Unashamed: Sharing the Gospel Boldly
Today, we focus on a single verse that serves as the foundation for our message about sharing the gospel. This verse, found in Romans 1:16, is a powerful reminder of our call as Christians to be unashamed in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16 (NKJV):
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
God has placed a message on my heart today, and I encourage you to stand with me in honor of His Word as we reflect on what it means to be unashamed in sharing the gospel.
A Call to Be Unashamed
Paul, the author of Romans, was an extraordinary example of someone who lived unashamed for Christ. Before his transformation, Paul (then Saul) was the leading persecutor of Christians. He sought to dismantle the early church, imprisoning believers and even approving of Stephen’s stoning. But God had other plans. On the road to Damascus, Paul encountered Jesus, and his life was radically changed. He went from being the greatest persecutor to the most passionate evangelist.
Paul suffered greatly for the gospel—he was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, and ultimately martyred. Yet, he never hesitated to share the good news. Why? Because he understood the depth of his sin and the magnitude of God’s grace. He knew there was only one way to salvation—through Jesus Christ alone.
The Urgency of the Gospel
We never know what tomorrow holds. Life is unpredictable, and we don’t have unlimited opportunities to share the gospel with those around us. Recent stories remind us of this urgency—a 20-year-old diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, a single mother facing a terminal illness. These heartbreaking realities emphasize the importance of sharing the gospel while there is still time.
Are You Unashamed?
When we reflect on our lives, can we say that we are truly unashamed of the gospel? Does our witness reflect someone who boldly proclaims Jesus?
Too often, we hesitate. Fear, discomfort, and uncertainty hold us back. But as believers, we are called to be fired up for the Lord! If we are not actively sharing the gospel, we risk falling into complacency. The gospel is the power of God for salvation—without it, people remain lost.
The Power of the Gospel in Action
We recently witnessed incredible moments of salvation and baptism in our community—more than we’ve seen in years! God is moving, and He is using His people to make an impact. We saw lives transformed, including a man who found salvation in a workplace chapel and later connected with a church after relocating. These moments remind us that when we step out in faith, God works through us.
However, as exciting as these salvations are, we must ask ourselves—are we doing enough? Are we fully embracing our mission to be unashamed and share the gospel with everyone we encounter?
Moving Forward in Boldness
As we kick off the Campaign for Christ, let’s commit to being unashamed. Let’s set personal goals to share the gospel with at least ten people in 2025. Let’s pray fervently for those who need a relationship with Jesus.
It is the law of the harvest—when we faithfully plant gospel seeds, God will bring the increase. Let’s be a church that boldly proclaims the name of Jesus, unashamed and on fire for Him!
Are you unashamed of the gospel? Are you ready to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ? Let’s go out and make a difference for the kingdom of God!
Bold and Unashamed: Sharing the Gospel with Passion
When I share the gospel with someone, I never know if they’re going to accept Christ right away. But I do know one thing—God is always working.
There was a man I met in Bladen County, someone I had been talking to about Jesus for months. Every time, he would say, “I’m good.” Then one day, out of the blue, everything changed. During a Bible study, he shared a deeply personal story about a time he almost took his own life. At his lowest moment, he heard a knock at the door, and with tears in his eyes, he said, “I just know that knock was Jesus.”
I asked him, “Have you opened the door to let Jesus in?”
He broke down crying and admitted that he hadn’t. But at that moment, he was ready. We prayed together, and he gave his life to Christ. A couple of months later, his mother passed away. As heartbreaking as that was, praise God—he had Jesus to lean on. This morning, he texted me asking for prayer, and it reminded me: when we are bold and unashamed in sharing the gospel, God moves in ways we never expect.
The Law of the Harvest
Just like a farmer sows seeds expecting a harvest, we must spread the gospel with expectation. If we had 50 people in our church sharing the gospel passionately with 10 people each, how many more would come to Christ? We don’t know when they’ll be saved, but we trust in God’s timing.
Sometimes, we miss opportunities to share the gospel. I know I do. The other day, I saw a man in handcuffs with two officers outside a doctor’s office, and I felt the urge to speak to him—but I didn’t. I don’t want to miss those moments anymore. That’s why our Campaign for Christ is so important. We need each other for encouragement, accountability, and training. Imagine if every Sunday, we shared testimonies of how God is working through us.
Do you ever find yourself wanting to share the gospel but holding back? Do you ever get out of the habit of witnessing? My prayer is that we help each other become more faithful witnesses for Christ.
We Don’t Know What a Day Holds
Life is uncertain. I recently heard about a young mother diagnosed with cancer, given only three years to live. She has four children and can’t keep her lights on. As we support her in practical ways, the most important thing is that she knows Jesus. My own mother battled cancer twice, and at 13, I lost her on Thanksgiving morning. While I miss her, I have peace knowing she had trusted in Jesus.
We don’t know how much time we or others have left. That’s why we must take every opportunity to share the gospel. God may use you to lead someone to Christ before it’s too late.
Why Don’t We Share the Gospel More?
I believe most of us would admit we could do a better job of sharing our faith. What holds us back?
- Fear – But God did not give us a spirit of fear.
- Feeling Unequipped – But we don’t have to be perfect; God uses imperfect people every day.
- Fear of Rejection – But our job is to proclaim the gospel, not to make someone accept it.
So, how can we overcome these obstacles?
- Spend more time with Jesus—our passion grows as we draw near to Him.
- Stay accountable—imagine if someone asked you every week, “Have you shared the gospel?”
- Memorize Scripture—hide God’s Word in your heart so you’re ready to share.
- Practice—write out a gospel presentation, role-play with a friend, and just start sharing!
God Uses People—Why Not You?
I’m thankful for the people God used in my life. A fourth-grade friend, Jonathan Foster, boldly told me, “You must be born again.” Years later, my now-wife Crystal challenged me with John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” At first, I resisted, but those seeds eventually led me to salvation at age 27 on the shores of Carolina Beach.
Can you think of someone God used to share the gospel with you? Now, can you think of someone who would say you helped lead them to Jesus? If not, why not?
Be Bold and Unashamed
When young people get on fire for the Lord, when believers of all ages become passionate about sharing their faith, there’s no telling what God will do. Revival can happen when God’s people are truly on mission for Jesus.
Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We are His witnesses, and the Holy Spirit empowers us.
Romans 1:16 declares, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” If we aren’t sharing the gospel, how will people hear? But if we make it a habit, we will see God work in incredible ways.
What’s Next?
Our vision is to see multitudes saved, baptized, and growing in Christ. But it takes both the Spirit of God and the people of God. If we get fired up, there’s no telling what God will do!
Let’s be unashamed. Let’s share the gospel. Let’s be part of the harvest.
