Don't Be Ashamed

Introduction

Embarrassment is a feeling we’ve all experienced. When embarrassed, don’t you get flushed in the face? Maybe you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach—a mixture of being queasy and adrenaline. You feel like everyone is looking at you. None of us like to be embarrassed, and even now you can think of an embarrassing situation and get some of those feelings.

For the most part, we can get over being embarrassed. I can remember when Spenser was about two years old, and we went to The Pier restaurant downtown. I had won a radio giveaway and we took advantage of eating at a restaurant we couldn’t afford. We went early to avoid crowds and to watch the sunset on the Mississippi River. It was intended to be a nice outing for Barbara and me; we just had to take the kid along. If you have been to the Pier, then you know that it is divided into areas for eating. A couple entered the area where we were eating. The man had a very noticeable physical feature—his nose was extremely large, swollen, a large red bulb on the end. Admittedly, it was difficult not to notice. When, to our amazement, Spenser, having observed the man’s nose, responded just loud enough for the captain on the tugboat on the Mississippi River to hear, “Look at that man’s nose.” Embarrassment would not begin to describe how we felt.

What’s the next level after embarrassment? Shame. It is the emotional response of guilt which brings a sense of self-condemnation and disgrace. It is the feeling in which a person feels unworthy because of something done. Shame is debilitating. Shame comes in a variety of ways. However it comes, it is personal. The mixture of embarrassment, guilt, and dishonor leads to feeling unworthy. Most of us have felt shame.

Henry Thoreau once went to jail for refusing to pay his poll tax to a state which supported slavery. Thoreau’s good friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson, went to visit him in jail. He peered through the bars and asked, “Henry, what are you doing in there?” Thoreau looked at his friend and answered, “No, Ralph, the question is, what are you doing out there?”

Are you ashamed of your relationship with Father? Are you ashamed of your faith? Surely not. Our text today will help us to more fully appreciate our relationship with Father and to be willing to be more expressive about that relationship. Let’s be encouraged.

Paul’s Encouragement

Paul understands that his life is close to ending. There isn’t much time left in life. This letter, written during his second imprisonment at Rome, is his final writing. As he says in 4:6, he is already poured out. With Paul’s life ending, a successor is needed. Timothy is in Ephesus. While we are not sure, it seems likely that Timothy has been in Ephesus for some time. His ministry has not gone as well as he would have hoped. He has faced numerous attacks and the false teachers have pulled some away. Notice in 2:17, Hymenaeus is still causing problems. This is the same person from 1 Timothy 1:20 who was handed over to Satan.

Timothy has taken some hits from his work in Ephesus. Paul then is encouraging Timothy to keep at his work in this city. It appears that these final words are intended to be the words needed for passing the mantle of mission fervor to Timothy. Paul understands Timothy’s hesitancy, but Paul doesn’t want Timothy to lose sight of his work and mission.

Paul tells Timothy not to be ashamed to testify about the Lord nor to be ashamed of Paul. This is not to suggest that Timothy is ashamed of either or both. Paul is encouraging Timothy to stick with his mission. Look at what God has done. Look at what you are a part of. You are part of something that began before the beginning of time. You are part of something that isn’t dependent on your strength. You are part of something that is bigger than you.

Paul doesn’t want Timothy to think that he is in prison for something he has done wrong. He is in prison because he is sharing the good news. The prison may contain his body, but the prison cannot keep God from keeping his promise about the day that is to come. Paul tells Timothy not to get discouraged by what is going on, but to join with him in preaching that which is far greater than any of them.

Application

Have you ever been part of something that was bigger than you? Part of something that your part, while small, was nonetheless important? Most of us work for companies that are far bigger than us. Our part in that company is small, but our work matters and helps the company complete its task. Unlike working for another person or company, we are part of something that is unfolding as the years go by. Most of us work for companies that started in recent history—the last fifty years or less.

But we are part of something that started in the mind of God before the beginning of time. Grace began before time. Why? Because God conceived of it and Jesus agreed to it before God spoke the world into existence. And imagine—he has invited us to be a part of that. Hundreds of generations have preceded us. And in this generation in 2008 we are part of that which brings life for all eternity.

What a privilege to be a part of something that existed long before we came into this world and will continue to exist even long after we have died. What a privilege to be part of something that is from the mind of God. What a privilege to be able to testify to what God has done for us. What a privilege to help others know this God who has saved us, given us life, and wants others to be saved and to have life too.

Are you ashamed of your relationship with Father? Are you ashamed of your faith? Where is the evidence that you are joining Paul, Timothy, and thousands before you in testifying about our Lord? The evidence is not found in a building on Sunday morning, but like Timothy, the evidence is found in talking to both believers and unbelievers about what is important to you. What a privilege to be part of God’s great plan. Let’s celebrate. Let’s speak with great confidence. Let’s not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.

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