Jack Brace
A Man in the Tombs
March 13, 2022 • Jack Brace • Mark 5:1–20
This story may be hard to relate to because demonic possession seems so outside of our everyday experience. And yet this story speaks of something that we all know deep down---that there is a complex spiritual power of evil at work in the world. The Bible teaches that evil is real and personal, and that evil is actively at work in the world to unravel God’s good purposes for humanity. We see that in the extreme in this man in the tombs. And yet Jesus goes far beyond the boundaries to find this man, to undo the evil at work within him, and to restore him to wholeness. I. The complexity of evil (v. 2-5) II. The undoing of evil (v. 6-13)
The Beginning
March 6, 2022 • Jack Brace • Mark 1:1–13
Unlike the other gospels in the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark begins quite suddenly. Mark lacks an elaborate birth narrative. Mark doesn’t contain a genealogical preamble. Nor does Mark waste time with poetic descriptions of Jesus. Mark instead gets straight to the point asking us to respond to a simple question: Who is Jesus? (Mark 8:29) In that way, Mark never intended his gospel to be a historical exploration of the life of an Ancient Near Eastern rabbi, but instead an intimate confrontation with a living person. Indeed, Mark believes that Jesus is alive and that he is confronting us, even now, with his presence in our lives, and inviting us to follow him. I. The setting (v. 2-3) II. The herald (v. 4-8) III. The baptism (v. 9-11)
Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
January 30, 2022 • Jack Brace • Job 28:9–15, Job 28:20–28
“We live in a world drowning in information but starving for wisdom.” - E.O. Wilson. E.O. Wilson penned these words back in 1998 and with each passing year they’ve become more relevant to our lives. Indeed, our lives are saturated with data and information but void of understanding, and the truth is that we need wisdom, not more knowledge. Which is why I love Job’s question in Job 28:12, “Where can wisdom be found?” Wisdom isn’t quick, it’s experiential. Wisdom takes time and patience and staying engaged. I love this about Job’s story. He stays in it. And so today we’re invited to explore this question posed by Job and in doing so, perhaps come to a greater understanding of what God is up to in our lives. I.Wisdom is absolutely important. (v. 9-12) II. Wisdom is virtually unattainable. (v. 13-27) III. Wisdom can nonetheless be cultivated. (v. 28)
