Unashamed

Unashamed

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Intro: As we watch kids play and grow…,

Kids can be so little and so adorable and so grown up all at the same time....

As a parent or guardian you hear them laugh and you watch them as they learn and understood.

Every parent has those proud moments.

I remember when my boys were 8 and 5.

I had taken them to the park to play.

I was sitting on a bench watching my youngest son Trent playing on one of those turtle toy’s

You know the kind that has the spring on the bottom and rocks back and forth.

When another boy comes up and pushed my son off of the toy.

In an instant my son Brandon was by his side and told that boy firmly

"You leave my little brother alone!"

I started toward the three of them.

I stopped when I heard the other boy apologize

and within minutes the three boys were all playing together.

But knowing Brandon had his little brother's back was awesome.

Maybe it is when their team wins, or they make the honor roll

Or your child sets an example with good manners and good behavior…

One parent recently told me their son would not let them eat until after they said a prayer at the table.

We cherish these moments.

Times when we look into the face of our child and we see a reflection of our self and we are “Unashamed.”

That is the title of today’s message, “Unashamed.”

In the scripture lesson ,the Apostle Paul gives some helpful advice to Timothy

to remain solid and grounded in Christian service

and endure the suffering during the difficult days to come.

It is easy for us to serve Christ when things are well.

Everything is going good.

Life is exciting.

We feel personally rewarded.

But without the proper foundation, it is easy to quit during difficult times.

In a time of mounting persecution,

Timothy may have been afraid to preach the message of Jesus Christ.

He had good reason to be afraid.

The fact that believers were being arrested and put into prison because of their faith.

Or far worse being executed.

Paul told Timothy to expect suffering

But Paul promised Timothy that God would give him strength when it was his turn to suffer.

Even when there is no persecution it can be difficult to share our faith in God.

Fortunately, like Paul and Timothy ,we have the Holy Spirit to call upon to give us courage.

Don’t be ashamed to testify.

I. Unashamed to testify

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” 2 Timothy 1:8

Tell others what God has done for you.

“God is Good to ME!!!”

Shout it at the top of your lungs and don’t hold back!

Let the whole world know what an awesome God you serve

and all the goodness He has poured into your life and your heart!

And What God has done for me.

God will do it for you.

Paul's testimony: He persecuted the believers before His conversion,

he was called by God,

and ended up preaching the gospel.

Now, what's your testimony?

Where did you come from,

where are you going

and what are you doing now?

That's the important thing about your life.

What are you doing now that counts for Christ?

God help us to live for His glory!

II. Unashamed to be a prisoner for the Lord

“or of me his prisoner” 2 Timothy 1:8

Paul never refers to himself being a prisoner of the Romans or a prisoner of the Jews.

Even while he was in prison

Paul saw himself as a prisoner of the Lord!

He knew he was exactly where God wanted him to be.

Paul did most of his writing from either house arrest or prison.

Paul was well aware of how an angel freed Peter from prison.

Paul was well aware of how Philip just disappeared from one place and appeared in another.

Paul knew that the iron bars and soldiers were not really holding him there.

He knew he was right where God needed him to be,

so he calls himself a prisoner of the Lord instead of a prisoner of man or circumstances.

What are you a prisoner of?

Circumstance?

I will not live in the Pain of the past,

I will not live in fear of the future.

III. Unashamed to suffer for the gospel