PM Service – Salisbury Baptist Church

The Writing on the Wall: A Call to Return to God

9th June 2024

This sermon explores the biblical account of Daniel and the writing on the wall, drawing parallels to contemporary times. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and the dangers of pride and displacing God with worldly pursuits. The speaker calls for a revival of Christian values and a return to God, warning that nations that fail to honour God may face divine judgment. Through the example of Daniel, the sermon encourages Christians to stand firm in their faith and be a witness to God's truth in all circumstances.

Jonah’s Journey: From Rebellion to Redemption

2nd June 2024

In this story of Jonah, particularly in chapters 3 and 4, Jonah's journey from rebellion to obedience highlights God's boundless grace and mercy, even towards those outside His covenant. Despite witnessing God's grace firsthand, Jonah's crankiness and anger reflect common human reactions to God's unexpected acts of forgiveness. The sermon explores the profound concept of divine mercy, and the struggles Christians face in accepting God's grace for others. It sharpens understanding that the nature of God’s covenantal love often extends beyond deserving boundaries.

The backsliding Prophet

12th May 2024

This sermon explores the story of Jonah, highlighting his initial disobedience and following repentance. It emphasises the grace of God, who offers such second chances to those who stray. By drawing parallels between Jonah’s experience in the belly of the great fish and our own moments of failure and despair, the sermon encourages listeners to trust in God’s gracious and forgiving character to hear and answer our cries for help. Ultimately, it underscores the joy and fulfillment experienced when we, partly because of His magnanimous enablement of His divine grace, live out an obedience to the divine call.

Awakening – Part 2

5th May 2024

This sermon further explores the concept of “spiritual awakening”, emphasizing the importance of moving from spiritual slumber to a life of active faith. Drawing from Romans 13:11-14, the message highlights the need for Christians to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light, embodying the character of Christ. It also discusses historical awakenings, demonstrating how the Holy Spirit's powerful movements can revitalize both individuals and communities. The sermon encourages believers to seek a deeper, transformative relationship with Jesus, resulting in a vibrant fellowship and renewed commitment to God's mission.

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.

Unified Worship and the Spirit’s Power

21st April 2024

In the sermon, the preacher explores the significant role of glorifying God in experiencing His presence, drawing parallels between Old Testament practices and New Testament teachings. Focused on the manifestation of God's presence through unified worship, as seen in the Old Testament with the temple dedication, the sermon connects these events to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as described in John 7. Emphasising that glorification of God and Jesus enables believers to experience the Holy Spirit's power today, the preacher expounds on how this spiritual understanding can transform personal faith and communal worship. This sermon encourages believers to recognize and participate in the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit, inspired by a genuine acknowledgment of God’s glory.

Opening the Door to Christ

7th April 2024

This sermon explores the profound meaning of Revelation 3:20, addressing a debate on its interpretation and extending its application beyond conversion to the fervent love and fellowship Jesus desires with each believer. It challenges the notion that Christ's knocking at the door is solely an invitation to non-believers, emphasising also His call to believers to rekindle their first love and commit to a deeper relationship with Him. By juxtaposing this with references to the Song of Solomon, the preacher illuminates the mutual love between Christ and the believer, advocating for a personal response to Jesus' gentle but persistent invitation. This call to both conversion for non-believers and renewal for the lukewarm believer underscores the sermon's core message: Jesus seeks a passionate, loving relationship with each of us, inviting us personally to open the door to a more profound fellowship with Him.

The Full Circle of Christ’s Love

31st March 2024

The sermon intricately weaves through the concepts of “Kenosis” and “Plerosis” (emptying and then returning to fullness) in the life, incarnation and exaltation of Jesus. The message highlights Jesus' journey from self-emptying humility to being exalted by the Father as Lord of all. It focuses on Christ's ascension, His ultimate authority, and the impact of His humility, then exaltation on our understandings of salvation and discipleship. The preacher calls for repentance, urging believers to reverse their verdict on Jesus — moving from being outside the Divine favour to acceptance within the “Beloved” — in the salvation that Christ has achieved. This message not only recounts the theological significance of Jesus' actions, but also emphasizes the practical implications for believers, calling them to a life of humility, repentance, and a deeper dedication to the exalted Christ as Lord and Savior.

Healing the Desperately Wicked Heart

24th March 2024

This sermon delves into core reasons behind Jesus Christ's mission on Earth, culminating in His death and resurrection, particularly focusing on the issue of human depravity. It emphasises the deceitful and desperately wicked nature of the fallen human heart, as illustrated in Jeremiah 17:9-10, and our incapability of self-redemption. The preacher underscores the necessity of divine intervention, where the only solution to this profound problem is the regeneration of the heart through Jesus Christ. Highlighting the essence of Easter, the sermon calls for a personal reflection on one's spiritual condition and the biblical invitation to experience the transformative power of Christ's love and sacrifice, promising a new, redeemed heart capable of truly reflecting God's image.

Have I been so long with you yet you do not know me, Philip?

17th March 2024

The sermon emphasises the importance of truly knowing Jesus beyond mere belief in God or adherence to religious practices. The preacher recounts an anecdote about a bumper sticker and explores how superficial expressions of faith can sometimes misrepresent our deeper convictions. Through key scripture references, including a poignant interaction between Jesus and His disciple Philip, the sermon underlines that being a Christian is fundamentally about having a personal, transformative relationship with Christ. This relationship goes beyond simply knowing about Jesus or following religious rituals; it involves an intimate, experiential knowledge that impacts one's entire life and identity. The sermon invites listeners to reflect on the depth of their faith and encourages a journey towards truly knowing and experiencing Jesus.