By Emmanuel Nyatsikor
Ho, Aug. 30, GNA – 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.
Rev. Agidi gave the advice in an online sermon on the theme, “The Way to the Cross: From Self to the Sacrifice.”
The sermon, monitored by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), was based on Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 1:9-21 and Matthew 16:21-28.
Rev. Agidi noted that the Christian life was fundamentally a journey of spiritual transformation, involving a transition from personal ambitions to a life surrendered to divine purpose.
He said Christians must dismantle human pride to allow divine grace to reign in their lives.
“Shun the way of arrogance, false humility, fear and do not measure God’s call by your own limited abilities,” he stated.
The Minister said many believers hesitated to take up leadership positions, stand against corruption at their workplaces or offer forgiveness in broken families and relationships because they felt ill-equipped or vulnerable.
He therefore advised them to confront the instinct for self-preservation.
Rev. Agidi explained that denying oneself did not mean self-hatred but rather dethroning the “I” to allow Christ to take the throne of one’s life.
He urged Christians to choose integrity when lying would protect their interests, remain faithful in marriage when emotions faded, and dedicate personal resources to kingdom work instead of self-indulgence.
He also encouraged them to choose God’s purpose even when it involved hardship, rejection or loss of worldly acclaim.
Rev. Agidi noted that sacrifice should not remain a private or inward conviction but should be demonstrated through practical actions towards others.
“The ultimate test of moving from self to sacrifice is how we treat those who oppose or offend us,” he said.
He described the journey as an intentional departure from the kingdom of self into the kingdom of God.
Rev. Agidi therefore entreated Christians to surrender their excuses, limitations and weaknesses to God’s sovereign sufficiency.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Audrey Dekalu