Accra: Reverend Jean-Paul Agidi, a Minister of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, has reminded Christians that they cannot wear the resurrection crown without first walking the path of the cross. He therefore urged them to voluntarily surrender their rights, desires, and lives for the glory of God and the benefit of others.
According to Ghana News Agency, Rev. Agidi delivered this message in an online sermon themed 'The Way to the Cross: From Self to the Sacrifice.' The sermon drew upon scriptures from Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 1:9-21, and Matthew 16:21-28. Rev. Agidi highlighted that the Christian life is fundamentally a journey of spiritual transformation, requiring a shift from personal ambitions to a life aligned with divine purpose. He emphasized the importance of dismantling human pride to allow divine grace to flourish.
Rev. Agidi pointed out that many believers hesitate to take on leadership roles, stand against workplace corruption, or offer forgiveness in broken relationships due to feelings of inadequacy or vulnerability. He advised confronting the instinct for self-preservation, explaining that self-denial does not equate to self-hatred but involves allowing Christ to reign over one's life.
The Minister encouraged Christians to choose integrity over lies, remain faithful in marriage despite waning emotions, and dedicate resources to kingdom work rather than self-indulgence. He urged them to embrace God's purpose even when it entails hardship, rejection, or loss of worldly acclaim. Sacrifice, he noted, should manifest in practical actions toward others, demonstrating how individuals treat those who oppose or offend them.
Rev. Agidi described this journey as a deliberate shift from the kingdom of self to the kingdom of God, and he called on Christians to surrender excuses and weaknesses to God's sovereignty.