paul deposited his work into the hands of Christ; therefore, Christ increased his work to bear the richest interest and the greatest return. Paul’s deposit of work was increased to eternal responsibility and reward.
[Crown of Rejoicing]
21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
Close;
We started this message this morning talking about negotiating the price of a vehicle with a car dealer and then bragging about what a good deal we got. In reality we always pay too much for something that we have to maintain with only a limited warranty. Why would we brag about that?
I want you to know this morning that there are two “soul dealerships” vying for your business.
One is the devils dealership that will promise you everything for your soul. Wealth, success, riches and religion and all the world has to offer. It only cost a little sin and it’s yours. Though it looks inviting and you think it will satisfy your soul, it is all corrupt, no warranty and is soon passing away.
The other “soul dealership” is Christ. He gives you the best deal for your trade [your old life for a new one] at no cost to you with an eternal life warranty. He promises you wealth, success, riches and a relationship with the Creator in glory that never grows old and never ends. He promises to never leave you nor forsake you. Now that’s something to brag about!
Can you say, “Nevertheless, I Am Not Ashamed” this morning?