Darkness on SermonAudio

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5) For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. (John 5:26)

Dear Grace Church, August 23, 2026 To make the most of this Lord's Day, I encourage you to read Ephesians 4:17-5:14 enough times to be familiar with the flow of pastoral thought, so as not to isolate 5:8-14 and make it meaningless in its context. Then pour over Ephesians 5:8-14, saturating your soul with this final strongest appeal yet to live in light, not darkness! Read and pray through the outline. Then read the book of Jude, which I've cut and pasted. Jude is the strongest single chapter in the New Testament against professing believers falling away from Christ. The graphic is a fair representation of Ephesians 5:8-14 and a summary of my opening illustration. I encourage you to make good use of it. Seeking to live in light together with you to build Christ's church, Murray Ephesians Series, Message 37 "Live Acceptably as Children of Light in All Goodness, Righteousness, and Truth; Or, Do You Now Know What You Were Missing?" Ephesians 5:8-14 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

Chapter timestamps: Note: Times are estimated 0:00 Jesus' Authority Continues 1:37 Jesus Meets the Possessed Man 3:25 Clothed and in His Right Mind 5:10 A Man Known Throughout the City 6:56 Years of Demonic Bondage 8:40 The City Tries to Restrain Him 10:19 The Man Needed Christ 12:02 Jesus Intentionally Crossed the Lake 13:45 The Devils Recognize Jesus 15:24 Trusting Christ's Finished Work 17:20 One Jesus Overpowers Legion 18:56 Christ Is Greater Than Darkness 20:41 The Devils Know Judgment Is Coming 22:30 The Demons Beg Jesus 24:14 The Destructive Nature of Evil 25:54 Sitting at Jesus' Feet 27:35 The Peace Christ Provides 29:21 Every Saved Person Is Changed 30:57 Let Others See the Difference 32:47 The People Ask Jesus to Leave 34:16 The Delivered Man Wants Jesus 36:12 Other People Need Salvation 37:49 Jesus Is God 39:39 Jesus Brings Complete Transformation 41:17 I Was Blind, but Now I See 43:06 Praise God for His Goodness 44:48 Judgment Before the Appointed Time 46:19 Do Spirits Need a Host? 48:14 God Accomplishes His Purposes 49:29 Praise the Lord for Deliverance

Tracing the dispensations from innocence into conscience, the preacher shows that the dominion God originally gave mankind in Genesis 1:26 was forfeited in the fall and usurped by the serpent. He argues from Luke 4, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Ephesians 2 and 2 Timothy 2 that Satan is presently the god of this world, holding the lost captive at his will and blinding their minds to the glorious gospel of Christ. Much of the message applies that truth to the moral confusion, addictions and hostility toward Christ seen in the present age, insisting this is not the kingdom age and that Christ will return with a sword to reclaim the kingdoms of the earth. The preacher then calls believers to a burdened, patient and gracious approach to the lost, since they walk in a darkness we once walked in ourselves. He closes from Colossians 1:12-13, urging the unsaved to trust Christ and be translated out of the power of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

A Very Small Thing | Pastor B.J.Stagner The opinions of men—whether criticism or praise—must never become the controlling authority of the believer's life.
 Paul addresses both dangers in this passage: 1 Corinthians 4:1–5: "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." Notice three areas of judgment in this passage. Others, Our's and The Lord - Whose Verdict Controls You? Have you recently decided to follow Jesus? Take your next step with Jesus: https://cbcgb.co.uk ⛪ ABOUT CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCHES: We believe that our Calvary Baptist Churches are a movement for all people to know God, Reaching Others, Building Lives, Honouring God and Make a Difference. 🤝 Support this ministry and help us reach more people with the Gospel: https://cbcgb.co.uk/give/ STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://cbcgb.co.uk/ 🌐 Website: https://bjstagner.com 👍 Facebook: / Calvary Baptist Church-Cynon Valley 👍 Facebook: / Cardiff-Calvary Baptist Church 📸 Instagram: / @cibc_cynonvalley 📸 Instagram: / @calvary_cardiff 🎥 YouTube: / @calvarybaptistchurchesofGB

In 1 Corinthians 12:1–3, Paul begins an extended discussion of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts by addressing a crucial question: How can we know when the Holy Spirit is truly at work? In a church often divided between cynicism and a lack of discernment, Paul reminds believers that we do not have to remain ignorant about the things of the Spirit. In this sermon, Pastor Robb Brunansky examines the importance, illumination, and indicator of the Spirit's work. Unlike the darkness of idolatry, the Holy Spirit brings the light of God's truth, opening our hearts and minds to see the glory of Christ revealed in the gospel. But remarkable experiences, emotional responses, signs, or wonders are not sufficient evidence that the Spirit is at work. Scripture gives us a far more reliable test: Does it exalt Jesus Christ as Lord? The genuine work of the Holy Spirit magnifies Christ, upholds His cross and resurrection, and produces increasing love for, allegiance to, and obedience to Him.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 9 Text: Revelation 9 Series: Revelation Theme: When Darkness Takes Over… 1. The Opening of the Abyss (vs. 1-2) 2. The Oppression of the Locust (vs. 3-12) 3. The Onslaught of the Horsemen (vs. 13-19) 4. The Obstinacy of Unbelievers (vs. 20-21)

The sermon expounds on the doctrine of redemption found in Colossians 1, defining it as the deliverance of sinners from captivity through the payment of a ransom. It highlights Jesus Christ as both Creator and Sustainer who became incarnate to pay the infinite price of His own blood for humanity's sins. The message emphasizes that only those who place their faith in Christ are translated from darkness into light and receive the full forgiveness of sins. It contrasts the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work with the inability of human effort or mere moral improvement to save. Finally, it issues an urgent call to unbelievers to repent and trust in Jesus alone for salvation before it is too late.