Romans: Justification, Faith, and Imputed Righteousness: Sola Fide And Justification

Shamed - Part 1 of 2

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2019-12-29

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver examines the theme of shame in the life of a believer, focusing on Psalm 119:1-8. He argues that disobedience to God's commandments is the primary cause of shame, and that a sound heart in God's statutes leads to a life free from shame. The sermon distinguishes between sins of ignorance and presumption, both requiring atonement. Weaver emphasizes that even New Testament believers can experience shame, particularly when they fail to study Scripture diligently, rightly divide the word of truth, or abide in Christ. He warns that at Christ's return, some will be ashamed due to lack of abiding, while those who live in obedience will have boldness. The message calls for self-examination regarding study habits, knowledge of doctrine, and daily conformity to Christ.

[John Weaver] We're going to read the first eight verses. Psalm 119, and we'll begin reading there with verse one. Psalm 119, verse one. The title of the message is Shamed. I think you will understand when we get into the message. So Psalm 119, verse one, David says, Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity, they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes. Oh, forsake me not utterly. Let me begin by asking some questions. First of all, have you ever been ashamed of your attitude, your actions, or words? And have you ever been confronted with the words, shame on you?

[John Weaver] I think probably each one of us has heard those words in times past. But have you ever had to hang your head in shame before others as you confess your words and deeds? And have you ever had to write letters of apology and confess to someone your uncivil, unkind, and unbiblical attitudes and expressions? And have you ever prayed and shamefully bowed your head before the thrice Holy God, because of that which you know that you have done and said. And has it bothered you even after you sometimes confess your sins and repented of those sins? Has it ever bothered you that you acted and said things and did things and thought things in such a way that you actually knew better? and you should never have done it to begin with.

[John Weaver] Well, have you ever really seen the depth of your own deceitful and depraved heart? Now, oftentimes we think that we're not really too bad until all of a sudden we end up saying something or doing something. And all of a sudden, all of our sin, all of our wickedness just simply comes boiling out. And then we're confronted with the realization Yes, we are still wicked. And yes, we are really depraved. You remember that passage in Jeremiah 17, verses nine and 10, where the Bible says the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.

[John Weaver] And then the question is asked, who can know it? And then the next verse says, I, the Lord, search the heart and try the reins, even to give to every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. So the truth of the matter is, When we are so shamed and so embarrassed, even to lift our heads before our heavenly father, we're learning exactly that which Isaiah learned in Isaiah six and verse five, when he said, woe is me. For I'm a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. Woe is me, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

[John Weaver] And it's only as we really and truly begin to see our own vileness, our own corruption, our own depravity, that we can begin to see God's glory and God's holiness and God's majesty and God's sovereignty. And so when we are convicted many times of our sins, Our attitudes, our actions, our words, our thoughts. When we are convicted, oftentimes God does indeed grant us repentance and he also grants us forgiveness. And yet there are the scars from those sins.

[John Weaver] You know, memory can be a blessed thing. But memory can also be a troublesome thing when you continue to think about those things that you have done and you knew better and you knew you should not have done them. And although God has forgiven you and although you've repented, they're still in your mind. You know, David had that same problem because in Psalm 51 in verse three, David said, for I acknowledge my transgressions, listen now, and my sin is ever before me. You know, that's one of the most horrible things about sin.

[John Weaver] Is there some sins you just can't forget? There are some sins that you just can't eradicate or obliterate from your mind. You did them. And every now and then they will come back just simply to haunt you. I was amazed when I began to look at this to discover how many times David prayed that he would not be ashamed. Now, if you look in verse six, he says this, then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments? I'm going to come back to that passage, but I want you to turn in your Bibles very quickly to Psalm 25. And let me just show you a number of passages where David is praying that he will not be ashamed. So when you look at Psalm 25, verses one and two, in fact, let's read through verse three. In verse 1 of Psalm 25, he says, unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee. Now look, let me not be ashamed.

[John Weaver] Let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed. Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Skip down, if you would, please to verse 20. He says, O keep my soul and deliver me. Let me not be ashamed. For I put my trust in thee. Then if you would turn right over to Psalm 31, Psalm 31, and notice if you would please, verse one. He says, in thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed. Deliver me in thy righteousness. And then if you will skip down to verse 17. He says, let me not be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon thee. Let the wicked be ashamed and let them be silent in the grave.

[John Weaver] Now, I'm going to share with you today some things for which we should be ashamed. And next week, Lord willing, some things for which we should never be ashamed. But the truth of the matter is there are many things for which we should be ashamed.

[John Weaver] Now, before we look at Psalm 119, let me tell you something about this psalm. First of all, Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm. It is the longest psalm in the Psalter. 176 verses. The reason there are 176 verses in Psalm 119 is because it is an acrostic Psalm. So if you will look at your Bibles in verses one through eight, I'm not going to read it, but I'm going to tell you this.

[John Weaver] There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Olif, Beth, Gimbel, Daleth, He, right on down the line. And when you look at verses one through eight, in the Hebrew, all of these eight verses begin with an olif, the letter A in our language. alphabet. When you look at verses nine through 16, all of those verses in the original begin with the letter Beth, which would be equal to RB, so to speak, and so on down. And so you have 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and therefore you have eight verses beginning with each Hebrew letter. So you then have a total of 176 verses in this Psalm. So Psalm 119 then is an acrostic psalm. So it is also a psalm concerning the law of God. Look if you would please at verse one.

[John Weaver] He says, blessed are the undefiled in the way. who walk in the law of the Lord. So he begins this psalm by talking about walking in the law of the Lord. Now he says, blessed are the undefiled. The undefiled here are those who are the perfect, the mature, the unstained, those who walk in the law of the Lord. Now when you and I think of the word undefiled, We think of purity. We think of that which is not stained. We think of that which is not ugly. We think of that which is pure. And so David is saying, obviously in this passage, Blessed are those unstained ones in the way who walk in the law of the Lord. So the way then to walk unstained, the way to walk undefiled is to walk in the law of the Lord.

[John Weaver] Now skip down, if you would please, to verse nine and look through verse 11. He enlarges upon this thought, beginning with verse nine. He asks this question, wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? So you want to be clean, you want to be undefiled, you want to be unstained, you want to be pure. Here's how, by taking heed thereto according to thy word. And then he says, with my whole heart have I sought thee, oh let me not wander from my commandments. Then notice verse 11, thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. So if we're going to walk in the law of the Lord, We have to hide his word in our heart. Now skip down to verse two, go back to Psalm 119 verse two. He says, blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart. Now what's this?

[John Weaver] They also do no iniquity. They walk in his ways. An interesting thing is. David says, blessed are they that keep his testimonies.

[John Weaver] Now watch carefully and that seek him with the whole heart. So if we're keeping his testimonies, if we're seeking him with our whole heart, that he says, according to verse three is why we would be doing no iniquity. We would walk in his ways.

[John Weaver] Now, may I remind you that the word iniquity is another word for sin. You remember 1 John 3 in verse 4, whosoever committed sin transgresseth also the law, for sin is a transgression of the law. So this is why this psalm is about the law of God. So he says, if we want to keep his testimonies, if we seek him with our whole heart, it will lead us and we will not be violating his law.

[John Weaver] And thus we will be walking in his ways. Now look at verse 4. In light of this, thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Thou has commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Have you realized that the scripture says thou has commanded us, thus the precepts of God are commandments. They are not suggestions. They are not advice or counsel. They are commandments. And these commandments come from the sovereign God of heaven and earth, who happens to be our heavenly father. And so he says, thou has commanded us that we keep his precepts diligently.

[John Weaver] Now, one of the problems that we have is this. There is a tendency in us to disobey. There's a tendency in us to rebel. So after David is describing the man that is undefiled and how to do no iniquity and how to walk in God's ways, he prays this prayer in verse five. Look at it. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thine statutes. Now, the ways of a man happens to be his habit.

[John Weaver] or his habits, his manner of life, the way he thinks, the way he speaks, the way he acts. So David is praying, oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes. In other words, David is saying, I realize that I'm a sinner and I realize that I'm depraved. And so, Lord, I'm praying that you will direct me into obedience and submission and enable me to keep thy words. Now, after he prays this prayer in verse five, Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes. Now.

[John Weaver] He gives us a very clear and concise point. I want to read verse five and verse six together. I want you to listen to this verse five. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes then. Only then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments. So David says, unless our ways are directed to keep his statutes, we should be ashamed. And the way to not be ashamed is to learn to keep his statutes. Now let's go back and look at verse six. He says, then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments. One of the problems that we have is that we normally read into words. Instead of taking the time to look up words, we put our modern day terminology and place that terminology upon a word. And here's the word respect.

[John Weaver] I could say, Mr. Byerly. Then you'd say that's respectful. Mr. Ward, that's respectful. That's what we normally think of when we think of respect. But this word respect here is something that is very, very particular. It means to regard, to pay attention to, to consider, to respect, to look upon. So when David says, then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments? He's saying, when I consider them, when I look upon them, when I pay attention to them, it's not just that we're saying, oh, this Bible is word of God. Let's give it respect. No, no. You can say that all day long, but unless you're paying attention to God's command and considering them and applying them, you're not really respecting them. Okay. Now, Look what else he said in verse six. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

[John Weaver] Now, the Hebrew word for ashamed is the word bush, and it literally means to be ashamed, to be shamed, be confounded, to be confused, to be put to shame, to act shamefully and to feel shame. Now, I want you to look at verses five and six, and then I want to ask you a question. David prays, Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy commandments? So here's my question.

[John Weaver] What is it that shames us? What is it that makes us ashamed? What is it that confuses us and confounds us? What is it that shames us before others and before our heavenly father? And here's the answer. Disobedience. That's it. That's what he said. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments?

[John Weaver] Now, the interesting thing is this. We can sin in different ways. And even a Christian. Most of us understand, or at least we should, that there are sins of ignorance and sins of premeditation. Presumption. Let me show you. Wholesome 119, but look in your Bibles to Numbers chapter 15. Numbers chapter 15. And let's begin reading there with verse 27. Numbers chapter 15 and verse 27. Look what God says. Numbers 15 verse 27. And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly. when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord, to make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. You shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them." So what is an ignorant sin? That is when you and I commit a sin that is a violation of God's law that we did not even know or consider or understand that it was a violation of God's law.

[John Weaver] But let me point something out. You know, we have an old saying in this country, ignorance is no excuse of the law. That saying came from the Bible. Not that it's in the Bible, but it had referenced into Bible law because God's law is so clear and so plain. All you've got to do is read the Bible and you read God's law. So ignorance would be no excuse.

[John Weaver] Now, when we sin ignorantly, it is still a sin. And if you'll notice in this passage, an atonement had to be made for an ignorant sin. It's not that, oh, I slipped up. I forgot. I didn't know any better. No, it didn't matter whether you knew any better or not. You still had to make an atonement because sin is sin. Whether it was ignorantly done, foolishly done, stupidly done, didn't matter. It's still a sin. So you have a sin of ignorance.

[John Weaver] Now, if you look in verse 30, he begins with the sin of presumption. He says, but the soul that do it all presumptuously, whether he be born in the land or a stranger, the same reproach of the Lord, and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the Lord, he hath broken his commandment. That soul shall utterly be cut off.

[John Weaver] His iniquity shall be upon him. Now, what is a presumptuous sin? A presumptuous sin is when you know that it's wrong. You know that God forbids it. And you say, I want it. I'm going to do it anyhow. And notice if you would, God says, if you do that, the same reproacheth the Lord. And in verse 31, he says, it is a despisement of his word. So. To despise his word is to despise him. That's why there's a reproach upon the Lord. But both an ignorant sin and a presumptuous sin has to be atoned for. We can act foolishly. We can act ignorantly. We can act stupidly. It's still sin if it's a violation of God's law, even though we didn't know any better. And when we do something presumptuously, in one sense of the word, that's even worse because We should have known better and we do know better, but we did it anyhow.

[John Weaver] Now, certainly a sin of ignorance, I believe, would be our own fault. Why? Because we have the word of God. We can read it. We can study it. If we're ignorant, it's our own fault. We should be reading and studying the word of God. And when we sin presumptuously, That just demonstrates the depravity of our own heart and the pride and the wickedness of our own heart, where we're thumbing our nose at God and saying, I'm going to do what I want to do, regardless of what you say. So there's a sin of ignorance and there is a sin of presumption.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look in your Bibles back to Psalm 119. Look at verse 80. We're skipping over a little bit, but look in Psalm 119. And verse 80, if you would, please look what David says, he still is talking about being ashamed. Watch carefully. He says in verse 80, let my heart be sound in my statutes that I'd be not ashamed. One reason that we sin outside of the fact that we're sinners is that we're ignorant And we're foolish. And to use David's terminology, we are unsound in the law of God. Now, the word sound is a very interesting word. The Hebrew word is to mean and it literally means without blemish. It means to be perfect, to be upright, without spot, whole, sincere and genuine. So David is saying, let my heart be sincere. Let my heart be whole. Let my heart be complete. Let my heart be unstained. Let my heart be undefiled in thy statutes. That I be not ashamed. Hmm. So the way to be ashamed and the way to be shamed is to have an unsound heart in the law of God, because an unsound heart always leads to disobedience.

[John Weaver] Now, look if you would please, he said, let my heart be sound in my statutes, that I be not ashamed. Now, the interesting thing is, someone usually will come along and object and say, now, Brother Weaver, All of these verses are in the Old Testament. And I usually tell people, we have one Bible, not two. We have one God, not two. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. And the scripture in the Old Testament It's just as inspired as a scripture in the New Testament. But so many people say, well, now let me tell you something. This is all Old Testament. And what you have in the New Testament, you have the apex of grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. And that is true. And you're going to say, well, probably in Jesus Christ, we're never, ever going to be ashamed.

[John Weaver] Now, if you think that. It just proves that you never read the New Testament. So let me show you turning your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Philippians chapter one in verse 20. I use this verse last week, I do believe, but I want to point out something this week in reference to being ashamed. No, what the apostle Paul says in the book of Philippians chapter one and verse 20, Philippians one verse 20. He says, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be in my life, or by death. Now note, if you would, he says that in nothing, I shall be ashamed. So if Paul did not want to be ashamed in nothing, the implication is there are things for which you can be shamed in the New Testament. Okay. Hang on. When he says, I do not want to be ashamed in nothing. It also indicates there are plenty of things for which we can be ashamed.

[John Weaver] So it is possible. Now, the Greek word here for ashamed is a very interesting word. It's actually from the word ice costs, which refers to a disfigurement or a disgrace or dishonor. So he says that in nothing I shall be disfigured. or disgraced or dishonored.

[John Weaver] Now, let me point something out. The Apostle Paul tells us very clearly one thing that will disgrace us, dishonor us, and disfigure us. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 and look, if you would please, Second Thessalonians chapter three, and notice verse 14. Second Thessalonians chapter three, notice verse 14. Look what he says. Second Thessalonians three, verse 14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, know that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed. Wow. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, in other words, if you're going to disobey, if you're going to dishonor, if you're going to disregard the word of God, the apostle Paul says, note that man and have no company with him. Don't pretend like everything's hunky-dory when it's not have no company with him, that he might be ashamed. Then it might be disgraced that he might be dishonored. Noting. And by the way, let me just point out the fact that disobedience, defiance, and disregard for the word of God is shameful.

[John Weaver] And the person who disobeys, disregards, and defies the word of God should be shamed. Now, there is a shamefulness in sin. None of us are gonna sit around the table and say, well, let me tell you what I used to do. No, because we're ashamed of what we used to do. Let me show you. When we repent of our sins, we see the shamefulness of our sins.

[John Weaver] So if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter six, look if you would please at verse 21. Romans six, verse 21. The Apostle Paul is talking about the fact of when we were lost, when we were sinners, when we did those shameful things. Note what he says in Romans 6 in verse 21. What fruit had you then in those things? Whoever you are now ashamed for the end of those things is death. One of the proofs that we've been genuinely converted is we are ashamed of what we used to do, how we used to live, how we used to act. I never will forget.

[John Weaver] I had a dear friend. He's been dead for years and years now. He was a drunk. I mean, he was a hardworking drunk, but he was a drunk. And God saved him later in life. I think he was in his 50s. And, uh, He played a saxophone, and one of the songs he always played was Wasted Years, Wasted Years, Oh How Foolish. And he told me so many times, I just wish I had known back then what I know now.

[John Weaver] I said, well, I understand that. But God's grace came to you in his time. And if you had heard back then, you probably wouldn't have listened. But we are ashamed of those things. And that's what the apostle says. Once God has converted us, we understand that what we have done was indeed exceedingly shameful.

[John Weaver] Now, the truth of the matter is this. I've done things in my life before I was converted that I'm ashamed of. I've even done things in my life since I was converted that I'm ashamed of. I've been ashamed of my attitudes. I've been ashamed of my actions. I've been ashamed of my words. And, you know, like a lot of people, I could sit here and wish that I'd never thought those things. I'd never said those things. I'd never done those things. But the truth is, I did them. And here's the problem. The problem is not that they are unforgiven.

[John Weaver] It's not that they've not been repented of. It's once again. That memory, the memory can be blessed or the memory can be troublesome because we carry those scars with us. And when those awful memories come flooding black, we have to plead the blood. We have to say, Lord, those have been dealt with. But the memories are still there.

[John Weaver] Now, you may respond and say, well, I was pretty good. I don't have that much to be ashamed of. Well, first of all, I really doubt that, but you can say that. But may I remind you that the world's definition of good and fallen man's definition of good is not the same as God's definition for God says there's none good. No, not one. But I understand what you're saying.

[John Weaver] And you know, we're not drunkards, we're not whoremongers, we're not murderers, we're not thieves. But that doesn't mean that we have not done things and said things that we're not ashamed of. Let me show you something. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Timothy, chapter two, 2 Timothy, chapter two. And as you turn there, I want to ask you some questions before I read the scripture, okay? I want you to listen very carefully.

[John Weaver] You say, well, I've been a pretty good fellow. I've been a pretty good woman. I mean, I haven't done a lot of those things and you know, there's not too many things in my life I really need to be ashamed of. Well, that's all in good. So let me ask you this question. How about your knowledge of the scriptures? How about your study habits? Do you understand Bible doctrine? Are you able to apply Bible doctrine?

[John Weaver] I was talking to a young man this week. He's just starting preaching some, and he's a studious young man, a very fine young man. And he was recently in several different churches, local churches. And he said to me, he said, Brother Weaver. I'm amazed, he said, most people in the churches Don't even know what they believe or why they believe. I said, I understand that. And that's a fact. Most people never ever really know what they believe or why they believe it.

[John Weaver] Most Christians cannot explain justification by faith alone. They cannot explain the doctrine of imputation. They cannot explain sanctification. They don't know anything about God's omniscience, omnipresence. Omnipotence, immutability, eternality, infinity, transcendence. No, no, they can't, they can't discuss those things. So let me show you something of which you should be ashamed. Look in second Timothy chapter two and verse 15. Look what the scripture says. Study to show thyself approved unto God. A workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Now, if you're not a workman, I'm going to explain that. And if you're not rightly dividing the word of truth, you need to be ashamed. If you're not studying to show yourself approved unto God, you need to be ashamed. Now, there are positives and negatives in this verse.

[John Weaver] First of all, let me give you a positive. A positive is here that our study is not even unto men. It is not even unto ourselves. It is unto God. Study to show thyself approved unto God. So we study for his honor, for his glory, for his divine appropriation, not because Uh, uh, approbation, not because, uh, we're doing it for ourselves or for anybody else. We're doing it for him. We want his approval, his divine approbation. So we are encouraged here to endeavor to cultivate and improve our hearts and minds by a diligent study of the word of God. Secondly. Look in verse 15, he says, study to show thyself approved unto God. Now, the word study is from the Greek word Spounadzo, which literally means to labor, to give diligence in, to exert oneself and to endeavor mightily.

[John Weaver] So let me ask you a question. When you read your Bible this week or when you sat down to study, did Did you endeavor mightily? Did you give diligence? Well, if you did not, you should be ashamed because you did not study to show thyself approved unto God. The word indicates that true diligence in seeking and knowing the scriptures It's for God's divine approval. And if we did not study in this matter, then it does not meet God's divine approval. Now, negatively speaking, the reason given here as to why it would not meet God's approval is because there'd be a lack of diligence, a lack of self exerting. And that lack of diligence always places a wrong interpretation and a wrong dividing of the word of God upon the scriptures. Okay, now.

[John Weaver] Look at verse 15 again. He says, study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing.

[John Weaver] Now the word dividing is the Greek word author tomato, which literally means to cut a straight line, to hold a straight course. It means to teach the truth directly and correctly. So what are you saying is this? If you cannot study, if you cannot exert yourself, if you cannot endeavor mightily to study the scriptures as unto God, a workman that needeth not to be embarrassed and ashamed and dishonored. If you're not going to do that, inevitably, you're not going to be able to cut a straight line when it comes to explaining and expounding the scriptures.

[John Weaver] One of the biggest problems we have today is hardly anyone considers context. As a good friend always says, it's the context, stupid. It's the context. And that's true. Do you realize you can make the scripture mean anything you want it to mean as long as you take everything out of context? I could prove that it's all right to commit suicide. If I took it out of context, I could show you a verse that says, Judas went out and hanged himself. I can show you another verse that says, go and do that likewise. But they're both out of context.

[John Weaver] You understand what I'm saying? You take scripture out of context, you can make it mean whatever you want it to mean. Note if you would, he says, if we do not cut a straight line in scripture, then confusion and destruction, even upon our own selves. So the negative implied in this passage is if we do not study as unto God, and if we do not exert ourselves diligently and mightily and endeavor mightily. And the result is we're not going to be able to cut a straight line.

[John Weaver] Let me show you something else. Turn right on over if you would to second Peter chapter three and look at verse 16 second Peter chapter three. verse 16 2nd Peter 3 verse 16 in fact let's begin reading there with verse 15 just so you can see that Peter's talking about the Apostle Paul okay look what he says 2nd Peter 3 verse 15 an account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation even as our beloved brother Paul also

[John Weaver] according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable rest as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruction. Now he says. If you are unlearned and unstable in the scriptures, then inevitably you're going to be resting the scriptures to your own destruction. Now, the word rest is the word Greek word Strabo. And it literally means listen to this to rest, to torture, to put on the rack, to stretch beyond the limits.

[John Weaver] It's just like during the inquisition. One of the torture methods they have, they put a man on the rack. They would put his arms behind his head as he lay on his back. They would put ropes around his wrists. They would then put ropes around the ankles and someone would turn the wheel and the rack would be stretching that man until all of a sudden his arms are popped out of joint. His hips are popped out of joint.

[John Weaver] And the next thing you know, if they don't stop, then everything is ripped off. And that's exactly the picture that is being presented right here. He said, those who are unstable and unlearned put the truth on the rack and stretch it. What does that mean? It means they make it say things that it was never intended to say. They make it teach things that it was never intended to teach. That is resting the scripture that is putting the scripture on the rack.

[John Weaver] John Calvin said it like this. Listen carefully. Some mutilate it. Others tear it. Others torture it. Others break it in pieces. Others, keeping by the outside, as we've said, never come to the soul of doctrine. To all these faults, he contrasts dividing a rite, that is the manner of explaining, which is adapted to edification. In other words, if you can't cut a straight line in scripture, What he's saying is you're going to end up resting it to your own destruction. And here's the truth.

[John Weaver] We should be ashamed of our ignorance. We really should. I've studied for years, but I can assure you, I don't know what I need to know. And every time I see something in the scripture, I think, how did I read this Bible all these years and I still never saw this? Yeah. No one has a perfect understanding. No one has a perfect knowledge of the scripture, but we should be ashamed of the fact that when we do study. We don't do it as under the Lord. Have you ever stopped to think about that? We might study out of duty.

[John Weaver] That's what a lot of people do. Well, let me read my scripture for today. And they just, well, I'm duty bound to do it. So I might as well do it and get it over with. Or sometimes you study out of curiosity. I've had people actually say this to me. They've asked me this question, brother Weaver. I know it's in there because my mama said so. And where is it found in scripture that every tub has to sit on its own bottom? Well, it's not in the scripture. That's just an old saying, you know?

[John Weaver] Come on, let's be honest. We hear these old sayings all the time. God helps those who help themselves. That's not in the scripture. Now, it is true. We have a responsibility, but that saying is not in the scripture. But all I'm saying, sometimes we will study out of curiosity. And I've had people say, I've tried my best to find it and I can't find it. And I said, well, the reason you can't find it, it's not in there. It's just that simple. But how many of us really study as unto God, heavenly father, I want to come to thee. I want to exert myself. I want to endeavor mildly to understand this.

[John Weaver] I ask you to open my eyes. I ask you to give me understanding, Lord, that which I do not see teach thou me and Lord, let me honor thee in this study. I got news for you. If we came to the scripture like that, I believe it would make a difference in our lives and it would make a difference in our understanding. I really believe that now. we should be ashamed for not knowing the scripture any better than we do, no matter how well we know it. So let me ask you some questions. Get ready for these.

[John Weaver] Have you ever considered this? What will it be like when you see Jesus Christ face to face? When he returns, what will we do? What will we say? Will we be like that slothful servant who began to make excuses for his disobedience and lack of service? Or will we be ashamed and embarrassed? Now you're going to say, wow, I don't think it's possible for me to be ashamed and embarrassed when our Lord returns. Really?

[John Weaver] Well, let me show you scripture. Look in your Bible, since you're close there, look in 1 John 2, verse 28. 1 John 2, verse 28. If you don't think it's possible that you will be ashamed when our Lord returns, here's a verse that you really need to consider. He says, now, little children, abide in Him that when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Hmm. First, I want you to note in this passage, we're commanded to be continually abiding in him when he says, and now little children abide in him.

[John Weaver] The Greek word is minnow. M-E-N-O, and it means to abide, to remain, to dwell, to continue, to sojourn with. It also is a present active imperative, which means it is a command and it's something that you are to be actively engaged in and doing continually. So he says, little children remain in him, abide in him, dwell in him, continue in him. So he commands that. Secondly, one of the reasons given for this command to abide in him is that when he shall appear, we will have confidence at his appearing. Now the word confidence is a Greek word for ratio, which literally means boldness, confidence without concealment, without ambiguity, free and fearless. Wow. So he says, I want you to be free and fearless. I want you to be bold. I want you to be unconcealed at our Lord's appearing.

[John Weaver] Now there's another reason he tells us that we should remain in him. He says in verse 28 and nine little children abide in him that when he shall appear, we may have confidence now watch and not be ashamed before him at his coming. And the word ashamed means to be disfigured. It means to be dishonored. It means to be suffused with shame. It means to be covered with shame, to be shame faced. Wow. We always feel ashamed when our hopes are disappointed. We always feel ashamed when our character is exposed from something other than we profess. We always feel ashamed when all of our pretensions are wiped away and we reveal for what we really are. When we are stripped and made bare and shame-faced, we are Ashamed.

[John Weaver] And this is what he's talking about. And now little children abide in him that when he shall appear, we may have confidence. We may have boldness and not be dishonored, disfigured before him at his coming.

[John Weaver] Now, while we're on the subject of shame and being ashamed of the coming of the Lord. Let me ask you a question. I'm not trying to be ugly and I'm not trying to embarrass anyone, but I want to just ask who in here would like to just stand up, take all their clothes off and be naked, totally naked in front of this group of people. Anybody here volunteer to do that? No, you don't want to do that. You would be shameful. Would you like to be stripped naked in front of the whole world? The answer is no. I mean, I don't care how beautiful a person is. I don't care how gorgeous, I don't care how shapely, I don't care how muscular. Nobody wants to be exposed in front of other people naked.

[John Weaver] Let me go a little further. How would you like to stand before the sovereign God of heaven and earth, absolutely naked?

[John Weaver] Now, the truth of the matter is we already are. Let me show you. If you look in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter four, just back a few pages, Hebrews chapter four, look if you would please there at verses 12 and 13. Hebrews four verses 12 and 13 Hebrews four verse 12 and verse 13. Look what he says for the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than a two edged sword piercing, even the dividing is Sunder soul and spirit and of the joints of the mirror and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

[John Weaver] Neither is there any creature that is not manifested in his sight, but all things are naked. and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. And it's not just our bodies that are naked before the sovereign God, but our minds, our hearts, our motives, our desires, everything. Everything.

[John Weaver] Now, you're going to say, well, I don't know if that really means that. Really? Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 3. Everybody knows that Revelation 2 and 3 is written to the seven churches of Asia Minor. And if you look in Revelation chapter 3, particularly there, beginning with verse 17, because our Lord is talking to the church of Laodicea. He's not talking to the unsaved. He's talking to the church. Revelation chapter three, notice verse 17.

[John Weaver] He says, because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. And know it's not that thou are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I counsel thee to buy me gold, tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed. And that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear. And anoint thine eyes with eye salve that thou may see. So here's a church that says, boy, we are clothed wonderfully. Our Lord says you're naked as a jaybird.

[John Weaver] Look in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 16 and verse 15. Revelation 16 and verse 15. Revelation 16 verse 15. Look what our Lord says. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. Wow. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to first John chapter two and look at verse 28 again, because I want you to see the contrast, the contrast in this verse. is between boldness and shame-facedness. Boldness and being ashamed. In 1 John 2 verse 28, and now little children abide in him that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, we may be fearless, we may be bold and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

[John Weaver] So we need to consider What will be our state when he appears? Will we be fearless and bold or will we be ashamed?

[John Weaver] Now I want to show you something. Look in first John four and verse 17. Here is the only way in which we will not be ashamed at his coming. You know, When I explain the fact that the contrast in 1 John 2 and verse 28 is between boldness and being ashamed. If a person is bold, he doesn't care who sees him or hears him. But when someone is ashamed, they don't only bow their head, they try to shrink away and not let anybody see them. Well, Look in first John four, here's the only way that we can be bold. And I'm going to take you back to first John two, just a minute, but watch first John four, verse 17.

[John Weaver] Hearing is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment. There's that word again, because as he is, so are we in this world. How do we have boldness in the day of judgment? Because we live as Christ live. We live in obedience to the father. We do those things that are pleasing unto him. That's why he said in first John two 28, watch now and now little children abide in him.

[John Weaver] As long as we are abiding in him, we are living as he lived. We are. conforming our lives to him and to his word. And when that happens, we may have boldness in the day of judgment and we will not be ashamed at his appearing. We're shamed in many ways. And I'm so thankful that the scripture says that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's son, cleanses us. from all sin. And the only thing that will make us bold in the day of judgment is the person and work and righteousness of Jesus Christ. There are some things for which we should be ashamed, even as Christians. And next week, Lord willing, I'll show you some things of which we shall not be ashamed and should not be ashamed. And if we are, We should be ashamed. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth.

[John Weaver] We pray, Lord, that you would forgive us for our multitude and the sins and our bad attitudes and actions and thoughts and words and deeds. And help us, Lord, that we may appear before thee with boldness, because as thou art, so are we in this world. Give us, Lord, holiness and righteousness and obedience. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] so so

Shamed - Part 1 of 2

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	0XqoSqAXK7k
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Justification, Faith, and Imputed Righteousness: Sola Fide And Justification
Genre	Sermon
Date	2019-12-29
Dictation Name
Book	Book 176: Shamed — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	78

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Reality of Shame

Weaver opens with rhetorical questions about personal experiences of shame, highlighting that all have felt shame for attitudes, actions, or words, and introduces the topic from Psalm 119.

We're going to read the first eight verses. Psalm 119, and we'll begin reading there with verse one. Psalm 119, verse one. The title of the message is "Shamed." I think you will understand when we get into the message. So Psalm 119, verse one, David says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:1-8

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity, they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes.

Oh, forsake me not utterly." Let me begin by asking some questions. First of all, have you ever been ashamed of your attitude, your actions, or words? And have you ever been confronted with the words, "Shame on you"?

The Depravity of the Human Heart

He explains that shame often reveals the depth of our deceitful and depraved hearts, referencing Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Isaiah 6:5 to show that seeing our vileness helps us see God's holiness.

Well, have you ever really seen the depth of your own deceitful and depraved heart? Now, oftentimes we think that we're not really too bad until all of a sudden we end up saying something or doing something. And all of a sudden, all of our sin, all of our wickedness just simply comes boiling out. And then we're confronted with the realization: Yes, we are still wicked. And yes, we are really depraved. You remember that passage in Jeremiah 17, verses nine and 10, where the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Jeremiah 17:9-10

"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked."

And then the question is asked, "Who can know it?" And then the next verse says, "I, the Lord, search the heart and try the reins, even to give to every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings." So the truth of the matter is, when we are so shamed and so embarrassed, even to lift our heads before our heavenly Father, we're learning exactly that which Isaiah learned in Isaiah 6 and verse five, when he said, "Woe is me! For I'm a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. Woe is me, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts."

And it's only as we really and truly begin to see our own vileness, our own corruption, our own depravity, that we can begin to see God's glory and God's holiness and God's majesty and God's sovereignty. And so when we are convicted many times of our sins—our attitudes, our actions, our words, our thoughts—when we are convicted, oftentimes God does indeed grant us repentance and He also grants us forgiveness. And yet there are the scars from those sins.

David's Prayer Against Shame

Weaver surveys Psalms 25 and 31 to show David's repeated prayers not to be ashamed, setting the stage for the main text in Psalm 119.

You know, memory can be a blessed thing. But memory can also be a troublesome thing when you continue to think about those things that you have done and you knew better and you knew you should not have done them. And although God has forgiven you and although you've repented, they're still in your mind. You know, David had that same problem because in Psalm 51 in verse three, David said,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 51:3

"For I acknowledge my transgressions"

—listen now—

Scripture Reading — Psalm 51:3

"and my sin is ever before me."

You know, that's one of the most horrible things about sin. Is there some sins you just can't forget? There are some sins that you just can't eradicate or obliterate from your mind. You did them. And every now and then they will come back just simply to haunt you. I was amazed when I began to look at this to discover how many times David prayed that he would not be ashamed. Now, if you look in verse six, he says this, "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments." I'm going to come back to that passage, but I want you to turn in your Bibles very quickly to Psalm 25. And let me just show you a number of passages where David is praying that he will not be ashamed. So when you look at Psalm 25, verses one and two—in fact, let's read through verse three. In verse 1 of Psalm 25, he says, "Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee." Now look, "Let me not be ashamed."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 25:1-3, 20

"Let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed. Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause."

Skip down, if you would, please to verse 20. He says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 25:1-3, 20

"O keep my soul and deliver me. Let me not be ashamed. For I put my trust in thee."

Then if you would turn right over to Psalm 31, Psalm 31, and notice if you would please, verse one. He says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 25:1-3, 20

"In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed. Deliver me in thy righteousness."

And then if you will skip down to verse 17. He says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 25:1-3, 20

"Let me not be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon thee. Let the wicked be ashamed and let them be silent in the grave."

Now, I'm going to share with you today some things for which we should be ashamed. And next week, Lord willing, some things for which we should never be ashamed. But the truth of the matter is there are many things for which we should be ashamed.

Psalm 119: The Acrostic Psalm on God's Law

He explains the structure of Psalm 119 as an acrostic psalm with 176 verses, each section beginning with a successive Hebrew letter, and emphasizes its focus on walking in God's law.

Now, before we look at Psalm 119, let me tell you something about this psalm. First of all, Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm. It is the longest psalm in the Psalter. 176 verses. The reason there are 176 verses in Psalm 119 is because it is an acrostic psalm. So if you will look at your Bibles in verses one through eight, I'm not going to read it, but I'm going to tell you this.

There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, He, right on down the line. And when you look at verses one through eight, in the Hebrew, all of these eight verses begin with an aleph, the letter A in our language alphabet. When you look at verses nine through 16, all of those verses in the original begin with the letter Beth, which would be equal to B, so to speak, and so on down. And so you have 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and therefore you have eight verses beginning with each Hebrew letter. So you then have a total of 176 verses in this psalm. So Psalm 119 then is an acrostic psalm. So it is also a psalm concerning the law of God. Look if you would please at verse one.

The Undefiled Walk and the Source of Shame

Weaver expounds Psalm 119:1-6, showing that the undefiled walk in God's law, and that disobedience is what shames us. He defines 'respect' as paying attention to and considering God's commandments.

He says, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." So he begins this psalm by talking about walking in the law of the Lord. Now he says, "Blessed are the undefiled." The undefiled here are those who are the perfect, the mature, the unstained, those who walk in the law of the Lord. Now when you and I think of the word undefiled, we think of purity. We think of that which is not stained. We think of that which is not ugly. We think of that which is pure. And so David is saying, obviously in this passage, "Blessed are those unstained ones in the way who walk in the law of the Lord." So the way then to walk unstained, the way to walk undefiled is to walk in the law of the Lord.

Now skip down, if you would please, to verse nine and look through verse 11. He enlarges upon this thought, beginning with verse nine. He asks this question,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:9-11

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?"

So you want to be clean, you want to be undefiled, you want to be unstained, you want to be pure. Here's how:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:9-11

"By taking heed thereto according to thy word."

And then he says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:9-11

"With my whole heart have I sought thee, oh let me not wander from my commandments."

Then notice verse 11,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:9-11

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee."

So if we're going to walk in the law of the Lord, we have to hide His word in our heart. Now skip down to verse two, go back to Psalm 119 verse two. He says, "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart." Now what's this?

"They also do no iniquity. They walk in his ways." An interesting thing is, David says, "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies." Now watch carefully, "and that seek him with the whole heart." So if we're keeping his testimonies, if we're seeking him with our whole heart, that he says, according to verse three, is why we would be doing no iniquity. We would walk in his ways.

Now, may I remind you that the word iniquity is another word for sin. You remember 1 John 3 in verse 4, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law, for sin is a transgression of the law." So this is why this psalm is about the law of God. So he says, if we want to keep his testimonies, if we seek him with our whole heart, it will lead us and we will not be violating his law. And thus we will be walking in his ways. Now look at verse 4. In light of this, "Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently." Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Have you realized that the scripture says "thou hast commanded us," thus the precepts of God are commandments. They are not suggestions. They are not advice or counsel. They are commandments. And these commandments come from the sovereign God of heaven and earth, who happens to be our heavenly Father. And so he says, "Thou hast commanded us that we keep his precepts diligently."

Now, one of the problems that we have is this. There is a tendency in us to disobey. There's a tendency in us to rebel. So after David is describing the man that is undefiled and how to do no iniquity and how to walk in God's ways, he prays this prayer in verse five. Look at it. "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes." Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thine statutes. Now, the ways of a man happens to be his habit.

or his habits, his manner of life, the way he thinks, the way he speaks, the way he acts. So David is praying, "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes." In other words, David is saying, I realize that I'm a sinner and I realize that I'm depraved. And so, Lord, I'm praying that you will direct me into obedience and submission and enable me to keep thy words. Now, after he prays this prayer in verse five, "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes." Now. He gives us a very clear and concise point. I want to read verse five and verse six together. I want you to listen to this. Verse five: "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes." Then—only then—"shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments." So David says, unless our ways are directed to keep his statutes, we should be ashamed. And the way to not be ashamed is to learn to keep his statutes. Now let's go back and look at verse six. He says, "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments." One of the problems that we have is that we normally read into words. Instead of taking the time to look up words, we put our modern day terminology and place that terminology upon a word. And here's the word "respect."

I could say, "Mr. Byerly." Then you'd say that's respectful. "Mr. Ward," that's respectful. That's what we normally think of when we think of respect. But this word "respect" here is something that is very, very particular. It means to regard, to pay attention to, to consider, to respect, to look upon. So when David says, "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments," he's saying, when I consider them, when I look upon them, when I pay attention to them. It's not just that we're saying, "Oh, this Bible is the word of God. Let's give it respect." No, no. You can say that all day long, but unless you're paying attention to God's commands and considering them and applying them, you're not really respecting them. Okay. Now, look what else he said in verse six. "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments."

Now, the Hebrew word for ashamed is the word "bush," and it literally means to be ashamed, to be shamed, be confounded, to be confused, to be put to shame, to act shamefully and to feel shame. Now, I want you to look at verses five and six, and then I want to ask you a question. David prays, "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy commandments?" So here's my question. What is it that shames us? What is it that makes us ashamed? What is it that confuses us and confounds us? What is it that shames us before others and before our heavenly Father? And here's the answer. Disobedience. That's it. That's what he said. "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments."

Sins of Ignorance and Presumption

Using Numbers 15:27-31, he distinguishes between sins committed in ignorance and presumptuous sins, noting both require atonement and that ignorance is no excuse.

Now, the interesting thing is this. We can sin in different ways. And even a Christian. Most of us understand, or at least we should, that there are sins of ignorance and sins of premeditation. Presumption. Let me show you. Psalm 119, but look in your Bibles to Numbers chapter 15. Numbers chapter 15. And let's begin reading there with verse 27. Numbers chapter 15 and verse 27. Look what God says. Numbers 15 verse 27:

Scripture Reading — Numbers 15:27-31

"And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord, to make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them."

So what is an ignorant sin? That is when you and I commit a sin that is a violation of God's law that we did not even know or consider or understand that it was a violation of God's law.

But let me point something out. You know, we have an old saying in this country, "Ignorance is no excuse of the law." That saying came from the Bible. Not that it's in the Bible, but it had reference into Bible law because God's law is so clear and so plain. All you've got to do is read the Bible and you read God's law. So ignorance would be no excuse.

Now, when we sin ignorantly, it is still a sin. And if you'll notice in this passage, an atonement had to be made for an ignorant sin. It's not that, "Oh, I slipped up. I forgot. I didn't know any better." No, it didn't matter whether you knew any better or not. You still had to make an atonement because sin is sin. Whether it was ignorantly done, foolishly done, stupidly done, didn't matter. It's still a sin. So you have a sin of ignorance.

Now, if you look in verse 30, he begins with the sin of presumption. He says, "But the soul that doeth aught presumptuously, whether he be born in the land or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off." "His iniquity shall be upon him." Now, what is a presumptuous sin? A presumptuous sin is when you know that it's wrong. You know that God forbids it. And you say, "I want it. I'm going to do it anyhow." And notice if you would, God says, if you do that, the same reproacheth the Lord. And in verse 31, he says, it is a despisement of his word. So to despise his word is to despise him. That's why there's a reproach upon the Lord. But both an ignorant sin and a presumptuous sin has to be atoned for. We can act foolishly. We can act ignorantly. We can act stupidly. It's still sin if it's a violation of God's law, even though we didn't know any better. And when we do something presumptuously, in one sense of the word, that's even worse because we should have known better and we do know better, but we did it anyhow.

Now, certainly a sin of ignorance, I believe, would be our own fault. Why? Because we have the word of God. We can read it. We can study it. If we're ignorant, it's our own fault. We should be reading and studying the word of God. And when we sin presumptuously, that just demonstrates the depravity of our own heart and the pride and the wickedness of our own heart, where we're thumbing our nose at God and saying, "I'm going to do what I want to do, regardless of what you say." So there's a sin of ignorance and there is a sin of presumption.

Now, I want you to look in your Bibles back to Psalm 119. Look at verse 80. We're skipping over a little bit, but look in Psalm 119. And verse 80, if you would, please look what David says, he still is talking about being ashamed. Watch carefully. He says in verse 80,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:80

"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed."

One reason that we sin outside of the fact that we're sinners is that we're ignorant and we're foolish. And to use David's terminology, we are unsound in the law of God. Now, the word "sound" is a very interesting word. The Hebrew word is "tamim

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:80

" and it literally means without blemish. It means to be perfect, to be upright, without spot, whole, sincere and genuine. So David is saying, let my heart be sincere. Let my heart be whole. Let my heart be complete. Let my heart be unstained. Let my heart be undefiled in thy statutes. That I be not ashamed. Hmm. So the way to be ashamed and the way to be shamed is to have an unsound heart in the law of God, because an unsound heart always leads to disobedience.

A Sound Heart in God's Statutes

From Psalm 119:80, Weaver teaches that an unsound heart leads to disobedience and shame, while a sound (whole, sincere) heart in God's law prevents shame.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:80

"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:80

" and it literally means without blemish. It means to be perfect, to be upright, without spot, whole, sincere and genuine. So David is saying, let my heart be sincere. Let my heart be whole. Let my heart be complete. Let my heart be unstained. Let my heart be undefiled in thy statutes. That I be not ashamed. Hmm. So the way to be ashamed and the way to be shamed is to have an unsound heart in the law of God, because an unsound heart always leads to disobedience.

Now, look if you would please, he said, "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed." Now, the interesting thing is, someone usually will come along and object and say, "Now, Brother Weaver, all of these verses are in the Old Testament." And I usually tell people, we have one Bible, not two. We have one God, not two. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. And the scripture in the Old Testament is just as inspired as the scripture in the New Testament. But so many people say, "Well, now let me tell you something. This is all Old Testament. And what you have in the New Testament, you have the apex of grace and mercy in Jesus Christ." And that is true. And you're going to say, "Well, probably in Jesus Christ, we're never, ever going to be ashamed."

New Testament Shame: Disobedience and Lack of Study

He demonstrates from Philippians 1:20, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, Romans 6:21, and 2 Timothy 2:15 that New Testament believers can be shamed by disobedience, failure to study, and inability to rightly divide Scripture.

Now, if you think that, it just proves that you never read the New Testament. So let me show you. Turning your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Philippians chapter one in verse 20. I use this verse last week, I do believe, but I want to point out something this week in reference to being ashamed. Now, what the apostle Paul says in the book of Philippians chapter one and verse 20, Philippians 1 verse 20. He says,

Scripture Reading — Philippians 1:20

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be in my life, or by death."

Now note, if you would, he says that in nothing I shall be ashamed. So if Paul did not want to be ashamed in nothing, the implication is there are things for which you can be shamed in the New Testament. Okay. Hang on. When he says, "I do not want to be ashamed in nothing," it also indicates there are plenty of things for which we can be ashamed.

So it is possible. Now, the Greek word here for ashamed is a very interesting word. It's actually from the word "aischos," which refers to a disfigurement or a disgrace or dishonor. So he says that in nothing I shall be disfigured, or disgraced, or dishonored.

Now, let me point something out. The Apostle Paul tells us very clearly one thing that will disgrace us, dishonor us, and disfigure us. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 and look, if you would please, 2 Thessalonians chapter three, and notice verse 14. 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 14. Look what he says. 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 14:

Scripture Reading — 2 Thessalonians 3:14

"And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed."

Wow.

Scripture Reading — 2 Thessalonians 3:14

"And if any man obey not our word by this epistle,"

in other words, if you're going to disobey, if you're going to dishonor, if you're going to disregard the word of God, the apostle Paul says, note that man and have no company with him. Don't pretend like everything's hunky-dory when it's not. Have no company with him, that he might be ashamed. That he might be disgraced, that he might be dishonored. Noting. And by the way, let me just point out the fact that disobedience, defiance, and disregard for the word of God is shameful.

And the person who disobeys, disregards, and defies the word of God should be shamed. Now, there is a shamefulness in sin. None of us are gonna sit around the table and say, "Well, let me tell you what I used to do." No, because we're ashamed of what we used to do. Let me show you. When we repent of our sins, we see the shamefulness of our sins.

So if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter six, look if you would please at verse 21. Romans 6, verse 21. The Apostle Paul is talking about the fact of when we were lost, when we were sinners, when we did those shameful things. Note what he says in Romans 6 in verse 21:

Scripture Reading — Romans 6:21

"What fruit had ye then in those things? Whereof ye are now ashamed: for the end of those things is death."

One of the proofs that we've been genuinely converted is we are ashamed of what we used to do, how we used to live, how we used to act. I never will forget. I had a dear friend. He's been dead for years and years now. He was a drunk. I mean, he was a hardworking drunk, but he was a drunk. And God saved him later in life. I think he was in his 50s. And, uh, he played a saxophone, and one of the songs he always played was "Wasted Years, Wasted Years, Oh How Foolish." And he told me so many times, "I just wish I had known back then what I know now."

I said, "Well, I understand that. But God's grace came to you in his time. And if you had heard back then, you probably wouldn't have listened." But we are ashamed of those things. And that's what the apostle says. Once God has converted us, we understand that what we have done was indeed exceedingly shameful.

Now, the truth of the matter is this. I've done things in my life before I was converted that I'm ashamed of. I've even done things in my life since I was converted that I'm ashamed of. I've been ashamed of my attitudes. I've been ashamed of my actions. I've been ashamed of my words. And, you know, like a lot of people, I could sit here and wish that I'd never thought those things. I'd never said those things. I'd never done those things. But the truth is, I did them. And here's the problem. The problem is not that they are unforgiven.

It's not that they've not been repented of. It's once again, that memory. The memory can be blessed or the memory can be troublesome because we carry those scars with us. And when those awful memories come flooding back, we have to plead the blood. We have to say, "Lord, those have been dealt with." But the memories are still there.

Now, you may respond and say, "Well, I was pretty good. I don't have that much to be ashamed of." Well, first of all, I really doubt that, but you can say that. But may I remind you that the world's definition of good and fallen man's definition of good is not the same as God's definition, for God says there's none good. No, not one. But I understand what you're saying. And you know, we're not drunkards, we're not whoremongers, we're not murderers, we're not thieves. But that doesn't mean that we have not done things and said things that we're not ashamed of. Let me show you something. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Timothy, chapter two, 2 Timothy, chapter two. And as you turn there, I want to ask you some questions before I read the scripture, okay? I want you to listen very carefully.

You say, "Well, I've been a pretty good fellow. I've been a pretty good woman. I mean, I haven't done a lot of those things and you know, there's not too many things in my life I really need to be ashamed of." Well, that's all well and good. So let me ask you this question. How about your knowledge of the scriptures? How about your study habits? Do you understand Bible doctrine? Are you able to apply Bible doctrine?

I was talking to a young man this week. He's just starting preaching some, and he's a studious young man, a very fine young man. And he was recently in several different churches, local churches. And he said to me, he said, "Brother Weaver, I'm amazed," he said, "most people in the churches don't even know what they believe or why they believe." I said, "I understand that." And that's a fact. Most people never ever really know what they believe or why they believe it. Most Christians cannot explain justification by faith alone. They cannot explain the doctrine of imputation. They cannot explain sanctification. They don't know anything about God's omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, immutability, eternality, infinity, transcendence. No, no, they can't, they can't discuss those things. So let me show you something of which you should be ashamed. Look in 2 Timothy chapter two and verse 15. Look what the scripture says: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Now, if you're not a workman, I'm going to explain that. And if you're not rightly dividing the word of truth, you need to be ashamed. If you're not studying to show yourself approved unto God, you need to be ashamed. Now, there are positives and negatives in this verse.

First of all, let me give you a positive. A positive is here that our study is not even unto men. It is not even unto ourselves. It is unto God. "Study to show thyself approved unto God." So we study for His honor, for His glory, for His divine approbation, not because we're doing it for ourselves or for anybody else. We're doing it for Him. We want His approval, His divine approbation. So we are encouraged here to endeavor to cultivate and improve our hearts and minds by a diligent study of the word of God. Secondly, look in verse 15, he says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God." Now, the word "study" is from the Greek word "spoudazo," which literally means to labor, to give diligence in, to exert oneself and to endeavor mightily.

So let me ask you a question. When you read your Bible this week or when you sat down to study, did you endeavor mightily? Did you give diligence? Well, if you did not, you should be ashamed because you did not study to show thyself approved unto God. The word indicates that true diligence in seeking and knowing the scriptures is for God's divine approval. And if we did not study in this matter, then it does not meet God's divine approval. Now, negatively speaking, the reason given here as to why it would not meet God's approval is because there'd be a lack of diligence, a lack of self-exerting. And that lack of diligence always places a wrong interpretation and a wrong dividing of the word of God upon the scriptures. Okay, now.

Look at verse 15 again. He says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing." Now the word "dividing" is the Greek word "orthotomeo," which literally means to cut a straight line, to hold a straight course. It means to teach the truth directly and correctly. So what he is saying is this: If you cannot study, if you cannot exert yourself, if you cannot endeavor mightily to study the scriptures as unto God, a workman that needeth not to be embarrassed and ashamed and dishonored—if you're not going to do that, inevitably, you're not going to be able to cut a straight line when it comes to explaining and expounding the scriptures.

Wresting Scripture and Ignorance

Weaver warns that unlearned and unstable people twist Scripture to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16), and that we should be ashamed of our ignorance and lack of diligent study unto God.

One of the biggest problems we have today is hardly anyone considers context. As a good friend always says, "It's the context, stupid." It's the context. And that's true. Do you realize you can make the scripture mean anything you want it to mean as long as you take everything out of context? I could prove that it's all right to commit suicide. If I took it out of context, I could show you a verse that says, "Judas went out and hanged himself." I can show you another verse that says, "Go and do thou likewise." But they're both out of context. You understand what I'm saying? You take scripture out of context, you can make it mean whatever you want it to mean. Note if you would, he says, if we do not cut a straight line in scripture, then confusion and destruction, even upon our own selves. So the negative implied in this passage is if we do not study as unto God, and if we do not exert ourselves diligently and mightily and endeavor mightily, the result is we're not going to be able to cut a straight line.

Let me show you something else. Turn right on over if you would to 2 Peter chapter three and look at verse 16. 2 Peter chapter three, verse 16. In fact, let's begin reading there with verse 15 just so you can see that Peter's talking about the Apostle Paul, okay? Look what he says. 2 Peter 3 verse 15:

Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 3:15-16

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also" "according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

Now he says, if you are unlearned and unstable in the scriptures, then inevitably you're going to be wresting the scriptures to your own destruction. Now, the word "wrest" is the Greek word "strebloo." And it literally means—listen to this—to wrest, to torture, to put on the rack, to stretch beyond the limits.

It's just like during the Inquisition. One of the torture methods they had, they put a man on the rack. They would put his arms behind his head as he lay on his back. They would put ropes around his wrists. They would then put ropes around the ankles and someone would turn the wheel and the rack would be stretching that man until all of a sudden his arms are popped out of joint. His hips are popped out of joint. And the next thing you know, if they don't stop, then everything is ripped off. And that's exactly the picture that is being presented right here. He said, those who are unstable and unlearned put the truth on the rack and stretch it. What does that mean? It means they make it say things that it was never intended to say. They make it teach things that it was never intended to teach. That is wresting the scripture, that is putting the scripture on the rack.

John Calvin said it like this. Listen carefully. "Some mutilate it. Others tear it. Others torture it. Others break it in pieces. Others, keeping by the outside, as we've said, never come to the soul of doctrine. To all these faults, he contrasts dividing aright, that is the manner of explaining, which is adapted to edification." In other words, if you can't cut a straight line in scripture, what he's saying is you're going to end up wresting it to your own destruction. And here's the truth.

We should be ashamed of our ignorance. We really should. I've studied for years, but I can assure you, I don't know what I need to know. And every time I see something in the scripture, I think, "How did I read this Bible all these years and I still never saw this?" Yeah. No one has a perfect understanding. No one has a perfect knowledge of the scripture, but we should be ashamed of the fact that when we do study, we don't do it as unto the Lord. Have you ever stopped to think about that? We might study out of duty.

That's what a lot of people do. "Well, let me read my scripture for today." And they just, "Well, I'm duty bound to do it. So I might as well do it and get it over with." Or sometimes you study out of curiosity. I've had people actually say this to me. They've asked me this question, "Brother Weaver, I know it's in there because my mama said so. And where is it found in scripture that every tub has to sit on its own bottom?" Well, it's not in the scripture. That's just an old saying, you know?

Come on, let's be honest. We hear these old sayings all the time. "God helps those who help themselves." That's not in the scripture. Now, it is true we have a responsibility, but that saying is not in the scripture. But all I'm saying, sometimes we will study out of curiosity. And I've had people say, "I've tried my best to find it and I can't find it." And I said, "Well, the reason you can't find it, it's not in there. It's just that simple." But how many of us really study as unto God? "Heavenly Father, I want to come to Thee. I want to exert myself. I want to endeavor mightily to understand this."

"I ask You to open my eyes. I ask You to give me understanding, Lord, that which I do not see teach Thou me and Lord, let me honor Thee in this study." I got news for you. If we came to the scripture like that, I believe it would make a difference in our lives and it would make a difference in our understanding. I really believe that. Now, we should be ashamed for not knowing the scripture any better than we do, no matter how well we know it. So let me ask you some questions. Get ready for these.

Shame at Christ's Coming

Using 1 John 2:28, he teaches that failure to abide in Christ will result in shame at His appearing, while abiding produces boldness. He illustrates this with the imagery of nakedness from Hebrews 4:13 and Revelation 3:17.

Have you ever considered this? What will it be like when you see Jesus Christ face to face? When He returns, what will we do? What will we say? Will we be like that slothful servant who began to make excuses for his disobedience and lack of service? Or will we be ashamed and embarrassed? Now you're going to say, "Wow, I don't think it's possible for me to be ashamed and embarrassed when our Lord returns." Really?

Well, let me show you scripture. Look in your Bible, since you're close there, look in 1 John 2, verse 28. 1 John 2, verse 28. If you don't think it's possible that you will be ashamed when our Lord returns, here's a verse that you really need to consider. He says,

Scripture Reading — 1 John 2:28

"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

Hmm. First, I want you to note in this passage, we're commanded to be continually abiding in him when he says,

Scripture Reading — 1 John 2:28

"And now, little children, abide in him."

The Greek word is "meno," M-E-N-O, and it means to abide, to remain, to dwell, to continue, to sojourn with. It also is a present active imperative, which means it is a command and it's something that you are to be actively engaged in and doing continually. So he says, "Little children, remain in him, abide in him, dwell in him, continue in him.

Scripture Reading — 1 John 2:28

" So he commands that. Secondly, one of the reasons given for this command to abide in him is that when he shall appear, we will have confidence at his appearing. Now the word "

confidence" is a Greek word "parrhesia," which literally means boldness, confidence without concealment, without ambiguity, free and fearless. Wow. So he says, I want you to be free and fearless. I want you to be bold. I want you to be unconcealed at our Lord's appearing.

Now there's another reason he tells us that we should remain in him. He says in verse 28, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence"—now watch—"and not be ashamed before him at his coming." And the word "ashamed" means to be disfigured. It means to be dishonored. It means to be suffused with shame. It means to be covered with shame, to be shamefaced. Wow. We always feel ashamed when our hopes are disappointed. We always feel ashamed when our character is exposed from something other than we profess. We always feel ashamed when all of our pretensions are wiped away and we reveal for what we really are. When we are stripped and made bare and shamefaced, we are ashamed.

And this is what he's talking about. "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, we may have boldness and not be dishonored, disfigured before him at his coming." Now, while we're on the subject of shame and being ashamed at the coming of the Lord, let me ask you a question. I'm not trying to be ugly and I'm not trying to embarrass anyone, but I want to just ask: who in here would like to just stand up, take all their clothes off and be naked, totally naked in front of this group of people? Anybody here volunteer to do that? No, you don't want to do that. You would be shameful. Would you like to be stripped naked in front of the whole world? The answer is no. I mean, I don't care how beautiful a person is. I don't care how gorgeous, I don't care how shapely, I don't care how muscular. Nobody wants to be exposed in front of other people naked.

Let me go a little further. How would you like to stand before the sovereign God of heaven and earth, absolutely naked? Now, the truth of the matter is we already are. Let me show you. If you look in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter four, just back a few pages, Hebrews chapter four, look if you would please there at verses 12 and 13. Hebrews 4 verses 12 and 13. Look what he says:

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 4:12-13

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." And it's not just our bodies that are naked before the sovereign God, but our minds, our hearts, our motives, our desires, everything. Everything. Now, you're going to say, "Well, I don't know if that really means that." Really? Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 3. Everybody knows that Revelation 2 and 3 is written to the seven churches of Asia Minor. And if you look in Revelation chapter 3, particularly there, beginning with verse 17, because our Lord is talking to the church of Laodicea. He's not talking to the unsaved. He's talking to the church. Revelation chapter three, notice verse 17.

He says,

Scripture Reading — Revelation 3:17-18

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."

So here's a church that says, "Boy, we are clothed wonderfully." Our Lord says, "You're naked as a jaybird." Look in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 16 and verse 15. Revelation 16 and verse 15. Revelation 16 verse 15. Look what our Lord says: "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Wow. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to 1 John chapter two and look at verse 28 again, because I want you to see the contrast. The contrast in this verse is between boldness and shamefacedness. Boldness and being ashamed. In 1 John 2 verse 28, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, we may be fearless, we may be bold and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

So we need to consider: What will be our state when He appears? Will we be fearless and bold or will we be ashamed?

Boldness Through Abiding in Christ

Weaver concludes from 1 John 4:17 that boldness in the day of judgment comes from living as Christ lived, in obedience to the Father, and that only Christ's righteousness enables us to stand unashamed.

Now I want to show you something. Look in 1 John 4 and verse 17. Here is the only way in which we will not be ashamed at His coming. You know, when I explain the fact that the contrast in 1 John 2 and verse 28 is between boldness and being ashamed. If a person is bold, he doesn't care who sees him or hears him. But when someone is ashamed, they don't only bow their head, they try to shrink away and not let anybody see them. Well, look in 1 John 4, here's the only way that we can be bold. And I'm going to take you back to 1 John 2, just a minute, but watch 1 John 4, verse 17.

Scripture Reading — 1 John 4:17

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world."

How do we have boldness in the day of judgment? Because we live as Christ lived. We live in obedience to the Father. We do those things that are pleasing unto Him. That's why he said in 1 John 2:28, watch now, "And now, little children, abide in him." As long as we are abiding in him, we are living as he lived. We are conforming our lives to him and to his word. And when that happens, we may have boldness in the day of judgment and we will not be ashamed at his appearing. We're shamed in many ways. And I'm so thankful that the scripture says that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin. And the only thing that will make us bold in the day of judgment is the person and work and righteousness of Jesus Christ. There are some things for which we should be ashamed, even as Christians. And next week, Lord willing, I'll show you some things of which we shall not be ashamed and should not be ashamed. And if we are, we should be ashamed. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee this day. We thank You for Your word. We thank You for Your truth.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Disobedience as the Root of Shame

Summary: The primary cause of shame in a believer's life is disobedience to God's commandments. When we fail to keep His statutes, we are confounded and dishonored.

Evidence: Psalm 119:5-6: 'Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.'

The Deceitful and Depraved Heart

Summary: Shame often reveals the depth of our own depravity. When we see our vileness, we begin to understand God's holiness and our need for His grace.

Evidence: Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Isaiah 6:5 are cited to show that the heart is desperately wicked and that seeing God's holiness exposes our uncleanness.

The Necessity of Diligent Study

Summary: Believers should be ashamed of ignorance and lack of study. Studying Scripture is not merely a duty but an endeavor to show oneself approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Evidence: 2 Timothy 2:15: 'Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.'

Shame at the Judgment Seat of Christ

Summary: It is possible for believers to be ashamed at Christ's return if they do not abide in Him. Abiding in Christ produces boldness, while failure to abide results in shamefacedness.

Evidence: 1 John 2:28: 'And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.'

The Scars of Sin and Memory

Summary: Even forgiven sins can leave lingering shame through memory. David acknowledged that his sin was ever before him, and believers must continually plead the blood of Christ over past sins.

Evidence: Psalm 51:3: 'For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.'

The Contrast Between Boldness and Shame

Summary: The Christian life is marked by a contrast between boldness (confidence) and shame. Boldness comes from abiding in Christ and living in obedience, while shame results from disobedience and lack of conformity to Christ.

Evidence: 1 John 2:28 and 1 John 4:17 are used to show that boldness in the day of judgment is tied to abiding in Christ and living as He lived.

Key Arguments

Shame is directly linked to disobedience to God's law.

Summary: David's prayer in Psalm 119:5-6 establishes that the way to avoid shame is to have one's ways directed to keep God's statutes and to respect all His commandments.

Evidence: Psalm 119:5-6: 'Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.'

Both ignorant and presumptuous sins bring shame and require atonement.

Summary: Numbers 15 distinguishes between sins of ignorance and presumption, but both are sin and require atonement. Presumptuous sin is especially shameful because it despises God's word.

Evidence: Numbers 15:27-31 shows that even ignorant sins need atonement, and presumptuous sins bring reproach on the Lord.

A sound heart in God's statutes prevents shame.

Summary: Psalm 119:80 teaches that a heart that is whole, sincere, and undefiled in God's law will not be ashamed, implying that an unsound heart leads to disobedience and shame.

Evidence: Psalm 119:80: 'Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.'

New Testament believers can be shamed by disobedience and lack of study.

Summary: Paul's desire not to be ashamed in anything (Philippians 1:20) and his instruction to note the disobedient so they may be ashamed (2 Thessalonians 3:14) prove that shame is a New Testament reality.

Evidence: Philippians 1:20 and 2 Thessalonians 3:14 are cited to show that shame is possible for believers.

Failure to study diligently results in shame and inability to rightly divide Scripture.

Summary: 2 Timothy 2:15 commands diligent study to avoid shame. Without such study, one cannot cut a straight line in teaching Scripture, leading to error and destruction.

Evidence: 2 Timothy 2:15: 'Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.'

Unlearned and unstable people wrest Scripture to their own destruction.

Summary: 2 Peter 3:16 warns that those who are unlearned and unstable twist the Scriptures, which is a shameful practice that leads to destruction.

Evidence: 2 Peter 3:16: '...which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.'

Abiding in Christ is the condition for boldness and avoidance of shame at His coming.

Summary: 1 John 2:28 commands abiding in Christ so that believers may have confidence and not be ashamed at His appearing. The contrast is between boldness and shamefacedness.

Evidence: 1 John 2:28: 'And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.'

Boldness in judgment comes from living as Christ lived.

Summary: 1 John 4:17 teaches that love made perfect gives boldness in the day of judgment because as Christ is, so are believers in this world. This boldness is the opposite of shame.

Evidence: 1 John 4:17: 'Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.'

Scripture References

Psalm 119:1-8

Context: The primary text of the sermon, describing the blessedness of the undefiled who walk in God's law and the connection between keeping statutes and not being ashamed.

Jeremiah 17:9-10

Context: Cited to illustrate the deceitfulness and wickedness of the human heart, which is the source of shameful actions.

Isaiah 6:5

Context: Used to show that seeing God's holiness reveals our own uncleanness and leads to shame.

Psalm 51:3

Context: David's acknowledgment that his sin was ever before him, illustrating the lingering memory and shame of past sins.

Psalm 25:1-3, 20

Context: David's prayers not to be ashamed, showing his concern with shame before God and enemies.

Psalm 31:1, 17

Context: Further examples of David praying for deliverance from shame.

Psalm 119:9-11

Context: Explains how a young man can cleanse his way by taking heed to God's word and hiding it in his heart.

1 John 3:4

Context: Defines sin as transgression of the law, supporting the psalm's focus on God's law.

Numbers 15:27-31

Context: Distinguishes between sins of ignorance and presumptuous sins, both requiring atonement, with presumptuous sin bringing reproach on the Lord.

Psalm 119:80

Context: David's prayer for a sound heart in God's statutes so that he would not be ashamed.

Philippians 1:20

Context: Paul's expectation not to be ashamed in anything, indicating that shame is possible for New Testament believers.

2 Thessalonians 3:14

Context: Instruction to note the disobedient and have no company with them so that they may be ashamed.

Romans 6:21

Context: Paul reminds believers that they are now ashamed of the things they did before conversion, proving genuine repentance.

2 Timothy 2:15

Context: Command to study diligently to show oneself approved unto God, a workman not needing to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Peter 3:15-16

Context: Warning that unlearned and unstable people wrest Paul's writings and other Scriptures to their own destruction.

1 John 2:28

Context: Exhortation to abide in Christ so that believers may have confidence and not be ashamed at His coming.

Hebrews 4:12-13

Context: All things are naked and open before God, illustrating the exposure and potential shame before Him.

Revelation 3:17-18

Context: The Laodicean church is described as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, and counseled to buy white raiment to cover the shame of nakedness.

Revelation 16:15

Context: Blessing on those who watch and keep their garments, lest they walk naked and their shame be seen.

1 John 4:17

Context: Love made perfect gives boldness in the day of judgment because as Christ is, so are believers in this world.

Historical References

John Calvin's commentary on rightly dividing Scripture

Context: Weaver quotes Calvin: 'Some mutilate it. Others tear it. Others torture it. Others break it in pieces. Others, keeping by the outside, as we've said, never come to the soul of doctrine. To all these faults, he contrasts dividing aright, that is the manner of explaining, which is adapted to edification.'

Important Quotes

Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

Significance: This is the key verse from Psalm 119:6 that anchors the sermon's thesis: shame is avoided by respecting (paying attention to) all of God's commandments.

Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

Significance: Weaver emphasizes the conditional nature of avoiding shame: it requires God's direction to keep His statutes.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Significance: This verse from 2 Timothy 2:15 is central to the argument that lack of diligent study leads to shame.

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Significance: This verse from 1 John 2:28 is used to show that even at Christ's return, believers can experience shame if they do not abide in Him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Significance: This verse from 1 John 4:17 provides the positive counterpart: boldness comes from living as Christ lived.

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.

Significance: Quoted from Jeremiah 17:9 to emphasize the source of shameful actions—the depraved human heart.

Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

Significance: Psalm 119:80 connects a sound (whole, sincere) heart in God's law with freedom from shame.

Discussion Questions

In what ways have you experienced shame over your attitudes, actions, or words, and how did you respond?

Context: Weaver opens by asking if listeners have ever been ashamed or confronted with 'Shame on you.'

How does seeing the depth of your own depravity help you appreciate God's holiness and grace?

Context: Weaver discusses Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Isaiah 6:5, showing that awareness of sin leads to seeing God's glory.

What is the difference between sins of ignorance and presumptuous sins, and why are both shameful?

Context: Based on Numbers 15:27-31, Weaver explains that both require atonement, but presumptuous sin despises God's word.

What does it mean to have a 'sound heart' in God's statutes, and how can we cultivate it?

Context: From Psalm 119:80, Weaver defines a sound heart as whole, sincere, and undefiled, leading to freedom from shame.

In what ways might you be ashamed at Christ's return, and how can abiding in Christ prevent that?

Context: 1 John 2:28 warns that failure to abide results in shame at His appearing; abiding produces boldness.

How can we study Scripture 'as unto God' rather than out of mere duty or curiosity?

Context: Weaver challenges listeners to examine their study motives, emphasizing that study should be for God's approval.

What are some practical ways to ensure we are 'rightly dividing the word of truth' and not wresting Scripture?

Context: 2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Peter 3:16 are used to warn against twisting Scripture due to lack of study.

How does the imagery of nakedness in Hebrews 4:13 and Revelation 3:17-18 affect your understanding of shame before God?

Context: Weaver uses these passages to illustrate that everything is exposed before God, and we need Christ's covering.

Applications

Examine your life for areas of disobedience that cause shame.

Summary: Weaver calls believers to recognize that disobedience to God's commandments is the root of shame and to repent of specific sins.

Evidence: Psalm 119:5-6 shows that keeping God's statutes prevents shame.

Cultivate a sound heart through God's Word.

Summary: Believers should seek to have a whole, sincere heart in God's statutes by hiding His Word in their hearts and walking in His ways.

Evidence: Psalm 119:80 and Psalm 119:9-11 emphasize the need for a sound heart and cleansing through God's Word.

Study Scripture diligently as unto the Lord.

Summary: Instead of studying out of duty or curiosity, believers should exert themselves mightily in study to gain God's approval and rightly divide the truth.

Evidence: 2 Timothy 2:15 commands diligent study to avoid shame.

Abide in Christ daily to have boldness at His coming.

Summary: Weaver urges believers to remain in Christ, conforming their lives to His, so that they will not be ashamed when He appears.

Evidence: 1 John 2:28 and 1 John 4:17 link abiding in Christ with boldness in the day of judgment.

Be ashamed of ignorance and lack of doctrinal understanding.

Summary: Christians should be ashamed if they cannot explain basic doctrines or if they neglect to grow in knowledge of God's attributes and truth.

Evidence: Weaver points out that many cannot explain justification, imputation, or God's attributes, and that this ignorance is shameful.

Plead the blood of Christ over past sins that haunt your memory.

Summary: Even forgiven sins can bring shame through memory; believers should continually apply the cleansing blood of Christ to those memories.

Evidence: Psalm 51:3 shows David's sin was ever before him, and Weaver encourages pleading the blood over past sins.

Note and separate from persistently disobedient believers to provoke godly shame.

Summary: Following 2 Thessalonians 3:14, the church should lovingly withdraw fellowship from those who disobey Scripture, so that they may be ashamed and repent.

Evidence: 2 Thessalonians 3:14 instructs to note the disobedient and have no company with them that they may be ashamed.

Live in the light of Christ's return, keeping your garments unspotted.

Summary: Weaver warns that at Christ's coming, some will be exposed in their spiritual nakedness; believers should keep their garments by abiding in Christ.

Evidence: Revelation 16:15 blesses those who watch and keep their garments, lest they walk naked and see shame.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T18:06:09Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T10:15:56Z

Clean Transcript

Shamed - Part 1 of 2

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

We're going to read the first eight verses. Psalm 119, and we'll begin reading there with verse one. Psalm 119, verse one. The title of the message is "Shamed." I think you will understand when we get into the message. So Psalm 119, verse one, David says, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity, they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes. Oh, forsake me not utterly." Let me begin by asking some questions. First of all, have you ever been ashamed of your attitude, your actions, or words? And have you ever been confronted with the words, "Shame on you"?
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I think probably each one of us has heard those words in times past. But have you ever had to hang your head in shame before others as you confess your words and deeds? And have you ever had to write letters of apology and confess to someone your uncivil, unkind, and unbiblical attitudes and expressions? And have you ever prayed and shamefully bowed your head before the thrice-holy God, because of that which you know that you have done and said? And has it bothered you even after you sometimes confess your sins and repented of those sins? Has it ever bothered you that you acted and said things and did things and thought things in such a way that you actually knew better, and you should never have done it to begin with?
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Well, have you ever really seen the depth of your own deceitful and depraved heart? Now, oftentimes we think that we're not really too bad until all of a sudden we end up saying something or doing something. And all of a sudden, all of our sin, all of our wickedness just simply comes boiling out. And then we're confronted with the realization: Yes, we are still wicked. And yes, we are really depraved. You remember that passage in Jeremiah 17, verses nine and 10, where the Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked."
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And then the question is asked, "Who can know it?" And then the next verse says, "I, the Lord, search the heart and try the reins, even to give to every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings." So the truth of the matter is, when we are so shamed and so embarrassed, even to lift our heads before our heavenly Father, we're learning exactly that which Isaiah learned in Isaiah 6 and verse five, when he said, "Woe is me! For I'm a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. Woe is me, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts."
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And it's only as we really and truly begin to see our own vileness, our own corruption, our own depravity, that we can begin to see God's glory and God's holiness and God's majesty and God's sovereignty. And so when we are convicted many times of our sins—our attitudes, our actions, our words, our thoughts—when we are convicted, oftentimes God does indeed grant us repentance and He also grants us forgiveness. And yet there are the scars from those sins.
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You know, memory can be a blessed thing. But memory can also be a troublesome thing when you continue to think about those things that you have done and you knew better and you knew you should not have done them. And although God has forgiven you and although you've repented, they're still in your mind. You know, David had that same problem because in Psalm 51 in verse three, David said, "For I acknowledge my transgressions"—listen now—"and my sin is ever before me." You know, that's one of the most horrible things about sin.
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Is there some sins you just can't forget? There are some sins that you just can't eradicate or obliterate from your mind. You did them. And every now and then they will come back just simply to haunt you. I was amazed when I began to look at this to discover how many times David prayed that he would not be ashamed. Now, if you look in verse six, he says this, "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments." I'm going to come back to that passage, but I want you to turn in your Bibles very quickly to Psalm 25. And let me just show you a number of passages where David is praying that he will not be ashamed. So when you look at Psalm 25, verses one and two—in fact, let's read through verse three. In verse 1 of Psalm 25, he says, "Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee." Now look, "Let me not be ashamed."
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"Let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed. Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause." Skip down, if you would, please to verse 20. He says, "O keep my soul and deliver me. Let me not be ashamed. For I put my trust in thee." Then if you would turn right over to Psalm 31, Psalm 31, and notice if you would please, verse one. He says, "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed. Deliver me in thy righteousness." And then if you will skip down to verse 17. He says, "Let me not be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon thee. Let the wicked be ashamed and let them be silent in the grave."
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Now, I'm going to share with you today some things for which we should be ashamed. And next week, Lord willing, some things for which we should never be ashamed. But the truth of the matter is there are many things for which we should be ashamed.
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Now, before we look at Psalm 119, let me tell you something about this psalm. First of all, Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm. It is the longest psalm in the Psalter. 176 verses. The reason there are 176 verses in Psalm 119 is because it is an acrostic psalm. So if you will look at your Bibles in verses one through eight, I'm not going to read it, but I'm going to tell you this.
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There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, He, right on down the line. And when you look at verses one through eight, in the Hebrew, all of these eight verses begin with an aleph, the letter A in our language alphabet. When you look at verses nine through 16, all of those verses in the original begin with the letter Beth, which would be equal to B, so to speak, and so on down. And so you have 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and therefore you have eight verses beginning with each Hebrew letter. So you then have a total of 176 verses in this psalm. So Psalm 119 then is an acrostic psalm. So it is also a psalm concerning the law of God. Look if you would please at verse one.
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He says, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." So he begins this psalm by talking about walking in the law of the Lord. Now he says, "Blessed are the undefiled." The undefiled here are those who are the perfect, the mature, the unstained, those who walk in the law of the Lord. Now when you and I think of the word undefiled, we think of purity. We think of that which is not stained. We think of that which is not ugly. We think of that which is pure. And so David is saying, obviously in this passage, "Blessed are those unstained ones in the way who walk in the law of the Lord." So the way then to walk unstained, the way to walk undefiled is to walk in the law of the Lord.
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Now skip down, if you would please, to verse nine and look through verse 11. He enlarges upon this thought, beginning with verse nine. He asks this question, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" So you want to be clean, you want to be undefiled, you want to be unstained, you want to be pure. Here's how: "By taking heed thereto according to thy word." And then he says, "With my whole heart have I sought thee, oh let me not wander from my commandments." Then notice verse 11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee." So if we're going to walk in the law of the Lord, we have to hide His word in our heart. Now skip down to verse two, go back to Psalm 119 verse two. He says, "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart." Now what's this?
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"They also do no iniquity. They walk in his ways." An interesting thing is, David says, "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies."
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Now watch carefully, "and that seek him with the whole heart." So if we're keeping his testimonies, if we're seeking him with our whole heart, that he says, according to verse three, is why we would be doing no iniquity. We would walk in his ways.
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Now, may I remind you that the word iniquity is another word for sin. You remember 1 John 3 in verse 4, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law, for sin is a transgression of the law." So this is why this psalm is about the law of God. So he says, if we want to keep his testimonies, if we seek him with our whole heart, it will lead us and we will not be violating his law.
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And thus we will be walking in his ways. Now look at verse 4. In light of this, "Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently." Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Have you realized that the scripture says "thou hast commanded us," thus the precepts of God are commandments. They are not suggestions. They are not advice or counsel. They are commandments. And these commandments come from the sovereign God of heaven and earth, who happens to be our heavenly Father. And so he says, "Thou hast commanded us that we keep his precepts diligently."
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Now, one of the problems that we have is this. There is a tendency in us to disobey. There's a tendency in us to rebel. So after David is describing the man that is undefiled and how to do no iniquity and how to walk in God's ways, he prays this prayer in verse five. Look at it. "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes." Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thine statutes. Now, the ways of a man happens to be his habit.
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or his habits, his manner of life, the way he thinks, the way he speaks, the way he acts. So David is praying, "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes." In other words, David is saying, I realize that I'm a sinner and I realize that I'm depraved. And so, Lord, I'm praying that you will direct me into obedience and submission and enable me to keep thy words. Now, after he prays this prayer in verse five, "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes." Now.
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He gives us a very clear and concise point. I want to read verse five and verse six together. I want you to listen to this. Verse five: "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes." Then—only then—"shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments." So David says, unless our ways are directed to keep his statutes, we should be ashamed. And the way to not be ashamed is to learn to keep his statutes. Now let's go back and look at verse six. He says, "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments." One of the problems that we have is that we normally read into words. Instead of taking the time to look up words, we put our modern day terminology and place that terminology upon a word. And here's the word "respect."
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I could say, "Mr. Byerly." Then you'd say that's respectful. "Mr. Ward," that's respectful. That's what we normally think of when we think of respect. But this word "respect" here is something that is very, very particular. It means to regard, to pay attention to, to consider, to respect, to look upon. So when David says, "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments," he's saying, when I consider them, when I look upon them, when I pay attention to them. It's not just that we're saying, "Oh, this Bible is the word of God. Let's give it respect." No, no. You can say that all day long, but unless you're paying attention to God's commands and considering them and applying them, you're not really respecting them. Okay. Now, look what else he said in verse six. "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments."
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Now, the Hebrew word for ashamed is the word "bush," and it literally means to be ashamed, to be shamed, be confounded, to be confused, to be put to shame, to act shamefully and to feel shame. Now, I want you to look at verses five and six, and then I want to ask you a question. David prays, "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy commandments?" So here's my question.
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What is it that shames us? What is it that makes us ashamed? What is it that confuses us and confounds us? What is it that shames us before others and before our heavenly Father? And here's the answer. Disobedience. That's it. That's what he said. "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep my statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments."
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Now, the interesting thing is this. We can sin in different ways. And even a Christian. Most of us understand, or at least we should, that there are sins of ignorance and sins of premeditation. Presumption. Let me show you. Psalm 119, but look in your Bibles to Numbers chapter 15. Numbers chapter 15. And let's begin reading there with verse 27. Numbers chapter 15 and verse 27. Look what God says. Numbers 15 verse 27: "And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord, to make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them." So what is an ignorant sin? That is when you and I commit a sin that is a violation of God's law that we did not even know or consider or understand that it was a violation of God's law.
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But let me point something out. You know, we have an old saying in this country, "Ignorance is no excuse of the law." That saying came from the Bible. Not that it's in the Bible, but it had reference into Bible law because God's law is so clear and so plain. All you've got to do is read the Bible and you read God's law. So ignorance would be no excuse.
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Now, when we sin ignorantly, it is still a sin. And if you'll notice in this passage, an atonement had to be made for an ignorant sin. It's not that, "Oh, I slipped up. I forgot. I didn't know any better." No, it didn't matter whether you knew any better or not. You still had to make an atonement because sin is sin. Whether it was ignorantly done, foolishly done, stupidly done, didn't matter. It's still a sin. So you have a sin of ignorance.
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Now, if you look in verse 30, he begins with the sin of presumption. He says, "But the soul that doeth aught presumptuously, whether he be born in the land or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off."
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"His iniquity shall be upon him." Now, what is a presumptuous sin? A presumptuous sin is when you know that it's wrong. You know that God forbids it. And you say, "I want it. I'm going to do it anyhow." And notice if you would, God says, if you do that, the same reproacheth the Lord. And in verse 31, he says, it is a despisement of his word. So to despise his word is to despise him. That's why there's a reproach upon the Lord. But both an ignorant sin and a presumptuous sin has to be atoned for. We can act foolishly. We can act ignorantly. We can act stupidly. It's still sin if it's a violation of God's law, even though we didn't know any better. And when we do something presumptuously, in one sense of the word, that's even worse because we should have known better and we do know better, but we did it anyhow.
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Now, certainly a sin of ignorance, I believe, would be our own fault. Why? Because we have the word of God. We can read it. We can study it. If we're ignorant, it's our own fault. We should be reading and studying the word of God. And when we sin presumptuously, that just demonstrates the depravity of our own heart and the pride and the wickedness of our own heart, where we're thumbing our nose at God and saying, "I'm going to do what I want to do, regardless of what you say." So there's a sin of ignorance and there is a sin of presumption.
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Now, I want you to look in your Bibles back to Psalm 119. Look at verse 80. We're skipping over a little bit, but look in Psalm 119. And verse 80, if you would, please look what David says, he still is talking about being ashamed. Watch carefully. He says in verse 80, "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed." One reason that we sin outside of the fact that we're sinners is that we're ignorant and we're foolish. And to use David's terminology, we are unsound in the law of God. Now, the word "sound" is a very interesting word. The Hebrew word is "tamim" and it literally means without blemish. It means to be perfect, to be upright, without spot, whole, sincere and genuine. So David is saying, let my heart be sincere. Let my heart be whole. Let my heart be complete. Let my heart be unstained. Let my heart be undefiled in thy statutes. That I be not ashamed. Hmm. So the way to be ashamed and the way to be shamed is to have an unsound heart in the law of God, because an unsound heart always leads to disobedience.
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Now, look if you would please, he said, "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed." Now, the interesting thing is, someone usually will come along and object and say, "Now, Brother Weaver, all of these verses are in the Old Testament." And I usually tell people, we have one Bible, not two. We have one God, not two. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. And the scripture in the Old Testament is just as inspired as the scripture in the New Testament. But so many people say, "Well, now let me tell you something. This is all Old Testament. And what you have in the New Testament, you have the apex of grace and mercy in Jesus Christ." And that is true. And you're going to say, "Well, probably in Jesus Christ, we're never, ever going to be ashamed."
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Now, if you think that, it just proves that you never read the New Testament. So let me show you. Turning your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Philippians chapter one in verse 20. I use this verse last week, I do believe, but I want to point out something this week in reference to being ashamed. Now, what the apostle Paul says in the book of Philippians chapter one and verse 20, Philippians 1 verse 20. He says, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be in my life, or by death." Now note, if you would, he says that in nothing I shall be ashamed. So if Paul did not want to be ashamed in nothing, the implication is there are things for which you can be shamed in the New Testament. Okay. Hang on. When he says, "I do not want to be ashamed in nothing," it also indicates there are plenty of things for which we can be ashamed.
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So it is possible. Now, the Greek word here for ashamed is a very interesting word. It's actually from the word "aischos," which refers to a disfigurement or a disgrace or dishonor. So he says that in nothing I shall be disfigured, or disgraced, or dishonored.
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Now, let me point something out. The Apostle Paul tells us very clearly one thing that will disgrace us, dishonor us, and disfigure us. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 and look, if you would please, 2 Thessalonians chapter three, and notice verse 14. 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 14. Look what he says. 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 14: "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed." Wow. "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle," in other words, if you're going to disobey, if you're going to dishonor, if you're going to disregard the word of God, the apostle Paul says, note that man and have no company with him. Don't pretend like everything's hunky-dory when it's not. Have no company with him, that he might be ashamed. That he might be disgraced, that he might be dishonored. Noting. And by the way, let me just point out the fact that disobedience, defiance, and disregard for the word of God is shameful.
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And the person who disobeys, disregards, and defies the word of God should be shamed. Now, there is a shamefulness in sin. None of us are gonna sit around the table and say, "Well, let me tell you what I used to do." No, because we're ashamed of what we used to do. Let me show you. When we repent of our sins, we see the shamefulness of our sins.
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So if you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter six, look if you would please at verse 21. Romans 6, verse 21. The Apostle Paul is talking about the fact of when we were lost, when we were sinners, when we did those shameful things. Note what he says in Romans 6 in verse 21: "What fruit had ye then in those things? Whereof ye are now ashamed: for the end of those things is death." One of the proofs that we've been genuinely converted is we are ashamed of what we used to do, how we used to live, how we used to act. I never will forget.
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I had a dear friend. He's been dead for years and years now. He was a drunk. I mean, he was a hardworking drunk, but he was a drunk. And God saved him later in life. I think he was in his 50s. And, uh, he played a saxophone, and one of the songs he always played was "Wasted Years, Wasted Years, Oh How Foolish." And he told me so many times, "I just wish I had known back then what I know now."
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I said, "Well, I understand that. But God's grace came to you in his time. And if you had heard back then, you probably wouldn't have listened." But we are ashamed of those things. And that's what the apostle says. Once God has converted us, we understand that what we have done was indeed exceedingly shameful.
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Now, the truth of the matter is this. I've done things in my life before I was converted that I'm ashamed of. I've even done things in my life since I was converted that I'm ashamed of. I've been ashamed of my attitudes. I've been ashamed of my actions. I've been ashamed of my words. And, you know, like a lot of people, I could sit here and wish that I'd never thought those things. I'd never said those things. I'd never done those things. But the truth is, I did them. And here's the problem. The problem is not that they are unforgiven.
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It's not that they've not been repented of. It's once again, that memory. The memory can be blessed or the memory can be troublesome because we carry those scars with us. And when those awful memories come flooding back, we have to plead the blood. We have to say, "Lord, those have been dealt with." But the memories are still there.
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Now, you may respond and say, "Well, I was pretty good. I don't have that much to be ashamed of." Well, first of all, I really doubt that, but you can say that. But may I remind you that the world's definition of good and fallen man's definition of good is not the same as God's definition, for God says there's none good. No, not one. But I understand what you're saying.
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And you know, we're not drunkards, we're not whoremongers, we're not murderers, we're not thieves. But that doesn't mean that we have not done things and said things that we're not ashamed of. Let me show you something. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Timothy, chapter two, 2 Timothy, chapter two. And as you turn there, I want to ask you some questions before I read the scripture, okay? I want you to listen very carefully.
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You say, "Well, I've been a pretty good fellow. I've been a pretty good woman. I mean, I haven't done a lot of those things and you know, there's not too many things in my life I really need to be ashamed of." Well, that's all well and good. So let me ask you this question. How about your knowledge of the scriptures? How about your study habits? Do you understand Bible doctrine? Are you able to apply Bible doctrine?
#43 | 32:58 to 33:31 | cleaned
I was talking to a young man this week. He's just starting preaching some, and he's a studious young man, a very fine young man. And he was recently in several different churches, local churches. And he said to me, he said, "Brother Weaver, I'm amazed," he said, "most people in the churches don't even know what they believe or why they believe." I said, "I understand that." And that's a fact. Most people never ever really know what they believe or why they believe it.
#44 | 33:33 to 34:12 | cleaned
Most Christians cannot explain justification by faith alone. They cannot explain the doctrine of imputation. They cannot explain sanctification. They don't know anything about God's omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, immutability, eternality, infinity, transcendence. No, no, they can't, they can't discuss those things. So let me show you something of which you should be ashamed. Look in 2 Timothy chapter two and verse 15. Look what the scripture says: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Now, if you're not a workman, I'm going to explain that. And if you're not rightly dividing the word of truth, you need to be ashamed. If you're not studying to show yourself approved unto God, you need to be ashamed. Now, there are positives and negatives in this verse.
#45 | 34:13 to 35:19 | cleaned
First of all, let me give you a positive. A positive is here that our study is not even unto men. It is not even unto ourselves. It is unto God. "Study to show thyself approved unto God." So we study for His honor, for His glory, for His divine approbation, not because we're doing it for ourselves or for anybody else. We're doing it for Him. We want His approval, His divine approbation. So we are encouraged here to endeavor to cultivate and improve our hearts and minds by a diligent study of the word of God. Secondly, look in verse 15, he says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God." Now, the word "study" is from the Greek word "spoudazo," which literally means to labor, to give diligence in, to exert oneself and to endeavor mightily.
#46 | 35:20 to 36:27 | cleaned
So let me ask you a question. When you read your Bible this week or when you sat down to study, did you endeavor mightily? Did you give diligence? Well, if you did not, you should be ashamed because you did not study to show thyself approved unto God. The word indicates that true diligence in seeking and knowing the scriptures is for God's divine approval. And if we did not study in this matter, then it does not meet God's divine approval. Now, negatively speaking, the reason given here as to why it would not meet God's approval is because there'd be a lack of diligence, a lack of self-exerting. And that lack of diligence always places a wrong interpretation and a wrong dividing of the word of God upon the scriptures. Okay, now.
#47 | 36:28 to 37:38 | cleaned
Look at verse 15 again. He says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing."
#48 | 37:39 to 37:48 | cleaned
Now the word "dividing" is the Greek word "orthotomeo," which literally means to cut a straight line, to hold a straight course. It means to teach the truth directly and correctly. So what he is saying is this: If you cannot study, if you cannot exert yourself, if you cannot endeavor mightily to study the scriptures as unto God, a workman that needeth not to be embarrassed and ashamed and dishonored—if you're not going to do that, inevitably, you're not going to be able to cut a straight line when it comes to explaining and expounding the scriptures.
#49 | 37:49 to 38:37 | cleaned
One of the biggest problems we have today is hardly anyone considers context. As a good friend always says, "It's the context, stupid." It's the context. And that's true. Do you realize you can make the scripture mean anything you want it to mean as long as you take everything out of context? I could prove that it's all right to commit suicide. If I took it out of context, I could show you a verse that says, "Judas went out and hanged himself." I can show you another verse that says, "Go and do thou likewise." But they're both out of context.
#50 | 38:39 to 39:21 | cleaned
You understand what I'm saying? You take scripture out of context, you can make it mean whatever you want it to mean. Note if you would, he says, if we do not cut a straight line in scripture, then confusion and destruction, even upon our own selves. So the negative implied in this passage is if we do not study as unto God, and if we do not exert ourselves diligently and mightily and endeavor mightily, the result is we're not going to be able to cut a straight line.
#51 | 39:21 to 39:55 | cleaned
Let me show you something else. Turn right on over if you would to 2 Peter chapter three and look at verse 16. 2 Peter chapter three, verse 16. In fact, let's begin reading there with verse 15 just so you can see that Peter's talking about the Apostle Paul, okay? Look what he says. 2 Peter 3 verse 15: "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also"
#52 | 39:55 to 40:30 | cleaned
"according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." Now he says, if you are unlearned and unstable in the scriptures, then inevitably you're going to be wresting the scriptures to your own destruction. Now, the word "wrest" is the Greek word "strebloo." And it literally means—listen to this—to wrest, to torture, to put on the rack, to stretch beyond the limits.
#53 | 40:30 to 41:22 | cleaned
It's just like during the Inquisition. One of the torture methods they had, they put a man on the rack. They would put his arms behind his head as he lay on his back. They would put ropes around his wrists. They would then put ropes around the ankles and someone would turn the wheel and the rack would be stretching that man until all of a sudden his arms are popped out of joint. His hips are popped out of joint.
#54 | 41:23 to 41:51 | cleaned
And the next thing you know, if they don't stop, then everything is ripped off. And that's exactly the picture that is being presented right here. He said, those who are unstable and unlearned put the truth on the rack and stretch it. What does that mean? It means they make it say things that it was never intended to say. They make it teach things that it was never intended to teach. That is wresting the scripture, that is putting the scripture on the rack.
#55 | 41:52 to 42:23 | cleaned
John Calvin said it like this. Listen carefully. "Some mutilate it. Others tear it. Others torture it. Others break it in pieces. Others, keeping by the outside, as we've said, never come to the soul of doctrine. To all these faults, he contrasts dividing aright, that is the manner of explaining, which is adapted to edification." In other words, if you can't cut a straight line in scripture, what he's saying is you're going to end up wresting it to your own destruction. And here's the truth.
#56 | 42:24 to 42:58 | cleaned
We should be ashamed of our ignorance. We really should. I've studied for years, but I can assure you, I don't know what I need to know. And every time I see something in the scripture, I think, "How did I read this Bible all these years and I still never saw this?" Yeah. No one has a perfect understanding. No one has a perfect knowledge of the scripture, but we should be ashamed of the fact that when we do study, we don't do it as unto the Lord. Have you ever stopped to think about that? We might study out of duty.
#57 | 42:59 to 43:34 | cleaned
That's what a lot of people do. "Well, let me read my scripture for today." And they just, "Well, I'm duty bound to do it. So I might as well do it and get it over with." Or sometimes you study out of curiosity. I've had people actually say this to me. They've asked me this question, "Brother Weaver, I know it's in there because my mama said so. And where is it found in scripture that every tub has to sit on its own bottom?" Well, it's not in the scripture. That's just an old saying, you know?
#58 | 43:34 to 44:08 | cleaned
Come on, let's be honest. We hear these old sayings all the time. "God helps those who help themselves." That's not in the scripture. Now, it is true we have a responsibility, but that saying is not in the scripture. But all I'm saying, sometimes we will study out of curiosity. And I've had people say, "I've tried my best to find it and I can't find it." And I said, "Well, the reason you can't find it, it's not in there. It's just that simple." But how many of us really study as unto God? "Heavenly Father, I want to come to Thee. I want to exert myself. I want to endeavor mightily to understand this."
#59 | 44:09 to 44:44 | cleaned
"I ask You to open my eyes. I ask You to give me understanding, Lord, that which I do not see teach Thou me and Lord, let me honor Thee in this study." I got news for you. If we came to the scripture like that, I believe it would make a difference in our lives and it would make a difference in our understanding. I really believe that. Now, we should be ashamed for not knowing the scripture any better than we do, no matter how well we know it. So let me ask you some questions. Get ready for these.
#60 | 44:44 to 45:15 | cleaned
Have you ever considered this? What will it be like when you see Jesus Christ face to face? When He returns, what will we do? What will we say? Will we be like that slothful servant who began to make excuses for his disobedience and lack of service? Or will we be ashamed and embarrassed? Now you're going to say, "Wow, I don't think it's possible for me to be ashamed and embarrassed when our Lord returns." Really?
#61 | 45:16 to 46:07 | cleaned
Well, let me show you scripture. Look in your Bible, since you're close there, look in 1 John 2, verse 28. 1 John 2, verse 28. If you don't think it's possible that you will be ashamed when our Lord returns, here's a verse that you really need to consider. He says, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." Hmm. First, I want you to note in this passage, we're commanded to be continually abiding in him when he says, "And now, little children, abide in him."
#62 | 46:09 to 46:56 | cleaned
The Greek word is "meno," M-E-N-O, and it means to abide, to remain, to dwell, to continue, to sojourn with. It also is a present active imperative, which means it is a command and it's something that you are to be actively engaged in and doing continually. So he says, "Little children, remain in him, abide in him, dwell in him, continue in him." So he commands that. Secondly, one of the reasons given for this command to abide in him is that when he shall appear, we will have confidence at his appearing. Now the word "confidence" is a Greek word "parrhesia," which literally means boldness, confidence without concealment, without ambiguity, free and fearless. Wow. So he says, I want you to be free and fearless. I want you to be bold. I want you to be unconcealed at our Lord's appearing.
#63 | 46:56 to 48:06 | cleaned
Now there's another reason he tells us that we should remain in him. He says in verse 28, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence"—now watch—"and not be ashamed before him at his coming." And the word "ashamed" means to be disfigured. It means to be dishonored. It means to be suffused with shame. It means to be covered with shame, to be shamefaced. Wow. We always feel ashamed when our hopes are disappointed. We always feel ashamed when our character is exposed from something other than we profess. We always feel ashamed when all of our pretensions are wiped away and we reveal for what we really are. When we are stripped and made bare and shamefaced, we are ashamed.
#64 | 48:08 to 49:10 | cleaned
And this is what he's talking about. "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, we may have boldness and not be dishonored, disfigured before him at his coming."
#65 | 49:11 to 49:25 | cleaned
Now, while we're on the subject of shame and being ashamed at the coming of the Lord, let me ask you a question. I'm not trying to be ugly and I'm not trying to embarrass anyone, but I want to just ask: who in here would like to just stand up, take all their clothes off and be naked, totally naked in front of this group of people? Anybody here volunteer to do that? No, you don't want to do that. You would be shameful. Would you like to be stripped naked in front of the whole world? The answer is no. I mean, I don't care how beautiful a person is. I don't care how gorgeous, I don't care how shapely, I don't care how muscular. Nobody wants to be exposed in front of other people naked.
#66 | 49:27 to 50:34 | cleaned
Let me go a little further. How would you like to stand before the sovereign God of heaven and earth, absolutely naked?
#67 | 50:36 to 50:44 | cleaned
Now, the truth of the matter is we already are. Let me show you. If you look in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews chapter four, just back a few pages, Hebrews chapter four, look if you would please there at verses 12 and 13. Hebrews 4 verses 12 and 13. Look what he says: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
#68 | 50:48 to 51:25 | cleaned
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." And it's not just our bodies that are naked before the sovereign God, but our minds, our hearts, our motives, our desires, everything. Everything.
#69 | 51:26 to 51:45 | cleaned
Now, you're going to say, "Well, I don't know if that really means that." Really? Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 3. Everybody knows that Revelation 2 and 3 is written to the seven churches of Asia Minor. And if you look in Revelation chapter 3, particularly there, beginning with verse 17, because our Lord is talking to the church of Laodicea. He's not talking to the unsaved. He's talking to the church. Revelation chapter three, notice verse 17.
#70 | 51:46 to 52:23 | cleaned
He says, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." So here's a church that says, "Boy, we are clothed wonderfully." Our Lord says, "You're naked as a jaybird."
#71 | 52:23 to 53:00 | cleaned
Look in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 16 and verse 15. Revelation 16 and verse 15. Revelation 16 verse 15. Look what our Lord says: "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Wow. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to 1 John chapter two and look at verse 28 again, because I want you to see the contrast. The contrast in this verse is between boldness and shamefacedness. Boldness and being ashamed. In 1 John 2 verse 28, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, we may be fearless, we may be bold and not be ashamed before him at his coming."
#72 | 53:03 to 54:09 | cleaned
So we need to consider: What will be our state when He appears? Will we be fearless and bold or will we be ashamed?
#73 | 54:11 to 54:24 | cleaned
Now I want to show you something. Look in 1 John 4 and verse 17. Here is the only way in which we will not be ashamed at His coming. You know, when I explain the fact that the contrast in 1 John 2 and verse 28 is between boldness and being ashamed. If a person is bold, he doesn't care who sees him or hears him. But when someone is ashamed, they don't only bow their head, they try to shrink away and not let anybody see them. Well, look in 1 John 4, here's the only way that we can be bold. And I'm going to take you back to 1 John 2, just a minute, but watch 1 John 4, verse 17.
#74 | 54:25 to 55:20 | cleaned
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." How do we have boldness in the day of judgment? Because we live as Christ lived. We live in obedience to the Father. We do those things that are pleasing unto Him. That's why he said in 1 John 2:28, watch now, "And now, little children, abide in him."
#75 | 55:20 to 55:56 | cleaned
As long as we are abiding in him, we are living as he lived. We are conforming our lives to him and to his word. And when that happens, we may have boldness in the day of judgment and we will not be ashamed at his appearing. We're shamed in many ways. And I'm so thankful that the scripture says that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin. And the only thing that will make us bold in the day of judgment is the person and work and righteousness of Jesus Christ. There are some things for which we should be ashamed, even as Christians. And next week, Lord willing, I'll show you some things of which we shall not be ashamed and should not be ashamed. And if we are, we should be ashamed. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee this day. We thank You for Your word. We thank You for Your truth.
#76 | 55:57 to 57:16 | cleaned
We pray, Lord, that You would forgive us for our multitude of sins and our bad attitudes and actions and thoughts and words and deeds. And help us, Lord, that we may appear before Thee with boldness, because as Thou art, so are we in this world. Give us, Lord, holiness and righteousness and obedience. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
#77 | 57:17 to 57:44 | cleaned
so so
#78 | 58:06 to 58:07 | cleaned

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T18:06:09Z

Shamed - Part 1 of 2

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver examines the theme of shame in the life of a believer, focusing on Psalm 119:1-8. He argues that disobedience to God's commandments is the primary cause of shame, and that a sound heart in God's statutes leads to a life free from shame. The sermon distinguishes between sins of ignorance and presumption, both requiring atonement. Weaver emphasizes that even New Testament believers can experience shame, particularly when they fail to study Scripture diligently, rightly divide the word of truth, or abide in Christ. He warns that at Christ's return, some will be ashamed due to lack of abiding, while those who live in obedience will have boldness. The message calls for self-examination regarding study habits, knowledge of doctrine, and daily conformity to Christ.

Introduction: The Reality of Shame

Weaver opens with rhetorical questions about personal experiences of shame, highlighting that all have felt shame for attitudes, actions, or words, and introduces the topic from Psalm 119.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:1-8

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity, they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes.

The Depravity of the Human Heart

He explains that shame often reveals the depth of our deceitful and depraved hearts, referencing Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Isaiah 6:5 to show that seeing our vileness helps us see God's holiness.

Scripture Reading — Jeremiah 17:9-10

"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked."

David's Prayer Against Shame

Weaver surveys Psalms 25 and 31 to show David's repeated prayers not to be ashamed, setting the stage for the main text in Psalm 119.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 51:3

"For I acknowledge my transgressions"

—listen now—

Scripture Reading — Psalm 51:3

"and my sin is ever before me."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 25:1-3, 20

"Let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed. Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause."

Skip down, if you would, please to verse 20. He says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 25:1-3, 20

"O keep my soul and deliver me. Let me not be ashamed. For I put my trust in thee."

Then if you would turn right over to Psalm 31, Psalm 31, and notice if you would please, verse one. He says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 25:1-3, 20

"In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed. Deliver me in thy righteousness."

And then if you will skip down to verse 17. He says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 25:1-3, 20

"Let me not be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon thee. Let the wicked be ashamed and let them be silent in the grave."

Psalm 119: The Acrostic Psalm on God's Law

He explains the structure of Psalm 119 as an acrostic psalm with 176 verses, each section beginning with a successive Hebrew letter, and emphasizes its focus on walking in God's law.

The Undefiled Walk and the Source of Shame

Weaver expounds Psalm 119:1-6, showing that the undefiled walk in God's law, and that disobedience is what shames us. He defines 'respect' as paying attention to and considering God's commandments.

Now skip down, if you would please, to verse nine and look through verse 11. He enlarges upon this thought, beginning with verse nine. He asks this question,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:9-11

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?"

So you want to be clean, you want to be undefiled, you want to be unstained, you want to be pure. Here's how:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:9-11

"By taking heed thereto according to thy word."

And then he says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:9-11

"With my whole heart have I sought thee, oh let me not wander from my commandments."

Then notice verse 11,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:9-11

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee."

Sins of Ignorance and Presumption

Using Numbers 15:27-31, he distinguishes between sins committed in ignorance and presumptuous sins, noting both require atonement and that ignorance is no excuse.

Scripture Reading — Numbers 15:27-31

"And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord, to make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them."

So what is an ignorant sin? That is when you and I commit a sin that is a violation of God's law that we did not even know or consider or understand that it was a violation of God's law.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:80

"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:80

" and it literally means without blemish. It means to be perfect, to be upright, without spot, whole, sincere and genuine. So David is saying, let my heart be sincere. Let my heart be whole. Let my heart be complete. Let my heart be unstained. Let my heart be undefiled in thy statutes. That I be not ashamed. Hmm. So the way to be ashamed and the way to be shamed is to have an unsound heart in the law of God, because an unsound heart always leads to disobedience.

A Sound Heart in God's Statutes

From Psalm 119:80, Weaver teaches that an unsound heart leads to disobedience and shame, while a sound (whole, sincere) heart in God's law prevents shame.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:80

"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:80

" and it literally means without blemish. It means to be perfect, to be upright, without spot, whole, sincere and genuine. So David is saying, let my heart be sincere. Let my heart be whole. Let my heart be complete. Let my heart be unstained. Let my heart be undefiled in thy statutes. That I be not ashamed. Hmm. So the way to be ashamed and the way to be shamed is to have an unsound heart in the law of God, because an unsound heart always leads to disobedience.

New Testament Shame: Disobedience and Lack of Study

Scripture Reading — Philippians 1:20

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be in my life, or by death."

Scripture Reading — 2 Thessalonians 3:14

"And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed."

Wow.

Scripture Reading — 2 Thessalonians 3:14

"And if any man obey not our word by this epistle,"

Scripture Reading — Romans 6:21

"What fruit had ye then in those things? Whereof ye are now ashamed: for the end of those things is death."

Wresting Scripture and Ignorance

Weaver warns that unlearned and unstable people twist Scripture to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16), and that we should be ashamed of our ignorance and lack of diligent study unto God.

Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 3:15-16

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also" "according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

Shame at Christ's Coming

Scripture Reading — 1 John 2:28

"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

Hmm. First, I want you to note in this passage, we're commanded to be continually abiding in him when he says,

Scripture Reading — 1 John 2:28

"And now, little children, abide in him."

Scripture Reading — 1 John 2:28

" So he commands that. Secondly, one of the reasons given for this command to abide in him is that when he shall appear, we will have confidence at his appearing. Now the word "

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 4:12-13

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

He says,

Scripture Reading — Revelation 3:17-18

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."

So we need to consider: What will be our state when He appears? Will we be fearless and bold or will we be ashamed?

Boldness Through Abiding in Christ

Scripture Reading — 1 John 4:17

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world."

Shamed - Part 1 of 2

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	0XqoSqAXK7k
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Justification, Faith, and Imputed Righteousness: Sola Fide And Justification
Genre	Sermon
Date	2019-12-29
Dictation Name
Book	Book 176: Shamed — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	78

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Reality of Shame: Weaver opens with rhetorical questions about personal experiences of shame, highlighting that all have felt shame for attitudes, actions, or words, and introduces the topic from Psalm 119.
The Depravity of the Human Heart: He explains that shame often reveals the depth of our deceitful and depraved hearts, referencing Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Isaiah 6:5 to show that seeing our vileness helps us see God's holiness.
David's Prayer Against Shame: Weaver surveys Psalms 25 and 31 to show David's repeated prayers not to be ashamed, setting the stage for the main text in Psalm 119.
Psalm 119: The Acrostic Psalm on God's Law: He explains the structure of Psalm 119 as an acrostic psalm with 176 verses, each section beginning with a successive Hebrew letter, and emphasizes its focus on walking in God's law.
The Undefiled Walk and the Source of Shame: Weaver expounds Psalm 119:1-6, showing that the undefiled walk in God's law, and that disobedience is what shames us. He defines 'respect' as paying attention to and considering God's commandments.
Sins of Ignorance and Presumption: Using Numbers 15:27-31, he distinguishes between sins committed in ignorance and presumptuous sins, noting both require atonement and that ignorance is no excuse.
A Sound Heart in God's Statutes: From Psalm 119:80, Weaver teaches that an unsound heart leads to disobedience and shame, while a sound (whole, sincere) heart in God's law prevents shame.
New Testament Shame: Disobedience and Lack of Study: He demonstrates from Philippians 1:20, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, Romans 6:21, and 2 Timothy 2:15 that New Testament believers can be shamed by disobedience, failure to study, and inability to rightly divide Scripture.
Wresting Scripture and Ignorance: Weaver warns that unlearned and unstable people twist Scripture to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16), and that we should be ashamed of our ignorance and lack of diligent study unto God.
Shame at Christ's Coming: Using 1 John 2:28, he teaches that failure to abide in Christ will result in shame at His appearing, while abiding produces boldness. He illustrates this with the imagery of nakedness from Hebrews 4:13 and Revelation 3:17.
Boldness Through Abiding in Christ: Weaver concludes from 1 John 4:17 that boldness in the day of judgment comes from living as Christ lived, in obedience to the Father, and that only Christ's righteousness enables us to stand unashamed.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Shame is directly linked to disobedience to God's law.

David's prayer in Psalm 119:5-6 establishes that the way to avoid shame is to have one's ways directed to keep God's statutes and to respect all His commandments.

Psalm 119:5-6: 'Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.'

Both ignorant and presumptuous sins bring shame and require atonement.

Numbers 15 distinguishes between sins of ignorance and presumption, but both are sin and require atonement. Presumptuous sin is especially shameful because it despises God's word.

Numbers 15:27-31 shows that even ignorant sins need atonement, and presumptuous sins bring reproach on the Lord.

A sound heart in God's statutes prevents shame.

Psalm 119:80 teaches that a heart that is whole, sincere, and undefiled in God's law will not be ashamed, implying that an unsound heart leads to disobedience and shame.

Psalm 119:80: 'Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.'

New Testament believers can be shamed by disobedience and lack of study.

Paul's desire not to be ashamed in anything (Philippians 1:20) and his instruction to note the disobedient so they may be ashamed (2 Thessalonians 3:14) prove that shame is a New Testament reality.

Philippians 1:20 and 2 Thessalonians 3:14 are cited to show that shame is possible for believers.

Failure to study diligently results in shame and inability to rightly divide Scripture.

2 Timothy 2:15 commands diligent study to avoid shame. Without such study, one cannot cut a straight line in teaching Scripture, leading to error and destruction.

2 Timothy 2:15: 'Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.'

Unlearned and unstable people wrest Scripture to their own destruction.

2 Peter 3:16 warns that those who are unlearned and unstable twist the Scriptures, which is a shameful practice that leads to destruction.

2 Peter 3:16: '...which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.'

Abiding in Christ is the condition for boldness and avoidance of shame at His coming.

1 John 2:28 commands abiding in Christ so that believers may have confidence and not be ashamed at His appearing. The contrast is between boldness and shamefacedness.

1 John 2:28: 'And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.'

Boldness in judgment comes from living as Christ lived.

1 John 4:17 teaches that love made perfect gives boldness in the day of judgment because as Christ is, so are believers in this world. This boldness is the opposite of shame.

1 John 4:17: 'Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.'

Scripture References

Psalm 119:1-8: The primary text of the sermon, describing the blessedness of the undefiled who walk in God's law and the connection between keeping statutes and not being ashamed.
Jeremiah 17:9-10: Cited to illustrate the deceitfulness and wickedness of the human heart, which is the source of shameful actions.
Isaiah 6:5: Used to show that seeing God's holiness reveals our own uncleanness and leads to shame.
Psalm 51:3: David's acknowledgment that his sin was ever before him, illustrating the lingering memory and shame of past sins.
Psalm 25:1-3, 20: David's prayers not to be ashamed, showing his concern with shame before God and enemies.
Psalm 31:1, 17: Further examples of David praying for deliverance from shame.
Psalm 119:9-11: Explains how a young man can cleanse his way by taking heed to God's word and hiding it in his heart.
1 John 3:4: Defines sin as transgression of the law, supporting the psalm's focus on God's law.
Numbers 15:27-31: Distinguishes between sins of ignorance and presumptuous sins, both requiring atonement, with presumptuous sin bringing reproach on the Lord.
Psalm 119:80: David's prayer for a sound heart in God's statutes so that he would not be ashamed.
Philippians 1:20: Paul's expectation not to be ashamed in anything, indicating that shame is possible for New Testament believers.
2 Thessalonians 3:14: Instruction to note the disobedient and have no company with them so that they may be ashamed.
Romans 6:21: Paul reminds believers that they are now ashamed of the things they did before conversion, proving genuine repentance.
2 Timothy 2:15: Command to study diligently to show oneself approved unto God, a workman not needing to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Peter 3:15-16: Warning that unlearned and unstable people wrest Paul's writings and other Scriptures to their own destruction.
1 John 2:28: Exhortation to abide in Christ so that believers may have confidence and not be ashamed at His coming.
Hebrews 4:12-13: All things are naked and open before God, illustrating the exposure and potential shame before Him.
Revelation 3:17-18: The Laodicean church is described as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, and counseled to buy white raiment to cover the shame of nakedness.
Revelation 16:15: Blessing on those who watch and keep their garments, lest they walk naked and their shame be seen.
1 John 4:17: Love made perfect gives boldness in the day of judgment because as Christ is, so are believers in this world.

Historical References

John Calvin's commentary on rightly dividing Scripture: Weaver quotes Calvin: 'Some mutilate it. Others tear it. Others torture it. Others break it in pieces. Others, keeping by the outside, as we've said, never come to the soul of doctrine. To all these faults, he contrasts dividing aright, that is the manner of explaining, which is adapted to edification.'

Important Quotes

Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

This is the key verse from Psalm 119:6 that anchors the sermon's thesis: shame is avoided by respecting (paying attention to) all of God's commandments.

Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

Weaver emphasizes the conditional nature of avoiding shame: it requires God's direction to keep His statutes.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This verse from 2 Timothy 2:15 is central to the argument that lack of diligent study leads to shame.

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

This verse from 1 John 2:28 is used to show that even at Christ's return, believers can experience shame if they do not abide in Him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

This verse from 1 John 4:17 provides the positive counterpart: boldness comes from living as Christ lived.

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.

Quoted from Jeremiah 17:9 to emphasize the source of shameful actions—the depraved human heart.

Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

Psalm 119:80 connects a sound (whole, sincere) heart in God's law with freedom from shame.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

In what ways have you experienced shame over your attitudes, actions, or words, and how did you respond?

[Context]

Weaver opens by asking if listeners have ever been ashamed or confronted with 'Shame on you.'

[Question]

How does seeing the depth of your own depravity help you appreciate God's holiness and grace?

[Context]

Weaver discusses Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Isaiah 6:5, showing that awareness of sin leads to seeing God's glory.

[Question]

What is the difference between sins of ignorance and presumptuous sins, and why are both shameful?

[Context]

Based on Numbers 15:27-31, Weaver explains that both require atonement, but presumptuous sin despises God's word.

[Question]

What does it mean to have a 'sound heart' in God's statutes, and how can we cultivate it?

[Context]

From Psalm 119:80, Weaver defines a sound heart as whole, sincere, and undefiled, leading to freedom from shame.

[Question]

In what ways might you be ashamed at Christ's return, and how can abiding in Christ prevent that?

[Context]

1 John 2:28 warns that failure to abide results in shame at His appearing; abiding produces boldness.

[Question]

How can we study Scripture 'as unto God' rather than out of mere duty or curiosity?

[Context]

Weaver challenges listeners to examine their study motives, emphasizing that study should be for God's approval.

[Question]

What are some practical ways to ensure we are 'rightly dividing the word of truth' and not wresting Scripture?

[Context]

2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Peter 3:16 are used to warn against twisting Scripture due to lack of study.

[Question]

How does the imagery of nakedness in Hebrews 4:13 and Revelation 3:17-18 affect your understanding of shame before God?

[Context]

Weaver uses these passages to illustrate that everything is exposed before God, and we need Christ's covering.

Applications

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