“I Am Not Ashamed Of My Lord Jesus Christ!”

“I Am Not Ashamed Of My Lord Jesus Christ!”(II Tim.1:6-10)[30/11/24].
The pastor was going to another congregation. He asked a layman to preach. Upon his return he asked a few of the Christians how the service fared. He received the same answer: “Never allow this man to preach again in this congregation.” According to the congregants the sermon was the poorest they had ever heard.
The pastor asked the congregants, “Did the preacher call the name of Christ?” The answer from each person was , “Yes, he did.” The pastor then asked, “If the preacher called the name of Christ what else did you want to hear?”
Reflecting on this I remembered this song:
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s Name,
Salvation through His blood.
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
The refrain says it all. “I need no other argument, I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.”
When Paul wrote to Timothy, a young minister he had groomed, he told him among others, “…I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of hands. For God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord…But join me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because his own purpose and grace…”
This grace which is our crux “was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
So to say my friend, “God planned the ending right from the beginning.” Grace was there from the beginning and has just been revealed now. We should not be ashamed to testify about this. We do not need any other argument or plea. Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Hallelujah!”
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit help us daily not to be ashamed to own our Lord. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.