Advertise on podcast: Darkness on SermonAudio

Jesus healed the blind man in Mark chapter 8. But only after the man's friends brought him to Jesus. And only after Jesus took him by the hand and led him out of the city. The Great Commission is urgent and vital. We as Christians should be bringing people to Jesus. Only Jesus saves and brings us out of the dead state we were in. But Christians need to be pointing others to Christ. Hear Pastor Brian dive into this Biblical account to explain.

(AI Generated Summary) The sermon argues that the human mind is naturally hostile to God and oriented toward worldly treasures, resulting in spiritual darkness and a lack of true satisfaction. It emphasizes the necessity of the new birth, where God shines light into the heart to reorient affections toward Him as the ultimate treasure. Using the metaphor of a healthy eye and the parable of the hidden treasure, the message illustrates that only God can fully satisfy the soul, whereas earthly pursuits are like broken cisterns that hold no water. The Christian life is described as a constant reorientation away from worldly desires and back to Christ, who is the sole source of eternal life and joy. This theological framework culminates in the practice of the Lord's Supper, which serves as a regular reminder for believers to trust in Christ and recognize Him as their greatest delight.

PM sermons are preceded by a Confessional, Catechism, Historic Creed lesson, or a lesson from the NT (Usually 5 minutes or so) WCF 5:1 God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible fore-knowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy. 2 Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly, yet by the same providence he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. 7 As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures, so, after a most special manner, it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof Is 45:1 Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: 2 'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though...

This sermon explores the difficult passage of 1 Peter 3:18-20, arguing that Christ, through the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the gospel to the rebellious generation of Noah. The speaker interprets the "spirits in prison" not as fallen angels, but as the wicked people of that era who were spiritually bound by their own sin and self-worship. By connecting this to the broader context of Christian conduct and the work of the Spirit in the Old Testament prophets, the message emphasizes that God has always worked to liberate humanity from the prison of darkness. The sermon serves as a pastoral encouragement for believers, assuring them that even in a hostile culture, the power of the Spirit enables effective witness and that God's patience and persistence in saving a few, as seen in the ark, should inspire perseverance in the church today.

Why did Jesus choose the region of Caesarea Philippi, near Mount Hermon and its pagan sanctuaries, to ask His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Join Pastor Brandon Holthaus as we examine Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and Christ's declaration: "I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Explore the region's connections to pagan worship, ancient Jewish traditions concerning spiritual rebellion, and the significance of Jesus announcing His church in this setting. Discover how Christ's identity, the church's foundation, and His authority over death give believers confidence amid spiritual opposition. The church belongs to Jesus Christ—and neither the power of death nor the dominion of darkness can defeat His purposes.

The crucifixion of Christ was accompanied by darkness from 12–3pm, a torn veil, earthquakes, and the resurrection of some saints. What does these signs mean in the context of the crucifixion of Christ. Pastor Josh answers those questions and shows their relevance to the hope of the Christian.

Sunday Morning Service, October 18, 2026

This sermon was preached on October 18, 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 "Communing with God" on Exodus 24:9-11. For more information about Antioch Presbyterian Church, please visit ⁠antiochpca.com⁠ or contact us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected].

I. God our Light in the Darkness A.God Chastens Even His Forgiven Children: Absalom B.God's People Often Besieged by the Wicked (vv. 1-2) C.God Remains our Faithful Helper and Hearer (v. 3-4) D.God Blesses Us in the Darkness (vv. 5-6) E. Plead with God to Save Us from the Wicked (v. 7) II. God Our Salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ A. His Sufferings and the World's Hatred...Now in Us B. He Trusted in His Father; Promises Ours (Eph. 1:3) C. He Purchased Salvation; Secured for Us (Heb. 9:14) III.God Our Salvation in the Darkest Hour (v. 8) A. Expect warfare: world/flesh/devil –Arm Yourself! B.Trust the Lord: salvation belongs to Him. C. Fix faith upon the Lord's promised blessing.