Milton Baptist Church (MBC Stoke)

This sermon explores the theological significance of the twelve stones commanded in Joshua 4, framing them as a divine memorial that invites believers to remember God's past interventions. The message connects the physical act of remembrance on Remembrance Sunday to the spiritual reality of Christ as the Ark of the Covenant, who stands in the midst of death to secure eternal life. It argues that these stones serve a threefold purpose: they remember the reality of God's power over impossible barriers, they raise a request for parents to pass the faith to the next generation, and they require a response of reverence and obedience. The preacher warns against the spiritual apathy of forgetting God's deliverance, urging the congregation to actively share the gospel and live as living sacrifices in gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary.

This sermon explores the pattern of prayer demonstrated by Daniel in Daniel 2, emphasizing that God's answers to crisis are not hidden but revealed through faithful dependence on Him. The message outlines three movements: a partnership in prayer where believers jointly seek God's mercy, a provision from heaven where God answers specifically and on His perfect timing, and a psalm of praise where believers return to God in gratitude rather than rushing to their next task. The preacher highlights the importance of corporate prayer, specific requests, and the assurance that God is the sovereign revealer of secrets who acts for the benefit of His people. By connecting the historical context of Babylon with the modern experience of the church, the sermon encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty, share their burdens with the body of Christ, and glorify Him for His timely and precise interventions.

This sermon examines three distinct perspectives on Jesus found in Matthew 9, contrasting the spiritual insight of blind beggars, the hardened rejection of Pharisees, and the compassionate view of Christ toward the multitudes. The message highlights that while the blind men recognised Jesus as the Son of David and cried out for mercy, the religious leaders, despite having access to evidence, defamed Him due to a hardened heart. Jesus is presented as the King who sees people not as problems or commodities, but as sheep without a shepherd, prompting a call to prayer and service. The preacher emphasises that salvation depends on a heart-level surrender to Christ rather than intellectual evidence, urging listeners to see Jesus with faith and to view others through the lens of His compassion.

This sermon explores how believers can maintain calm and faith when facing unexpected crises, using the account of Daniel in Babylon as a primary example. The central message is that God's sovereignty ensures He is present and in control even before a crisis reaches the individual, providing a foundation for stability. The text contrasts the inability of worldly wisdom and experts to resolve deep spiritual or existential troubles with the assurance that God reveals secrets and provides answers. It emphasises that a godly response to pressure involves seeking God first rather than relying on human intellect or panic, as demonstrated by Daniel's calm and wise approach to the king's decree. The sermon encourages the audience to trust in the God who dwelt in flesh and stands above all circumstances, urging them to respond to life's challenges with prayer, wisdom, and steady faith.

This testimony recounts the life journey of a man who found faith in the British Army and later served as a Scripture Reader, navigating periods of spiritual struggle and physical illness. The narrative centres on his experience with heart failure and the subsequent heart transplant, which he interprets through the lens of John 11:4, viewing his survival as a means to glorify God. The speaker emphasises the sustaining power of Scripture, particularly the Psalms, during times of intense medical crisis and personal loss. By sharing his story of being 'saved twice'—spiritually and physically—he illustrates how God's presence remains constant amidst suffering. The sermon concludes with an encouragement for believers to trust in God's higher ways and to use their own experiences of healing and endurance to share the gospel with others.

This sermon explores the concept of divine workmanship by examining Daniel's three years of preparation in Babylon, framing his success not as a product of Babylonian education but as the result of God's sovereign provision. The central message emphasizes that God equips believers to stand firm in secular environments without compromising their identity, illustrating this through Daniel's refusal to be defiled and his subsequent excellence in wisdom and understanding. The text highlights the theological principle that talents are God-given gifts intended for His glory, urging listeners to reject false humility and actively steward their abilities. By contrasting the temporary nature of earthly kingdoms with the eternal sovereignty of God, the sermon encourages perseverance and faithfulness in small matters as the foundation for greater influence. Ultimately, it presents Daniel's life as a model of enduring faithfulness, challenging the audience to trust God's preparation and continue serving Him with integrity regardless of their circumstances.

This sermon explores the account of the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9, arguing that her twelve years of suffering served as a necessary catalyst for her encounter with Christ. The message contrasts the world's ineffective attempts to cure physical and spiritual ailments with the complete restoration found only in Jesus, emphasising that pain can function as a platform for testimony and a driver toward deeper dependence on God. By analysing the woman's desperate determination to touch the hem of Jesus' garment, the text highlights the theological significance of the tzitzit as a symbol of God's name and word, suggesting that true wholeness comes from holding fast to His identity rather than human remedies. The preacher encourages believers to reframe their suffering not as a curse but as a means to glorify God and point others to the Savior, concluding that while physical healing may be delayed, spiritual deliverance is immediate and eternal restoration is guaranteed.

This sermon explores the account of Jesus raising the daughter of a synagogue ruler, emphasizing that death is an unnatural enemy that only Christ can defeat. The preacher highlights the contrast between human pride and the humility required to approach God, using the ruler's desperate worship as a model for surrendering self-reliance. By illustrating the impossibility of meeting God's perfect standard through human effort, the message presents the gospel as the sole source of eternal hope. The tone is both convicting and comforting, urging listeners to abandon their own works and trust in Christ's perfect life. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a personal response to Jesus, who enters into situations of despair to offer new life and restoration.

This sermon examines the resolve of Daniel to maintain his spiritual integrity while living in Babylon, emphasising that true conviction must be rooted in the heart rather than merely external boundaries. The central message highlights that believers should draw firm, biblically grounded lines in their hearts regarding what they will not compromise, while simultaneously approaching the world with humility, grace, and respectful communication. By analysing Daniel's refusal of the king's food, the text illustrates how faithfulness in small matters prepares believers for greater trials and demonstrates God's presence and favour. The preacher encourages the audience to identify their own non-negotiable biblical principles and to stand firm on them, trusting that God will sustain them whether they face favour or hardship, just as He did for Daniel.

This sermon examines the early church's response to persecution by the religious leaders, emphasising the imperative to obey God rather than men. It highlights Peter and John's bold proclamation that salvation is found exclusively in Jesus Christ, contrasting their direct witness with the leaders' rejection of the Messiah. The message further explores the internal dynamics of the church, moving from the unity and shared resources of Acts 4 to the consequences of deceit and neglect in Acts 5 and 6. The tone is instructional and pastoral, urging believers to maintain spiritual boldness, avoid conformity to the world, and ensure that no member of the body of Christ is overlooked. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life characterised by unwavering faith in Christ and practical care for fellow believers.