Bible, theology, culture, etc.
You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire … Continue reading Augustinian Zeal
"Ecstasy and delight are essential to the believer's soul and they promote sanctification. We were not meant to live without spiritual exhilaration, and the Christian who goes for a long time without the experience of heart-warming will soon find himself tempted to have his emotions satisfied from earthly things and not, as he ought, from … Continue reading The Necessity of Ecstasy and Delight for Godliness
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3JPzOY1d0e8OJ6Movc084w?si=79bcba86b00b410e Sermon Discussion Questions: Briefly recap the three main points of the sermon. How does seeing rightly lead to feeling rightly and acting rightly? What did David see, feel, and do? What does it mean to "see rightly"? How did Saul and Israel see wrongly? How might you see wrongly? Can you think of appearances … Continue reading David (1 Sam 17)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zT5be6VFRDSS3H4YuPrfW?si=5ba7ca7d03ef451e The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. When is this happening? There are several instances in this chapter that make it somewhat difficult to discern when this event is taking place. At times it feels like we are bring re-introduced to David again, like we weren’t … Continue reading Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jYT8jWQS1KdsUPvEVyabH?si=d4a17e4b01674e5d The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. Imagine your life like a marathon (2 Tim 4:7). You know that what lies ahead of you will be difficult, but worth it, so you prepare. As a Christian, you could allegorize all sorts of images here. Perhaps proper … Continue reading The Lord Looks on the Heart (1 Sam 16)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3PfwhFLkcGiCjhvLrktRgM?si=c583fe46182f4c97 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. You may be an ambassador to England or FranceYou may like to gamble, you might like to danceYou may be the heavyweight champion of the worldYou may be a socialite with a long string of pearls But you’re gonna … Continue reading To Obey Is Better (1 Sam 15)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7fvFEP7dlNTvQ4QBsd34Iw?si=f60e2b32e2f64fc7 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached December 25th, 2022* 2 The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,on them has light shone.3 You have multiplied the nation;you have increased its joy;they rejoice before youas … Continue reading The Light of the World (Isa 9:2-7)
The man waddles over to hand dryer, punches the button, and runs a black comb through his grey hair while the hot air pours over his body. He is short and round. Were he wearing a pin-striped suit, he could pass as some sort of mafia don. But he isn't wearing anything. And there he … Continue reading In Praise of Naked, Fat Guys (Sort Of, Not Really)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Mp6NbWk1w1v2LUmsDv9n4?si=8f7d753fb31a448a The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached December 18th, 2022* Faith invites risk. “Trust” is a great synonym for “faith,” and may be a more helpful word for us. ‘Trust’ implies confidence in another to be or do what they said they would be or … Continue reading When You Don’t Know What to Do (Ps 37:1-7)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RTvJe6kcWDsyKMEpGfIHP?si=4f47fcb0d12045f8 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached December 11th, 2022* In 1835, the 22 year old Mary Longfellow, the wife of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, experienced a complicated miscarriage 6 months into her pregnancy that tragically resulted in her death. After eight lonely years … Continue reading When Evil Seems to Win (Ps 37)
Marc Sims 