Darkness on SermonAudio

In Matthew 4:12–17, Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee, fulfilling the words of the prophet Isaiah. A land that had been covered in darkness was about to see a great light. That light was not an idea, a movement, or a new religious system. It was Jesus Christ Himself. With His arrival comes a clear and urgent message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus announces that the King has come, His Kingdom is breaking into the darkness, and the proper response is repentance. This message explores what it means for Jesus to be the Light in a dark world, what true repentance looks like, and why the coming of God's Kingdom changes everything. The same call Jesus gave at the beginning of His ministry still stands today: turn from sin, turn to Christ, and follow the King.

Dawn Hill examines the teaching and practice of mass deliverance within the modern deliverance movement and compares its claims with the clear teaching of Scripture. Dawn addresses the belief that Christians can have indwelling demons, along with teachings concerning generational curses, chronic illness, demonic affliction, spiritual open doors, manifestations, and repeated deliverance sessions. She also examines several passages commonly used to support these ideas, showing why biblical context matters when considering Job, 1 Peter 5, Ephesians 2, John 5, John 10, and Matthew 12. Rather than directing Christians toward continual deliverance sessions, Scripture points believers to the finished work of Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit, biblical sanctification, and the gospel that truly delivers sinners from the domain of darkness. Dawn concludes by considering Acts 2 and the three thousand souls saved through the proclamation of the gospel, reminding Christians that true freedom is found in Jesus Christ. For more from Dawn Hill, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/dawn-hill/

Without question we are living in troublesome times as the Bible tells us we will be facing. But how are we to live in these difficult days? This message serves to give us the instructions we need to be faithful to God in these dangerous, dark days.

This sermon expounds on Colossians 1:12-19, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty in the salvation of believers. The speaker argues that inheritance and deliverance from darkness are entirely passive acts of God, rejecting any notion that human effort contributes to election. Central to the message is the theological portrait of Jesus Christ as the visible image of the invisible God and the agent of all creation. The text highlights redemption through Christ's blood, which purchases believers from slavery to sin, establishing their liberty by grace alone. Finally, the sermon asserts Christ's supreme authority as the head of the church and the center of all existence, urging believers to focus exclusively on His preeminence.

Christianity is not designed to be concealed. It is designed to be seen. Christ does not say, "you should become light." He says, "ye are the light." This is identity, not aspiration. The issue is not whether a believer possesses light. The issue is whether that light is visible. 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

God is not the cause of sin in this, because his operation about this is negative; it is not an action, but a denial of action, and therefore cannot be the cause of the evil actions of men. God acts nothing, but withholds his power; he doth not enlighten their minds, nor incline their wills so powerfully as to expel their darkness, and root out those evil habits which possess them by nature. God could, if he would, savingly enlighten the minds of all men in the world, and quicken their hearts with a new life by an invincible grace, but in not doing it there is no positive act of God, but a cessation of action.

The sermon explores the profound contrast between divine love and human preference for darkness, centered on John chapter three. It emphasizes that God's extravagant love led to the giving of His Son not to condemn, but to save those who believe. The message highlights a critical division in humanity based solely on belief or unbelief in Jesus Christ, noting that judgment is already present for those who reject this light. Furthermore, it explains that individuals often flee from the light because their evil deeds fear exposure, yet the invitation remains open for anyone to come to the light through grace. Ultimately, the text calls listeners to examine their spiritual standing and trust in Christ, who bore the shame of judgment so believers might have eternal life.