Let Me Not Be Ashamed

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-5-2025

Psalm 25

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Years ago, as we were leaving LaForrest after a service, Chris Harris (he may not even remember this) was leaning back on his car with his Bible in his hand and as I approached, he said that he wanted to give me a verse that would help me.  The verse said in part, “Let me not be ashamed.”  I have said before and want to say again, “Thank you, Chris, for giving me some encouragement that day.”  I have thought of that verse often since.  “Let me not be ashamed!”

 

Ashamed – disappointment that brings about embarrassment and reproach. 

 

B.  There are many things that I am and have been ashamed of in my life. 

 

1.  I am ashamed of the things that I have done before my salvation.  I do not brag on those things and thank God that they are under the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He remembers them no more and I have no right to do so either.  I did them but I am “not guilty!”  I have been justified fully through Calvary’s payment.  Just as if I had never sinned.

 

2.  I am ashamed of some things that I have done since I have been saved.  There have been times of sinfulness, unfaithfulness, failure, etc.  I have not been perfect, nor can I even claim that I have been good.  I am not proud of myself; I am proud of my Lord.  I thank God for 1 John 1:9.  If a man could ever “wear out” a verse in the Bible, I would have worn that one out years ago.

 

C.  I have been saved for 48 years now and have never been ashamed of the Lord.  I have not always understood His ways but, looking back with spiritual hindsight, I have found that He has never let me down nor has He done wrong.  Sometimes our hard times are long because sin has a course and must run that course until “sin is finished,” but God is still good all of the time.

 

D.  The phrase “let me not be ashamed” is found only four times in the Bible with all of those references in found in the Psalms.  Many of the Psalms are rooted in the trials and tribulations of God’s people.  Each of these verses that we have read have to do with trusting God in times when only He can bring our troubles to a right end.

 

E.  We not only place our personal faith in a God that can do anything, anywhere, at any time—but also share that faith with others.  How many times have I heard God’s people, in the midst of some great tragedy or trial tell others, “It will be alright!  God will take care of us.”

 

F.  The Bible teaches us that our confidence is to be in the Lord.  Not in men; not in princes; not in horses; not in our flesh; etc. but in the Lord God Almighty!

 

Proverbs 3:26  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

 

1 John 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 

 

Faith in God brings about confidence in God which brings about peace in God which brings about rest in God!

 

G.  Here are just some of the things that I never want to be ashamed of.

 

1.  Let me not be ashamed of my salvation.  Romans 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

 

Help me, dear Lord, to be a bold witness for thee!  So many times, we are prone to “hold our tongue” when should be a bold witness.

 

2.  Let me not be ashamed of my Saviour.  2 Timothy 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 

 

I am not ashamed of Christ as He is my life.  The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows; the more that I love Him, the more love He bestows!

 

Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

3.  Let me not be ashamed of my faith!  Psalms 69:6  Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. 

 

Isaiah 50:7  For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 

 

I desire to spend the rest of my life telling both the saved and a lost world that you can trust God with your eternal life, your temporal life, and every need and circumstance that you will face!

 

I have grown in faith over the years after I realized that God often allows things to come my way that I do not understand.  I have found that God is good all the timel

 

4.  Let me not be ashamed before my enemies - Psalms 25:2  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

 

Psalms 25:20  O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

 

Psalms 42:10  As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

 

There have been times in my Christian experience when people have risen up against me because of biblical stands that I had to take.  I have learned to leave that between them and God.  I want them to know that my love for Christ is far greater than my hatred for the things that they have done.

 

There are still those who desire to either hurt me and my family or see us hurt.  I want my enemies to know my God!  “Where is your God now?” they ask.  I never want to have to report to them that my God decided not to “show up” on my behalf this time and let them know that their “god” was greater than mine!  I desire that they see His integrity and character, not mine.  This would give the both my enemies and the enemies of God an occasion to blaspheme!

 

5.  Let me not be ashamed of my brethren.  2 Thessalonians 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

 

I never want to be ashamed to be counted among God’s children as these people are my family and loved ones.  I not only am not ashamed of you tonight, I do not allow anyone to talk about you to me.

 

6.  Let me not be ashamed in my witnessing.  Romans 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.

 

Dear Lord, help me to have the boldness to speak of you to a lost and dying world when it so often an easier road to remain silent.  Carry my tracts openly in my shirt pocket so that, at times, I have the lost to ask, “Can I have one of those?”  Everyone deserves a chance to hear of the love of God in Christ Jesus that we personally know and love.

 

7.  Let me not be ashamed of my doctrine.  2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

Let me study so as to understand the Word of God so that I can give an answer to every man who asks.  I will never understand all of the Bible but I want to have such a good “handle on it” that I can give an immediate answer to their questions.

 

8.  Let me not be ashamed of my persecution.  1 Peter 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

 

As our Lord opened not His mouth when bearing my reproach, I want to be able to bear the reproach of Christ in the face of the world.  The Fox’s Book of Martyrs is and The Trail of Blood show the courage and grace of God’s people in the face of persecution and death.

 

9.  Let me not be ashamed of His provision - Psalms 37:19  They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

 

Psalms 37:25  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 

 

Where He leads me, I will follow and what He feeds me, I will swallow.  The Lord has promised to supply all my need according to riches in glory.  He has said that He gives us all things pertaining to both life and godliness.  I never want to have to go to someone, with my head hung in shame, and beg because my God did not supply!

 

10.  Let me not be ashamed of my life!  Philippians 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

 

Matthew 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 

 

Many years ago, the Lord saved and called my family to leave our homes, friends, and family to serve Him.  We sold out and left, never doubting God’s call.  I want our family to know that that same God who called us away is able to keep us and take care of us when times get tough.  I want them to know my God!  I never want to have to drop my head in shame and let them say “God let you down when you needed Him!”

 

11.  Let me not be ashamed of my hope.  Psalms 119:116  Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

 

My hope is in Christ; my Home is in Heaven; and my life is hid with Christ in God.  As one evangelist once said, “I may look like a red headed step child, but I am somebody going some place.”

 

12.  Let me not be ashamed of my calling.  Matthew 9:37-38  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  (38)  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

 

Ephesians 4:11-12  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 

I am proud, in a right way, to be the pastor of the greatest people I have ever know.  The night God called me, I immediately surrendered and the journey has been, as Dean Shook said, “Worth every mile … worth every trial.”  Dear Lord, please never let me be ashamed of the One who was never ashamed of me!

This One Thing I Do - Part 2

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-5-2024

Philippians 3:13

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I quoted the first part of what Paul said last Sunday: “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind.”  This morning, I want to use the second part as they are “ONE THING” and go together.  You cannot go forward while looking back and you can’t look back if you are to go forward.  One is useless without the other. 

 

B.  “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

C.  Forgetting—to put out of mind, reaching forth—to stretch, press—to pursue—toward the mark—a goal or finish line, the prize—a reward, of the high calling—a wonderful invitation, of God in Christ Jesus—the ultimate victory.  That is a mouthful! 

 

D. Last week, I hope that we PUT THE PAST IN THE PAST.  To forget the things that are behind is good but not enough. 

 

1.  By “forgetting” we see that we do not forget them in the sense of never remembering again, but we do not let the past dictate our present or our future.  The words “remember,” “remembered,” and “remembering” are used 214 times in your King James Bible! 

 

2.  The First Mention “remembered” is found in Genesis 8:1:  “And God remembered Noah!”  I am sure glad that God remembered to asswage the waters and get Noah off the Ark!   Often, now that I am older, my mind reflects back through the years with a lot of fond memories. 

 

3.  We can reflect of the goodness of God, and we can reflect on our failures and STILL fail to learn from them.  We can reflect upon our victories and have no victories in the present year. 

 

4.  But we can also just sit still this New Year, do nothing, and miserably fail again.

 

E. We also PUT THE FUTURE IN THE PRESENT!   We can go on for God while living in spiritual victory.  No, we do not know what we will face this year.  There may be trials to go through, sickness to come upon us, poverty because of an unstable economy but we can be victorious.  “This is the victory that over cometh the world, even our faith!” (1 John 5:4)

 

F.  We can put the future in the present by:

 

1.  Living for Christ today.  Taking one day at a time by not crossing bridges before we come to them.  A man once said that worry is “Earning interest on a problem that may never come.”  One day at a time. 

 

Matthew 6:31-34  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

2.  Trusting Christ for tomorrow.  Yea though I walk through the valley, I will fear no evil for He is with me!

 

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

G.  In 2025, I Want To Be Faithful to the Lord.  “and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

H.  This reaching forth and pressing toward the mark can only be accomplished in faithfulness.  We need to be found faithful.

 

1.  Let us be faithful to our Lord and Saviour!  Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

 

2.  Let us be faithful to our families.  Ephesians 5:31-33  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.  (32)  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  (33)  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 

Ephesians 6:1-2  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  (2)  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

 

3.  Let us be faithful to our church.  Acts 2:41-42  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  (42)  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

4.  Let us be faithful to one another.  Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25)  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day

 

Acts 2:44-46  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  (45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  (46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

 

5.  Let us be faithful to our missionaries.  Philippians 4:14-16  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.  (15)  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  (16)  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:25  Brethren, pray for us.

 

6.  Let us be faithful to sinners.  Romans 1:14-17  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  (15)  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  (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.  (17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

7.  Let us be faithful to the Word of God.  Matthew 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 

Titus 1:9  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Peace Be Unto You

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-2-2025

John 20:19-23

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Our Lord Jesus has finished the Gospel, offered the precious blood upon the Mercy Seat in heaven, and showed up for church on the next first day of the week.  This first appearance is an invaluable one as our Lord transferred the work of the Gospel to His children.

 

B.  The Lord came into a room that was shut up.  His heavenly body was not subject to the laws of nature!  When He stepped into the room, they knew Him.  Our Lord spoke first.

 

C.  It is important to observe what the Lord said to His disciples.  He said, “Peace be unto you,” twice: verses 19 and 21. 

 

1.  He knew that they had shut and locked the doors for fear of the Jews.  (Verse 19)  “disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews.”  The Jews had crucified the Lord, and the disciples were shaken and fearful. 

 

2.  In the mind of the disciples, if the Jews were allowed to do this to the Son of God, what chance did they have to escape.  What would the Jews now do to them?

 

D.  Before the Lord said anything else, He said, “Peace be unto you.”  Peace of God is almost as important peace with God.

 

1.  Peace with God comes through salvation.  The enmity is gone!  The price for our sin and redemption paid in full.  So many people nowadays spend their lives trying to merit or keep salvation through sinful works.  Why did I say sinful works?  Because the Bible is clear at this point.

 

2.  Salvation is repentance from dead works and faith toward God!  Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

 

3.  Security is also an act of God as He has given to us eternal life and eternal life is just that.  1 Peter 1:5-6  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  (6)  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

 

4.  Peace of God comes through a faith that trusts.  1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

E.  Peace of God is a gift that He gives to EVERY believer!  John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

1.  The Peace of God is Available.  “Peace I leave with you.”  The Lord left it with His people.  Now, what have we done with it?  Where did we put it?

 

2.  The Peace of God is Accessible.  “”My peace I give unto you.”  The Lord gifted it to His people.  A gift is not ours until we receive it.

 

3.  The Peace of God is Assured.  “Not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”  Peace will never be taken away by the Lord. 

 

4.  The Peace of God is Accepted.  “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  If we do not have peace tonight, it is a problem with us, not with Him! 

 

F.  Peace of God is essential to carrying out the work of the Gospel.  The Lord Jesus Commissioned the disciples, and that commission is passed on to us.

 

G.  If God’s peace is available—and it is, accessible—and it is, assured—and it is, then how do we attain it?

 

1.  The Peace of God comes through total Surrender.  Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

 

2.  Peace Comes Through Loving The Scripture - Psalms 119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

 

3.  Peace Comes Through A Right Attitude About Oneself - Psalms 37:11  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

 

4.  Peace Comes Through Following The Righteous - Psalms 37:37  Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

 

5.  Peace Comes Through Embracing The Knowledge of God - 2 Peter 1:2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

 

6.  Peace Comes Through Meditating Upon The Lord - Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

 

7.  Peace Comes Through Making Peace - James 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

 

2 Corinthians 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:13  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

 

8.  Peace Comes Through Taking Your Burdens To The Lord And Leaving Them There - Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.