Darkness on SermonAudio

God Himself shines on His people through Christ, gathers the nations into His kingdom, and will be their only, everlasting light.

The sermon explores the narrative of Thomas in John 20, highlighting how his physical absence from the first appearance of the risen Christ led to eight days of doubt and isolation. It argues that the gathering of the church is essential for receiving the assurance of the Savior's presence and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, contrasting Thomas's initial skepticism with his eventual confession of "My Lord and my God." Drawing on passages from Romans 8, 1 Peter 1, and Habakkuk 3, the message emphasizes that true faith is not dependent on empirical evidence or favorable circumstances but is a trust in God's sovereignty and purpose even amidst suffering and darkness. The preacher encourages believers to remain present in the assembly, continue in prayer and Scripture, and hold fast to the lively hope of resurrection, trusting that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.

Sermon preached by Harry Fujiwara on Luke 23:44-45

The sermon examines the transformative change required of believers as described in Ephesians 4, contrasting the former life of spiritual darkness and vanity with the new life in Christ. It emphasizes that salvation involves a fundamental shift in mindset, where the 'old man' of deceitful lusts is put off and the 'new man' is put on, created in righteousness and true holiness. The message instructs that this transformation is not merely external behavior but an internal renewal of the mind, requiring believers to actively reject sins such as lying, theft, and corrupt speech. By highlighting the imperative to speak truth, work diligently, and maintain self-control, the sermon underscores the responsibility of the believer to live out their regeneration through consistent, holy conduct. The tone is instructional and convicting, urging the congregation to examine their lives to ensure they are walking in the likeness of God rather than conforming to the world.

Now is the time for you to lay aside wickedness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. I. YOUR WAKE-UP CALL II. LAY ASIDE WICKEDNESS III. PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The verse reads: "…making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him."   "Making known" This is contextually connected to the lavishing of grace in v8.   The very same grace that "abounded to us in all wisdom and understanding" is the very grace that has been revealed with regard to the mystery of His will.   God does not leave His elect in the dark about how they are in union with Christ for our safety, since He had the eternal purpose to reveal the mystery.

Early Christians were described as people who "turned the world upside down." And so they did. Committed Christians have done that in every generation, exposing God's truth and light to the dark world. Notable was Erasmus and his insistence on going to original sources for Biblical truth. Later world changers include the Reformation leaders, Bible translators, and evangelists and preachers. Modern day Christians still need to do some world turning today.