From Darkness to Light: A Testimony of Transformation
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, I shared my personal testimony of transformation from a life steeped in sin and occult practices to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. Growing up in the Midwest, I was initially turned off by the hypocrisy I saw in Christians around me. This led me down a dark path involving drugs, immorality, and even a pact with Satan. My life spiraled into deeper darkness, culminating in multiple suicide attempts and demonic possession. Despite being surrounded by churches, no one shared the true message of Jesus with me, which only deepened my despair.
However, God intervened in a miraculous way. At my lowest point, I cried out to Jesus for salvation, and my life was instantly transformed. The weight of my past sins and demonic oppression lifted, and I became a new creation in Christ. I began attending church, reading the Bible, and eventually felt a strong calling to attend Bible college, despite feeling unworthy due to my past. Eight weeks after my conversion, I enrolled in Bible college, and my journey in ministry began.
I also addressed the subtle infiltration of occult practices within the church. Many Christians are unaware of these dangers because they are not being taught the full counsel of God. The enemy is cunning, often disguising occult practices with Christian terminology to deceive believers. This lack of discernment has allowed occult influences to infiltrate churches, leading to spiritual warfare that many are ill-equipped to handle.
The Bible is clear about the reality of spiritual warfare and the existence of Satan and demons. As Christians, we must be vigilant and grounded in Scripture to recognize and combat these influences. The church must return to teaching the whole counsel of God, including the realities of spiritual warfare, to equip believers to stand firm against the enemy.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Transformation: My journey from darkness to light underscores the transformative power of Jesus Christ. No matter how deep one is in sin or occult practices, calling upon Jesus can bring instant and radical change. This transformation is not just a change in behavior but a complete renewal of the heart and mind. [06:01]
2. The Subtlety of the Enemy: Satan often disguises his tactics with Christian terminology, making it difficult for believers to discern his influence. This subtlety can lead to the infiltration of occult practices within the church, causing spiritual harm. Christians must be vigilant and discerning, always testing teachings and practices against the Word of God. [10:07]
3. The Importance of Teaching the Whole Counsel of God: Many Christians are unaware of the realities of spiritual warfare because they are not being taught the full counsel of God. The Bible is replete with warnings and teachings about spiritual warfare, and it is crucial for the church to address these topics to equip believers. [09:22]
4. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Spiritual warfare is not just a concept but a reality that affects every believer. The enemy seeks to divide, deceive, and destroy, and recognizing his tactics is the first step in combating them. Believers must be grounded in Scripture and prayer to stand firm against these attacks. [20:36]
5. The Role of the Church in Dispelling Darkness: The church has a crucial role in dispelling the darkness by preaching the truth of God's Word. When the light of Christ is proclaimed, the darkness flees. Christians must be bold in sharing the gospel and exposing the works of darkness, both within and outside the church. [43:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:18] - Early Life and Rebellion
[02:04] - Pact with Satan and Suicide Attempts
[03:32] - Involvement in the Occult and New Age
[05:08] - Demonic Possession and Insanity
[06:01] - Miraculous Conversion
[07:05] - Calling to Bible College
[08:59] - Importance of Scripture
[10:07] - Occult Practices in the Church
[11:14] - Rise of Occultism in Society
[13:18] - Subtle Infiltration by Satanists
[15:01] - Witches in the Church
[16:23] - Personal Experience with Occult Infiltration
[18:28] - Preaching the Whole Counsel of God
[20:02] - Handling Disruptions in Church Services
[22:49] - Exposing Freemasonry
[25:20] - Encounter with a Freemason in Church
[27:26] - The Deceptive Nature of Freemasonry
[29:09] - The First Three Degrees of Freemasonry
[31:40] - The Secret Password of Freemasonry
[33:05] - Freemasonry in the Church
[36:34] - Freemasonry in Society
[39:27] - The Danger of Freemasonry
[42:02] - Signs of the Last Days in the Church
[43:13] - The Power of Light Over Darkness
[44:29] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 8:44 - "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
2. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you."
3. Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the pastor's initial reaction to Christianity, and what led him to make a pact with Satan? [[01:18]]
2. How did the pastor describe his life after making a pact with Satan and before his conversion? [[02:04]]
3. What miraculous event led to the pastor's conversion to Christianity? [[06:01]]
4. According to the sermon, how does Satan infiltrate the church with occult practices? [[10:07]]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does John 8:44 relate to the pastor's testimony about Satan's deception and his own experiences with demonic oppression? [[01:18]]
2. In what ways does Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warn against the practices that the pastor was involved in before his conversion? [[03:32]]
3. How does Ephesians 6:12 help us understand the nature of the spiritual warfare described in the sermon? [[20:36]]
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that the church must return to teaching the whole counsel of God, and how does this relate to spiritual warfare? [[09:22]]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the pastor's testimony of transformation. Have you experienced a significant change in your life through Jesus? How did it impact you? [[06:01]]
2. The pastor mentioned the subtle infiltration of occult practices in the church. How can you be more vigilant and discerning about the teachings and practices you encounter in your church? [[10:07]]
3. Considering the reality of spiritual warfare, what steps can you take to be more grounded in Scripture and prayer to stand firm against the enemy's attacks? [[20:36]]
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of teaching the whole counsel of God. How can you encourage your church leaders to address the realities of spiritual warfare and equip believers? [[09:22]]
5. The role of the church is to dispel darkness by preaching the truth of God's Word. How can you be bold in sharing the gospel and exposing the works of darkness in your community? [[43:13]]
6. Reflect on a time when you may have encountered subtle deceptions or false teachings. How did you handle it, and what can you do differently in the future to ensure you are aligned with biblical truth? [[10:07]]
7. How can you support and pray for your church leaders as they navigate the challenges of spiritual warfare and strive to teach the full counsel of God? [[09:22]]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Power of Transformation
When someone calls upon Jesus, no matter how deep they are in sin or occult practices, they can experience an instant and radical change. This transformation is not just a change in behavior but a complete renewal of the heart and mind. The weight of past sins and demonic oppression can be lifted, and a new creation in Christ can emerge. This underscores the transformative power of Jesus Christ, who can bring light into the darkest of lives. [06:01]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by your past mistakes. How did turning to Jesus change your perspective and bring you peace?
### Day 2: The Subtlety of the Enemy
Satan often disguises his tactics with Christian terminology, making it difficult for believers to discern his influence. This subtlety can lead to the infiltration of occult practices within the church, causing spiritual harm. Christians must be vigilant and discerning, always testing teachings and practices against the Word of God. The enemy's cunning nature requires believers to be grounded in Scripture to recognize and combat these influences. [10:07]
Bible Passage: "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Are there any teachings or practices in your church or personal life that you need to test against Scripture? How can you become more discerning in recognizing the enemy's subtle tactics?
### Day 3: The Importance of Teaching the Whole Counsel of God
Many Christians are unaware of the realities of spiritual warfare because they are not being taught the full counsel of God. The Bible is replete with warnings and teachings about spiritual warfare, and it is crucial for the church to address these topics to equip believers. Understanding the full counsel of God helps Christians to be prepared and vigilant, recognizing the spiritual battles they face and knowing how to stand firm against the enemy. [09:22]
Bible Passage: "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:27, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current understanding of spiritual warfare. What steps can you take to learn more about this aspect of your faith and be better equipped to handle spiritual battles?
### Day 4: The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is not just a concept but a reality that affects every believer. The enemy seeks to divide, deceive, and destroy, and recognizing his tactics is the first step in combating them. Believers must be grounded in Scripture and prayer to stand firm against these attacks. The Bible provides clear guidance on the existence of Satan and demons, and Christians must be vigilant in their spiritual lives to recognize and combat these influences. [20:36]
Bible Passage: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can "put on the whole armor of God" in your daily life to stand firm against the enemy's attacks?
### Day 5: The Role of the Church in Dispelling Darkness
The church has a crucial role in dispelling the darkness by preaching the truth of God's Word. When the light of Christ is proclaimed, the darkness flees. Christians must be bold in sharing the gospel and exposing the works of darkness, both within and outside the church. The power of light over darkness is evident when believers stand firm in their faith and boldly proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. [43:13]
Bible Passage: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community, boldly sharing the gospel and exposing the works of darkness? What steps can you take to ensure that the truth of God's Word is proclaimed in your church and personal life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I was a blasphemer. I was not raised in the church. I grew up in the Midwest, Kansas, Nebraska. I was turned off to Christianity early on, basically with the hypocrisy that I saw growing up. I've done just about every drug on the sun, was involved in all kinds of sin, immorality, but basically a 1980s ex-headbanger, drug addict, sexually immoral, male chauvinist pig guy involved in the occult." [01:18] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I said, God, if you're real and you want this life, you can have it. I spent the last 25 years messing it up. But I knew enough that I needed to call upon the name of Jesus Christ from two Christians who dared to witness to me. And I was mean and nasty to him. I was mean and nasty to every Christian. I was a blasphemer. And so I followed that up with this. Jesus Christ, would you please forgive me and save me?" [06:01] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The sky was bluer. The grass was greener. I mean, it was just I was a brand new creation in Christ. And basically, I'm all by myself. All I knew is I called upon the name of Jesus Christ. And something had radically changed. I started going to church services. I figured that's what you're supposed to do. I'm a Christian now. I found a Bible, started reading it. I figured that's what you're supposed to do. I'm a Christian now." [06:40] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "They're rejecting Christianity, but people deep down inside still want to have a good spiritual experience. And so the church not warning people, equipping not just the church, but people in general, they're backing up into the occult in droves in all forms. Satanism, voodoo, shamanism, witchcraft, you name it. It's all on the rise. And then the irony is the Bible says in Revelation 9, that's exactly what's going to happen in the last days." [11:14] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you get in the Scripture, God tells you a lot about Satan, a lot of his tactics. He wants to divide. He wants to destroy. Steal, kill, and destroy. He's a deceiver. He's a liar. So anywhere where you see division, where you see gossip and slander, which causes division, it's a no-brainer, John. These are not coming from the Spirit of God." [20:36] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I was surrounded by people who profess to be Christians. I was surrounded by churches, but nobody was telling me about Jesus. And again, back to the hypocrisy. See, when I'm wanting answers for life, the guys that I'm partying with during the week, on the weekends, doing the sinful, rotten things, guess where they would go on Sundays if they weren't too hungover or strung out? Church services." [02:04] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I had a co-worker who introduced me into New Age. And New Age, if your audience is not familiar with that, it's basically making up your own religion as you go. You get to be God, the live Genesis 3. You get to determine what's right and wrong. And so it's kind of like a cafeteria. You know, you go down the line and you say, I want a little bit of this. I'll put that on my plate. I'll take a little bit of this. I'll take a little bit of this and put it on my plate. Same thing when it comes to religion." [03:32] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so the demonic tear, I just got into my apartment. It hit me again. I was all by myself. I scared me so bad this time that my reaction, though, this time was I ran to my bedroom. I was 25. I dropped on my knees. I said, I said, God, if you're real and you want this life, you can have it. I spent the last 25 years messing it up." [06:01] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "65% of those who profess to be Christians in the United States of America do not believe in a literal devil. I wonder who put that idea in their head. So if I was Satan, of course, I wouldn't want people to know. No, because then you're going to give him even more free reign. And that's why for years you can see behind me, I've written so many books, not just on the occult, but a lot of them. But I've also exposed occult behavior going on in churches." [10:07] (-576 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You got to maintain the scripture. You keep preaching the scripture, all the scripture. Not saying that you got to speak on spiritual warfare every week, but you got to hit it. Right. Just like Bible prophecy. Right. I'm not saying you got to do it every week, but it makes up nearly one third of the Bible. You got to hit it sometime." [18:28] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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