A Flawed Foundation (1 Sam 9-11)

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uj43A80aRvEepsWipU3r5?si=c5a9d78bf857498c The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached October 9th, 2022* Picture yourself out for a nice dinner, a dinner you normally wouldn’t be able to afford. Cream colored table cloths, candlelight, and hundred dollar glasses of wine—that kind of dinner. A small quartet of musicians play … Continue reading A Flawed Foundation (1 Sam 9-11)

The Cost of a King (1 Sam 8:1-22)

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NYHGKX9wCv909VLnTef8R?si=ffa3cf8853d64887 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached October 2nd, 2022* Queen Elizabeth II, began her reign at the tender age of 26 on February 6th, 1952 and concluded her reign September 8, 2022 with her death. The Queen had reigned for over 70 years—nearly one-third … Continue reading The Cost of a King (1 Sam 8:1-22)

The Uninhabitable Terror of Christmas

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ID0MeRNhF7YzcDDv77c0M?si=f9b2d7fa34df4d9d I have always found this short Christmas reflection/parable from the late Frederick Buechner so arresting that, despite me disagreeing with much of what he writes elsewhere, I can't help but love this: The lovely old carols played and replayed till their effect is like a dentist's drill or a jackhammer, the bathetic banalities of the pulpit and … Continue reading The Uninhabitable Terror of Christmas

Bacchus Baptized: How Can Christians Drink Wisely?

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WVK7oJoeGrEY8hb7bcGQI?si=2f202367fab74464 In a portion of C.S. Lewis' Prince Caspian, Aslan awakens the Ancient Greek god of wine and feasting, Bacchus (Dionysius, to the Romans). There is a great romp and feast of the finest grapes, leaving all with "sticky and stained fingers...and, though mouths were full, the laughter never ceased." After all are satiated and satisfied, Susan turns to … Continue reading Bacchus Baptized: How Can Christians Drink Wisely?

Restoration Through Repentance (1 Sam 7:1-17)

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aaCfgKJe0Q42cTBrbpJzV?si=63599cc50a194c8f The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached September 25th, 2022* What can someone do if they damage their relationship with you? How can they make it right?  Imagine a spouse is committing an affair, and they feel guilty about it, sorrowful, even. And let’s say … Continue reading Restoration Through Repentance (1 Sam 7:1-17)

The Weight of Glory (1 Sam 4:1-7:2)

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KkOungi8LTTSYmLTgML6c?si=1f14427b2ade4a26 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached September 18th, 2022* Have you ever sat down on a bump on a log and discovered it to have been a toad? Or more shocking yet, the entire log turned out to be a great alligator? Look out! you scream, It’s … Continue reading The Weight of Glory (1 Sam 4:1-7:2)

A Tale of Two Priests (1 Sam 2:11-3:21)

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ikGRBHzQ4Ke4pf7gjl5Dv?si=46f48bf1f4294082 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached September 11th, 2022* Should the sins of Christians, and Christian leaders in particular, serve as a good reason to reject belief in Christianity’s teachings? If Jesus said we should “know them by their fruit,” what are we to … Continue reading A Tale of Two Priests (1 Sam 2:11-3:21)

The Deadly Danger of Drunkenness

~ Marc Sims ~ 1 Comment

As those who bear God's name, who are filled with the Spirit, drunkenness should never be something we make peace with or make light of. We want to rightly enjoy God's good gifts, feasting and celebrating with what Calvin called an "honest and moderate liberality." But drunkenness perverts God's good gift into debauchery, danger, and destruction.

Not By Might Shall Man Prevail (1 Sam 2:1-10)

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/6L4IrZMacb2DJeaKswgYmB?si=0fd4a4056af54585 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached September 4th, 2022* Might makes right. Nice guys finish last. These are truisms that we are familiar with that tell us something that we don’t like. Our culture has been saturated by Christianity long enough that we have a … Continue reading Not By Might Shall Man Prevail (1 Sam 2:1-10)

God Chose the Weak (1 Sam 1)

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/10yZraog3GBQPj4exhJ4di?si=2f49267fbd3b4f40 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached August 28th, 2022* Who are the movers and shakers of history? History books are dedicated to highlighting the most influential individuals across a certain period and demonstrating how these people did awesome or terrible things that shaped and moved … Continue reading God Chose the Weak (1 Sam 1)