THE WORK OF GRACE 

THE WORK OF GRACE: ARE YOU ASHAMED OR UNASHAMED AND EMBOLDENED TO DO THE WORK? 

“For I am not ASHAMED of the GOSPEL of Christ: for it is the POWER of God unto SALVATION to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God REVEALED from FAITH to FAITH: as it is written, The JUST [RIGHTEOUS] shall LIVE by FAITH” Romans 1:16-17/Emphasis Mine. 

In this Kingdom of our God in Christ Jesus — I mean, concerning the affairs of this Kingdom in grace: Are you ASHAMED of the Gospel of Christ? 

When last were you EMBOLDENED to make your FAITH in the Gospel of Christ KNOWN to all ABOUT you? Are you still hiding from public view as a Christ Disciple? Are you a hidden Believer of the FAITH of God in Christ Jesus’ stead? 

Are you not willing to make known your RESOLVE to be an AMBASSADOR of and for Christ Jesus? Which are you? ASHAMED or UNASHAMED! 

For in this Kingdom of God that is of RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit, you need not to be ASHAMED of the GOSPEL of Christ; for the GOSPEL of Christ concerning human redemption gives the ENABLING POWER — CAPACITY, ABILITY — of God, for human DIGNITY to be ACTUALISED in His divine PLAN, PURPOSE and PURSUIT. 

“For the KINGDOM of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of RIGHTEOUSNESS and PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit. For the one who serves Christ in this way [recognizing that food choice is secondary] is acceptable to God and is approved by men” Romans 14:17-18/Amplified. 

And as for me in this grace in the Kingdom, as in all situations, I am PROUDLY and awesomely EMBOLDENED to be a Disciple and AMBASSADOR of Christ Jesus by the GOSPEL. 

I therefore encourage you today to be graciously and gracefully emboldened in all situations to be UNASHAMED of who you are in God and of preaching the Kingdom Gospel of Christ, because therein lies the hope of many that can be RECONCILED to God through your essence in Him in Christ Jesus’ stead. Amen. 

For as a NEW CREATION, you ARE God’s RECONCILIATION AGENCY, His dwelling EMBASSY and His AMBASSADOR, otherwise REPRESENTATIVE on earth, in the Kingdom cause of our God to establish His RIGHTEOUSNESS in humanity, in Christ Jesus’ stead. Amen. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has RECONCILED us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the MINISTRY of RECONCILIATION, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are AMBASSADORS for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be RECONCILED to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Him” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21/NKJV. 

Blessed regards to you in the grace in the Kingdom, as you go forth and do Kingdom business unashamed, being emboldened as a Christ ambassador in the grace in Christ Jesus’ stead. Amen. 

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK! 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT: 

“For THE GRACE of God has appeared that OFFERS salvation to all people. 12 It TEACHES us to say ‘NO’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to LIVE self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this PRESENT age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to REDEEM us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone DESPISE you” Titus 2:11-15 (NIV). 

“For God hath not GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND. 8 Be not thou therefore ASHAMED of the TESTIMONY of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou PARTAKER of the AFFLICTIONS OF THE GOSPEL according to the power of God; 9 who hath SAVED us, and CALLED us with an HOLY CALLING, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the GOSPEL: 11 whereunto I am appointed a PREACHER, and an APOSTLE, and a TEACHER of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also SUFFER these things: NEVERTHELESS I AM NOT ASHAMED: for I know WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, and am PERSUADED that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” 2 Timothy 1:7-12. 

“But let none of you SUFFER as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man SUFFER as a CHRISTIAN, let him not be ASHAMED; but let him GLORIFY God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that JUDGMENT must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that OBEY not the GOSPEL of God?” 1 Peter 4:15-17. 

“For with the HEART man BELIEVETH unto RIGHTEOUSNESS; and with the MOUTH confession is MADE unto SALVATION. 11 For the scripture saith, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:10-13. 

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE (CREATION): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath RECONCILED us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of RECONCILIATION; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ, RECONCILING the world unto himself, not IMPUTING their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of RECONCILIATION. 20 Now then we are AMBASSADORS for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye RECONCILED to God. 21 For he hath MADE him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be MADE the righteousness of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. 

SUMMARY: 
The message is a Kingdom charge to live UNASHAMED and EMBOLDENED as AMBASSADORS of Christ, because the GOSPEL is the POWER of God for SALVATION and the WORK OF GRACE that establishes God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS in humanity. 

It calls every Believer to reject fear and hiding, and to embrace their identity as God’s RECONCILIATION AGENCY — carrying RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit to a world that needs to be RECONCILED to God. 

KEY POINTS 

1. THE GOSPEL IS GOD’S POWER, NOT SOMETHING TO BE ASHAMED OF

• “For I am not ASHAMED of the GOSPEL of Christ: for it is the POWER of God unto SALVATION” [Romans 1:16]. 

• The GOSPEL REVEALS the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God from FAITH to FAITH, and “The JUST shall LIVE by FAITH” [Romans 1:17]. 

• It gives the ENABLING POWER — CAPACITY, ABILITY — of God for human DIGNITY to be ACTUALISED in His divine PLAN, PURPOSE and PURSUIT.

2. THE KINGDOM IDENTITY: RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY

• “For the KINGDOM of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of RIGHTEOUSNESS and PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit” [Romans 14:17-18]. 

• We are not to hide as hidden Believers or Christ Disciples. We are called to be KNOWN, EMBOLDENED and UNASHAMED.

3. YOUR DIVINE ASSIGNMENT: GOD’S RECONCILIATION AGENCY

• As a NEW CREATION, you ARE God’s RECONCILIATION AGENCY, His dwelling EMBASSY and His AMBASSADOR on earth [2 Corinthians 5:17-20]. 

• God has given us the MINISTRY of RECONCILIATION — “be RECONCILED to God” [2 Corinthians 5:20]. 

• “For with the HEART man BELIEVETH unto RIGHTEOUSNESS; and with the MOUTH confession is MADE unto SALVATION” [Romans 10:10]. Our voice matters.

4. THE SPIRIT WE HAVE RECEIVED EMPOWERS BOLDNESS

• “For God hath not GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND” [2 Timothy 1:7]. 

• “Be not thou therefore ASHAMED of the TESTIMONY of our Lord… I AM NOT ASHAMED: for I know WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED” [2 Timothy 1:8, 12]. 

• “Yet if any man SUFFER as a CHRISTIAN, let him not be ASHAMED; but let him GLORIFY God” [1 Peter 4:16].

5. GRACE TEACHES AND COMMISSIONS US

• “For THE GRACE of God has appeared… It TEACHES us to say ‘NO’ to ungodliness… and to LIVE self-controlled, upright and godly lives” [Titus 2:11-12]. 

• Grace REDEEMS us to be a people “eager to do what is good” [Titus 2:14]. It is not passive; it mobilises us for the WORK.

6. THE PERSONAL DECLARATION

• “I am PROUDLY and awesomely EMBOLDENED to be a Disciple and AMBASSADOR of Christ Jesus by the GOSPEL.” 

• The hope of many to be RECONCILED to God lies in our willingness to be UNASHAMED in all situations. 

CALL TO ACTION 

1. EXAMINE YOURSELF: Ask — ASHAMED or UNASHAMED? When last were you EMBOLDENED to make your FAITH in the Gospel KNOWN? Refuse to be a hidden Believer.
2. EMBRACE YOUR IDENTITY: Declare daily: I am a NEW CREATION. I am God’s RECONCILIATION AGENCY, His EMBASSY and AMBASSADOR. Walk in it.
3. LIVE THE KINGDOM: Demonstrate RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit. Let your life be acceptable to God and approved by men [Romans 14:18].
4. SPEAK THE GOSPEL: Use your MOUTH. Confess Christ. The Gospel is the POWER for SALVATION. Do not let anyone DESPISE you [Titus 2:15].
5. SUFFER IF NEED BE, BUT NOT IN SHAME: If you suffer as a CHRISTIAN, GLORIFY God and remain UNASHAMED [1 Peter 4:16]. The Spirit of POWER, LOVE and SOUND MIND is upon you.
6. GO FORTH: Do Kingdom business unashamed. Be an instrument for RECONCILIATION — that men may be SAVED and become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Christ [2 Corinthians 5:21]. 

REV. CHUKIE MORSI