i would not be ashamed
2 Timothy 1:8-12
I Would Not Be Ashamed
On April 8, 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer led a worship service. He spoke on Isaiah 53 about Jesus paying our penalty for sin on the cross. The next morning, he was deep in prayer as Nazi guards arrived to take him to the gallows. His last words were, “This is the end. But for me, the beginning of life.” Exactly three weeks later, Hitler committed suicide, joining him in the afterlife. But the dictator’s eternal residence was far different.
Seven Virtues We Should Never Be Ashamed Of:
1. The Word of God
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” II Timothy 1:8. The word for ‘testimony’ has to do with providing evidence of a claim. Both Jewish and Roman law required multiple witnesses to establish truth (Deuteronomy 19:15), as did the authors of Scripture (Luke 1:1-4), who were supernaturally inspired by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21).
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” The word for ‘Lord’ refers to one who has supreme authority. One day everyone will bow to Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 14:11; Isaiah 45:23). Angels, demons, believers, unbelievers, and even Satan himself will bow before the Lord.
3. Our Fellow Believers
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.” II Timothy 1:8. You are known by your friends (Proverbs 13:20). Associates of Paul came under increasing danger as time passed (Philippians 1:13-14). Don’t be ashamed of your fellow believers. Rather, love them, encourage them, support them, and never leave them.
4. The Gospel
“…Rather join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” II Timothy 1:8b. We are saved by the gospel (Romans 1:16), which is anchored in the life, death, burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances of Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-8). These are historical events that really happened!
5. Holiness
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life.” II Timothy 1:9. No one will be in heaven who did not walk in good works on earth (Hebrews 12;14; James 2:26; Philippians 2:12; John 15:1-11; Psalm 23:3; Ephesians 2:10). Holiness will lead you to joy while sin will lead you to misery!
6. Sharing Your Faith
“but it has now been revealed thru the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light thru the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” II Timothy 1:10-11. One who is truly saved will want everyone they know to be saved, and will be constantly burdened for their salvation.
7. Suffering
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is not cause for shame because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” II Timothy 1:12. Once saved, we are like paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines. “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
In Paul, Apostle of Christ, Paul shares his faith with Mauritius, a Roman officer, “Imagine yourself looking out at the vast sea before you. You reach down and put a hand into the water and you scoop it up towards you. Immediately the water starts leaking thru your fingers…Man lives for that cup of water that slips thru his fingers. Those that follow Jesus Christ live for that endless expanse of sea.” Today, is that what you’re living for?
On April 8, 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer led a worship service. He spoke on Isaiah 53 about Jesus paying our penalty for sin on the cross. The next morning, he was deep in prayer as Nazi guards arrived to take him to the gallows. His last words were, “This is the end. But for me, the beginning of life.” Exactly three weeks later, Hitler committed suicide, joining him in the afterlife. But the dictator’s eternal residence was far different.
Seven Virtues We Should Never Be Ashamed Of:
1. The Word of God
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” II Timothy 1:8. The word for ‘testimony’ has to do with providing evidence of a claim. Both Jewish and Roman law required multiple witnesses to establish truth (Deuteronomy 19:15), as did the authors of Scripture (Luke 1:1-4), who were supernaturally inspired by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21).
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” The word for ‘Lord’ refers to one who has supreme authority. One day everyone will bow to Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 14:11; Isaiah 45:23). Angels, demons, believers, unbelievers, and even Satan himself will bow before the Lord.
3. Our Fellow Believers
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.” II Timothy 1:8. You are known by your friends (Proverbs 13:20). Associates of Paul came under increasing danger as time passed (Philippians 1:13-14). Don’t be ashamed of your fellow believers. Rather, love them, encourage them, support them, and never leave them.
4. The Gospel
“…Rather join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” II Timothy 1:8b. We are saved by the gospel (Romans 1:16), which is anchored in the life, death, burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances of Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-8). These are historical events that really happened!
5. Holiness
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life.” II Timothy 1:9. No one will be in heaven who did not walk in good works on earth (Hebrews 12;14; James 2:26; Philippians 2:12; John 15:1-11; Psalm 23:3; Ephesians 2:10). Holiness will lead you to joy while sin will lead you to misery!
6. Sharing Your Faith
“but it has now been revealed thru the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light thru the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” II Timothy 1:10-11. One who is truly saved will want everyone they know to be saved, and will be constantly burdened for their salvation.
7. Suffering
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is not cause for shame because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” II Timothy 1:12. Once saved, we are like paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines. “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
In Paul, Apostle of Christ, Paul shares his faith with Mauritius, a Roman officer, “Imagine yourself looking out at the vast sea before you. You reach down and put a hand into the water and you scoop it up towards you. Immediately the water starts leaking thru your fingers…Man lives for that cup of water that slips thru his fingers. Those that follow Jesus Christ live for that endless expanse of sea.” Today, is that what you’re living for?