“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)
We know the gospel (If you don’t, please read our four part Gospel series!). With this message comes a responsibility: we are commanded to proclaim it everywhere.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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, 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.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
…But do we?
We live in an adulterous and sinful generation. It isn’t easy to share the gospel in the dark world around us. Most often in North America it means mockery. We are made fun of for our faith. People get angry at us, ignore us, or bully us for our faith. In most parts of the world it means being rejected, losing your job, imprisonment, or even being martyred; death.
Jesus never promised it would be easy, but that it would be worth it. We live in an 'adulterous and sinful generation', we shouldn’t expect acceptance and kindness when we bring the message of our Lord. People have their own gods and do their own wicked deeds – they will respond either in brokenness over their sin or in hatred for being exposed.
Although, let me be clear: our job is not to bring a response. Our duty is to clearly proclaim the gospel and let God work in people’s hearts to respond accordingly.
We should not be obnoxious or offensive. As my dad often quotes, the gospel is offensive in itself. (1 Corinthians 1:23). We speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We aren’t out to bring persecution on ourselves. Our objective shouldn’t be to bring ourselves spiritual fame or to leave a horrifically inspiring legacy. We’re out to fulfill God’s command to make disciples.
We also shouldn’t fall towards the opposite extreme, to share the gospel in such a way to avoid all persecution. If we share a watered down version of the gospel to make people comfortable in their sinful way of living, we aren’t faithfully fulfilling God’s command (2 Timothy 1:13). The great commission is not to go out and generate happy people who will accept Christ because there is no cost, but to share the gospel.
Are we ashamed?
It is easier to say something than to do it. I struggle daily at school, at work, out with my friends, or around town to open my mouth and talk about the gospel. People get uncomfortable. I get uncomfortable! What if they ask me something I don’t have the answer to? Or what if I ask them something they have never thought about or have no idea how to respond to? What if they think I’m super religious and that I look down on them in condemnation? What if I mix everything up, I make no sense, and sound like I have totally twisted theology? What if they laugh at me or think I am dumb for believing in God? What if they think religion is good to study as a subject, but isn’t reality? What if they think all religion is true or that they are okay the way they are? What if they are sending me subtle hints that they want to end the conversation?
WHO CARES WHAT PEOPLE THINK? This is not a job application! You don’t have to be accepted by people! You need to be accepted by God! If you worry about what people think about you believing in Jesus and the Gospel, you are admitting that you are ashamed of Him and His words. Think outside of the moment. Think outside of your relationships. Think outside of your life! One soul over shadows the value of the whole world (Matthew 16:26)! Eternity is forever, but life is a vapor (James 4:14)!
“I preach as a dying man to dying men.” ~Puritan Richard Baxter
Jesus is coming back soon (Revelation 22:12), and if you’re too ashamed to proclaim the gospel to those around you, He will be ashamed of you! This is a warning to myself and to all those reading this. Wake up! Pull up your socks! Step out in faith! Share the gospel!
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,” (2 Timothy 1:8)
“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.” (Romans 1:16)
Sincerely,
Brooke
We know the gospel (If you don’t, please read our four part Gospel series!). With this message comes a responsibility: we are commanded to proclaim it everywhere.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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, 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.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
…But do we?
We live in an adulterous and sinful generation. It isn’t easy to share the gospel in the dark world around us. Most often in North America it means mockery. We are made fun of for our faith. People get angry at us, ignore us, or bully us for our faith. In most parts of the world it means being rejected, losing your job, imprisonment, or even being martyred; death.
Jesus never promised it would be easy, but that it would be worth it. We live in an 'adulterous and sinful generation', we shouldn’t expect acceptance and kindness when we bring the message of our Lord. People have their own gods and do their own wicked deeds – they will respond either in brokenness over their sin or in hatred for being exposed.
Although, let me be clear: our job is not to bring a response. Our duty is to clearly proclaim the gospel and let God work in people’s hearts to respond accordingly.
We should not be obnoxious or offensive. As my dad often quotes, the gospel is offensive in itself. (1 Corinthians 1:23). We speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We aren’t out to bring persecution on ourselves. Our objective shouldn’t be to bring ourselves spiritual fame or to leave a horrifically inspiring legacy. We’re out to fulfill God’s command to make disciples.
We also shouldn’t fall towards the opposite extreme, to share the gospel in such a way to avoid all persecution. If we share a watered down version of the gospel to make people comfortable in their sinful way of living, we aren’t faithfully fulfilling God’s command (2 Timothy 1:13). The great commission is not to go out and generate happy people who will accept Christ because there is no cost, but to share the gospel.
Are we ashamed?
It is easier to say something than to do it. I struggle daily at school, at work, out with my friends, or around town to open my mouth and talk about the gospel. People get uncomfortable. I get uncomfortable! What if they ask me something I don’t have the answer to? Or what if I ask them something they have never thought about or have no idea how to respond to? What if they think I’m super religious and that I look down on them in condemnation? What if I mix everything up, I make no sense, and sound like I have totally twisted theology? What if they laugh at me or think I am dumb for believing in God? What if they think religion is good to study as a subject, but isn’t reality? What if they think all religion is true or that they are okay the way they are? What if they are sending me subtle hints that they want to end the conversation?
WHO CARES WHAT PEOPLE THINK? This is not a job application! You don’t have to be accepted by people! You need to be accepted by God! If you worry about what people think about you believing in Jesus and the Gospel, you are admitting that you are ashamed of Him and His words. Think outside of the moment. Think outside of your relationships. Think outside of your life! One soul over shadows the value of the whole world (Matthew 16:26)! Eternity is forever, but life is a vapor (James 4:14)!
“I preach as a dying man to dying men.” ~Puritan Richard Baxter
Jesus is coming back soon (Revelation 22:12), and if you’re too ashamed to proclaim the gospel to those around you, He will be ashamed of you! This is a warning to myself and to all those reading this. Wake up! Pull up your socks! Step out in faith! Share the gospel!
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,” (2 Timothy 1:8)
“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.” (Romans 1:16)
Sincerely,
Brooke
That is one of the most powerful and intelligent sermons I have ever heard. It makes sense and speaks to me. Well done, girls.
ReplyDeleteDoug
Thanks Doug! You have inspired me with your stories of how God has used you to share the gospel in some terrifying circumstances! Even when you have shared the gospel with me, you were not ashamed, you were proud! Keep speaking out for God! Thanks for setting the example for me!
Delete