I'm Proud To Be A Christian

Theme: Don't be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

Object: A recording of "God Bless the USA" and a small U. S. flag

Scripture: So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.  I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 2 Timothy 1:8,12

There is a song that is being played a lot on the radio and television recently.  The name of the song is "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood. It isn't a new song.  It has been around for quite a while, but after the attack on the United States that took place on September 11th, it has been played a lot more frequently on the radio and television.  Let's listen to just a little bit of it. (Play the first verse and refrain, if possible.  If not, just read it.)  A lot of people in the United States are showing that they are "proud to be an American" these days.  You see a lot of people wearing flag pins or red, white and blue ribbons on their shirts.  As you drive around the cities, you see the U.S. flag flying everywhere.  It has gotten to be so popular to fly the flag that the businesses that sell flags are sold out.  The companies that make the flags can't make them fast enough to keep up with the demand. It is very difficult to find a flag to buy.  How about you?  Do you gladly stand up and say that you are "proud to be an American?"

It is easy and popular right now to say, "I'm proud to be an American."  I wonder if it is just as easy to stand up and say, "I'm proud to be a Christian?"  If we stand up and say that we love Jesus, we are afraid that someone might be offended.  If we stand up and speak out for Jesus in our schools, we are afraid we might be breaking the law.  We can't stand up for Jesus and say a prayer before the football games any more because we are afraid that we might violate someone's civil rights.  It seems as if it is okay to stand up and speak out for almost anything these days -- except Jesus. In a letter to a young man named Timothy, the apostle Paul said, "Don't be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. I am not ashamed because I believe in him and trust in him."  In other words, Paul was telling Timothy, (sung to the tune of God Bless the USA)

"I'm proud to be a Christian, because in Him I'm free.
And I won't forget the Christ who died on the cross of Calvary,
So I'll gladly stand up next to you and praise his name today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this Man, Who took my sins away!"