Darkness on SermonAudio

Walk as Children of Light A wrong thing can become familiar enough that we stop resisting it and begin making excuses for it. Ephesians 5:6-14 calls us to remember the change Christ has made, seek the fruit of His Spirit in our choices, and wake up wherever we have grown careless. This message brings the question of light and darkness into the life we actually live. Christ gives us reason to face sin honestly and help to walk in obedience to Him. Scripture References: Ephesians 5:6-14 John 8:12

This Reformation Sunday morning, Dr. Jon Jacobs takes a break from his regular series and instead teaches on the necessity of reforming the church, the reformation, and the doctrines that make up Calvinism. Dr. Jacobs describes the era that preceded the Reformation, a time of spiritual and doctrinal darkness. R.C. Sproul writes this, "John Calvin is a gulliver in the land of the Lilliputians, a titan in the midst of dwarfs. He stands heads and shoulders above the rank and file theologian, scholar, biblical expert, all the way down through the ages. He abides in the elite company of men like St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, and Jonathan Edwards."

Surveying the Seven Sayings of Christ on the Cross and the Six unusual Sights that surrounded Christ on the Cross as God's divine providence unfolded redemption for His people.

(AI Generated Summary) The sermon emphasizes the absolute necessity of the new birth by illustrating the human predicament of spiritual blindness and misdirected love. It argues that the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God, causing individuals to prioritize earthly treasures over heavenly ones, which results in a life filled with darkness. By analyzing Jesus' teaching on the eye and treasure, the message highlights that one cannot serve two masters, as the greatest love inevitably dictates one's will and actions. The preacher explains that humans are willing slaves to their highest idols, not forced against their will, which underscores the dire state of sin. Consequently, the sermon points to God's grace in freeing slaves of sin and giving a new heart as the only hope for true alignment with God.

This sermon examines the biblical mandate for separation from false religion, grounded in the five rhetorical questions of 2 Corinthians 6. The speaker contrasts the principles of righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, and the distinct personalities of Christ and Belial to demonstrate that no true fellowship exists between the gospel and apostasy. Historical examples, including Martin Luther's stand against the Roman Catholic Church and the formation of the Free Presbyterian Church in 1951, illustrate the necessity of separating from systems that compromise the truth. The central argument is that believers must align themselves exclusively with God, who promises to dwell with and receive those who come out of unclean systems. The message concludes with a call to maintain this distinctiveness, ensuring that the church remains a temple of the living God rather than an idolatrous institution.

The sermon explores the inseparable relationship between repentance and faith, describing them as two sides of the same coin in the process of salvation. Using the parable of the fig tree in Luke 13, the teaching illustrates that while God performs the work of conviction and drawing, the individual must respond by turning from unbelief to belief. The message corrects common misconceptions, such as viewing repentance merely as sorrow for specific sins or a works-based effort, by emphasizing that true repentance is a turning from darkness, wilderness, and death toward the light and life found in Christ. Scripture passages from Acts, 1 Peter, and 2 Corinthians are cited to demonstrate that this turning is a divine work that results in a faith directed toward the truth. The tone is instructional and pastoral, aiming to clarify these 'endangered doctrines' and encourage believers to understand the holistic nature of conversion as a movement from a lost state to the grace of God.

In the midst of life's uncertainty and darkness, the sermon presents Jesus as the light of the world, offering hope and direction through faith. It emphasizes three spiritual practices for navigating unclear paths: first, praying for just enough light to take the next step, trusting that God will provide further illumination as one walks in obedience; second, seeking sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance, especially when decisions seem promising but may carry hidden dangers; and third, opening one's heart to the transformative truths found in Scripture, which can reveal future blessings even before they are understood. The message underscores God's faithfulness in opening unexpected doors, even in restrictive environments, and affirms that divine light is present both in clarity and in darkness. Ultimately, it calls believers to trust in God's sovereign guidance, knowing that His promises are reliable, even when the way ahead remains unclear.