Unnecessary Shame

You are listening to a message from Thrive Community Church, a church located in Southwest Florida. For more info, visit us at thrive-fl.org. Happy Mother's Day. It's great to have you here. I know this is a Mother's Day that probably in some ways could be easily forgotten because of our situation here, and yet at the same time it might be one that will never be forgotten. And the difference may be the way that we handle it. So happy Mother's Day to all those who are in our Thrive Community and in our general community as well. So we are now in our fourth week of the spring cleaning series. And as such, we've talked about how we're going to clean out the clutter in our lives to make more room for Jesus and the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Last week, we talked about how to get rid of that chronic guilt that seems to just cling so closely to us. Even after we have asked for God's forgiveness, somehow it still haunts us and comes back. How to get rid of that chronic guilt. So we dealt with that last week. This week, something that seems to in some ways go hand in glove with guilt we're talking about today, and that is how to get rid of our toxic shame, the shame that so easily discourages us and limits us and keeps us from taking the risks and having the courage that God would have us in any situation. And so we're going to read our text today, which covers that, and then get into the points of the message, just with a prayer. So our text today is taken from 2 Timothy 1, where Paul wrote to his protege, Timothy, who was much younger, these words. For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner. But share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purposes and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to life through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until the day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of sound words that you have heard from me in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. So far our reading. Would you pray with me? Lord God, on this day, this day that we celebrate our mothers, our grandmothers, our wives, we thank you, Lord, for the gift. We know for Timothy, his grandmother and his mother were very influential in his life and the faith and the pattern of life that they had, and we know how influential our mothers are in so many ways, in so many good ways. Thank you, Lord, for their gift, and we pray that you would bless them this day and not only be honored today, but always, Lord, in our lives. We ask, Lord, that you would take these words that were spoken to Timothy and speak them personally to us today. For we are so easily discouraged and disillusioned and become timid and shrink back from the calling you have for us, Lord God. So often we don't do what we can because we're afraid of what we'll look like, Lord. That kind of shame creeps in time and again, and we pray, Lord God, that you rid us of the shame that would hold us back from holding on to you and your promises today. We do pray, Lord, also for all those who are risking their lives right now in our medical community and our first responder community. For those who are on the front lines of this virus, that you would protect them and give them your peace and your protection today. That you would be with those who are working in the public, from grocery stores to sanitation workers, to the essential workers in so many fields that are also, Lord, at risk, that you would protect them and keep them safe. And that you would, Lord, give us in your church wisdom to know what is appropriate and when it is, and courage, Lord, to be your people in a time of uncertainty and fill us with such hope and such peace and such joy that the world gets to see it now. Lord, renew your church, refine us during this time, and reform us in whatever way you see fit for the sake of your kingdom and your glory. We know you are using these times and these days. Do the spring cleaning you need in our lives. All this we pray in Jesus' name, amen. So we're dealing with today, shame, not guilt. Though they do fit together, there are big differences, and we're going to do these three points from this passage. First of all, what shame is, so we understand the difference between that and guilt. Secondly, why it can...