Hebrews – Salisbury Baptist Church

When Tears Are No More

30th March 2025

Jesus Christ is our eternal advocate who intercedes for us in Heaven. He has entered Heaven itself, not a symbolic representation, to appear before God on our behalf. This intercessory ministry connects Earth and Heaven, assuring us that we have the strongest defender before the Father. When we reach glory, God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. The former things will pass away, and what God gives us will be far better than anything we could have desired for ourselves.

The Blood is for the Father’s Eyes

23rd March 2025

The blood of Christ was shed not merely for us to see, but primarily for God the Father to see. When Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, He presented His blood before the Father as an eternal, once-for-all atonement for our sins—past, present, and future. This perfect sacrifice can purify our conscience from "dead works"— futile attempts to earn God's favour through our own efforts. This is ours when we come to God receiving a full acceptance on the basis of this atonement due to Christ’s shed blood. Because Christ's atonement is complete, we need only to be reconciled to God by receiving this once and for all forgiveness of sins. Thereafter if we sin, we need only to confess to God those new sins and rest in the assurance that we are cleansed from them by the faithfulness of God to honour the full effectiveness of that finished atonement.

Last Days: From Pentecost to Return

2nd February 2025

The term "Last Days" in Scripture has often been misunderstood as referring only to the final moments before Christ's return. However, the Bible teaches that the Last Days began at Pentecost and continue until Christ's Second Coming. This broader understanding carries significant implications for how we view both current times and the Gospel message itself. The Second Coming is not merely a motivational addendum to evangelism but rather forms an essential part of the Gospel proclamation, as Christ returns not only as Saviour but as Judge of all.

What Jesus Gives You When He Really Loves You

27th October 2024

God has placed within human nature a natural capacity to believe in Him—what theologian John Calvin called the "sensus divinitatis." This innate ability to believe is most clearly seen in children, who trust God naturally without needing evidence or proof. When Jesus truly loves someone, as He did the rich young ruler, He offers them not just forgiveness or blessings, but the invitation to follow Him personally. The greatest expression of Christ's love is His desire to share Himself and His mission with those who trust Him like children.

The Oil of Readiness: Preparing for Christ’s Return

18th August 2024

The Kingdom of Heaven is not merely about going to Heaven when we die, but also about living under God's rule now. There are three stages of salvation: justification (becoming a Christian), sanctification (growing in holiness), and glorification (being perfected in Heaven). Many believers focus solely on justification but neglect sanctification. This neglect can lead to unpreparedness for Christ's return or our own death. We must actively pursue spiritual growth, eagerly awaiting His return. The delay in Christ's coming is a grace period for us to deepen our relationship with Him. Our goal should be to know more intimately, not just to secure a place in Heaven.

The New Covenant formed out of the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood

4th August 2024

The transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant brought a shift in emphasis from trust in the system of temple worship and sacrifices to a faith in the efficacy of the death of Christ on the cross. In the going past the emphasis on the temple sacrifices, God was teaching that sin still required a payment. While obedience remains important, the heart of Christianity is simple faith in God’s provision to overcome our sins. Faith is required everywhere throughout the Bible. This faith-centred approach doesn't negate the need for righteous living but recognises that our acceptance is based on belief rather than perfect conduct. The shift to the New Covenant is a time when God’s ultimate provision in the death of His Son bearing our sins has been made visible in the Gospel message. Jesus, having paid the ultimate price, is the rightful owner and most devoted lover of His Church. As believers, we must be cautious not to let worldly pursuits or self-reliance draw us away from our faith, even while our salvation remains secure in Christ.

Life is Short; Eternity is knocking at the door

14th July 2024

We are all in the play of life and we have a very significant line to act out. The play does not go on endlessly. Our most important part to play is when we answer to the Gospel Call. The sermon explores how time is short, not only due to our limited lifespan, but also because of God's prophetic timeline and the passing nature of this world. The preacher highlights Jesus Christ as the centre of the Gospel, focusing on His unique role as both fully God and fully man. The preacher urges listeners to recognise the fleeting opportunity to connect with eternity through Christ, stressing the importance of making this decision while the moment is here.

From Shadow to Reality

29th March 2024

This sermon delves into the central theme of Christianity: the significance of Jesus Christ's once for all time sacrifice on the cross. The sermon emphasises how the Gospels march us on to arrive at the scene of the crucifixion, highlighting its pivotal role in our faith. The narrative slows down, almost to a full stop leaving us gazing up at the cross as Christ shouts “It is finished!” We are brought to a profound understanding that Christ's death is not just an event but the culmination of God's ongoing redemptive plan. The sermon illustrates how this singular act of love and sacrifice serves as the foundation for our sanctification, offering a path from the shadows of the Old Testament laws to the reality of a new covenant fulfilled in Jesus. It calls believers to recognize the completeness of this sacrifice — how it not only absolves us of our sins but also perfects us for all time, ushering us into a life of ongoing sanctification empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through this message, the listener is invited to embrace the full assurance of faith that comes from trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

God’s “agape” love lifting other types of love higher

24th March 2024

This sermon explores the transformational journey from adhering to the Old Covenant and Pharisaical interpretations of the law to embracing Jesus' teachings of unconditional, divine love (agape). It highlights Jesus' call for His followers to love not just their neighbours but also their enemies, reflecting God's perfect love and progressing in personal sanctification. Through the exploration of key biblical texts, the sermon underscores the importance of letting God's love extend beyond familial or brotherly love to include even strangers, showcasing a radical hospitality rooted in divine love. It challenges believers to rely not on their strength but on God's, to live out this high calling of perfect love in their daily lives, involving a sanctification process that moulds them to be more like the Father.

Chasing two opposites and getting nowhere

28th January 2024

"The zeal of your house has burned me up. So this is not a case of the two opposites, one being right and one being wrong. It has been two approaches, which the Bible itself is the author of their existence and that sometimes we don't know how to utilize what we learn in the Old Covenant and what we learn in the New Covenant and what it's calling on us to do."