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.

We’re starting a new series tonight in conjunction with a new initiative we have started in our city this week. We are going to be talking about what it means to “Speak Jesus.” We’re going to see what it means to not be ashamed of the gospel and why the name of Jesus is so important to speak to those around us.

At the heart of what we are seeking to do in our community is Romans 1:16, and in particular the beginning words: “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” This verse is the very heart of the book of Romans, written by Paul — a kind of thesis statement of the book.

So, let’s start off by asking this question: What makes a person feel shame?

Today we will focus on the words: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel.” You see the link with verse 15. The reason he is eager to preach the gospel in Rome is that he is not ashamed of the gospel. Let’s begin with the general question: What makes a person feel ashamed? Consider some examples.

First, suppose a boy brags to his friends that he can outrun the new kid in the neighborhood. So the kids set up a race — say, once around the block. Both boys walk the route and see where all the obstacles are and where the turns are made. Then they line up. The neighborhood kids are all out watching. Someone says, “Ready. Set. Go!” And the bragging boy is simply left in the dust. The skinny new guy finishes 40 or 50 yards ahead of the braggart. When that happens it is very likely that the braggart feels ashamed. He feels that he has made a fool of himself.

Second, suppose someone you don’t like at school has a dad who is in jail. And suppose that you make fun of him for this and call him names and point out to people that his dad is a crook. And you boast that your dad is a successful financial officer at a major bank. Then one day you go home to the terrible news that your dad has been arrested and charged with embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars. The next day you don’t even want to go to school because you are so ashamed — both of your father and of yourself.

Third, suppose you are invited to a costume party — you carefully pick out your costume and work so hard on looking good. You are invited to a party and you check with people whom you think are reliable advisers about what to wear and how to look. But when you get there you realize that you are totally wrong in the way you dressed. Everyone is in like suit and ties and you are dressed as an Avenger. You are so embarrassed that you don’t want to go into the room.

Finally, suppose you have a part in a play — just a small one perhaps, because you are nervous and not very good at acting. Maybe you have two lines at some key point in the play. You memorize the lines. The play begins. Your heart pounds out of your chest. The audience is large. Everyone is doing beautifully and setting a high standard. Your moment is drawing near. And at the exact moment, you freeze. You try to say the two lines. Everybody is looking at you. But you can’t do it. Someone whispers to you your lines — to no avail. Somehow they get around you. You run off the stage, and want to run off the planet. You feel so ashamed.

We all know what it is to be embarrassed — or to be ashamed. What would keep you from being embarrassed or ashamed in situations like that? Well, one answer would be that stronger legs would have kept you from losing the race and being put to shame by the new guy. And a more honest dad would not have embezzled, so you wouldn’t be ashamed of him. And with better counsel from your friend you wouldn’t have dressed all wrong for the party. And better nerves in front of a group would have let you remember your lines and speak them with excellence. In other words, you could avoid being ashamed if you could always keep yourself in the best light and never let anyone feel