Statements of Faith - Not Ashamed

 

ROMANS 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

    Romans 1:17

For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Exodus 18:9).

    SENT TO THE JEWS (ISRAEL) FIRST

Acts 3:26

"When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

    THE POWER OF THE CROSS

1 Corinthians 1:18, 21-24

(18) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

(22) For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 

(23) but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 

(24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

 

    Without the mark of the cross (the atoning blood of Christ)  and the resurrection (born into a new life in Christ) upon the church (the born again believers who live a Christ-filled life) as a whole, nor without the baptism of The Holy Spirit dwelling within her (Comforter and Guide) and upon her (the power of God), there can be no unity in God's church, Christ's bride. 

Hebrews 9:22

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 

Luke 24:49

And behold, I am sending The Promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

True repentance is an acknowledgement and confession of our sins to God that we may receive His forgiveness. Without repentance (acknowledge sin in my life, confess my sins to God and stop doing those sins) there can be no forgiveness. 

Luke 24:47-48

(47) And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 

(48) and in His Name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. 

Romans 4:25

He was delivered over to death (torture and the cross and the grave) for our trespasses (rebellions against God) and was raised to life for our justification (righteousness).

    

    CALLED TO SALVATION THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

Acts 4:11-12

(11) This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

(12) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 

Romans 5:6

(6) For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Acts 10:43

"All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name."

Romans 10:8-10

(8) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

(9) that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

(10) For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

    I am not ashamed of being a Christian, a Christ-filled Christ follower. I am not ashamed of His gospel of salvation for it is the power of God saving me, changing me into His reflection, His image. For in the beginning when God created Adam, He created him in His image. And because He created Eve from Adam's rib, she became created in His image, too. 

    But sin entered in Eve's heart and she doubted the Truth of God's Word, causing her to eat the forbidden fruit, which she then handed off to Adam who also ate of it. Since then sin has reigned upon this earth and each person born has been born with the nature of sin within it. One of the first words we learn is "No", closely followed by a rebellious nature: doing what we want to do instead of doing what is best for us. 

    But God in His infinite mercy, which He extends to a thousand generations, made a Way for us to be forgiven and saved: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" 

I am a whosoever. 

WINDS OF WORSHIP 10 - New England Worship Songs - Vineyard Music

NO WAY, WE ARE NOT ASHAMED - Carman 

THE JOY - The Belonging Co

 

I Am The Body of Christ - Part One - Apostles

 

1 Corinthians 12:12, 13

The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Romans 12:4, 5

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. 

   I am Christian and I am the body of Christ. I have been broken and poured out. I became a part of the body of Christ when I believed on The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God for my salvation. 

    My body is His. It is comprised of apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles. People with gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:28). 

    Apostles build churches from the ground up: first we share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ with the people we meet in the cities in which we live. As Paul wrote, "We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:23, 24). 

    An apostle is humble (1 Corinthians 15:9). Apostles are messengers, envoys, delegates, one commissioned by another to represent him in some way, especially a man sent out by Jesus Christ Himself to preach the Gospel.  "To commission, send forth";  focusing back on the authority (commissioning) of the sender(Strong's #652). 

    We preach Christ, not ourselves, not a gospel of prosperity nor a gospel of self-sufficiency. We preach Christ crucified. Tortured, mocked, stripped of His garments, beard plucked out, face smashed, thorns forced into His precious head and nails hammered into His feet and His hands. Christ on the cross stained with His blood, mocked as He died. Speaking love and forgiveness to the ones who put Him there. Broken in body, but not bone. Strips of flesh dangling off His body of suffering. In front of His mother, whose heart was breaking at the sight of her firstborn Son's death. 

    But in death He did not remain, for Christ Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave now and forevermore! He rose from the dead and walked out of the grave with a new body.The same Jesus. The same voice. The same love, mercy and forgiveness. But a new and glorious body. The firstfruits of the resurrection, meaning He was the first to rise from the dead in such a way. 

     We are apostles and we are here in this body of Christ to tell you about our Jesus, The Christ, for Whom we are named. We are not worthy to be called apostles, yet calle us He did and still does. But when our heavenly Father sends His only begotten Son to bring His church home with Him, we will leave. And then .....

    What will you do with this Jesus and His message of salvation?

WALK WITH YOU    Michael Bethany

HOPE HAS A NAME River Valley Worship

SONG OF MOSES  Isaac Tarter

THERE IS ONE GOSPEL CityAlight 

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS Songs and Everlasting Joy

A Crucified Life - - Is Unashamed of The Gospel

 

    Romans 10:11

For the Scripture says, "Everyone who Believes in Him will not be put to shame."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2617

[not] Shamed: does not disappoint

From the Greek word 'kataischuno' (pronounced kat-ahee-skhoo'-no): put to utter confusion, disgrace, frustrate.

    Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

    1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

    Shame is what the faithless unbeliever is covered in, but even this covering cannot prevent the death and destruction that awaits them after death. The unbelieving state of their hearts causes them to stumble in the dark, bumping into whatever doctrine of philosophy they prefer to embrace, when they refuse to believe that Jesus Christ Is Lord. 

    Utter confusion dwells in a chaotic atmosphere. Here the lonely heart cries out to be rescued from its chains of despair and depression, but refuses to lay hold of the Cross and the gospel of salvation. That which brings joy to the faithful faith-filled believer brings only condemnation to the unbelieving soul. 

     Not under my own power do I believe, but within the realm of the power of God, who planted a seed of faith in my heart, when I first believed in the His only begotten Son Jesus Christ as Lord. Though many weeds sprang up to torment this seed of faith as it grew within me, they did not manage to destroy my faith. And my faith grew.

    The Bible clearly states it is the Power of God which brings about salvation to the believer. I do not need to fully understand how or why at this point. I believe there is One:

One God, One Gospel, One Holy Spirit. 

One Creator of Salvation. One Redeemer Who Saves. One Spirit of Wisdom Who Calls us to Salvation. 

    And I love Him. I am not ashamed of the gospel. I am not confused. I am not deluded. I am not disappointed. I am not condemned. 

    Now, Today, is your opportunity, your chance, your turn to believe that God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross in your place; to carry the weight of your sins upon His shoulders. Today is your day of salvation, to have the saving grace of the blood of God's Lamb wash away the stench and make clean the darkness of your hearts. 

    Now, Today, it's your turn to believe that Christ is here to redeem you to Himself. Today is not a day for condemnation, for He came not for that reason but to bring you close to Him and nearer to God. Today could be the day you turn from unbelief, leaving the darkness of not knowing Him and embracing the Light of God's Love. 

    Only God has the power to wash and make clean the darkness of our hearts with Blood. Only God speaks light which pierces the darkness of our hearts. Only God can do the impossible. 

    James 4:8

        Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

UnAshamed

Nothing Is Too Hard For You - Vineyard Worship

We Are Not Ashamed - Carman

The Power of The Cross - Stuart Townend

Miracles - Jesus Culture

This I Believe [The Creed] - Hillsong Worship

Glorious Ruins - Hillsong Live

There Is One Gospel - CityAlight

God of The Impossible - Lincoln Brewster

A Crucified Life - - Is Hard Pressed

 

2 Corinthians 7:5

For from the time that we came to Macedonia, we had no relief for our body, but we were tormented in all things: combat from without, and fear from within.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3600/2852 & 2346

Tormented: to suffer pain; to be mistreated violently

Pressed: afflicted, hard pressed, constricted, compressed 

     

     I used the Aramaic translation for today's verse because it explained best to me this verse. But finding the correct definition of 'tormented' in this instance took some time, as there are many types of torment.

     Paul is writing from their personal experience of being violently coming against for bringing the gospel to Macedonia. At the same time in which he and his companion(s) are being come against personally, their thoughts began to bring fear into the equation. So, from both the outside and the inside they felt tormented, compressed.

     Ever seen an apple squeeze? That's pressing hard from two sides to produce something that doesn't even resemble an apple, yet is sweet to the taste and quenches a body's thirst. That's what was happening here. Being hard pressed on every side, these men were becoming something more, being changed and conformed to a sweeter taste in the Lord. 

    It is the same for every born again believer who is willing to share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. We must be willing to stand up for Jesus in the Love of God. We are not violent. We do not take  up arms against the unbeliever. If we need defending, Christ is our Defense. We must pursue righteousness every step of the way.

    We overcome fear that rises up within us by the Word which is in us. The Holy Spirit upon us, and working through us and in us, girds us up and builds a fire within us to keep going, to keep speaking the Name of Jesus and God's message of salvation and deliverance. 

    He reminds us that we are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Our strength is in the Lord, not in ourselves. The only power that is wielded is the power of God bursting forth from our obedience to Him. 

    In this day and age in which we currently live, born again believers are not welcome. Our differences set us apart boldly. We have one voice: we speak the Love of God. We have one heart: we pursue godly agendas. We have one name: born again believer. 

    And we have one Savior: the only begotten Son of God Jesus Christ, the Messiah who was promised in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament. 

    Lord, use us for Your glory as we bring Your Word to a lost and dying world who desperately need You. Help us to bring You to each and every one who hungers for Truth and Love and Friendship that is faithful and sure. 

In Your Wonderful Name,

Amen.

PRESSED FOR THE BETTER  (A Jesus Culture playlist)

Alive In You

Where You Go, I Go

My Soul Longs For You

Break Every Chain

One Thing Remains

Fill Me Up

Rooftops

Set A Fire

Your Love Never Fails

A Crucified Life - - Is Crazy For Christ

 

2 Corinthians 5:13

For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are sober-minded, it is for you.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1839

Beside Ourselves: to displace, to stand aside

From the Greek word 'existémi' (pronounced ex-is'-tay-mee): astonished, amazed, stupefied, out of my mind.

    Have you heard the phrase "fools for Christ"? It's actually a real verse in the Bible. 

    In Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth he writes, "We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute." (1 Corinthians 4:10). I am, indeed, a fool for Christ. You might say I'm crazy for Christ. Unlike the cereal toucan who is cuckoo for Coco Puffs, I Stand Amazed for what Christ has done for me. 

    You know what other crazy thing we do? We Pray for you. We may never meet again on this side of eternity, but I hope we meet on the other side. But you see, that's only going to happen if you have surrendered your heart and your life to Jesus Christ. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son? that He suffered and died to atone for your sins? that He conquered death and the grave and walked out of the grave to become our risen Savior?

    Have you repented of your sins? confessed that yes, you are a sinner who needs a Savior? Are You Washed In The Blood of The Lamb? Have you been baptized into His Name? Water baptism is the seal of our faith. It is the public confession of our new faith in Christ. We are telling everyone that we are overjoyed to now be in God's family and have committed ourselves to be His servants.

    Crazy, huh? But we must remember that in this life we will always be someone's servant. If we are not serving God, then we are serving the devil. Both have payment plans, but only God's payment has already been paid. By His Son Jesus Christ.  Such Amazing Grace our God has given us! I'd rather be considered mad by the world, than foolish by the Lord. 

    How is our salvation possible?  It's The Gospel that makes The Way. I made this decision. I chose to walk in The Way and now I'm Living For Jesus. 

CRAZY FOR CHRIST

Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill

Living Hope - Phil Wickham

Thank You Jesus For The Blood - Charity Gayle

River of Life - Mac Powell

He Knows My Name - Songs 4 Worship

There Was Jesus - Zach Williams & Dolly Parton

The Wonderful Cross - Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman

I Stand Amazed - Chris Tomlin

The Stand - Hillsong

Are You Washed In The Blood? - Bombay Christian Fellowship

The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson

Living For Jesus - Ray Walker 

Thanks Be To God -- Tell of All His Wonders

 

1 Chronicles 16:8

Give thanks to the LORD: call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3034

Thanks: to throw, to cast;   

In this verse, the word thanks is rendered from the Hebrew word 'yadah', which is pronounced yaw-daw' and means to confess, to glorify, to give praise while throwing one's hands or arms up. 

This word yadah is used 114 times in the Old Testament. 

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD

Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart by Don Moen

Psalm 105:1

O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Psalm 136:1

O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever.

Gratitude by Brandon Lake 

CALL UPON HIS NAME

I Speak Jesus by Charity Gayle

Call Upon His Name by Darlene Zschech

Joel 2:32

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Acts 2:21

'And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Romans 10:13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

He Is by Eric Ludy

MAKE KNOWN HIS DEEDS AMONG THE PEOPLE 

Isaiah 12:4

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted.

Psalm 89:1

Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 96:3

Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.

Mark 16:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

Romans 10:15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Psalm 145

I will exalt You, my God and King;

I will bless Your name forever and ever.

Every day I will bless You,

and I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation will commend Your works to the next,

and will proclaim Your mighty acts—

the glorious splendor of Your majesty.

And I will meditate on Your wondrous works.

They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds,

and I will declare Your greatness.

They will extol the fame of Your abundant goodness

and sing joyfully of Your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.

The LORD is good to all;

His compassion rests on all He has made.

All You have made will give You thanks, O LORD,

and Your saints will bless You.

They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom

and speak of Your might,

to make known to men Your mighty acts

and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and Your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is faithful in all His words

and kind in all His actions.

The LORD upholds all who fall

and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to You,

and You give them their food in season.

You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways

and kind in all His deeds.

The LORD is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call out to Him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;

He hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD preserves all who love Him,

but all the wicked He will destroy.

My mouth will declare the praise of the LORD;

let every creature bless His holy name

forever and ever.

ETERNITY IS FOREVER REGARDLESS OF DESTINATION

Mark 16:16

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

John 3:18

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Revelation 20:11-15

(11) Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.

(12) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.

(13) The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.

(14) Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

(15) And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

To preach the gospel is to preach the whole gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. Not just the good stuff, but the consequences of not receiving and believing the good stuff.