The Reverend Uruakpa Onyemaechi Charles has urged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and avoid hardening their hearts against God, warning that unbelief can prevent people from experiencing divine grace and blessings.
Rev. Charles delivered the message during a Divine Service on Sunday at Liberation Methodist Church, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
In a sermon titled “Believe in God – Do Not Harden Your Heart,” the cleric encouraged believers to trust God even during difficult moments, noting that many people struggle spiritually not because God is absent, but because they refuse to believe in His promises.
“Imagine someone dying of thirst while sitting beside a well full of water,” Rev. Charles said.
“The solution is there, but the person refuses to drink. That is the tragedy of many believers today.”
Lessons from Scripture
Drawing from biblical texts including Psalms 95:7–8, Exodus 17:1–7, Romans 5:1–11, and John 4:5–42, the preacher highlighted the danger of a hardened heart and the power of faith.
He cited the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness, who doubted God’s presence despite witnessing miracles such as the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna from heaven.
According to him, when the Israelites faced thirst in the desert, they questioned God’s presence, leading the place to be named Massah and Meribah, meaning “testing” and “quarreling.”
Rev. Charles noted that many believers today behave similarly when they forget past blessings in the face of new challenges such as financial hardship, illness, or uncertainty.
Faith Brings Peace and Hope
Quoting Romans 5:1, the cleric explained that faith brings peace with God and gives believers access to divine grace.
He said faith produces three important blessings: peace with God, access to grace, and hope even during suffering.
“Your hardship is not meant to destroy you,” he told the congregation. “Instead, it can build perseverance, shape character, and strengthen hope.”
The Samaritan Woman’s Example
Rev. Charles also referenced the story of the Samaritan woman who encountered Jesus at a well, explaining that despite her difficult past and social rejection, she believed in Christ and became a witness to her community.
“Her faith transformed her life and influenced an entire city,” he said, encouraging Christians to remain open to God’s voice.
A Call to Renewed Faith
The preacher concluded by urging believers to remember God’s past faithfulness and to trust Him again despite present difficulties.
“Temporary problems should not make us forget permanent blessings,” Rev. Charles said.
He ended the sermon with a prayer asking God to remove hearts of doubt and replace them with hearts of faith and obedience, encouraging worshippers to remain hopeful and trust in God’s guidance.
