Darkness on SermonAudio

In this study on Richard Baxter's approach to soul care, his writings on melancholy—most notably in The Right Method for a Settled Peace of Conscience, The Christian Directory, and his Cripplegate discourse The Cure of Melancholy—offer a remarkably compassionate and holistic vision of the human person. Operating far ahead of his time, Baxter recognized that true spiritual distress is often deeply entangled with physical, neurological, and emotional exhaustion, viewing "melancholy" not merely as a lack of faith or a moral failing, but as an organic bodily affliction that warps the mind's perceptions. By distinguishing between voluntary sin and the involuntary, dark intrusive thoughts generated by a diseased brain, he instructed pastors and families to treat afflicted believers with gentle gospel assurances, medical care, physical labor, and brief devotions rather than demanding intense self-examination. In bridging the gap between bodily "physick" and spiritual counsel, Baxter provides a battle-tested historical model for understanding how physiological weaknesses affect religious experience, reminding us that caring for the soul often begins with having deep compassion on the physical frame.

Dr. David Brown is Pastor Emeritus of the First Baptist Church in Oak Creek. He has a Master's in Theology and a PhD in History specializing in the history of the English Bible. It is very easy in our society to take what we have for granted. We can go into a dark home and flip a switch and we have light. We need a cool drink of water and turn on the faucet and satisfy our thirst. We go to our technology devices and we can instantaneously communicate with people all around the world. As nice as these conveniences are, there is something far more precious than all of them: the Bible, the Word of God. While it's easy for us to take for granted the rich availability of the Scriptures in print, on our tablets, and on phone devices, what we must not ignore is the fact that having the Scriptures in the English language cost someone their own life. That person was William Tyndale. He's been renowned as "the father of the English Bible" and is recognized as one of the major leaders of the English Reformation. He became one of the most wanted men in England and all of Europe, even pursued by the king himself. It's the 500th anniversary of the Tyndale New Testament and tomorrow is the 490th anniversary of Tyndale's death. So don't miss this historical overview of the life and legacy of William Tyndale so that you can grasp the amount of sacrifice that went into the formation of our English Bible.

WALKING IN REVIVAL The message centers on what it means to walk in revival every day, emphasizing that Jesus does more than save sinners from judgment—He reaches us in our sin, removes us from the throne of our own lives, teaches us His ways, and sends us back into the world as glad-hearted reconcilers. Spiritual growth often comes through "victory by degrees," as God patiently reveals what needs to change, removes what does not belong, replaces it with His goodness, renews our minds, and readies us for faithful service. Using David's smooth stones as a picture, the sermon teaches that God can use the trials, storms, and lessons of life to work wisdom into us so we can strengthen others facing their own giants. Gratitude, obedience, and glad-heartedness become visible expressions of praise, allowing believers to shine as lights when darkness comes into the lives of those around them. Luke 24 provides the foundation for this everyday mission: we need the Savior, the Scriptures, the sheep, the Spirit, and sinners in our sights. Ultimately, the message calls believers to live intentionally as everyday missionaries, using whatever God has placed in their hands to bring the hope of Jesus to hurting people. Like the wounded deer, Pickle Pearl, people all around us have been beaten down by life and need someone willing to show mercy, help them up, and point them to the Redeemer. Revival is therefore not merely a meeting we attend, but a life in which Jesus continually transforms us and then works through us to reconcile others to Himself. WALKING IN REVIVAL Victory by Degrees and the Life of an Everyday Missionary Primary passages: Proverbs 28:4; Luke 24:44–49 Central tru

This sermon explores the intrinsic link between trust and joy, centering on Psalm 33:21, which declares that the heart rejoices in God because of trust in His holy name. The text outlines five reasons for praise found in the Psalm: God's character, creation, counsel, control, and care, arguing that these attributes provide a secure foundation for faith. The preacher emphasizes that true joy is not dependent on earthly circumstances but flows from a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate object of trust. By referencing Paul and Silas in prison and the Lord's Supper, the message illustrates how believers can experience supernatural joy even in darkness by anchoring their souls in the finished work of the cross. Ultimately, the sermon points to the eternal joy of heaven as the final inheritance for those who place their faith in Christ, contrasting this with the fleeting pleasures of the world.

This introductory discussion offers a brief tour through the massive 12-volume Collected Works of Thomas Goodwin (1600–1680), one of the premier theologians and pastors of 17th-century English Puritanism. A leading figure at both the Westminster Assembly and the drafting of the Savoy Declaration, Goodwin combined rigorous Reformed scholasticism with an extraordinarily tender, experiential care for the Christian soul. By examining a select handful of his most enduring titles—including The Return of Prayers, The Child of Light Walking in Darkness, The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth, his exhaustive treatise on regeneration in Volume 6, and his sobering study on the punishment of sin in Volume 10—we catch a glimpse of the sheer scope, psychological depth, and pastoral warmth that made Goodwin a titan of practical theology and a lifelong favorite of Puritan scholars like Dr. Joel Beeke.

This sermon explores the narrative in 2 Kings 7, where God provides for a besieged city through the unexpected actions of four lepers. The central message emphasizes that God's Word is infallible and that He can provide in impossible circumstances, contrasting the faith of the lepers with the doubt of the king's officer. The preacher highlights how unbelief can hinder a person from partaking in God's blessings, citing the officer who witnessed the miracle but died without eating the food. Furthermore, the sermon argues that God often uses unconventional means to accomplish His purposes, challenging believers to trust in His wisdom rather than demanding specific outcomes. Finally, the message concludes with a call to action, urging Christians to share the good news of the gospel, as holding onto it while others remain in spiritual darkness is a failure to fulfill their obligation.

THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM BEGINS WITH A PROMISE.Genesis 3:15 KJV The journey to Bethlehem did not begin in Luke 2. It began in Eden when sin entered the world and God promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. From Genesis 3:15, Scripture traces an unbroken road through Abraham, Judah, David, the prophets, Bethlehem, Calvary, and the empty tomb. Satan fought the promise, but he could not stop God's plan. The manger was God's answer to the mess in Eden, and Jesus Christ is still the only answer for fallen humanity.

This sermon explores the profound assurance found in Romans 8, arguing that present sufferings are not worthy of comparison with the future glory revealed to believers. The message emphasizes that the Holy Spirit intercedes for the weak, helping Christians persevere in hope while they await the redemption of their bodies and the renewal of creation. It highlights the sovereignty of God through the golden chain of redemption, demonstrating that those whom He foreknew, He also predestined, called, justified, and glorified. The preacher asserts that no created thing, including death, life, or spiritual powers, can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life defined by steadfast hope and trust in God's unchanging purpose, even amidst severe trials and darkness.

This sermon explores the nature of an evangelizing church by examining the early believers' response to the martyrdom of Stephen and the subsequent persecution in Jerusalem. It argues against a pessimistic worldview that views the world as a sinking ship destined for failure, instead advocating for a realistic optimism grounded in the Great Commission. The central theme is that a true church is 'impregnated' with the good news of Jesus Christ, recognizing that God's Word provides the necessary framework for human life and that the gospel addresses fundamental human needs for righteousness, forgiveness, and new life. The pastor emphasizes that evangelism is not merely a ministerial duty but a communal mission driven by the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to share the hope of Christ's resurrection and return. Ultimately, the message encourages the congregation to reject despair and actively engage in sharing the gospel, trusting that the light of Christ shines in the darkness and prevails.

This sermon was preached on October 4, 2026 at Antioch Presbyterian Church, a congregation of Calvary Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America located in Woodruff, South Carolina. Pastor Zachary Groff preached this sermon entitled "The Lord, Your Champion" on Exodus 23:20-33. For more information about Antioch Presbyterian Church, please visit ⁠antiochpca.com⁠ or contact us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected].