Bible, theology, culture, etc.
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached in May, 2022* Sermon Audio: Two Ways to Live (Phil 3:17-4:1) Have you ever felt stuck about a decision that needed to be made? Where to go for dinner? What kind of car to buy? What outfit to wear? … Continue reading Two Ways to Live (Phil 3:17-4:1)
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached in April, 2022* Sermon Audio: The Christian Life (Phil 3:12-16) The war in Ukraine has given us stunning stories of resilience and remarkable fortitude in the face of unthinkable odds. By all accounts, Russia, most of the West, and … Continue reading The Christian Life (Phil 3:12-16)
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached on Easter, 2022* Sermon Audio: The Power of His Resurrection (Phil 3:10-11) Let me tell you an unlikely story. “Flight Sergeant [Nicholas] Alkemade, the tail gunner on a British Lancaster bomber, found himself in a literally tight spot … Continue reading The Power of His Resurrection (Phil 3:10-11)
My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. - Ps 119:136 Lamentation is a familiar genre in the Bible, but a less familiar one in our churches today. While making an appointment on my calendar in my iPhone, I realized that my phone now informs me that June 1st is the … Continue reading A Lament for June
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached on Good Friday, 2022* Sermon Audio: The Love of God (1 John 4:10) 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who … Continue reading The Love of God (1 John 4:10)
When I was a child, the men in my family would often go on fishing and hunting trips. I don't remember how old I was when I was allowed to join these, but I would guess 8, maybe 9. While these were strictly "man trips", for as long as I can remember, my grandmother attended … Continue reading Grandma
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached in April 2022* Sermon Audio: Nothing in my Hands I Bring (Phil 3:1-9) Are you a good person? If you have ever asked someone that question you will almost always hear a “yes.” But, that depends on what definition … Continue reading Nothing in my Hands I Bring (Phil 3:1-9)
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached in April 2022* Sermon Audio: A Life Well-Lived (Phil 2:19-30) What did you want to be when you grew up? Our life is so much more than a career, of course, but children often have incredible pictures of their … Continue reading A Life Well-Lived (Phil 2:19-30)
In 2001, researchers in Great Britain began working with 248 people to build better exercise habits over the course of two weeks. The subjects were divided into three groups. The first group was the control group. They were simply asked to track how often they exercised. The second group was the "motivation" group. They were asked not only to track … Continue reading A Plan for Spiritual Discipline
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached in March 2022* Sermon Audio: For God Is at Work in You (Phil 2:12-18) What does God expect of us? What does He ask us to do? Does He want us to care for the poor? Does He want … Continue reading For God Is at Work in You (Phil 2:12-18)
Marc Sims 