The FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED
This past weekend we were talking about being unashamed. Being BOLD is part of what you saw in Jesus, Paul, Peter, the early church.
Are God’s people bold today?
Are you bold?
Seems like a lot of Christians think being bold means being abrasive, offensive, obnoxious, arrogant, or unkind. It’s true that sometimes folk will disagree with what we say or stand for. But being kind, patient, and even gentle is NOT the opposite of being bold, but should accompany it.
Years ago I ran across something called The Fellowship of the Unashamed written by a fellow Pastor. I dug it out and reworked it, then shared it as an opportunity for people to take a stand for God as part of my message at Mountain. Here is a LINK to that part of the message (3 minutes).
Many have asked for a copy. Here it is:
The FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED
Attributed to Bob Moorhead, adapted by Ben Cachiaras
I am a part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.
The decision has been made. The line has been drawn, and I have stepped over it.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
And I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is solid in God’s hands.
I am finished with stupid living, selfish giving, shallow prayers, phony fellowship and half-way devotion.
I am done with safe planning, the bare minimum, smooth knees, timid dreams, tame visions, lame divisions, empty talking, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, or popularity.
I don’t have to be right, first, best, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded
I live by faith. I lean on Christ’s presence. I love with patience. I live
by prayer, and I labor with the power of God’s grace.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way
is rough, my companions are few. But my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, detained, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or falter before the threat of persecution. I will not hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, capitulate at the pool of popularity, or fluctuate in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, or slow up until I have stayed up, prayed up, paid up, and spoken up for the cause of the One who loved me and gave up his life for me.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I will Love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, Love People like Jesus did, and Serve the World with all I've got. I will go until He comes. I will give until I drop, I will pour myself out, give myself away, and I will speak out until everyone hears.
And when He returns for His own, he won't have any difficulty recognizing me. When Jesus comes I won't be sad, I won't be sorry, and I won't be slow to fly to him because I will be ready to go home. Because my sin is great, but his grace is greater. My mistakes are many, but his forgiveness is mightier. My past is ugly, but my future is beautiful because
My heart is his, my passion is his, my mission is his, my hope is his, my joy is his, my peace is his, my LIFE -- is his.
I am a disciple of Jesus.
I am a part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.
And I invite you to join me in saying, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.." (Romans 1:16)