TUESDAY SERMON
1. “To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18
When our eyes are opened to the gospel of Christ we would:
i. turn from darkness to light;
ii. turn from Satan unto God;
iii. receive forgiveness;
iv. receive inheritance among the sanctified not among the condemned.
People who are walking in darkness are very hostile to the gospel of Christ and are hardened in their hearts to the word of God. They never have the soft heart to receive the word of God: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.” Ez. 11:19.
It is true that those who walk in darkness never want their evil work to be seen, so they prefer walking in darkness: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come unto the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil hatted the light neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” Jn. 3:19-20.
What is that sin in your life which makes you to prefer walking in darkness? What evil practices keep you hiding from the light? Take a decision today to abandon those practices and come truly to the light and receive Christ.
2. To turn away from Satan to God is one of the greatest achievements in one’s life.
Millions of people, world over, are still obedient servants of Satan and have not turned to God. But God has not ceased calling them. Jesus has not ceased calling them. Are you one of those still resisting the call of God? Look at this:
“wash you make you clean: put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do evil.” Isaiah 1:16
“Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snows, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18
Why will you not heed the call now? For how long do you want to remain the servant of Satan and not the servant of God your Creator?
Allow your eyes now to be opened to the gospel of Christ so that you may begin to love God and obey him. For how long do you want to remain under the chains of Satan? Open your eyes and see how Christ is ready even now to set you free from the chains of Satan.
Salvation can come to you even today if you decide to forsake Satan and all his work; if you allow your eyes to the scriptures and see the love of God for you.
3. In Nigeria today, not many people place value on the need to repent from sins and obtain pardon. Instead myriads of people wallow in sins and desire no taste for pardon anywhere. They wallow in sins! No wonder they use dynamos to destroy places of worship and sophisticated weapons to kill worshippers males and females, children inclusive! It is very true that the unrepented heart cannot receive pardon but would on the last day find himself in hell-fire: “And if thy hand offend thee cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.” Mk. 9:43.
Jesus preached repentance, the prophets preached repentance, the early apostles preached repentance, pastors and apostles are still preaching repentance; evangelists are still preaching repentance. For how long will you continue to resist repentance? It is only in that, that pardon can be received. If your eyes are opened today to Christ as the Saviour of the world you will repent of all those sins that are still in you and you will fall at the feet of Christ for pardon. Today may be your last day; come quickly and move out of darkness to the marvelous light of Christ.
4. Not many understand what it means to receive inheritance among them that are sanctified. Some on the last day shall have their portion among the saints in heaven. Some shall have theirs among the condemned that shall face second death in hell fire, where the fire would never quench and where their worms shall never die: “where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.” Mk. 9:44,46,48.
It is our prayers that their eyes might be opened and be turned from darkness to light and from Satan to Christ, to the Lord God.
Paul was in darkness when he was persecuting and arresting the Christians until he had an encounter with Christ. The worshippers of idols in Antioch were in darkness when they were worshipping idols. Which of the idols are you still worshipping? Which of the crimes are you still committing? Which of the demonic powers are you still using? Where will you find yourself when this world shall pass away? Among the condemned or among the sanctified?
Better come to Christ today so as to have eternal life: “for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Cease now, from operating under the power of Satan because that is the power ruling over kidnappers, bokoharam, armed robbers, murderers, and some of the herdsmen who kill people on their farms. Then turn to Christ today and he will accept you.
