First Baptist Church of Salem, MA
First Baptist Church of Salem, MA
Here you will find the weekly sermons from Sunday services at First Baptist Church of Salem, MA. We’re a church of curiosity, community, & surprise. www.firstbaptistchurchsalem.com
Episodes
The Word of God (Psalm 19:7-11)
What is the Word of God? Is the Bible really the way that God speaks to the church today? Listen in today as we discover together the beauty, mind-bending reality of how the Bible is a great gift to us.
Our Covenant: We Love (Matthew 22:34-40)
As we finish our first section of our Statement of Faith on the Triune God, today we learn together the practical applications of what that means for us as a church. What do we desire to covenant together towards? What does it really mean to love God?
We Love the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-26)
Who is the Holy Spirit? Is it like the “force” in Star Wars? No. Listen in today to learn about the beautiful, life-giving third Person of the Trinity that knows us as a real person and empowers believers to live lives of fruitfulness.
We Love Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11)
Jesus Christ is the center of the Christian faith. Seems obvious. But why? What must we know about Him? And what effect does that have on the rest of human life? Listen in today to a fastball right down the middle on the person of Jesus.
We Love the Father (Psalm 103)
The Bible uses the image of God being our Father. What does that really mean? Why is it important? Listen in today as we explore the beauty of God’s heart for us.
We Love the Trinity (Matthew 28:16-20)
Who are we? As a church here in Salem, today we begin a year-long journey through our refreshed Statement of Faith. We begin today with the “love behind all love” — the Trinity.
Political Witness (Psalm 146)
Politics is one of those things we’re not supposed to talk about anymore in church. Right? Well the Scriptures and the Psalms actually have a lot to teach us about how believers in the risen Jesus are to engage with the world around us. So let’s get uncomfortable and learn about how we can be witnesses of the gospel in intense political times.
Speech Ethics (Psalm 140)
Does what you say with your mouth actually matter? It is very easy for us today to get careless with the words we use. So listen in today to discover the real power behind words and what the Word of God teaches us about the life and death we hold on our tongue.
Good and Pleasant (Psalm 133)
Out of all the good and pleasant things in the world, unity is one almost every person longs for. What is it about unity that so (unironically) unites us as humans? Listen in today as we learn simple truths in a poetic way from King David in Psalm 133.
Liturgical Unity (Psalm 118)
We have all kinds of common sayings and refrains in our world. Why are they so important to our formation as a community? Listen in today to learn how a few liturgies from Psalm 118 can drastically transform our every day lives.
Corporate Weariness (Psalm 102)
What does it look like for a community to walk through seasons of weariness and heaviness together? Listen in today as we learn from Psalm 102 about the hope and redemption of all that is wearying.
Corporate Obedience (Psalm 95)
Why is obedience so good for a community? Listen in today to learn about how listening to God's voice, especially when difficult, and how it can be the best possible thing for a community of people.
Numbering Our Days (Psalm 90)
How many days have you been on this earth? How many days do you have left? Most importantly, how are you to live wisely with the days you have? Listen in today to learn how to best "number our days" and live wisely.
Gathered by His Voice (Psalm 29)
Why can't we see God? Is there a reason? Listen in today to learn a little bit more about why the voice of God is enough for us and how it shapes and forms us in powerful ways.
Crowned Together (Psalm 8)
The Psalms are a collection of writings that do more than just teach us. They form us. By God’s grace, it is our hope and prayer this summer that we learn through worship, shared struggled, community, and witness how we are being formed deeper and deeper into the image of Christ.
Marriage: Hope (Isaiah 61:10-62:5)
Marriage is not just a beautiful earthly blessing; it is the ultimate hope of the cosmos. Listen in today as we learn about God's transformative hope for the world through the metaphor of marriage.
Marriage: Intimacy (Song of Songs 2:8-17)
The Christian view of sex is perhaps the most scrutinized and targeted doctrine today. Why? What is it about sex and intimacy that garners so many opinions? Listen in today as we learn about God's design for intimacy for us, and not just physically.
Marriage: Rhythms (Ephesians 5:22-33)
Marriage, like any good dance or music or sport, is about establishing healthy rhythms. What are those for marriage and for relationships in the church? Listen in today and discover the "profound mystery" of marriage.
Marriage: Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35)
Forgiveness is the heart of the Christian gospel. When it comes to marriage and the church, it then is so important. Listen in today as we learn about the power of forgiveness.
Marriage: Communication (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)
Communication is often the hardest part about marriage. How do couples find healthy ways to speak and listen to one another? But it's not just married couples; it's all people, and churches too. Listen in today as we learn from the Scriptures about how Jesus shows us the way.
Marriage: Covenant (Genesis 2:18-25)
What is biblical marriage? And who is for? Listen in today as we begin a 6-week journey into understanding the power of biblical marriage, as not just for married couples, but as God's greatest gift for the whole church.
Missional Friendship (Luke 10:1-12)
Christian friendship finds its deepest meaning in shared mission for God's purposes. Listen in today to learn more about Jesus's heart for sending people out and how that prepares us to receive the greatest relationships in life.
Inter-Generational Friendship (2 Timothy 1:3-7; Psalm 78:1-8)
The beauty of the local church is that it is not held captive by one generation. Listen in today as we learn about the opportunities for true, inter-generational friendship and learn specifically about the friendship between Paul and Timothy in the New Testament.
Honest Friendship (2 Sam. 12:1-15; Galatians 2:11-21)
There are many good things that make up a real friendship, but none more important than honesty. Listen in today to learn the power of honesty and truth, as seen through two stories in the Scripture.
Cross-Cultural Friendship (Ruth 1:14-18; Colossians 3:11)
What kind of relationships can legitimately change the world? Listen in today to learn about Ruth and Naomi's friendship and what it teaches us about how our differences can bring about our greatest hope.
Divine Friendship (John 15:12-17)
Friendship is one of God's greatest gifts to the whole world. There is nothing like a close friendship. But where does friendship come from? Who is the greatest, first friend? Listen in today as we learn together about God's initiative to create and pursue us as humans as true friends.
An Honest New Year (Matthew 13:1-23)
As we begin a new year, honesty is important. Especially with regards to our heart. This is what the famous parable in Matthew 13 invites us into. It does not invite us to become something different or to try harder. Rather, it simply invites us to honest reflection and then to honest openness to the Word of God for us.
Why We'll Be There (John 14; Revelation 21-22)
It is easy to walk through our lives and only see the troubles and challenges. But today we dare to dream of what the New Creation will be. Listen in today as we learn the real reason for why we'll be at all.
What We'll Do (Isaiah 65:17-25)
What is the role of work in our lives today? And how will that carry over into a beautiful eternity in the New Creation? Listen in today as we learn about the glorious purpose of work and how it is far better than most of us assume.
Who We'll Be (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Advent is not just about looking back at Jesus' birth. It's also (more so) about looking forward to his second coming. Listen in today as we learn how to wait for the fulfillment of who we will be forever.
Hope for Tomorrow (Revelation 21-22)
What is your brightest hope for tomorrow? As we come to the end of the book of Revelation and the final sermon in our fall series, we finally discover our ultimate joy. Listen in and be filled with everlasting hope for forever.
Hope for Today (Revelation 20)
Hope is not just for tomorrow… it’s for today too. What does hope in Christ do for us today, while we’re living and breathing? Listen in today for hope for your life.
Your King (Revelation 19:11-21)
Who is Jesus? We know Jesus for many things, but how do you feel about Jesus being our Conquering King? Listen in today to get the fullest picture of the dynamism of Jesus Christ, our King.
Hallelujah! (Revelation 19:1-10)
What does hallelujah mean and why does it burst out in an overflow in Revelation 19? Listen in to hear why.
Hope for Judgment (Revelation 15-18)
Is Judgment Day real? Will all of us have to give account for our lives? Listen in today to hear a series of "yes or no" thoughts about how our lives can be lived and how it impacts our eternity.
Hope for Politics (Revelation 12-14)
Politics has never been hotter or more polarizing than it is now. How could there possibly be hope for politics today? Listen in today and find how the Lamb provides our deepest hope, even for politics.
Hope for Suffering (Revelation 10-11)
Is suffering the worst thing in our lives, or perhaps the most important thing in our lives? While often our pain, trials, and sufferings are the hardest things about our life, listen in today to learn how God restrains and uses our sufferings for more than we could ever imagine.
Hope for Tears (Revelation 6-9)
What is the purpose of our tears? Who causes them? Why do they exist? Listen in today as we learn how even our tears point to our greatest hope.
Hope for Every Creature (Revelation 4-5)
What is your ultimate hope in life? What do you wish to see the most? Listen in today as we learn together about our greatest hope (for every creature!) and how our souls can find everything we've ever wanted.
Hope for the Church (Revelation 2-3)
The church is the beautiful creation of Jesus Christ. He loves the church. But for every generation, sin and dangers exist in the church. Listen in today to the powerful teaching of Jesus to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.
Everything is OK (Revelation 1)
Is everything okay in our world? While it may seem like the world is getting worse and worse, and darker and darker, as we listen to Revelation 1 we see another Story. It's the Story of Hope and confident trust in the plans of God. Listen in today as we being our journey into the book of Hope, the book of Revelation.
Offering Ourselves Back to God (Romans 1)
As we step into the fall together, this is a good time to remind and encourage one another. Listen in today to a special message from Paul McPheeters on what the Christian life really practically is.
A Fitting Close in Praise (Psalm 145)
The only way to conclude a summer in the Psalms is to close in praise! This is what the Psalms really are all about, because that is what all of life - from beginning to end - is all about. Listen in to learn the ABCs of praise from Psalm 145.
God as Protector (Psalm 121)
As we approach the fall and a new season, where are you looking for your help? Psalm 121 is a beautiful, well-known Psalm that talks about looking up to the mountains for help. But the Psalm is really directing someplace further. Listen in today to discover more about where our true help is found.
Profound Trust in the Lord (Psalm 20)
What does it look like to really trust in the Lord? Listen in today as we learn from David in Psalm 20 and hear practical applications for our current times.
When the Foundations are Shaken (Psalm 11)
“When will things be normal again?” All of ask this question at some point in our life. What are we to do in times like this? Listen in today to David in Psalm 11 and learn what he did during a foundation-rocking time in his life.
Peace in Anxiety (Psalm 4)
We live in an anxious world and many of us live anxious lives. How do we practically walk through anxiety and find real peace? Listen in today for 7 practical steps that point us to Jesus.
Confidence in the Face of Opposition (Psalm 3)
We live in a shifting world of instability. As we walk into the summer, we are looking for the anchor to give us stability amidst instability, hope amidst hopelessness, and confidence amidst fear. Listen in today as we begin our summer series in the Psalms and learn practical ways to find confidence when facing opposition.
Guarding (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
Guarding is not just a defensive posture. The best way to keep something is by sharing it. Listen in today as we learn this valuable lifelong truth as it applies to the most important treasure we possess - the gospel of Jesus.
Generous (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
What is true generosity? Listen in today to learn about how generosity is always more than simply material riches or money, but how it deeply reflects our heart.