Darkness on SermonAudio

John 6:16-21 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 fThen they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

"No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light."

This sermon reinterprets Philippians 2:12, arguing that 'working out' salvation is not about self-generated assurance but about consistently growing in the faith God has already provided. The message emphasizes that genuine Christian maturity is evidenced by three visible traits: obedience that persists beyond peer pressure, contentment that rejects murmuring and disputing, and a blameless character that shines as a light in a dark world. Using the metaphor of physical exercise, the preacher illustrates that consistent spiritual discipline produces noticeable results in a believer's life. The tone is pastoral and instructional, encouraging the congregation to move beyond passive faith to active, daily obedience that supports the Great Commission and brings joy to the church.

This is Bible Time Lecture 10 -- It is a display of the depravity of the nation of Israel. The use of the body to sin and the rebellion to truth.

What happens when a person has been granted the faith to recognize that Someone has created everything that exists and that Someone necessarily exists outside of all that has been created? God continues to call their hearts toward Himself and to prepare their hearts to receive the message of the gospel so they may be transferred from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light that is ruled by Jesus Christ who is the Light and Creator and the Redeemer of all who come to faith in Him.

In Acts 20, Paul is headed to Jerusalem. On his way, he calls the elders of the church in Ephesus to meet him. He charges them with their responsibility as leaders in Christ's church, and he reminds them of the example he set for them. Elders in Christ's church are to be serving the Lord, caring for the sheep, teaching the whole counsel of God's Word, and protecting the flock.

In Matthew 16, Pastor Matt Dean challenges us to consider three essential truths: the danger of unbelief, the question of who Jesus is, and the invitation to live by dying to ourselves. As Jesus confronts the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders, He warns His disciples against unbelief and false teaching. When Peter declares Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus reveals that His church will prevail against the powers of darkness. Yet following Christ requires more than simply acknowledging who He is—it means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and surrendering our lives to Him. Through everyday acts of obedience, forgiveness, love, and sacrifice, we are called to reflect the One who gave His life for us. The gospel changes everything, and those redeemed by Christ are called to live not for themselves, but for His glory.

In Part 2 of Mark 1:21–45, we focus on Jesus' encounter with a man possessed by an unclean spirit. With only a command, Jesus silences the demon and casts it out. There is no struggle and no question about who is in control. Even the forces of darkness must submit to the authority of Christ. This encounter reveals something important about who Jesus is. The people were already amazed because He taught with authority, but now they witness that same authority demonstrated over the spiritual realm. The demon recognizes who stands before him, calling Jesus "the Holy One of God." This message explores the absolute authority of Christ over Satan and the forces of darkness. It reminds us that spiritual evil is real, but it is never equal to the power of Jesus. For those who belong to Christ, our confidence is not in our own strength, but in the One before whom even the demons must obey.

This sermon was preached on October 25, 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 "One Mediator Between God & Man" on Exodus 24:12-18. For more information about Antioch Presbyterian Church, please visit ⁠antiochpca.com⁠ or contact us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected].