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!

One Leaving, One Standing, One Returning - Part 4 - Mark

Temple Baptist Church - 11-3-2024

2 Timothy 4:6-11

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we come closer to the end of this mini-series on “One Leaving (Demas, having loved this present world—the carnal man), One Standing (Luke, the beloved physician—the spiritual man), One Returning,” we come to verse 11 again where Paul says, “Take Mark (the one returning who once quit), and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

 

B.  A young man named John, whose surname (what he is called) is Mark, is asked for by Paul because he had become profitable in the work of the ministry. 

 

C.  This is the story of two men, Mark—a young man, and Barnabas—an old man! 

 

D.  I want to look at Mark or John Mark (Mark being his surname or the name by which he is called.  My name is Robert David Johnston, Sr. but my surname is “Dave.”  Or Brother Dave as come refer to me.

 

E.  The First Mention of John Mark is found in Acts, chapter 12.  Here we find Peter has been freed from prison by the angel and arrives at the house of “Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark.”

 

Acts 12:11-12  And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.  (12)  And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

 

F.  In the Second Mention of John Mark, we find that when Barnabas and Paul went back to the mission field, they took young John Mark with them.

 

Acts 12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

 

G.  In the Third Mention of John Mark, he had evidently gone to the mission field but, for some reason when arriving at Pamphylia, went not with Barnabas and Paul to the work.  He returned home.

Acts 15:37-40  And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.  (38)  But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.  (39)  And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;  (40)  And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

 

H.  Barnabas was determined to take John Mark back to the field while Paul was determined not to take him because he had left the field previously.  Here we find a great contention between to of God’s men with Barnabas taking John Mark and Paul taking Silas.

 

1.  Barnabas means, “the son of consolation”: Acts 4:36  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus. 

 

2.  It was Barnabas who had taken Paul “under his wing” when Paul was rejected by the disciples in Jerusalem.  This would probably include the Apostles of Christ.

 

Acts 9:26-27  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.  (27)  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

 

3.  How soon did Paul forget where he started his ministry?  We often ask God to give us another chance while not allowing others the same grace.

 

4.  Now Barnabas works to make a young man who had departed from the field earlier and made him profitable in the ministry later. 

 

5.  Though Paul was a great man of God, he was not without flaws and one flaw was his intolerance for quitters!  John Mark tried to return but the Apostle Paul refused to permit him to do so!

 

6.  I am not disrespecting Paul but simply seeing, based upon experience, that too often people want to get right, try to get right, and are not allowed to do so.  Paul scolded the Corinthian church for the same thing that he did!

 

2 Corinthians 2:5-8  But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.  (6)  Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.  (7)  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.  (8)  Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

 

J.  When people leave, we MUST continue to give them a path on which they can return to fellowship and service.  Without a Barnabas, John Mark would possibly not have been able to return to aid the Apostle Paul nor would he have been able to be the physical author of the Book of Mark!

 

1.  Give them a Place to return to.  Protect the integrity of the local church.

 

2.  Give them a Path to return on.  Show them love, compassion, and forgiveness.

 

3.  Give them a Push to return with!  Encourage them to come home.

 

K.  We need more men like Barnabas!  Paul would have been much more “spiritual” if he had given John Mark another chance, but Paul chose not to do so.  Without Barnabas, where would the Apostle Paul have been?

 

L. Barnabas knew John Mark well because Barnabas was John Mark’s uncle.

 

Colossians 4:10  Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

 

M.  Barnabas: Acts 4:36  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

 

1.  Barnabas was a Consistent Man.  From the First to the Last Mention, the Bible gives us a picture of consistency in the life of Barnabas.  Thank God for people who consistently live for Christ!  They are a spiritual magnet that draws both saved and lost to themselves.

 

2.  Barnabas was a Compassionate Man.  Compassion is a difference maker.  Compassion—Not only sympathy but empathy (identification, understanding, and responsiveness)!  Barnabas was a compassionate man, thus Barnabas was a difference maker in many lives including:

 

a.  Paul—Acts 9:26-27  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.  (27)  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

 

b. And John Mark—Jude 22  And of some have compassion, making a difference:

 

3.  Barnabas was a Coaching Man.  A man who mentored new believers and youthful ones.  He was a man who could be followed and looked up to.

 

Acts 13:1  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

 

Acts 8:30-31  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  (31)  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

 

4.  Barnabas was a Consoling Man.  Son of consolation – to comfort or solace.  A shoulder to cry on and a shoulder to lean on.  He was a man of spiritual strength and commitment.

 

Acts 4:36  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation—comfort or solace,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

 

John 13:23  Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

 

5.  Barnabas was a Converting Man.  He brought those who had fallen through the cracks and helped to reestablish them in a state usable to both Paul and the Lord. 

 

James 5:19-20  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  (20)  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

 

2 Timothy 4:11  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

One Leaving, One Standing, One Returning - Part 3 - Luke

Temple Baptist Church - 10-27-2024

2 Timothy 4:6-11

 

Introduction:

A.  In Paul’s last epistle, he sets forth his:

 

1.  Paul’s Life’s Work – Vs. 6-7  He faithfully finished the work that God called him to do.  Paul served God in spite of fault and failure as long as he lived.  Certainly his life was “Christ.” 

 

2.  Paul’s Earnestly Contending – Vs. 7  He fought a good fight … kept the faith.  Paul remained fixed in the Old Paths of the scripture while “earnestly contending” for the faith once delivered. 

 

3.  Paul’s Eternal Reward – Vs. 8  Paul rested in the faithfulness of the Lord as he set forth in his epistles to the Hebrews. 

 

4.  Paul’s Companions – Vs. 10-11  Paul had several close friends and companions in labor during his ministry:  Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Tychicus, Trophimus, Demas, and Luke.  God always had someone there for the great apostle!

 

B.  Now, in the end of his life, Paul mentions several men and their affect upon his life and ministry.

 

1.  One Leaving: Last week, we saw Demas, who forsook him “having loved this present world.  I may deal with him in more detail later.

 

2.  One Standing: This morning, we will see Luke, who stood by the Apostle Paul “thought thick and thin.”  He continued with Paul alone.  I remember the words to the song “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.”  The words “though none go with me, still I will follow” echo throughout the portals of time.

 

C.  The biblical importance of companionship is found in Ecclesiastes, chapter 4.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12  There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.  (9)  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  (10)  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.  (11)  Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?  (12)  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 

D.  In the last days of Paul’s life, he spent much time virtually alone when he needed companionship the most.  Thus, Luke was a very special man! 

 

1.  Not much is said about Luke, but he was a godly physician, a faithful servant of the Lord, and a special friend to the Apostle Paul.  The last verse that mentions Luke was verse 10, “Only Luke is with me!”  What phrase; what a wonderful testimony of the love and faithfulness of this man.

 

a)  Though little is said about Luke (he is only mentioned three times in the Bible (Colossians 14, 2 Timothy 4, and Philemon), much is known about him.  Dr. Luke was a “background man” who loved the Lord, the Apostle Paul, and was a stalwart of the faith, an example of courage, consistency, and courage!

 

b)  We know that Luke was a beloved man to Paul and all who knew him.  Colossians 4:14  Luke, the beloved …

 

c)  We know that Luke was a physician, highly educated.  We also know that Luke was a well-educated man because he was a physician or doctor in our day.  Though most of the men that God used were ignorant and unlearned, both Paul and Luke were highly educated.

 

Colossians 4:14  Luke, the beloved physician …

 

d)  Many speculate that Paul’s health toward the end of his life required an attending physician to travel with him.  This could be true because the power to heal, raise the dead, etc. was rapidly passing away as they were apostolic in nature and, therefore, temporary gifts.

 

2 Timothy 4:20  Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

 

e.    Luke was a faithful man.  Paul could always depend upon his beloved physician to be there with and for him.  2 Timothy 4:11  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

 

f)  Luke was a fellowlabourer, co-labourer with Paul and Christ.  Philemon 24  Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

 

g)  Luke was an honored man.  He would later write two great books of the New Testament: the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts.  Luke was the only gentile to so write.  In both books, Luke never mentions himself.

 

2.  What a comfort and encouragement Luke must have been to Paul!  You love and be there for God’s man and your reward will be great, I promise you.  I learned long ago to love what God loves!

 

E.  “Only Luke is with men” was a short phrase but a telling one.

 

1.  Luke Was A Friend When Paul Needed One!  God’s men need friends!  I know that Paul was a man of great spiritual and emotional strength, but Luke was a comfort to him.  Sometimes people do not want to be around the man of God because of the reproach of Christ.

 

a.  Standing On The Scripture Brings Reproach.

 

b.  Standing For Separation Brings reproach.

 

c.  Standing Against Sin Brings Reproach.

 

2.  Luke Was A Help When Paul Needed Help The Most.  God’s men often need help!  There is so much that needs to be done, both in the physical and spiritual realms, and God’s men cannot and should not have to do it all.  Thank the Lord that Moses had Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands while Joshua led the army of Israel to victory.

 

Acts 6:4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

a.  There are too many “good things” that need to be done that keep God’s men from doing the more needful things.  Philippians 1:24-25  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  (25)  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

 

b.  God’s Men Are Human.  There is a limit to what they can and should do.  Someone once said, “I had rather burn out than rust out.”  My answer would be, “You are OUT either way!”

 

3.  Luke Was An Arm To Lean On When Paul Was In Trouble.  Paul spent most of his saved life in trouble.  When God’s men stand right, their popularity wanes quickly.  The bible says to beware when all men speak well of you because you have probably compromised in some areas.

 

a.  A Friend Loveth At All Time.  Luke was never a source of division.  He saw Paul at his best and also at his worst.  He never judged God’s man for being a man and a fellow human being.  So many times, friends will leave at the first sign of fault or failure.  Luke just loved Paul at all times.

 

b.  A Friend Sticketh Closer Than A Brother.  Luke was a “companion” to Paul.  Through “thick and thin,” Luke was always there.  What Paul suffered, Luke suffered, where Paul went, Luke went.

 

4.  Luke Was A Comfort When Paul Sorrowed.  The life of God’s man is one that is acquainted with grief.  That was the one of the descriptions given to our Lord in Isaiah 53.  As the “under shepherd,” God’s man follows in the path of the Great Shepherd.

 

Acts 20:19  Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

 

a.  I have often said that the ministry is a bitter-sweet one.  Good times come and go.  Friends come and go.  God’s men sorrow often as they see the affect of Satan and the world on the ones that they loved and labored with.  My prayer list has many names on it of men who once served in the pulpits of local churches and on mission fields.  Now, they are through though the works needs to go on.

 

b.  Situations cause sorrow.  God men are not exempt when it comes to life’s hardships.  They suffer the same as all others.  Sometimes, they need a shoulder to lean on too.

 

2 Corinthians 1:8  For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

 

2 Corinthians 2:4  For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

         

5.  Luke Was Faithful To Paul When All Else Forsook Him. 

 

a.  Luke Was There When The End Was Near - 2 Timothy 4:11. 

 

b.  What a great testimony to the faithfulness of a godly servant of the Lord! 

 

c.  I look forward to meeting such a man one day whose name was Luke.

 

Conclusion:  “Only Luke, the beloved physician, is with me!”