I Am Not Ashamed

I. Romans 1:16(NIV)

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith."

II. In order to not be ashamed we need to understand what it means to “be” ashamed. The word ashamed means: 1 a: feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace b: feeling inferior or unworthy2: restrained by anticipation of shame

The Greek word here is, epaischunomai (ep-ahee-skhoo’-nom-ahee), to feel shame for something: - be ashamed. (Even trying to pronounce this word causes me to be ashamed!!)

We have heard this morning how Satan would like us to dwell on our past mistakes to keep us from having victory. He loves to “pile up” guilt upon guilt upon disgrace upon shame, until we are so defeated we could never help ourselves much less anyone else. Well, he also does the same with our present circumstances and we need to be aware of his tactics of deception and mind games in order to continue to walk in victory and be who God has called us to be.

III. I want to share a very personal part of my testimony with you today in order for you to understand the difference between circumstances that you cannot change, and overcoming those circumstances to create change.

(Share about hearing loss and arthritis)

Some of you may have the same problems. Others have a different set of problems that are just as difficult to deal with as mine. We all have circumstances in our lives that are beyond our control. However, how we handle these circumstances will be the difference in victory or defeat.

IV. We have to train ourselves to listen to the voice of God instead of the voice of the enemy. How do we do that? We listen for key words or concepts and then combat the negative with the Word of God.

For example:

1. “You will never be good enough”—key words here, “you will never”. Scripture to prove this is a lie:

2. “You are not worthy to work with them or to be their friend”—key words here, “you are not worthy”. Scripture proof:

3. “You are not good enough to do that—there is somebody better”—key words here, “you are not good enough”. Scripture proof:

4. “You are not pretty enough”—key words, “you are not”. Scripture proof:

Do you see the pattern of the lies that the devil tries to fill our minds with? His favorite words are: “You are not!” God’s favorite words—“YOU ARE!!”

V. I want to close by taking one more look at our scripture theme for this conference. Now that we understand that the enemy is a liar and we are not defeated as children of God, we need to zoom in on exactly what Paul was saying in this verse:

The word “for” in the scripture passage implies that a point of emphasis is being made!

It is the Greek word, gar,

A primary particle; properly assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles): - and, as, because (that), but, even, for indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.

Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Rom 1:16 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.G1672

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Paul says: I am ready to preach the gospel…FOR…..I am not ashamed…..

WHY? Because it is the power of GOD!!! Will you continue to live a life shrouded in shame or will you believe God’s promises and stand boldly before the world and like Paul, proclaim: I AM NOT ASHAMED!!!!!