“Living Unashamed”

 “Real Talk: Life, Faith, and Following Jesus”

Introduction:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Welcome to all of our visitors and to all of you who are watching online, we are glad you are with us this morning. My name is Stuart Davidson and I am the pastor here at Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Over the last 4 weeks, we have been engaged in a series entitled “Real Talk: Life, Faith, and Following Jesus”. The series is 6 weeks long. We have two weeks left and after that we will start another new series entitled “Thanks and Giving”. “Thanks and Giving” is a series geared to help you with your gratefulness. It will hopefully change the trajectory of your thankfulness. 

Jesus was many things but one thing that He surly was…was a “real talker”. He pulled no punches and He was not in the business of sugar coating things to make us feel better. Jesus was a truth-teller. That sort of honestly, even if it was brutal, is refreshing. It is refreshing because we hear so little “real talk” these days. 

We are living in such a politically correct society that it is difficult for people to say what they mean and mean what they say. We often sacrifice truth on the alter of making someone feel good about themselves. Up has become down. Good has become bad. Darkness is now celebrated as light. Why? We have done these things so that sin can be more tolerable. The alternative lifestyles of yesteryear are now normalized and honored. Activities that the Bible calls an “abomination” are now acclaimed. 

How dare we say that someone needs to repent?

If a person needs repentance, it means that they are wrong and tellings someone that they are wrong may hurt their feelings. 

The latest fad in Christianity is to remove God’s judgement, to remove His sense of justice, and to dismantle hell itself. Hell must not exist, it cannot exit. If hell exists then that means that punishment exists. If punishment exists, that means that there must be a right and a wrong. 

Im quite certain that Jesus would be persecuted today for His inability to tolerate and caudal sin. No, Jesus is a real talker and He has real insight for us this morning. 

Today’s message is entitled “Living Unashamed”.

Today’s Message:

“Living Unashamed”

Paul tells us in Romans 1 that he is not “ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes”. The Gospel is the power of God. Did you hear me? The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone. The Gospel is the answer to every problem. It is the cure to every sickness. It is the weapon for every spiritual war. It is the healer to every hurt, and the hope for every broken relationship. 

If that’s true, then why do we live our lives so embarrassed of the Gospel? Why are we so afraid to share it? Why are we worried about what people think of us when they find out…that we are Christians (said in a whisper)?

One big reason is that we fear how people will react. We don’t want to be labeled as “that Christian” or feel awkward when our faith doesn’t line up with what’s popular. We crave acceptance and can sometimes worry that if we speak up about Jesus, we’ll be judged, misunderstood, or even rejected. Sometimes, we hold back because we just want to fit in with the crowd. In today’s culture, following Christ doesn’t always match the world’s idea of “cool.” We might feel like we need to tone down our faith so we don’t stand out.

What about doubt. We doubt ourselves and if we are being honest, we doubt that God is going to give us what we need when we need it. “What if I don’t have all the answers?” or “What if I mess up when I try to share my faith?” This fear of not being enough, of not knowing every Scripture or how to handle tough questions, can make us feel like we’re not qualified to represent Christ.

Here is the main reason that I think that we live in fear, ashamed of sharing the Gospel. I think that we would rather just stay in our lane. We don’t want to make waves. We don’t want to make anyone mad. We don’t want to make someone uncomfortable. The reality is that we don’t want to make ourselves feel uncomfortable.  It’s just easier to stay quiet, isn’t it? Sharing our faith can feel risky, and stepping out of our comfort zone takes effort. It’s tempting to keep our faith private, tucked away for Sundays, rather than letting it shape every part of our lives, every day.

In light of all that this morning, do me a favor and fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought”. Sharing the blessing of the Gospel requires belief, bravery, and boldness. 

Today’s Thought:

Sharing The Blessing of The Gospel Requires Belief, Bravery, Boldness! 

I have always loved Alistair Begg as a speaker and writer. Back in 2021, during the pandemic, he wrote a book entitled, “Brave by Faith: God-Sized Confidence in a Post-Christian World”. I read it during the lockdowns and found it to be a super interesting and informative book. Listen to what states about our willingness to share the Gospel. 

“We do not need to make the gospel more palatable to a modern audience. The simple message of Christ crucified and risen is more than enough. We are not called to be creative with the message, but to be faithful in proclaiming it. The gospel in itself has the power to save, and our job is not to edit it, water it down, or make it more appealing. Our job is to declare it boldly and without shame, trusting that God’s Spirit will use it to draw people to Himself. When we truly believe that the gospel is ‘the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,’ we will have no reason to be ashamed.”

Today’s Quote:

“We do not need to make the gospel more palatable to a modern audience. The simple message of Christ crucified and risen is more than enough. We are not called to be creative with the message, but to be faithful in proclaiming it. The gospel in itself has the power to save, and our job is not to edit it, water it down, or make it more appealing. Our job is to declare it boldly and without shame, trusting that God’s Spirit will use it to draw people to Himself. When we truly believe that the gospel is ‘the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,’ we will have no reason to be ashamed.”

-Alistair Begg “Brave by Faith: God-Sized Confidence in a Post-Christian World”

Greek:

“Unashamed”! There’s that word again. The Greek for “unashamed” is  ἀναισχυντος (anepaischuntos) pronounced (Ana-pace-tee-kos). It literally means to not be embarrassed, not shrinking back, and having no fear. This word carries the meaning of boldness and confidence in something that is true and right, without concern for others’ negative opinions or possible ridicule.Think about the people who saw Christ raised from the dead. Under threat of death they were told that Jesus did not in fact raise from the dead. They were told to recant their belief in Christ. If they refused, they would be led away to die. Person by person refused. They refused to lie. They knew what was right and they knew what was wrong. Untrue. They lived…and died unashamed. 

Background and Context?

Let’s dive into the background and context of Romans 1:16-17, two verses packed with power and meaning! Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome around A.D. 57, while he was staying in Corinth during his third missionary journey. Paul hadn’t even been to Rome yet, but he had heard about their faith and was excited to connect with them. The church in Rome was a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, and Paul wanted to encourage them, unify them, and lay down some serious gospel truth.

The Roman Empire was the hub of the world at that time, and the culture in Rome was all about power, prestige, and status. Yet Paul boldly declares, “I am not ashamed of the gospel!” Why? Because the gospel isn’t just another message, it’s the power of God for salvation. Paul knew this message was for everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. In these two verses, Paul is laying the foundation for the entire book of Romans. He’s saying, “Hey, this good news about Jesus? It’s for you, me, and everyone who believes. It’s God’s way of showing His righteousness and saving us, and it’s all about faith!”

Paul’s message in Romans 1:16-17 is simple but profound. He’s not just talking about knowing the gospel; he’s talking about living unashamed of it, boldly, confidently, without fear of rejection or ridicule. It’s a call to let the power of the gospel shine through us, no matter where we are, even in the heart of a culture that might not get it. This message was as relevant to the believers in Rome as it is to us today. So, the big question is: Are we living unashamed of the gospel, just like Paul?

Statement of Belief:

This morning friends, I want to remind you that…

We believe the Bible is inspired, infallible, and authoritative. It is vital for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. God’s Word brings life, peace, and protection, and it profoundly touches the human soul. As a unique and powerful book, let us stand in reverence and respect for it.

Today’s Scripture

Romans 1:16-17 ESV

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

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Praise His name! Praise His holy name!”

3 Ways To Live Unashamed For Christ…

First…Proclaim The Gospel 

This morning I want to give you 3 ways to live unashamed for Christ. Our first point this morning is to proclaim the Gospel. 

In Romans 1:16, Paul boldly declares, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” There’s a lot of depth in this statement. Paul is essentially telling us that the gospel isn’t just a message or a story—it’s the very power of God. The Greek word for “power” here is dynamis, where we get our word “dynamite.” It’s explosive, life-changing power! This is why proclaiming the gospel is so critical. When we share it, we are unleashing God’s power to transform lives, to take people from death to life, from darkness to light.

But here’s the reality: a lot of us hold back when it comes to proclaiming the gospel. Why? Because sometimes we’re afraid—afraid of rejection, afraid of saying the wrong thing, or afraid of not knowing enough. But God never asks us to be perfect in our presentation; He asks us to be faithful in proclaiming the good news.

Let’s look at Acts 4:31 (NIV84), where we see the early church living this out. It says, “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” The early believers had just faced threats from the authorities for preaching Christ, but instead of retreating in fear, they prayed for boldness. God answered in a powerful way—filling them with His Spirit and enabling them to proclaim the gospel boldly.

This story shows us something important: boldness comes from the Holy Spirit, not from our own abilities. In fact, Jesus promised the disciples in Acts 1:8 that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them, and that’s exactly what we see here. The Spirit empowers us to proclaim the gospel, even when it feels intimidating or risky. Our responsibility is to be faithful, and God will give us the words, the timing, and the boldness we need.

Think about it—every time we share the gospel, we are part of God’s rescue mission to save souls. The gospel is the only message that can bring salvation. That’s why Paul wasn’t ashamed of it! He knew that, through Jesus, God’s righteousness is revealed, and that anyone—Jew or Gentile—who believes is saved. This is a message worth proclaiming, no matter the cost.

I want to share a true story: A friend of mine was nervous about sharing his faith at work. He was afraid of being labeled or creating awkwardness with his coworkers. But after praying for courage, he felt God prompting him to talk to a coworker who was going through a tough time. My friend shared the gospel, unsure of how it would be received. Surprisingly, that coworker didn’t just listen but kept coming back with more questions. Over time, that person gave their life to Christ. My friend didn’t have all the answers, but God worked through his boldness and faithfulness to proclaim the gospel.

So here’s the takeaway: Don’t be ashamed of the gospel. Proclaim it boldly, trusting that the power of God is at work through you. It’s not about having the perfect words; it’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you and trusting that the gospel is powerful enough to change lives. As we proclaim the gospel, we are participating in God’s great plan to bring salvation to the world. Let’s pray for boldness like the early church and trust that God will work through us in mighty ways!

3 Ways To Live Unashamed For Christ…

First…Proclaim The Gospel 

Second…Place Your Trust

So, our first point this morning is to proclaim the Gospel. Our second key to living unashamed for Christ is to place your trust in God. Place your trust in His Word. Place your trust in your faith in Christ. 

Living unashamed for Christ doesn’t just mean proclaiming the gospel; it means placing your full trust in it as well. Trusting in God and His gospel isn’t just something we do once—it’s something we live out daily, even when it’s hard or confusing. The gospel calls us to rely not on ourselves, but on the power, wisdom, and faithfulness of God. Proverbs 3:5 from The Message puts it beautifully: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.”

Trust is hard sometimes, isn’t it? We love control. We love knowing what’s next, having a plan, and figuring things out ourselves. But placing your trust in God means surrendering that control. It means leaning on God when life doesn’t make sense, when the world tells you to follow your own understanding, and when proclaiming your faith seems scary or uncertain. True trust in God says, “I believe that no matter what happens, God’s plan is better than mine.”

Theologically, this trust is at the heart of faith. In Romans 1:17, Paul writes, “The righteous will live by faith.” Faith and trust are inseparable. Living unashamed means living fully convinced that the gospel is the power of God and that His plans are perfect, even when they don’t align with our expectations. Trusting God means accepting that His ways are higher than ours and that His wisdom far exceeds our understanding. In fact, trusting in the gospel means believing that Jesus has done what we could never do—secure our salvation through His death and resurrection.

Think about it this way: when we proclaim the gospel, we’re not just sharing information; we’re sharing something that we’ve placed our entire trust in. If we’re not fully trusting in God ourselves, how can we ask others to do the same? Trusting in God is foundational to living unashamed because it reflects the confidence we have in Him and His promises.

Here’s a quick story to illustrate what it looks like to place your trust in God: There was a young woman who was facing a major life decision—she felt God calling her to leave a stable, well-paying job to pursue full-time ministry. It didn’t make sense to her financially, and she was afraid of the uncertainty ahead. But as she prayed and sought God’s guidance, she felt His peace and the words of Proverbs 3:5 kept coming back to her: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.” She finally took the step of faith, leaving her job, and trusting that God would provide. And you know what? He did. God opened doors she never imagined, and her ministry grew in ways she could’ve never planned for herself. She placed her trust in God, even when it didn’t make sense, and God came through in bigger ways than she ever expected.

The same applies to us. Living unashamed for Christ means placing our full trust in Him—in the gospel, in His Word, and in His plans for our lives. We don’t have to figure everything out. We don’t have to have all the answers. Our job is to trust God from the bottom of our hearts and believe that He’s working all things together for our good. So today, ask yourself: Are you placing your trust in God’s wisdom, or are you still trying to rely on your own understanding? Let’s be people who live unashamed by fully placing our trust in the God who holds it all together.

3 Ways To Live Unashamed For Christ…

First…Proclaim The Gospel 

Second…Place Your Trust

Lastly…Persist In Faith

Our last key this morning is to persist in faith. 

Our third way to live unashamed for Christ is to persist in faith. Living out the gospel isn’t just about proclaiming it or placing your trust in God—it’s about holding onto that faith even when the road gets hard. And let’s be real: following Christ isn’t always easy. In fact, it’s often the opposite of what people expect. Most people think that following God means walking an easy, broad road, but Jesus tells us it’s a narrow road (Matthew 7:14)—a road that’s often marked with difficulty, suffering, and opposition. But here’s the good news: God never said it would be easy, but He did promise to walk with us every step of the way, and He rewards those who persist.

James 1:2-3 (CSB) says, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” This passage is a reminder that hardship isn’t a sign that we’re doing something wrong. It’s the opposite! Trials are a part of following Christ, and they build endurance in us, helping us persist in faith. The apostle Paul is a powerful example of this. If anyone knew what it was like to face hardship, it was Paul. He didn’t just endure a little resistance—he faced beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, hunger, betrayal, and more. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28, Paul lays it all out: five times he received the 39 lashes, three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned, three times shipwrecked, and he faced constant danger from all sides. Yet through all of that, he persisted in faith. Why? Because Paul knew that the road he was on—though narrow and difficult—was leading to something far greater than his present suffering: the glory of Christ.

And it’s not just biblical figures who lived this way. The movie Chariots of Fire tells the story of Eric Liddell, a devout Christian and Olympic athlete who persisted in his faith, even when it cost him dearly. Liddell was favored to win a gold medal in the 100-meter race, but when he found out the race was scheduled for a Sunday, he refused to run. For him, honoring God was more important than worldly success. Despite intense pressure and criticism, he remained committed to his faith. Liddell ended up running the 400-meter race—a race he wasn’t even trained for—and won the gold, breaking the Olympic record. But his persistence didn’t end there. After the Olympics, he became a missionary in China, facing dangerous conditions and eventual imprisonment during World War II. Yet, through it all, Liddell remained steadfast in his faith, never wavering from his commitment to God.

Here’s the reality: Following Christ is not a journey down a wide, comfortable road. It’s a narrow road that often includes suffering, hardship, and rejection. But if we persist, there is a reward. God sees our perseverance, and He promises that enduring faith produces something far more valuable than anything this world can offer. Jesus Himself warned us that the road to life is hard and few find it (Matthew 7:14). But He also promised that those who walk that road with Him will find eternal life, joy, and peace.

So, what does persisting in faith look like for us today? Maybe it’s continuing to trust God through a difficult season at work, enduring ridicule for your beliefs at school, or holding onto your faith in the midst of loss or illness. Whatever it is, know that your faith is being strengthened, and God is using your endurance to shape you into the person He has called you to be. He never said it would be easy, but He promised it would be worth it.

Let’s take James’ words to heart: “Consider it great joy” when you face trials. They are not meant to break you, but to build you. And as we persist in faith, we can hold onto the hope that there is a crown of life awaiting us—because the narrow road, though hard, leads to eternal reward. So, keep walking, keep trusting, and keep persisting. God is with you every step of the way.

Conclusion:

As we’ve seen today, living unashamed for Christ is no small calling—it’s a bold, courageous, and often challenging journey. But it’s also one of the most rewarding paths we could ever walk. We are called to proclaim the gospel, sharing the message of Christ boldly because it’s the power of God to save. We are called to place our trust in the Lord, leaning not on our own understanding but fully relying on His wisdom and His plans. And finally, we are called to persist in faith, even when the road is hard and full of trials, knowing that God is using those moments to shape us and strengthen us for His glory.

The narrow road may be difficult, but it leads to eternal life and the joy of being with Jesus forever. So, let’s leave here today committed to living unashamed—boldly proclaiming Christ, trusting Him completely, and persevering through whatever comes our way. Remember, we don’t walk this road alone. God is with us every step of the way, giving us the strength to stand firm and the courage to keep going.

Remember friends…

Be A True Disciple By Being Obedient!

Closing Prayer:

Let’s pray together.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your powerful Word and for the challenge today to live unashamed for Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask that You would fill us with boldness to proclaim the gospel in our everyday lives, to place our complete trust in You, and to persist in our faith, even when the road gets tough. We know that You are with us every step of the way, and for that, we are grateful.

Right now, Lord, I want to pray for those who may be feeling the tug of Your Spirit today. If there’s anyone here who has never placed their faith in Jesus Christ, I invite you to receive Him as your Savior right now. Jesus came to this earth, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross for your sins. He rose again so that you could have eternal life. If you feel God calling you, don’t wait. You can pray in your heart, “Jesus, I believe in You. I confess my sins and ask You to forgive me. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Help me to live for You from this day forward.”

And for those who have already accepted Jesus but haven’t been baptized, I invite you to take that next step of obedience. Baptism is a public declaration of your faith, and we’d love to walk alongside you in that step. Or maybe you’ve been looking for a church home, a place to grow, serve, and be part of a family. If you’re ready to join our church, we would love to welcome you into this community.

Finally, if there’s something heavy on your heart or a burden you’re carrying, this is the time to lay it before the Lord in prayer. God hears you and He cares about what’s going on in your life. The altar is open for you to come and pray, or you can pray right where you are.

Father, we thank You for Your love and Your grace. Strengthen us to live unashamed for You, and guide us as we make decisions today. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.