Ephesians – Salisbury Baptist Church

The Heart of Jesus for the Lost

22nd September 2024

Jesus' parable of the lost sheep reveals His unwavering commitment to seeking the lost, even at the expense of leaving the ninety-nine. This priority should shape the Church's mission, with every believer participating through their unique spiritual gifts. Whether through direct evangelism or supporting roles within the Church, all are called to be part of Christ's mission. A thriving church is marked by rich fellowship, expository preaching, and a unified focus on reaching the lost, reflecting Jesus' own heart and mission.

Faith Amidst the Tempest

15th September 2024

Following Christ doesn't guarantee smooth sailing; it may lead to unexpected storms. However, these challenges are opportunities for Jesus to reveal His power and for our faith to grow. The key is not to focus on the tempest or second-guess our decisions, but to rest in the knowledge that Christ is present in our circumstances. When we truly grasp that Jesus is 'in our boat', we can find peace amidst turmoil, knowing that He is in control and working out His purposes, even when He seems silent or inactive.

The Mystery of Choice

11th August 2024

God's prior action in loving and choosing us forms the foundation of our salvation and relationship with Him. While Scripture clearly teaches God's sovereign election, it also calls for human response. This seeming paradox is resolved in the work of the Holy Spirit, Who awakens sinners to their need for Christ and enables them to respond in faith. God's love is not merely an emotion but a choice that precedes and enables our choice of Him. This understanding applies not only to salvation but also to areas such as relationships and church leadership. The power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit's work are crucial in bringing about true spiritual awakening and transformation.

The Three Steps of Salvation

28th July 2024

There are three stages in God's plan of salvation: justification (initial acceptance by God), sanctification (ongoing growth in holiness), and glorification (final perfection in Heaven). While all Christians are equal at the foot of the cross, not all progress equally in their spiritual journey. The story of Caleb in Numbers 13-14 illustrates the importance of fully surrendering to God, following Him throughout one's entire life, and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. These qualities set Caleb apart and enabled him to enter the Promised Land when others could not. As Christians, we are called to this same level of commitment and reliance on God's Spirit to fulfil His purpose for our lives.

The Church: Christ’s Home on Earth

21st July 2024

The sermon explores the concept of the Church as Christ's home and possession. It emphasises that Jesus considers the Church His dwelling place on earth, even as He resides in heaven. The speaker challenges common misconceptions about church ownership, stressing that neither pastors nor congregants own the Church—it belongs solely to Jesus. He highlights the importance of recognising Christ's authority in building and directing His Church, and calls for a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus within the context of church life. The message encourages listeners to view church attendance not as a mere ritual, but as an opportunity to encounter and fellowship with Christ Himself.

The Law fulfilled in Jesus

26th May 2024

This sermon explores the profound meaning of the phrase "Thy Kingdom Come" in the Lord's Prayer, emphasising the concept of God's Kingdom as both a present reality and a future promise. It highlights Jesus' role in fulfilling all righteousness through His baptism and subsequent ministry, showcasing His pivotal function in God's redemptive plan. The sermon also delves into the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers, encouraging them to seek the Spirit's filling to live out God's will on earth, embodying the Kingdom of God here and now.

Being at Home in Heaven

28th April 2024

This sermon explores the human feeling of being at home in a new place. It draws parallels between these experiences and the Christian journey towards finding true rest and belongingness in Christ. Highlighting key Bible passages, the sermon emphasises Jesus’ preparation of resting places in heaven and His personal return to collect His followers. It assures believers that despite earthly disorientation, their ultimate home is with Jesus, who has made all necessary preparations for their eternal comfort and joy.

From The Old to The New Covenant Part 2

8th October 2023

"It is a feature of our Biblical revelation that there was an Old Covenant that God instituted through Moses, and then a part of what that Old Covenant involved with the prophets who came in that period of time was to predict there to be a coming Messiah. And the coming Messiah would be the leader of a New Covenant. And we were talking last time from the Old Testament and the prophecies about that New Covenant. And so we're continuing that today, and we'll start in the Scriptures from the book of Ephesians."

Our Salvation includes our Sanctification

10th September 2023

"I also want to say that it was a joy for me to come this morning here and I immediately saw a beautiful illustration of what I'm going to be getting into from our passage, which is from the Beatitudes. And we're up to the one where Jesus said, blessed are those, well it's there on the screen for you to see, verse 7, blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy. And about the relationship of what exactly is mercy, how does it differ from grace, what is going on in the Beatitudes as Jesus is talking about how to come to God in the early ones."

Preaching, Healing and Teaching

9th July 2023

"As is our normal custom, we are continuing at a slow pace to work our way through the Gospel of Matthew, and where we were at previously in Chapter 4 is moving past the temptations of Christ to begin seeing his beginning of his public ministry."