Alright, the Bible says here in the book of Romans, chapter 1 in verse 16, it says here, 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 Greeks. Let's go to God in prayer. Our God in heaven, Lord, thank you for your words to God that we will ponder tonight. Lord, I pray that you will give us an understanding of God and enlightenment, dear Father, from it. Lord, in heaven, we thank you for the salvation that we have received, dear God, from you. Thank you, Heavenly Father, that until now you are saving souls, dear God. I pray, O God, in heaven, that you will speak to each and every one of us, and may you be magnified, dear God, in our midst. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. I am not ashamed of the gospel. I'd like to give you the reasons why we should not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. So when we talk of the gospel, of course the Bible will tell us about the gospel is the burial and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. So that's the gospel. As it says in the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 15 that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and he was buried and rose again according to the scriptures. So that would be the gospel that we are sharing, we are preaching. As Apostle Paul says, I am not ashamed, and of course Apostle Paul had proven that, that he is not ashamed of the Gospel. Now brethren, there are several reasons, there are several things why the believers are not sharing the Gospel. First of all, it is because they might be ignorant of the Word of God. And that, because of that, they would not be sharing the Gospel. They do not know how. Secondly, they're not sharing the Gospel maybe because they're afraid of sharing the Gospel. They're afraid that they may be embarrassed when they share the Gospel. Or number four, number three, they will not share the Gospel is because they're lazy. They know it, but they're just lazy. They just don't want to do it. You see? And number four, they will not share the gospel. Why? Because they're ashamed. They're ashamed. They don't want to open their mouth. They don't want to tell anything about it. They are ashamed of the Gospel. But I would like to give you the reasons why we should not be ashamed of sharing the Gospel. Why we should not be ashamed. So there are three things here that I would like to share to you. First of all, why not to be ashamed in sharing the Gospel? Because the first thing is this, there is no disgrace in announcing it. There is no disgrace in announcing it. Apostle Paul was so bold in telling people about the Gospel. Yes, Apostle Paul was once an enemy of the Lord. He was once an enemy of the Church. But then, after that Apostle Paul came to know the Lord Jesus Christ, when Apostle Paul had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, he was no longer ashamed and he was so bold in sharing the Gospel. He was bold. And brethren, there is no disgrace. Why? Because the Bible says here, it is the power of God unto salvation. Why will you be ashamed when you know it is the power of God unto salvation? Brethren, people are still getting saved until today. If we will just be sharing the gospel, they can be saved until today. They will be saved. Why? The Bible says here that they are called by the Gospel. You share the Gospel, people will respond with the Gospel. And brethren, why Apostle Paul would say that I am not ashamed, it is not a disgrace to share the Gospel. It is the power of God. If we are really praying for the salvation of our loved ones, if we are really praying for the salvation of souls, then brethren, the Gospel is the answer. It is the answer. You see, God will call them through the Gospel. Is that? Apostle Paul also, not only that, why it is not disgraced of announcing the Gospel? Because it's the power of God unto salvation. Secondly, because it is an edification rather than destruction. It is edification. Brethren, when you preach the Gospel, this is life. It gives life. You see, Apostle Paul had experienced it. When he came to know the Lord Jesus Christ, that he was once an enemy of the Lord. But when he comes to know the Lord Jesus Christ, his life was changed. From a persecutor to a preacher. His life was changed from a hater to a lover of souls. His life was changed. Brethren, you can also tell of your testimony how the Lord changed you when you heard the Gospel. You experienced that. You experienced the power of the word, the power of God in you. You had experienced how that you had a change of life and you might have seen how people had change of life because they heard the gospel. You see, one of the one of the men that I've been able to share the gospel with I was conducting a home Bible study so I'm following up a mother and her daughter in their house and when I was there so the father was there and so I'm so glad that he was there and we sit down and had a Bible study so the father also listened carefully he got some questions, answered some questions and then Every week I go to their house, the father will always be there to sit down. I keep inviting the father to come to the church, and yet he's not coming to church. But the mother and daughter would continue to come to church until one time, he came to church. And during the invitation, that man came forward and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. And since then, I keep going there, follow-upping, and then discipling him, teaching him with the word of God. And one time he was with me in our visitation. So we've been going for visitation, and he was with me in visitation. He was with me in soul winning. And my brother, who is in the military, saw that I am with that man. And so my brother told me, do you know that man? I said, yeah. Is he attending your church? I said, yeah. Be careful with that man. So he gave me the warning, be careful with that man. If he is attending your church, be careful with that man. You see? So I said, that man has already accepted the Lord. There is nothing to fear. You see? So I just, I did not mind that. I just went on with him, training him until during our time together, He's giving his testimony. He's sharing his life. And there I found out, during the time that they're sharing his testimony, he is a hitman. He killed many people. And he would share to me that when he kills men, it's nothing in him. They're just dogs. And they just walk away. And that is already the life that he had. You see, that is his life. He kills. And so, when I learned that, I became so nervous. Oh, I did not know that I just witnessed a man who is like that. If I only known him before I witnessed, maybe I will have the second thought of talking to that man. But I praise the Lord, I did not know it first. I just keep following. But I'm telling you, brethren, when he was telling that, yes, those people that knows him, they know what he is doing. And so he said, he told me, Pastor, pray for me. I want to retire because he is also a military man. I want to retire. The politics, politicians have already used my life. The government have already used my life. And I want to get out from it. I want to retire. And so we prayed for his early retirement. And by the grace of God, he retired. And out of that, and later on, became a pastor. He was a changed man. He is not afraid of anyone. He is really tough. And the Lord that used that man in winning other more souls, because he is tough. He can just be frank with anybody in sharing the gospel. A changed man. Brethren, it is because of the gospel. There was a man that was changed. So, you see, why be ashamed? It is not disgrace, because you know what will happen to people if you will be sharing the gospel to them. You know what will happen to those, that's why even when we moved to the province in Abra, we've been in Baguio City, Baguio City, Breton, and if you will just be in that place, that is a paradise. If anyone had been in Baguio City, Americans will call Baguio City a paradise because of its climate. We have a good climate. All year round, we might have at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit all the year. That's why we got a lot of tourists in there. But brethren, I am not because of the good climate. I moved to Abra and started the mission there. Why? Because of what's going on in Nabra. Because of the situation there. That I am always thinking that the only hope they had is the Gospel. If these people will just hear the Gospel, if these people will just be saved, they will change. Just like that man, who is a hitman, was changed by the Lord. You see, and so I'm really, I'm there because we really would like to witness one of, when we started another mission work in Abra, so we moved to another town, and then I coordinated with the police chief in the town, so I went to the town, and I introduced myself to the chief of police, and then the chief of police just keep telling me, Pastor, you are safe here. You are safe here. What would you feel if they keep telling you that you are safe in that place? The more that you are doubting, you say, what's going on in this place? Why they keep on telling me I am safe? You see? So the policeman will always tell me, you are safe, you are safe here. And then after the evangelistic campaign that we had done, we are going out in that night, and then again the police came to us and said, Pastor, you are safe here. So I think something is going on here. Why he keeps telling me that I am safe in that place? And really brethren, that place is really tough. You see, the Gospel is the solution there. Because when they hear the Gospel, when they receive the Lord Jesus Christ, their life will be changed. So I'm telling you, it is not disgrace. Just keep sharing the Gospel. Just keep telling them about the Lord. If you see somebody maybe, you may see that they are hopeless brethren, there is hope in the Gospel. You see, God can work in them. God can work in their lives. So it is not a disgrace to share the Gospel. Secondly, the Lord, the reason why we should not be ashamed is not because it is not a disgrace to share the Gospel. And secondly, because the Lord despises shame when He authored the Gospel. The Lord despises shame when He authored the Gospel. Look at Hebrews chapter 12. The book of Hebrews chapter 12 says here, verse 2, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. You see that the Lord who authored the gospel, it is his death, burial, and resurrection. And brethren, when the Lord was already on the cross, or even before the cross, he was mocked, he was arrested, and just knowing a person who is so tough, who is so strong, with all his followers, he can whip those people, he can cleanse the temple, and now when he was arrested, it seems that he was helpless. And they will mock Him. Where are now thy companions? Where are now your disciples? Where are the people with you? You're alone. So they start to mock the Lord. You see? So, yeah, He is being put to shame and I'm telling you brethren, the Lord Jesus Christ is also human. Of course we know that the Lord Jesus Christ is 100% man and 100% God. So being human, he can feel just like we are. He can feel that. He can feel that he is being put to shame. He can feel those temptations. That's why the Bible is telling us here that we need to draw near to him because he feels what we feel. Isn't it? So as human being, he feels all those. He feels the shame that they were doing. Remember, the Lord Jesus Christ, He is a moral person. A moral person. And being a moral person, he is a decent person. And that decent person, after he was arrested, and he was sentenced to die, they ripped his clothes, and he was naked! And hanged on the cross, naked! No clothes! And all the people are seeing him. Naked. A moral and decent person. Is that not a shame? Will you not feel shame when you were stripped naked? And all people are looking at you? Brethren, He despised those shame. He despised those shame. Yes, He can feel that. Yes, maybe humanly speaking, He might want to go down from the cross. He got the power. He might want to just destroy the people. He got the power, but He did not. He despised the shame instead. He despised the shame, why? Because he is looking at the joy that was set before him. And what was the joy that was set before him? The salvation of the lost. The salvation of the sinners. That if he will finish this, sinners will be saved, people will be saved. And because of that brethren, he endured the cross. Despising the shame to author the gospel. Brethren, if there is a time that you are becoming discouraged, if there are times that you are weary in sharing the Gospel, if there will be times that you thought you are tired in sharing the Gospel, look at the Lord. Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross? Brethren, don't stop sharing the Gospel. Focus on the joy that was set before you. salvation of the lost. You see? Keep sharing the gospel. So just imagine if the Lord listened to his shame, listened to that he felt so ashamed, and then he will just come down to the cross, then no one will be saved. You see? But brethren, look at what happened. Isn't it? I am not from here, but I already joined several door knocking, especially in Mississippi. I always stay here in Mississippi. I was in Vicksburg. I was with them in knocking doors, sharing the gospel. And one of the doors that I knocked, then the door opened, and then when the door opened, What is that banging that you're doing here? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm just sharing, I would like just to share this gospel truck with you. He grabbed the gospel truck. Give me that. Get out of my ports. I am already saved. Get out of my ports. He's saved. And he told me to get out of the ports. You see? So, and people are looking. What would I feel? So I feel just like I'm alone. I feel that, just like, oh, I feel that I am embarrassed with those people that are looking. But brethren, I went to the next door. And again, share the word. You see, there are times that you will be discouraged. There are times that you will feel you are alone in doing it. But brethren, look at the joy that was set before you. There will be souls that will be saved. There will be a fruit of your labor later on. That's why the Bible is telling us, let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. You see? So the Lord Jesus Christ despised the shame. And he just went on. He died on the cross. Conquered death on the third day. He rose again. And eternal life is available to everyone. Because he despised the shame. And lastly, the Apostle Paul, why not be ashamed with the Gospel? Because there is no disgrace in announcing it. Because the Lord despised the shame to alter it. And the third thing is this. Apostle Paul disregarded shame to advance it. Oh yes, even Apostle Paul. Several times he was mocked. Apostle Paul would even call the Gospels, that's why Apostle Paul said, I am not ashamed of the Gospel. And Apostle Paul, you will notice that he said in 1 Corinthians 1, in verse 18, 1 Corinthians 1 verse 18 it says here, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Brethren, yeah Apostle Paul will be called foolish because he is preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was preaching of the Lord. You see that? He was preaching and people, the notion of people at the time, that Jesus is fake, He is not the Messiah. And Apostle Paul was preaching about Jesus. And so people would call him foolish. But Apostle Paul says, the preaching of the cross is foolishness. Yes, it is foolish. You can be called foolish because you are preaching the cross. Yes, you can be called foolish. Why? Because you are telling of heaven. Have you been there in heaven? Have you encountered these people? You are sharing the gospel and you are talking about heaven and they will tell you, have you been in heaven? Have you been in hell? And so they would look at you as a fool. You've been preaching something that you have not actually seen. Hell and heaven. Is there really hell? Is there really heaven? Why are you telling it? You see? And so we get really to preach because why? It is the word of God. You see, God says so. Someone told me, if there will be somebody from heaven that will tell us that there is heaven, I will believe you. And I told him, the Lord Jesus Christ is from heaven. He already came here to tell us about heaven and hell. Did you believe? And if somebody will tell you, if I will tell you right now that I came from heaven, If truly I came from heaven, and then from heaven I came down to earth, the Lord would let me go down, go back to earth, and okay, now I came from heaven, I came down from heaven, and then I will tell you. Now the question is, will you believe me? Of course not. You will not believe me. You see, how about if somebody will come from hell? Somebody will come from hell, and then the Lord says, okay, you, that person, that from hell, okay, you go down, you go back to earth. And then a person that came from hell is still burning And then he will knock on your door And you will open the door Will you listen to him or will you run away? What I mean brethren, if we will just go with this foolishness, with these foolish people Isn't it? That's why the Bible is telling us here They have Moses and the prophets Let them hear them Moses and the Prophets. You see that? So what is Moses and the Prophets? That is the Word of God. Let them hear the Word of God. You see? Because it is what will give them the knowledge and the faith because faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. You see? They got to listen to the Word of God. Isn't it? So, Apostle Paul disregarded shame. He was put into prison. And just imagine brethren, if you will come from prison, and then you will be sharing the word of God, and they will look at you, are you not one of the prisoners? And you are there sharing the word of God, they may not know why you were in the prison. Apostle Paul was there in the prison because he preaches the Lord, that's the only crime maybe that he had, because he preached the Lord. He preached the word, and he was put to prison. You see, but people who do not know, is not this a prisoner? Why is he talking about God? Why is he talking about the Lord? Isn't it? But the Apostle Paul just keep going and preaching the Word of God. So brethren, what have you experienced in sharing the Word? What have you experienced in presenting the Gospel? Brethren, let's continue on. Let's keep sharing the Gospel. Don't stop sharing the Gospel. If ever you get tired, if ever you are discouraged, brethren, just look unto Jesus. Because when He authored it, He despised the shame. Looking unto Jesus. And I'm telling you, brethren, the power of the Gospel is still at work until today. It's still at work. Try to share, and you will see the fruits. You will see people getting saved. Just keep sharing. the Word of God. So brethren, let us not be ashamed. Let us be bold. Let us be zealous in sharing the Gospel. Because until today, it is still the power of God unto salvation. Richard, please come.