The Habits of a Reluctant Convert
Augustine’s Confessions detail approximately a 15-year-long struggle with God. His journey wanders through Manicheism, skepticism, and neoplatonism, before seriously considering the Christianity his mother taught him at a young age. After meeting regularly…
What’s Your Problem?
Sometimes, when we read the Bible or study theology, we are left confused. I’ve found that being able to categorize the specific type of problem helps bring some clarity on the best…
When Do Tongues and Prophecy Cease?
(In my second article on “The Best Arguments for Cessationism” I mentioned that I would address the argument for the continuation of the gifts based on 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. I…
The Best Arguments for Cessationism (Pt. 3)
This is part three of a summary of the best arguments for cessationism. You can read part one and part two, and the best arguments for continuationism here. Experiential Arguments Experiential arguments are not…
A Historical Argument for Cessationism
The following is a lengthy excerpt from Robert L. Saucy’s chapter “An Open But Cautious View” in Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views. Although Saucy is not defending the Cessationist perspective…
The Best Arguments for Cessationism (Pt. 2)
This is part two of The Best Cessationist Arguments (See The Best Arguments for Continuationism) (More) Biblical Arguments First, when considering whether or not we should expect miracles, healings, and…
The Best Arguments for Cessationism (Part 1)
In my previous article I attempted to provide what I thought were the best arguments for continuationism—a view that states that all or most of the spiritual gifts practiced in the New…
The Best Arguments for Continuationism
Our church has been going through the book of 1 Corinthians for some time now and we are just rounding the corner on 1 Corinthians 12, leading us into a…
What Is the “Head Covering” of 1 Cor 11?
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 is complex for many reasons. One of the most bedeviling difficulties for interpreters is discerning what Paul precisely means by “covering” in this section. Generally, there are…
Purging Egypt Out of Israel
As Moses is writing the Exodus narrative down, he is doing so with a certain purpose: a theological purpose. Remember: Israel had been in the land of Egypt for 430 years before…
The תנן of Exodus 7
The Exodus represents the archetypical act of Israel’s deliverance in the Old Testament. It is through the triumph of Yahweh over the powers of Egypt (represented by Pharaoh) that all…
“Rebuke Them Sharply”: Critical Rebukes, Gentleness, and Tone in the Pastoral Epistles
How should a pastor respond to false teaching in his church? With no shortage of heresy, the pages of church history have shown a myriad of examples of how the…
Do Walls Make Christians?
In the most popular chapter in Augustine’s Confessions (VIII), Augustine relays what led him to his conversion. But before his hallowed moment under the fig tree, Augustine met with the local bishop,…
What Happens to Infants Who Die?
There are certain theological questions that the Bible doesn’t address directly. The Westminster Confession of Faith states: “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory,…
Asking Questions About God’s Loveliness for Bible Reading
So, anyone who thinks he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by thus understanding build up this love of God and neighbor, has not…
Thinking Through Violent OT Passages
And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive. – 1 Sam 27:9 I have written at length and preached on the violent commands of the Old Testament before, but here…
Men and Women in Creation
14 Points from Genesis that emphasize male-female differentiation What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be a woman? While it seems that this discussion…
Does the Bible Support Deaconesses?
“Deacons likewise must be dignified…Their wives likewise must be dignified,” (1 Tim 3:8, 11, ESV) Does the Bible restrict the office of deacon to men only? Much of this depends…
Asking the Right Question in Our Bible Reading
In the 2004 movie I, Robot, (based on the Isaac Asimov series) Will Smith plays a homicide detective in the not-too-distant future where humanoid robots are an everyday part of life. Dr. Alfred…
What’s the Deal with Polygamy in the Bible?
Polygamy was very common in the ancient world. It is somewhat understandable: in an agrarian culture, it was not impossible (cf. Ruth 2), but very difficult for women to provide a…
What Is the “Regret” of God?
The word of the LORD came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.”…
Love Your Neighbor, Politically
But the greatest hope, of course, comes by holding forward the gospel and praying for God to transform hearts so that enemies become brothers, sinners become saints, and the heart…
The Mission of the Church: A Forge of Worship
There are two ways to think about the Church: all Christians across time and space, or the local assemblies, like the churches we see as we drive down a street.…
The Church, Christian Nationalism, and Civic Engagement
If someone’s vision is that we ought to govern the State the way we govern the Church (with the Law of Christ), or their missions are basically the same–if that…
Does God Desire All to be Saved?
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead…
Member’s Ministry: Give (Acts 2:42-47)
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached January 24th, 2021* Sermon Audio: Member’s Ministry: Give (Acts 2:42-47) 42 And they…
Member’s Ministry: Pray (1 John 5:14-15)
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached January 17th, 2021* Sermon Audio: Member’s Ministry: Pray (1 John 5:14-15) And this…
Member’s Ministry: Speak Truth (Eph 4:11-16)
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached January 10, 2021* Sermon Audio: Member’s Ministry: Speak Truth (Eph 4:11-16) And he…
Member’s Ministry: Love (1 John 4:19-5:3)
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached January 3rd, 2021* Sermon Audio: Member’s Ministry: Love (1 John 4:19-5:3) We love because…
What Was Prison Like for Paul?
Paul wrote five of his thirteen letters from within a Roman jail cell. While the book of Acts ends with Paul under house arrest, apparently at some point Paul is…
You Are the Body (1 Cor 12:12-27)
The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. *Originally preached in October 2021* Sermon Audio: You Are the Body (1 Cor 12:12-27) What…
Tempted to Despair? Don’t Be a Denethor
In the book of Revelation, aside from worship, the Church has two main functions in the world:- Testify to the truth of the Gospel- Be killed (Usually the first is…
Coram Deo: A Theology of the Face
Face as Presence In the Bible often the word for “face” is a metonymy for “presence.” Frequently our English translations actually translate the Hebrew and Greek terms for face (פָּנֶה,…
Two Hundred Million Chimaeras (Rev 9:12-21)
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the…
What is the “Great Tribulation”?
Last week I wrote about the fifth trumpet found in Revelation 9:1-11 and while discussing when we should anticipate these events to take place said: “…there is nothing in the text that…
A Swarm of Locusts: Rev 9:1-11
The seven trumpets in the book of Revelation (along with the seven seals and bowls) contain some of the most unusual elements of John’s apocalyptic vision. The fifth trumpet has…
Your Church Livestream Isn’t Neutral
On these shows, the preacher is tops. God comes out as second banana. Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death, p. 117 Neil Postman wrote his classic, prophetic work, Amusing Ourselves…
What is Wisdom?
“Both the commands of the Law and the thunderings of the prophets spread out before us the gigantic truths of God, the metanarrative that makes sense of everything. But we…
Book Review: Deacons
Depending on what church you are a part of you might have very different perspectives on what a “deacon” is. Whatever your view is, if you are tempted to think…
Who are the 144,000 in Revelation?
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number…- Rev 7:9 At the breaking of the sixth seal, when the wrath of the Lamb is revealed,…
What Are The “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”?
The four horsemen of the book of Revelation have captivated the popular imagination of many. But who are these four horsemen and what do they represent? They are the by-product…
Domestic Violence and the Bible
What does the Bible say about domestic violence? While men are also victims of domestic violence (see statistics here), I want to look primarily at the circumstances of women as…
Christian, You Need Warning Passages
Let’s imagine that the Christian life is a road trip. At your conversion, Jesus Himself climbs into your car and He tells you: No matter what, you are going to make…
Why is Leviticus so Weird?
One of the most puzzling aspects of Old Testament law for Christians to understand is the many ritual and purity laws. We know that with the coming of Jesus and…
4 Perspectives on Revelation
In Tom Schreiner’s helpful commentary in the ESV Expository Commentary series on Revelation, he discusses the four major approaches to interpreting the timing of the events described in the book:…
8 Ways to Cultivate Discipleship
Discipleship programs can be a helpful tool in the life of the church. Far better, however, is a culture of discipleship that has taken root in a church. Rather than…
“You! Yes, You Christian, Make Disciples”
Like most of the country, our city just emerged from an unusually intense winter storm. In a few short days, we were sunk under a heavy blanket of snow. While…
Skip Church? Consider the Cost
*I know, I know, Covid. If you are forced to stay home because of medical complications, the Lord understands. Hebrews 10:24-25 refers to willful neglect of missing church on Sunday;…
Requiring Baptism for Communion
In my church’s statement of faith, statement XV, “Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper” explains baptism as, “a prerequisite…to the Lord’s Supper.” My church previously practiced what is known as “open” communion,…
Displaying Death and Life: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Sermon Video: https://www.facebook.com/QuinaultBC/videos/2670491949873628/ Sermon Manuscript: 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died…
Why Satan is Doomed: Revelation 12
I recently preached a sermon on how Christians should think about Satan and Demons. One element that I didn’t get to explore more was a tableau from the book of…
The Peculiar Assembly
What is the Church? Is it a denomination? A hierarchy of old guys in funny hats? Is it a building? A liturgy? Is it a club? Is it a set…
Why You Can’t Have Church Online
Churches around the world have had to make very difficult decisions in the past week due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Out of love for neighbor (Matt 22:39) and a desire…
The Violence of the Bible
I have been virtually absent from my blog since I began seminary. I have toyed around with the idea of posting some of my papers I have written on here,…
Fighting Sin by Seeing Rightly (Matt. 5:29-30)
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole…
Love Your Enemies (Matt. 5:43-48)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM-yNf5no8Y Manuscript: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray…
How to Be Righteous (Matt. 5:20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y1OKhGYNHA Transcript: During your teen years, you are at this interesting crossroad where you are making decisions about what kind of person you will be, what values you will stand…
Let’s Talk: Sex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtS1InmRo-s Note: This talk was given to High School guys. Transcript “All things were created through Him and for Him.” – Col. 1:16 We host Let’s Talk every quarter…
God’s Word (Matt. 5:17-20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4dFmpRfPug It’s a funny how the Lord works. I wasn’t aware of it, but last night at Theology Tuesday, we looked at John 8:31-46, and looked specifically at verse 31…
The Persecuted (Matt. 5:10-12)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDsvGupD0wI Transcript: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all…
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Marc Sims 