Bible, theology, culture, etc.
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
I just put my four and half year old and two and half year old down, and I am exhausted. I know complaining when others have many more--or more tragically, none at all--is really lame. I know, I know, I know. But everyday, the end of the day feels like a finish line, and not … Continue reading You’re Going to Miss This
There are many things we fear today--societal breakdown, economic recession, our children's future, etc. It is unlikely, however, that many of us in the West fear evil spiritual forces. That is, supernatural forces from an unseen, spiritual realm. That sounds childish. Yet, when we read the New Testament we come face to face with spiritual … Continue reading Can Modern People Believe in Demons?
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29 What can we do with our guilt? Why do we all feel guilty? In the 19th century, the Russian novelist Dostoevsky encapsulated a popular philosophy at the time concerning … Continue reading Good Friday: Guilty, Vile and Helpless We
Richard Baxter was a puritan pastor and theologian in England in the seventeenth century. He lived through the Great Ejection by the Church of England where the state abusively expelled about 2500 ministers across England who refused to conform to the new Anglican liturgical orders. Baxter was forced out of his pulpit against his own … Continue reading Cancel Church? A Puritan Reflection
I just finished preaching two sermons on Mark 5: Jesus and Demons (Mark 5:1-20) and Jesus and Death (Mark 5:21-43) and was struck by a subtle theme in the chapter. I want to propose a (cautious) theological interpretation of the chapter that I believe Mark intends for the perceptive reader to pick up on and … Continue reading Deeper Dive in Mark Five
Link to sermon video: https://youtu.be/iM619t9eEyE Sermon Discussion Questions: What stood out to you most? What fears do you most commonly struggle with? How has Jesus' victory over death affected how you deal with every other fear? Do you have a hard time applying Jude 22? Do you tend to look more like Jairus or the … Continue reading Jesus and Death (Mark 5:21-43)
Sermon Video: https://youtu.be/ktvIpAijRZc Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What stood out to you most? Anything confusing? What was the most interesting part of the text, Mark 5:1-20? 2. In CS Lewis' preface to his Screwtape Letters he writes, "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is … Continue reading Jesus and Demons (Mark 5:1-20)
Sermon Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ13txA5bh4 Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What stood out to you most? 2. “The true Christian can think calmly about the holy God whose eyes see all his or her actions and feel: he is my Father, my reconciled Father in Christ Jesus. I am weak; I am unworthy, but, in Christ, he regards me as … Continue reading The Great Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
Watch sermon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVw8WOCU1Aw Questions for Discussion: 1. What was one thing that stood out from the sermon? 2. What things in life did you assume were “certain” before this new crisis? Read through James 4:13-15. What has this taught you? 3. What is the kingdom of God? 4. Why do you think the first parable (Mark 4:26-29) emphasizes … Continue reading The Parables of the Seed (Mark 4:26-34)
Marc Sims 