Romans 1, starting in verse 15. So as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are in Rome also. The heathen at Rome, by the way. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith. 2 Timothy 1.8. You know, your last pastor was a fighter and your current pastor is a fighter. I'm not bending from the truth. Whether it be the truth of this King... By the way, the truth of this King James Bible, I'm not bending. Whether it be in the church house, or out in the street, I'm not bending. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner. By the way, you're in good company if you get arrested, amen? But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, amen? According to the power of God. Verses 11 and 12, whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles, for the which cause I also suffer these things. Nevertheless, listen to this, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Amen? Verses 16 and 17, Look, they will forsake you. There will be many Christians, even pastors, that will be ashamed of what you're doing. You know, brother, when you talk to those pastors at that youth conference there, that faithful men's conference, and you tell them about your arrest, or you tell them that you're a street preacher, I'm not sure if you got arrested then, but you're a street preacher and they looked at you funny, it doesn't look pretty. They were ashamed. They were ashamed. They were ashamed. But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me. Heavenly Father, we give Thee thanks for the blessing of Thy Word. Lord, I pray, Lord, for the wisdom to preach today, Lord, and the unction to preach. In Jesus' name, amen. See, there is a temptation in this Christian life to be ashamed. It's human nature. It's your flesh nature to be ashamed. The world is constantly trying to make the saints of God look like fools. That's what they were doing yesterday. They were trying to make us look like fools. They were looking at every white person in our crowd. They didn't realize that these are my sons because my wife is not white. It doesn't matter, by the way, what color your skin is. You're stupid. You're stupid. You're stupid. What a bunch of fools. But they want to make us look like fools, like a bunch of oafs. I don't care. I'll be an oaf, a stupid oaf, if it gives glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen? The Apostle Paul said we are fools for Christ's sake. In other words, we are simple and are to be simple. And the gospel message we preach is a simple message. And this, my dear friends, it confounds the wise. It confounds. It confounds the intellectual. It confounds the seasoned philosopher, the psychologist, the secularist, the humanist, the mathematician, the scientist, and all! It confounds them! In their minds, the simplicity of its message does not intellectually challenge them. It doesn't puff up their pride. It fails to fuel their pride because it is a message that is too simple for them. It is a message that will inevitably bring reproach, and they don't like that. You see, man's natural tendency is to seek to exalt himself. That's man's natural tendency. and to be exalted in the eyes of others. Oh, my man loves praise. He loves praise. What does the Bible say? Let's go to Proverbs 20, 27 and verse 2. The Bible says here, let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth, a stranger and not thine own lips, whom man lives off the praise of others. Amen? That's what happens. It happens. Even preachers. We need to be so humble that you know what? We're disgusted by the praise of men. By the way, if it's flattery, I want to hear your flattery. I hate flattery. I despise it. The simplicity of the gospel fails to accomplish this. This is why they reject it. Therefore, they oppose us, and in doing so, they are effectively opposing the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. That's what they're doing. They hate Him. Even my wife was commenting in the vehicle. They absolutely despise Him. But I told you, the Bible says that. In Romans 1, it talks about the haters of God, that they're haters of God, that's a heathen. 2 Timothy chapter 3, it speaks of the heathen being despisers of those who are good. Those who are good. It's talking about those who are justified in Jesus Christ, saved. Because we're made good in Him. We're made righteous in Him. And they despise that. The world looks at us as a bunch of dumb oafs. They look at us and say that we are ignorant and unlearned and scream out science and things like that. I remember a few years back during COVID, and that guy over at Maine and Danforth, that old man there, and he was like, he was just going, ah, science, whatever he was banging there, some cans together, whatever. Ah, science, science, vaccine, vaccine, science. I wish you would use that zeal for the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. I'll get up there. In fact, before they arrested me, I cried out, praise God! Hallelujah! Apparently, that's illegal in this country. That's illegal in this country. The Bible says to lift up our voices. Let's go to Isaiah 57 and cry aloud. Oh, where am I here? 57, I believe, in verse 1. No, 58, sorry, in verse 1. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet. Amen! Lift up thy voice like a trumpet and show my people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins. We can apply this to lost heathen. Show the lost their transgressions and their sins. Lift up your voice. Even in the house of God, show you your transgressions and your sins. Lift up your voice. Amen. By the way, judgment begins in the house of God. Yeah? They look at it and say, I'm learned. And they scream out, science. They look at this King James Bible. It was written 2,000, well, thousands of years ago, over 4,000 years. Not the King James, but the word of God. But the word I'm talking about in its original language is there, 4,000 years ago. The King James is the word of God. Translated 400 years ago perfectly, without error. With any admixture of error, by the way. It's just as much the Word of God as those originals and the copies of those originals. Absolutely, I want to qualify that. They look at this King James Bible. Yeah. And they say, you know what? It's outdated. It's outdated. No, it's not. It's not. No? They say, you know, times may have changed. Or they say it's outdated. And things have changed since then. That's what they're saying. Things have changed. Well, times may have changed. The general consensus of our society may have changed. The overall spiritual climate of our nation may have changed. But God hasn't changed! My God hasn't changed! And therefore, I'm not gonna change with the consensus of our society, the general consensus. I will desire and seek to conform to what this book says. By the way, that should be your desire, amen? See, God's ways are tried and true. Why? Because he's immutable. He changeth not. Malachi 3.6 says this, For I am the Lord, I change not. Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. For I am the Lord, I change not. Hebrews 13 verse 8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. I'm not changing my message. I'm going to preach the say of the word. Amen. Amen. Man's ways due to his instability may change, but not God's. Absolutely not. Therefore we must strive to keep His ways and walk in His paths. Amen? Even in the face of adversity, we must strive to keep His ways and walk in His paths. Even when doing so will bring reproach, and it will bring reproach. Amen? Why? Because God's ways never change. Never change. His ways never change. He is immutable and he changeth not. Therefore we must not be ashamed when the world and those even within our own ranks are ashamed. We must never be ashamed. I hope you're not sitting here being ashamed because your pastor got arrested yesterday. I'm not looking forward to what's coming. I literally have to place every ounce or everything in God's hands. Every ounce of what I'm going through in God's hands. Everything in God's hands. The Lord knows I wasn't looking to get arrested. I did everything in my power not to. But I couldn't make concessions. The Holy Spirit wouldn't allow me to make concessions there. I just couldn't. We move from that, just move our presence from that intersection. No, because we do so, we're setting a precedent that they can walk over Christians. We agreed to turn down that amplifier, turn it off, preach open air. I asked many questions. Okay, if I preach like this, is it okay? He said it was okay. I start to preach. I just preach scripture. That was not okay. See, under the Charter, and I don't put stock in the Charter, but under the Charter, you have to appeal to something. You appeal to Caesar. Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Charter 2A is freedom of religion. Charter 2B is freedom of expression. I'm not going to have some unregenerate police officer tell me how I ought to preach the Word of God. I'm not gonna have some lost, unregenerate, filthy, reprobate Jezebel or Sodomite quote Scripture, exposit Scripture, and tell me what the Bible says, and tell us how to do it. I watch that video when you're like, the video when you're in the parking lot there with the Sodomite with the red top on, literally telling you how it ought to be done. Exactly. No, we don't listen to the unregenerate. Reprobates, like, we don't listen. We're not being, I'm not gonna tell you, I'm not gonna listen to a man who's unregenerate, hell-bound sinner, wicked sinner, who's filthy. Tell me how I ought to practice and live my Christian life. This is my manual. Not some filthy sodomite. By the way, the civil authorities, this ought to be their manual. Because they're being held accountable to it. Oh yeah, what happened yesterday has fired me up. I think God's using it to get me back in that, well, not that I've been out of commission, but to fire us up again. You know what? There's a lot of work to do. There's a lot of work to do, amen? Again, man's ways, due to his instability, may change, but not God's. Say, allow me to forewarn you that the temptation to be ashamed will arise. It will arise. It will come your way. Therefore, we must be careful of the gospel chain. The gospel chain. Right? What does it say there in our scripture? We go back here. 2 Timothy 1, verses 16-17, right? Onesiphorus, for you oft refresh me, and was not ashamed of my chain, of my chain. We must be careful of the gospel chain. Not to be ashamed. Don't be ashamed. Self-consciousness will cause you to be ashamed. Remember, Brad, the first time you went out with me preaching? You were self-conscious, are you now? Do you care what they think or say? Yeah? You're gonna lose yourself. I don't care what the world, I don't even care what you think. As long, I care what Jesus thinks, but I don't care what you think. As long as I'm pleasing him, that's all I care about. And if you're pleasing him, then we're gonna be on the same wavelength. Amen? Self-consciousness and fear of what man may think will cause you to be ashamed of the gospel chain, if you let it. So what does it mean to be ashamed? Well, this is what it means. To be ashamed of the gospel means to be reluctant to associate with or share the message of the gospel due to fear of embarrassment, stigma, or even persecution. It signifies a lack of confidence in the gospel and a fear of the consequences that might come from identifying with it. How many Christians are ashamed of the gospel? Many. How many Baptist preachers are ashamed of the gospel through their actions? Actions speak louder than words. Yeah. They fear the consequences that might come from identifying with the gospel. And this can manifest in various ways, such as hesitating to speak about one's faith, or even denying one's belief when challenged. And don't think this can't happen. Brethren, are you ashamed of what you believe? Are you? When challenged? Do you care more about how others perceive you, your image. No, it's good to care about your image in the context of testimony, personal testimony. You know, many Christians, they'll be around lost family members when it comes to the gospel. They're ashamed. Don't be ashamed. Are you ashamed of what you believe? And don't think this can't happen to you because it can. It happened to Peter. And it happened more than one occasion. Let's turn to Matthew 26. Verse 34. Matthew 26 and verse 34. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples, all forsook him by the way, Now we move forward to verse 69, it says this, Now Peter sat without in the palace, and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. Listen to this, But he denied them, denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them, for thy speech bereath thee. In other words, it exposes your accent and all of that. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crowed, and Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly, bitterly, bitterly. He was ashamed. He was ashamed. Think about that. He cared about what they thought. He feared the reproach of man at that moment. That's what it was. It'll bring reproach. The gospel will bring reproach. Our Lord and Savior will bring reproach. Galatians 2 verses 11 through 13, Why? Because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles, but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing fear, listen to this, the fear of man, the fear of man, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And other Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. They feared man, they feared the Jews. Are you ashamed? We must not be ashamed of the gospel chain. 1st Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. This is the first and most important thing that we must never be ashamed of, friends. The gospel of Christ, I don't mind even preaching that in the streets. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. By the way, the modern versions remove the prepositional phrase of Christ. For I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. You know, the power of God speaks at the power like, it likens it to dynamite, an explosive power. Our gospel is explosive, amen. It's the power of God, amen. Now John Gill writes this, he says this, the reason why he was so ready and willing to preach it, even where he ran the greatest risk of his character and life, was because it was the gospel of Christ. It was the gospel of Christ he preached, and he was not ashamed of it. This supposes that somewhere, somewhere, though the apostle was not. As all such are who hide and conceal it, who have abilities to preach it and do not, or who preach but not the gospel, or who preach the gospel only in part, who own that in private they will not preach in public. Right? Without preaching public. So in other words, you're talking about there are preachers out there. Don't mind keeping it within the four walls of the church house. And even the heathens say, keep it in church! Well, many do. And they don't go beyond the four walls. Right? who own that in private they will not preach in public, and use ambiguous words of doubtful signification to cover themselves, who blend the gospel with their own inventions, seek to please men, and live upon a popular applause, regard their own interest and not Christ's, and cannot bear the reproach of his gospel, cannot bear. It expresses that the apostle was not ashamed of it, that is to preach it, which he did fully and faithfully, plainly and consistently, openly and publicly and boldly in the face of all opposition. Amen. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. This revealed Paul's heart. It revealed his heart in a sophisticated city, a sophisticated city like Rome, where some might have been embarrassed by a gospel centered on a crucified Jewish savior and embraced by the lowest classes of people. But Paul was not ashamed, amen. Neither am I, and neither should you. Paul said he was ready to preach the gospel anywhere, and especially at Rome, because he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Paul was learned, he was gifted, and he was gifted with a brilliant mind, yet he was not ashamed of the gospel. He was not ashamed of its simplicity. He was not ashamed of the reproach I would bring to His name, for He didn't care what man thought. He only cared what Jesus thought, what God thought. And this, I believe, confounded those around Him. It confounded them. By the way, don't think for one instance that the heathen that opposed us were not confounded. Don't think for one instance that those officers were not confounded. And you'll see, actually, when they first approached me, while you're here, because we're preaching the gospel. They asked what, or we're preaching the word of God in the gospel. They asked, well, what messenger are you preaching? I told them straight out, I gave them the gospel. They don't like that. It cut them open. That's all I can do. What else is there to do when you're talking to lost sinners? We live by the gospel. By the way, Paul says, I believe in Philippians that we are set, or he was set for the defense of the gospel. We are to live by the gospel. Those who preach it are to live by it. Amen? Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. So my question to you is, are you ashamed? Are you ashamed of his chain? He was in bonds, and often in bonds. Are you ashamed of the chain? I've already, Luke spent, you spent not a whole night in the jail cell, in the holding cell. I spent it two years ago. By the grace of God, and I believe because we had a church service today, God's hand was in that. It's got to cause you to think God's hand was in that. Amen? It makes me think. Are you ashamed? Are you ashamed of those who preach it when reproach comes upon them due to it, amen? Are you? We must ask ourselves, how has the fear of man caused us to recoil and keep us from preaching in places we would otherwise preach and should preach it? Do you recoil? Have you recoiled? Do you fear what man may think? The Bible says, the fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be what? Safe. We don't fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Yeah? We don't have the spirit of fear. Don't fear. We've become reluctant to be the strong testimony that we should be in the world because we are ashamed. I believe that these Baptist pastors who looked at Luke like he was some weirdo when he told them that street preachers are ashamed of bearing the reproach of Christ, that street preaching will not really bring due to the fear of man what their peers may think. Why? Because it's not polished. It's a very uncouth manner of presenting the gospel. And it will bring reproach. They're afraid. They're ashamed of his chain. Not afraid, but they're ashamed of his chain. They're afraid or ashamed of the chain. You see, they want the outside of the cup to look squeaky clean. That's what they want. They live by how it looks on the outside. By the way, I also tie that into the fact that they're registered. Yeah? There's a spirit behind registering your church with the government, the CRA. There's a spirit behind it. Why? And that spirit is basically relinquishing the control or the headship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to the state. I'm a Baptist. I believe in separation of church and state. The state's duty is to protect my person, my property, and my prerogative. Did that happen yesterday? Did that happen yesterday? No. I don't think so. They want the outside of the cup to look squeaky clean. See, Paul states very clearly that I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It was clear. Now we must grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And when we do so, we will grow in boldness and we will not be ashamed. And if you're apprehensive, this will cause you to be less apprehensive. I've gotten past that point where I'm apprehensive. Absolutely. I used to be. Myself. At one point, I used to be. Not now. Not now. We should never be ashamed to tell people that we are Christians, that we are saints of the Most High. Absolutely. We should never be ashamed to tell people that we've been saved by the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm not ashamed. For the gospel is the power of God unto salvation unto everyone that believeth. Therefore there is no need for us to be ashamed. If you want the power of God, well then you have it when you have the gospel. You have the power of God unto salvation. See, Paul knew all the worldly wise men and philosophers, and still he was never ashamed because of the gospel. For it is the power of God and the salvation. He didn't care what others thought. He was a very learned man. He didn't care. He didn't care for the simplicity. All he cared about, he didn't care about, he didn't care what they thought. The simplicity of the gospel was enough for him. What He possessed and what He personally received, as we have received, contain power like no other. That's the gospel. Amen. Those people that we were preaching to yesterday that literally were so annoyed, so vexed. They saw that power, you realize, on display. Rub moving. Let me quote a comment here. I think if I can find, if I can, by a man. And I think it really, it lends itself to the very essence of the spirit behind our ministry, the Holy Spirit. Stillman says, these preachers are way, not that I care about this, by the way, in terms of being better than anyone. These preachers are way better than David Lynn, that's for sure. David cannot draw attention in crowds like these guys. I took that to mean that he saw some authenticity And by the way, those crowds, it was the vexation of the... It was the authenticity of the ministry. Of course, the Word of God itself. And you saw literally in real time how it vexes the lost. He did offer his prayers, by the way, another comment. What Paul possessed and what he personally received as we have received contained power like no other. And this is why the world is confounded. And don't think for one moment that those who oppose us are not confounded because they are. Don't think for one moment that those police officers yesterday were not confounded because they were. This is because the gospel by its very nature confounds the wise. God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. That's what it does. So Paul was very clear that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. For he saith, for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. This text is best illustrated by Isaiah 28 and verse 16, 49, 23. It was quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 10 and verse 11. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him, Jesus, shall not be ashamed. In other words, that is, they shall neither be confounded nor disappointed of their hope. I'm not. I've got a way better hope than those lost sinners. Amen. We're not up there, I was accused yesterday of making money off a YouTube channel. That YouTube channel is basically to get the light of the gospel out there. And so that you can see what we're doing. And others out there who are looking for a sound church can see what we're doing. It's not about self-glorification or making money. By the way, our channel's not monetized, nor can it be. We've disqualified ourselves for that. I don't care. I couldn't care less about the money. It's not about the money. It's about the truth and proclaiming it and proclaiming it boldly, amen. That's why we have an online ministry because I want, what I want is for people to see that there is a church out there for those who are looking for a church. I liken it to not hiding a candle under a bushel. That's the motive. And if you look at our YouTube channel, it's very clear that there's shadow banning going on there. So however the Lord uses it, he will use it regardless of how restricted or how shadowbound it is. I've already seen it, he's used it to reach people who are looking for it. The algorithm has no power over that. We must never be ashamed of the gospel or hold back, save for wisdom and that which is spiritually profitable to the hearers. People should be ashamed of crime and folly and things like that. They are ashamed of their own offenses and of the follies of their conduct when they come to reflect on it. They should be ashamed of sin, by the way, absolutely. But they are not ashamed of what they feel to be right and of what they know will contribute to their welfare and to the benefit of their fellow men. Such were the views of Paul about the gospel. And it is one of His favorite doctrines that they who believe on Christ shall not be ashamed. Amen? For the Scripture saith, whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. Romans 5 verses 3-5, And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed. Why? Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Amen! Amen! Amen! 2 Corinthians 7 verse 14, For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I am not ashamed. But as we speak all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. Romans 9 in verse 33, as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whosoever believeth on him, Jesus, amen, shall not be ashamed. Jesus saith, Mark 8 verse 38, Think about that. Verse Peter 4, starting in verse 14, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. For the spirit of glory and of God rested upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on his behalf. Are you ashamed? Are you ashamed? The gospel is God's plan. His plan for all the ages. It's His plan or His appointment. It's not the device of man, but of God. But of God. The gospel is adapted to the end. It is suited to overcome the obstacles in the way. It is not merely the instrument by which God exerts His power, but it is an inherent adaptedness to the end. It is suited to accomplish salvation to man, so it may be a denominated power, if you will. The gospel is mighty, hence it is called power, the power of God. It's an explosive power. It is not a feeble and ineffectual instrumentality, but it is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. Oh, there's power in the gospel. For I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Are you ashamed? It has shown its power is applicable to every degree of sin, to every combination of wickedness. It has gone against the sins of the world and convinced its power to save sinners of all grades and to overcome and subdue every mighty form of iniquity. Oh, there is power, for I am not ashamed of the gospel. Are you ashamed? Jeremiah 23 and 29, it is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces. That's what it does. It cuts them open. And they don't like that. 1 Corinthians 1 and verse 18, for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness. Too simple, too basic, too easy, foolishness. But unto us which are saved, it is the power of God, explosive power. The gospel is dynamite, amen. Paul was telling young Pastor Timothy, don't be ashamed. Don't be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus Christ. Don't be ashamed. Our Lord and Savior died a falsely accused criminal that was innocent of all charges against Him. Do you understand that? He died a falsely accused criminal. So then the shame and reproach of the death of the cross comes upon all who are saved. It comes upon us, friends. Brethren, if you are saved, then you are linked up to that falsely accused malefactor, quote-unquote. that falsely accused malefactor who did not sin, knew no sin, was falsely accused, lied about, slandered, blasphemed, persecuted, and abused. That's who we're linked up with as believers. That's who we're linked up with as believers. Oh, in Christ, yeah. Be not ashamed of the testimony, my friends. Be not ashamed of the testimony. The testimony of Christ is the gospel in general, which proclaims Christ crucified and redemption through his blood and justification through his resurrection. In the sight of the world, there appear to be reason why a man should be ashamed of this, ashamed of him who is crucified as a malefactor. But when this gospel became the power of God to the salvation of everyone that believed, it was a subject to exalt him. Paul seems to have apprehended that Timothy was in some danger of being ashamed of this gospel, or of shrinking back from its opener vowel, and the trials and persecutions to which he now saw it exposed him. That can happen. I think that happened to Demas. That's why he went back in the world. This is the danger of any preacher, and especially a young one, that he will be concerned, rather, for his image, and try to defend against every false accusation that is made against him, and every lie that was told about him, and every disobedience, Simon the Sorcerer, and Hymenaeus, and Alexander the Carpetsmith that is out there. This is the danger of any preacher, and particularly a young one, who is concerned for his image. Every false brethren that is out there, don't be concerned for your image. As long as you're standing for the truth, uncompromising standing for the truth, don't be concerned for your image. Yes, there is a danger of being ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and not willing to bear in our body the marks of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a danger. Paul warns young Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel or of the testimony of Jesus Christ. When fear is banished, evil shame also flees away. You hear that? Don't be ashamed of the testimony of the sinless Savior of mankind, the perfect Son of God who is meek and lowly. Don't be ashamed. The Jews were ashamed. They were ashamed of the meek and lowly one. Why? Because they wanted a conquering king. They didn't want a suffering servant. They wanted a conquering king to deliver them from the yoke of Rome. That wasn't God's timing. Remember, we are told to take up our cross and follow Christ. We are to take it up daily. And this is not his cross, but ours. And with that will come the world's attempt to shame us for believing on Jesus Christ. But you know what, brethren? We press on, and we must press on. Paul could not be ashamed of Jesus because of his faith in Christ. He could not be. for the which cause I also suffer these things. Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I'm persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. He knew his soul was kept by God. and that the Lord had brought him through so many things, so many trials, that he could not be ashamed. He knew that this world was not his home, and that he was on a race and was headed home. Remember that. You are passing through this world. You are merely pilgrims. This world is not your home. Your home is in heaven, and keep that in mind when you're preaching to lost sinners. Amen. He knew that the present affliction that he was experiencing could not be compared to the eternal rewards that awaited him. Oh yeah, amen? Paul warned not to be ashamed of the preaching of the gospel, or of the preacher of the gospel. He warned not to be ashamed of the preacher of the gospel. 2 Timothy 1a, 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. Paul was effectively saying, don't be ashamed of me as a prisoner. Don't be ashamed of my bonds. Don't be ashamed of this chain. Don't be. This is because he knew the sovereignty of God. He knew the sovereignty of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that God alone was in charge, in charge, that Jesus is in charge. Excuse me. No, even yesterday while sitting in the back of that police cruiser, I couldn't help but think that God is in charge. He's in control. He's in control. When I got arrested there, I thought, oh no, not again. Some negative thoughts would come through my head. God's in control. Jesus is in charge. I may ask why, but I can rest in the fact that He has a purpose for this. Why? Because He is sovereign. You know, at the beginning from the end, God is in charge. I want to quote here. When our friends are in power and credit, we can readily acknowledge them and take opportunities to show that we have such and such connections. But when the person falls into discredit or discredit, though we cannot pretend not to know him, yet we take care not to acknowledge him. This induced Cicero, in relation to friendships, to give for a maxim, amicus certus in re, in certus senator. In other words, a true friend is known in adverse circumstances. A true friend is known in adverse circumstances. And from this, we have borrowed our proverb, a friend in need is a friend in deed. Are you ashamed? Are you ashamed of the chain? You see, this is the challenge for a church when their pastor or other men stand up for the truth in this wicked, evil generation. It's a challenge for you not to be ashamed of my chain. Oh yeah, we're taking the stand. You know your last pastor took a stand? He was a very hated man for taking that stand uncompromisingly. Why do you think he wrote studies Entitled alone. Alone. We are not to be ashamed when false accusations come because Jesus bled and died under a false accusation. The apostle Paul was falsely accused. All the apostles and prophets were lied about and false reports were told about them. Don't think it can't happen to you. It's a good thing when it happens. You must be doing something right, amen? If the court of public opinion is more important to you than the truth, then you will give in to the pressure and be ashamed of the chain, the gospel chain. I don't care about the court of public opinion. I don't care about the court of public opinion when it comes to our own Baptist circles. I don't care. I only care what God thinks. I couldn't care one hoot about what others think. I couldn't care less what other Baptist preachers think, or even what you think. I only care what God thinks on the matter, and you should too. Brethren, it is easy to be ashamed. It is easy to be ashamed that you're a pastor, but a friend sticks closer than the brother. It's a proverb. A friend sticks closer than the brother. So many friends run away when a man is accused of something in his Christian life with no proof. But we must not be ashamed of the chain that is on that church or preacher or pastor who stands for the truth in this age of apostasy. You must not be ashamed. Now Paul was saying to Timothy, not to be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Not to be ashamed of me, his prisoner. See this bond? All men have forsaken me. Don't be ashamed of me. Think about it. Timothy was not to be afraid of confessing before men that he had been the disciple and friend of the prisoner Paul, who paid so dearly for the courage of his opinions, or should I say more accurately, the courage of his biblical convictions. nor any Christian must shrink from openly espousing the unpopular cause of the crucified one, or from publicly declaring their sympathy with its hated martyrs." Think about those who went before us. The trail of blood before us. The Baptist martyrs. Lawlords, Donatists, others. I mean, the list goes on. Oh yeah. There's a trail of blood. There's nothing new under the sun. It makes you wonder. There's no persecution coming to these churches. Something is wrong. We're given the leisure. See, these were fellow brothers in the faith who paid dearly with their lives for the faith. And we need not be ashamed of that. So many today are ashamed of their testimony, and they are ashamed of any preacher who is not generally accepted by mainstream Christianity, even within their circles or Baptist circles. By the way, men love to praise other men. They love popular men. What do you think Spencer Smith and all these guys, like some of what he does, but they all gravitate toward each other. They love the big name. They love the big name. Just think, recently John MacArthur died. Hopefully he went home to be with the Lord, I don't know. How many are speaking well of that man, even to the point of minimizing his heresies? Oh, what a great expositor of scripture that, but he was a heretic. He never recanted of denying the blood atonement. He never recanted that. That's heresy. I'm not speaking ill of a man. Or he may be a thousand times better preacher and orator than I am. He never recanted that. Jesus said this in Luke 6 in verse 26. Think about that for a moment. Beware of men that are spoken well of. Paul warned not to be ashamed, but also to be a partaker in afflictions. But also to be a partaker in afflictions. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me as prisoner, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. We are not only told not to be ashamed, but we are to be a partner or partaker in the affliction of the gospel. Think about that point for a moment. The afflictions of the gospel. The afflictions of the gospel. And we are called to be partakers of that. And my dear friends, that's not a comfortable place to be. See, God doesn't want you to be comfortable. He wants you to be comforted, but not comfortable. We are effectively told not to shy away, but rather to be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, amen? Think about that. What a statement this is. How many shy away by seeking to shun the afflictions of the gospel for the sake of leisure and comfort? How many shy away? But on the contrary, instead of injuring the good cause by faint-hearted conduct, Timothy was ready to suffer, if need be, with Paul. He was ready to bear some shame with him, ready to incur perhaps sore danger for the gospel's sake. In strengthening his argument, Paul then adds the following exhortation, according to the power of God. Absolutely. Yeah. You cannot be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel save the power of God. It must be according to the power of God. The power of God. In essence, he was saying, yes, join me in suffering if need be. Join me in suffering if need be for the gospel's sake. For the gospel's sake. Amen. Mighty and pitiful was God's power toward us. Great surely in proportion should be our readiness to suffer in return. Do you understand that no parent could love a child better than Paul loved Pastor Timothy? Think about that. And behold, he who could wish him nothing but what was great, honorable, and good wishes him to be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel. Because to suffer with Christ was the highest glory to which any human being in this state could arrive. It is glory. When you suffer for Jesus Christ, there is glory in that. The royal way to the crown of glory is by the cross of Christ. Brethren, we must bear our crosses. Jesus said this in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5, verses 10 through 12, "'Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake. "'Woe, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "'Blessed are you when men shall revile you "'and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil "'against you falsely for my sake.'" Gentlemen, have we experienced that? Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is the reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Gentlemen, we're in good company, amen. And glory and hallelujah to the Savior. Every Christian should be aware of the doctrine of suffering as it pertains in concern, or as it pertains to his Christian life. Every Christian should be aware of the doctrine of suffering. It's something, it's not comfortable here. Let's turn to Philippians 3 in verse 10. I know it's a long sermon, but I don't care. I have a tendency to really go beyond. If we go back here, let's start in verse 7 here. But what things were gained to me? Verse 7, 3 in verse 7, we're going to start there. But what things were gained to me? Those I counted lost for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things, but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them, but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, Listen to this, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection. Listen to this part here, and the fellowship of His sufferings, the fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable unto His death. That's a tall order, isn't it? Many people have erred with reference to Christianity through their eternally seeking the easy, convenient, popular, or man-pleasing course of action, rather than adhering strictly to what is known to be the will of the Lord. Brethren, we must endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. There is a battle out there, a warfare to be had. for though the gospel is a gospel of peace, yet through the corruption and depravity of man, it brings a sword, it brings division, and it will bring trouble, it will bring trials and tribulation. Tribulation arises on account of it, and this should be endured patiently and constantly for the sake of it. Rather than being ashamed, Rather than be ashamed, therefore Timothy is to endure. He's called to endure. And you know what? You're called to endure. I'm called to endure. He must be willing to suffer hardship and share the ill treatment of God's people as he goes forward with the gospel and for the gospel. This is God's people now. For the Bible says, yay, 2 Timothy 3 verse 12, yay, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. You know that's a promise? All who, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall, that's a promise, shall suffer persecution. That is a promise. God's purpose is advanced through suffering. and we must there fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ. Colossians 1 verses 24 and 25, who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church, whereof I made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given to me for you to fulfill the word of God. See, the world does not like being reminded of its unrighteousness. It does not like being reminded of its filth and wickedness. It hates being reminded of that. Therefore, you're going to receive the opposition that you have received, that we have received out in the streets. That should be par for the course. Because they are being reminded through the preaching of the Word of God, they are reminded of their filth, and of their unrighteousness, and of their wickedness, of their iniquity, all of that. And they don't want to be reminded of that. They want to be affirmed, love is love. Jesus is love, well yeah, you know what? And we're expressing that love of Jesus by preaching to you, by calling you, by calling out your sin and pointing you to the one who can save you from the penalty of sin. There's no greater love than that. Timothy was encouraged to endure, but his endurance was not to be in his own strength, but rather in the strength of the Lord, the power of God. It is God's power through His Holy Spirit that is there at work in all who boldly confess Christ, both in words and in life, sustaining, strengthening, uplifting, and guiding a power received when we receive the Holy Spirit at our conversion, but which needs to be constantly stirred up by prayer. by the reading and studying of the Word of God and meditating upon it, by unashamed testimony, and by good works done for Him in His name. Amen. He works within us so that He may work out what He works within us. Do you hear that? He works within us so that we may work out that which He works within us. In Philippians 2 verses 12 and 13, it burns us out. There it says, Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. By the way, you can't work out that which you have not received. You must receive it first. We're gonna close with these verses. Let's turn again now, 1 Peter 4, verses 14 through 19. I've read them earlier, but we'll close with them. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. Happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed. but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God. And if it begin first at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him and well-doing as unto a faithful creator. Amen. If we are reproached, reviled, or insulted for the name of Christ, Peter says that we are blessed. We are happy. Why? Because God's Spirit rests upon us. The Lord refreshes believers in spite of the attacks that are waged against us. The world may be repulsed by the name of Christ, but for the Christian, it is a strong tower of refuge. And we need not be ashamed, my friends. We need not be ashamed. Are you ashamed? Father, we give Thee thanks, Lord, for the blessing of Thy Word. I pray, Lord, it was a message, Lord, that really fire us up today, Lord. I believe it was an exhortation here as well. I trust it was a blessing to Thy people here. In Jesus' precious and holy name I pray, Amen.