Milton Baptist Church (MBC Stoke)

How shall they?, Part 1: Original Not Traditional

The sermon centres on the pivotal moment of Pentecost, when Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, delivers the first gospel proclamation in Acts 2, fulfilling Christ's command in Luke 24 to preach repentance and remission of sins in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. Drawing from Joel, David's Psalms, and Christ's own words, Peter presents Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah, the fulfilment of Scripture, and the only one through whom salvation is possible. The message is both direct and urgent, confronting listeners with their role in rejecting Christ while calling them to repent and be baptized in His name for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The response of the crowd—pricked in their hearts and seeking salvation—demonstrates the power of a Christ-centred, Scripture-grounded proclamation that leads to genuine faith and conversion. Ultimately, the sermon underscores the believer's responsibility to proclaim Christ faithfully, knowing that no one can call on Him unless they have heard, and no one can hear without a preacher sent by God.

"This is a Faithful Saying", Part 2 - Why Do We Both Labour and Suffer?

This sermon centres on the enduring truth that Christian faith involves both labour and suffering, not as a sign of failure but as a necessary part of discipleship, grounded in the conviction that godliness is profitable for all aspects of life, both present and eternal. Drawing from 1 Timothy 4:8–10, it affirms that the Christian life is not exempt from hardship, as Jesus and Paul both endured persecution, yet this suffering is not in vain because it is rooted in trust in the living God, who is sovereign, personal, and actively involved in the lives of His people. The sermon emphasizes that Christ's atonement is universal—He is the Saviour of all people, especially those who believe—offering assurance and confidence that salvation is available to every person, which fuels both perseverance and evangelistic boldness. Far from being a reward earned by good works, eternal life is a free gift, while godly living produces lasting spiritual fruit and future rewards, making the Christian life both meaningful and purposeful. Ultimately, the message calls believers to embrace suffering with hope, knowing that their labour is not in vain, because they serve a God who is both faithful and loving, and whose sacrifice extends to every soul.

Soteriology - The Doctrine of Salvation

This sermon presents a comprehensive yet accessible overview of soteriology, emphasizing that salvation is entirely God's work, not human effort. It centres on the doctrine of justification—God's legal declaration of believers as righteous through faith in Christ, not by works or moral improvement—highlighting key elements such as forgiveness, imputation of Christ's righteousness, and the necessity of His atoning blood. The sermon distinguishes justification from sanctification, clarifying that sanctification is a positional reality from the moment of faith, a present process of growth in holiness, and a future perfection at Christ's return, all grounded in God's grace and not human achievement. Redemption is portrayed as the divine purchase of believers from sin's bondage through Christ's precious blood, securing eternal freedom and a lifelong, loving allegiance to God. The message concludes with a strong warning against theological systems that compromise the biblical gospel by adding human conditions, affirming instead that true salvation is wholly of God, by grace, through faith, and secured in Christ alone.

A Lesson in Stormology

This sermon draws a powerful theological lesson from Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, illustrating that true faith is not measured by the absence of trials but by trust in Christ's sovereign presence amid them. The disciples, having obeyed Christ's command to cross the sea for rest, are suddenly engulfed in a violent storm, yet Jesus remains asleep—revealing His divine peace and authority even in apparent absence. Their fearful cry, 'Lord, save us,' exposes misplaced fear and deficient faith, prompting Christ's gentle rebuke: 'Why are you afraid? You have little faith,' underscoring that fear is misplaced when God is present and faith is misplaced when it is not anchored in Christ alone. The sermon emphasizes that storms are inevitable in life, but they lose their terror when Christ is in the boat, for His presence transforms every trial into a place of safety, peace, and divine purpose. Ultimately, the message calls believers to fix their eyes on Christ, to walk in His will, and to trust that His sovereignty renders every storm powerless when He is at the helm.

The Heart of Followership

This sermon, drawn from Matthew 8:14–22, presents a compelling call to authentic discipleship centered on three pillars of the heart of followership: service, sacrifice, and surrender. It emphasizes that true followership is not passive obedience but an active, grateful response to Christ's grace, illustrated by the healed mother-in-law who immediately served in gratitude. The sermon confronts the illusion of easy commitment, using the scribe's declaration to follow anywhere and Jesus' response about having no place to lay His head to underscore the cost of discipleship, calling for a willingness to sacrifice comfort and security. It further challenges the common delay in surrender, exemplified by the disciple who wished to bury his father first, and reframes Jesus' command to 'let the dead bury the dead' as a call to prioritize spiritual urgency over temporal duties. Ultimately, the message is a pastoral and convicting exhortation to examine one's life and ensure that the footprints in the snow of daily living reflect the path of Christ, not the distractions of self, comfort, or delay.