NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

What does it mean to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16)?"
Answer: In Romans 1, Paul addresses the Gentile believers at Rome and begins by explaining his mission, which was to preach the gospel to everyone. He concludes his explanation by saying, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Romans 1:16–17; cf. Habakkuk 2:4).
The word translated “ashamed” means “disgraced” or “personally humiliated.” A person “ashamed” in this way is like someone singled out for misplacing his confidence—he trusted in something, and that something let him down. The word can refer to being dishonored because of forming the wrong alliances. So, when Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel, he is saying his confidence in the gospel is not misplaced. There is no disgrace in declaring it. Paul had given his life to proclaiming the truths that Jesus Himself had revealed to him (Acts 9:3–6; 2 Corinthians 12:2–4). He explained to the Romans why he did not believe that he had wrongly identified with Jesus and why proclaiming Jesus’ message was his life’s work.
The application can extend to us as well. Just as Paul placed his confidence in the gospel of Christ, so can we. We can proclaim with boldness the truths that God has revealed in His Word, with no fear that our confidence is misplaced. “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame” (Romans 10:11; cf. Isaiah 28:16). We can rest in the knowledge that the Holy Spirit who inspired the writing of Scripture never changes (2 Peter 1:21; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). What was true thousands of years ago is still true. The offer of salvation that was presented to people of the first century is still open to us (Acts 2:39; John 17:20).
To live unashamed of the gospel means we proclaim it, but it also means we apply it to our lives and show we believe it. Paul’s life choices supported his message. He did not preach one thing and live another. We are “ashamed of the gospel” when we allow sin in our lives to go unchecked (Matthew 3:8). When we indulge in worldliness and carnal desires or blatantly disobey scriptural standards, we indicate that we lack confidence in our own message (1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Peter 2:11). When we “walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the path of sinners, and sit in the seat of scoffers” (Psalm 1:1), we are being ashamed of the gospel. We are not allowing its truth to penetrate our lives so that others see its changing power. To live unashamed of the gospel means that we, like Paul, allow it to dominate our lives to the extent that everyone within our sphere of influence can see that we have “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Recommended Resource: Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World by John MacArthur

CROWNS OF AN EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

In a messsage like this, there is three major words that can caught the attention of either the readers or the hears. These words are: Leader, Effective and the Crown. Leadership here, we are talking about the Christian leadership. Therefore the scope of this paper will be limited to Christian leaders whose are effective and then the CROWN.

ESSENTIALS TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
Charles Spurgeon said: “There are no crown WEARERS in heaven who were not Cross BEARERS here below.” Meaning that an effective leadership require some tips to enable that particular leadership wear the crown. Crown can not be unless one has undergone some sufferings, trial and test. Let us glance through the following tips for more understanding.

Integrity:-It is right that leaders be held to the highest standards of character, conduct and ethics. The term encompasses honesty, authenticity, transparency, trustworthiness, truthfulness, morality, and personal ethics (Psalm 1; Prov. 4:14 – 18;  17:20; 20:7; I Tim. 3:1, Tit. 1:6; 3 John 12)
Vision. :- A leader must have ability to “see into the future”. Dream dreams and cast a vision for the people of God (Josh. 1; Prov. 29:18)
Wisdom:- Why would any one want to follow someone who is unwise and therefore incompetent? A wise leader seeks the mind of God (Prov. 19:21). People must feel confident that the leader knows where he is going, that he has the ability to take them there and that it is a place they also want to go. Competence includes demonstrating leadership ability through word, action and deed. (Prov. 12:26; 13:16,20; 15:1-2; 23:12, 23; 24:5 – 6)
Communication:- We must develop the art of listening (Jam. 1:19). Input from key followers requires vital communication. A leader must clearly chart the course to follow to reach the vision. Talking, listening and sharing are crucial to sound leadership (Prov. 1;5,7b; 11:14; 15:22 – 23, 21:23; 25:11 – 12)
Motivation:- You must inspire follower to put forth the effort required to achieve the vision. Motivation by the leader is vital, because of the paralysis that can be caused by uncertainty. The status quo can look mighty comforting to followers who lack confidence in their leader. Change requires risk, challenge and personal growth. Motivation requires inspirational leadership. (Prov. 30: 29 – 31).
Decision:- Leadership must make wise decisions. They must listen to counsel, observe for themselves, weigh the evidence, consider the consequences, and then acts, always in biblical manner, every decision should be bathed in prayer, asking the Lord for wisdom (Jam. 1:5 – 7). Every decision will not be a perfect decision, but the leader must acts decisively. To not decide in a timely manner or to decide unpredictably or irrationally is to display an uncertainty or inconsistency that will not be welcomed by those who are led. Followers will forgive the occasional wrong decision and remain loyal, but they will not long tolerate the leader’s inability or unwillingness to reach a decision (Jam1:8).
Risk taking:- Christian leader is about tempting great things for God. It is about change, and change is about taking risks, being innovative, trying new approaches, and even risking failure. Leaders recognize “failure” as only a temporary setback that gives direction for how to proceed by providing clear evidence of how not to proceed. We fail when we don’t try. Leaders fail only when they give up the pursuit for success (Matt. 25:14-30; Phil. 1:21; 3:12 – 14)
Compassion. :- Leaders care about the mission of the organization, the vision that guides the way, and the well – being of the followers who must provide the hard work to translate the vision into reality. Leaders are passionate for ideals and compassionate for people (Prov. 3:27). True leaders are fair-minded and treat others as they would want to be treated (Prov. 14:21; 19:11, Matt. 22:39). People want to follow leaders whom they know to be not only competent but also genuinely concerned about them. The bound of good will and understanding that develops between a caring leader and his or her followers engenders the trust that is vital for effective leadership.
Humility:- Good leaders are marked by an accurate self – evaluation, which engenders humility of heart and openness to correction. (Prov. 16:18; 18:12; 21:4; 22:4; 27:17; 29:23).
Self control:- Capable leaders exhibit the ability to stay calm in the midst of stress and turbulence. They keep a “cool head” an a controlled tongue (Prov. 16:32; 23:29 – 35)
Balance:- Effective leaders have all elements of their being well – integrated … spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically (Luke 2:52). Such leaders may seem to be “larger than life” and often engender great loyalty among followers.
Humor:- Effective leaders take their works seriously but not themselves. A well – tuned sense of humor in a leader who is able and wiling to laugh at his or her own mistake and imperfections --- but not those of their followers – makes the leaders approachable and help give other the confidence to take risks. The effective leader knows that a hearty laugh is medicine for the soul as well as body and that in a crisis a good laugh may be only link to sanity.
Service :-Wise leaders think of other before they think of themselves. They never ask anyone to do anything they would not be willing to do themselves. (Mark 10:45)
Sacrifice:- Effective spiritual leaders give themselves away first to Jesus and then to others. They have eternal perspective and recognize the value of giving up that which they cannot keep in order to gain that which they cannot loose. (Rome 12:1)
Modeling:- “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an acts, but a habit” --- Aristotle (I Cor. 11:1). Others learns from what they do than what they say.

FOUR Cs OF AN EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
Seminar or conference held at Regent University in 2002 during doctoral residency programme under the leadership of Dr. Bruce Winston gave us these FOUR Cs of an effective Christian leadership that can wear the crown.
CALLING – (Gen. 12: 1 – 4, Exod. 3:1 – 6; I Sam. 3:1 – 10; Matt. 10: 1 – 15,). References above are some ways by which callings is the first bases of an effective Christian leadership where the will of God will took supreme. Calling comes from God and is not something that one can be educated or trained to receive.
COMPETENCE – (Gen. 47:6; Exod. 31: 1 – 5; Prov. 22:29)
The above verses support a need for competence, the need to be good at what we do. Colossians 3:23 – 24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the LORD Christ you are serving”
It is clear that calling without competence can still lead to success, calling with confidence will lead to greater success.
CONFIDENCE – (I Kgs. 18: 38; James 1:5; Heb. 11:6)
Bandura, 1994 said the notion of confidence is similar to the concept of self – efficacy in that people perceives their ability to do or not to do something. The focus here is on self perception, rather than reality. In (I Kgs. 18:38) Elijah filled with confidence, he prayed and fire came from heaven and consumed the wood, the offering and the entire altar. In (Luke 9:1 – 6) Jesus Christ gave the disciples the confidence to heal. The verse cited above shows that confidence as contribution to wearing crown.
CHARACTER – is in the fourth position of the four Cs, but it has a significant amount of material because character is the most important. This is not borne out of bad but from good behaviors. Psalm One provide us with a view of the righteous leaders who through his or her beliefs, demonstrates characteristics in line with biblical principles. “Blessed” is the Christian leaders who does not interact with the wicked nor participate with the evil people. It begins with what not to do and then moves into what to do. Christian leaders should avoid intention to harm, dishonesty, inappropriate speech, and covetousness. In addition, Christian leaders should be of integrity and not say one thing but do another (hypocrisy)
With each successful level of these four Cs, greater success happens and crowning is awaiting such an effective Christian leadership.

CROWN OF AN EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP.
Critical studies of New Testament gave us FIVE Crowns as rewards in Heaven. These reward will be awarded at Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11 – 15) while God is going to eternally punish the unsaved. Those who were rebellious and who rejected His son, Jesus Christ, and God’s Word (II Thess. 1:7-12).
The main FIVE Crowns handed out in studies of N.T. for the True Believers among of whom Christian leader were called out, did their work with divine competency, embedded with confidence and exhibits good characters. The crowns are as follow.
Crown of Glory. (I Peters 5:2-4; Matt. 5:19).
This Crown is for those Leaders, Pastors, Elders, and Teachers who were Godly examples to the flocks of Believers that were entrusted and faithful under shepherds over the flock. Those who are spiritually mature in the Church. The Christian leaders who are matured in faith and who exercise their spiritual gift in serving the body of Christ (II John 1:8).
Crown of Righteousness. (II Timothy 4:1 – 8).
This crown is for those believer’s who were ready and waiting for the returns of Jesus Christ. The keeping or guiding of the faith is required for winning the crown of Righteousness, those who “love His appearing” (v.8). These are Christians who are daily occupied with Jesus Christ through His Word and anticipate His return.
Incorruptible Crown:-(I Corinthians 9:24- 27).
This is the victor’s Crown – for those who discipline their bodies and brought their bodies unto subjection and had self control. This requires self discipline of the body which is used by the Holy Spirit to manifest the life of Christ. This life is dependent on the filling of the Holy Spirit through confession of sin and sensitivity to the leading of the Lord.
Crown of life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10; II Timothy 2:15)
This is Martyr’s Crown – for those who were faithful unto death – those who patiently endured testing, temptations and trials. The crown of life will be awarded to those Christians who have their soul saved. It is a salvation of the soul who seek the Lord and overcome the flesh through confession of sin and filling of the Holy Sprit (I John 1:9; Rev. 3:5)
Crown of Rejoicing (Matt. 28:19 – 20; I Thess. 2.19; Dan. 12:3)
This is the soul winner crown – For believers who were obeying Jesus’ Great Commission. The crown of rejoicing and the crown of glory are two highest crowns awarded to Christians for their faithfulness in seeking the kingdom of Heaven. The crown of rejoicing will be awarded on the basis of soul winning. Evangelism (i.e witnessing to the unsaved) is a very important work and there will be rewards for those Christian leaders who evangelize with the correct motives. Soul winning involves knowing God by knowing the scriptures and meditating upon them day and night. It involves being filled with the Holy Spirit and leading other Christians into the spirit filled worship and it entails more than showing up at visitations. Soul winning requires a daily walk with Christ and abiding in Christ so that He can work through believer.

FACTS ABOUT THESE CROWNS.
Christian leader should guard their crowns (Revelation 3:11).
Crowns are to be guarded against deceivers and spiritual deception (II John 1:7 – 8)
Crowns can be lost when good deed is done with wrong motive. (Matt. 6:2)
Gold crowns can be given (Rev. 4:4)
Crown will be cast down before Jesus at His throne (Rev. 4:10 – 11)
Jesus wore a crown of THORNS at His death (Matt. 27:29)
Jesus will wears many crowns when He returns (Rev. 19:11 – 19)
The FIVE crowns addressed in the N.T. represent the goals that every Christian leader should strive to attain in his / her Christian walk with the Lord. Effective Christian leaders should set about earning all five crowns so that he / she can receive a full reward and reign and rule as the Bride of Christ. Only those Christian leaders who have kept themselves cleans and pure and who have lived close communion and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ will be rewarded with the prize of the high calling of God.  

For Personal meditations – Promises from Jesus Christ.
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the Tree of life (Rev. 2:7)
He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:11)
To him who overcome I will give some of the Hidden Mana to eat (Rev. 2:17)
He who overcomes, and keep my works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. (Rev. 2:26)
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name from the book of life. (Rev. 3:5)
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God …. (Rev. 3:12)
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne as I also overcome and sat down with my father on His Throne (Rev. 3:21)
He who overcomes shall inherit all things and I will be His God and He shall be my son (Rev. 21:7)

Reference:
Bible NIV
Bandura, A. (1994). Self – efficacy. In V.S. Ramachaudran (Ed.) Encyclopedia of human behaviour (Vol. 4, pp. 71 – 81). New York: Academic Press.
Williams, D. (2002) The Preacher’s Commentary #13 Psalm 1 – 72. Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Winston Bruce (2002) Seminary /Conference on “What is Leadership” Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA. 23464

END TIME ALERT

VERY CRITICAL ALERT!!!
Hello beloved saints, I'm sure you know that New international version(NIV) was published by Zondervan but is now OWNED by Harper Collins, who also publishes the Satanic Bible and The Joy of Gay Sex.
The NIV and English Standard Version (ESV) has now removed 64,575 words from the Bible including Jehovah, Calvary, Holy Ghost and omnipotent to name but a few...
The NIV and ESV has also now removed 45 complete verses. Most of us have the Bible on our devices and phones especially OLIVE TREE BIBLE STUDY APP.
Try and find these scriptures in NIV and ESV on your computer, phone or device right now if you are in doubt:
Matthew 17:21, 18:11, 23:14; Mark 7:16, 9:44, 9:46; Luke 17:36, 23:17; John 5:4; Acts 8:37 ...you will not believe your eyes.
Refuse to be blinded by Satan, and do not act like you just don't care. Let's not forget what the Lord Jesus said in John 10:10 (King James Version)
THE SOLUTION
If you must use the NIV and ESV, BUY and KEEP AN EARLIER VERSION OF the BIBLE. A Hard Copy cannot be updated. All these changes occur when they ask you to update the app. On your phone or laptop etc. Buy and KEEP EARLIER VERSIONS AND STORE THEM.
There is a crusade geared towards altering the Bible as we know it; NIV, ESV and many more versions are affected.
Rapture will take place any time from now. Everything hindering the rapture has been removed. Gospel has been preached almost everywhere, all the prophecies has been fulfilled. The devil is working very hard to occupy Christians with the things of this world so that the day will catch them unaware. Please be prepared,there is no more time, Use the advantage of sms,WhatsApp, BBM, Facebook, twitter etc to send this message to people. Do not ignore. This is also a source of evangelism, souls are dying. God bless you!
Let’s Pray Hard: 6 6 6 The Mark Of The Beast Prophesy Finally Fulfilled… Written By: Jonathan Annobil. The US supreme Court has rule that states must allow same-sex marriage (SODOMY) which was the same reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. the US Senate has also passed the Obama Health Bill into law. The implementation has already commence. The bill would require all Americans to be implanted with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip in order to access medical care. The device will be implemented on the forehead or on the arm.
This is to fulfill the prophesy in the Book of Revelation 13:15-18 concerning the MARK Of THE BEAST. Are you still doubting the END TIME? Do u know that the special car which was made for Obama is known as the BEAST? Get READY. The rapture is near! Revelations 13 is being played out right before us. Many are still unaware. Why is the chip being implanted exactly where the Bible says it would be. Why on the hand and forehead. Why not anywhere else?2. Why is it being connected to your bank account? Remember the Bible says you wont be able to buy or sell without the mark 6 6 6. And guess what! The chip is connected to your financial details. What breaks my heart the most is that many people in the Church will not make it if Jesus comes now? Many are unaware that the end is near. Don’t tell me that its advancement in technology or development. If any area of your life is not in sync with God’s word repent and be converted. If you miss heaven you can never miss hell…think about it. Hell is not a pretty place, the worst part is that it is for eternity… He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the church. Please rather than post and forward senseless messages.
Send to everyone you know. Do the work of an evangelist. PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH ALL YOUR CONTACTS. Have you ever wondered what should have happened if we treat the Holy Bible the way we treat our mobile phone? And we really can’t live without  it. Satan said. “I wonder how humans claim to LOVE God and disobey Him, and claim they hate me yet they obey me. SHALLOM.