“The tree advertised life and fruit, but it had none. The temple advertised life and fruit to a dead and hopeless world, but it had none either. And I’ve done the same.  You and I have done the same. In fact, the mainstay, the call sign, the common thread linking all lukewarm Christianity that I have ever seen (or perpetrated), practices this same crooked theology; saying I know what I’m doing is wrong but… I’m basically a good person. or…I know it’s a sin, but let me have this one vice. or: I know it’s wrong, but God will give me a pass, God’ll just forgive me later.  We conveniently misunderstand the word grace to mean God will let it slide. And like Joab we hold onto the horns of the altar and falsely trust that because we say you can’t get me here, we think we are safe. It’s a lie as old as the devil in the garden. But grace isn’t a den for foxes. It’s not a refuge if it’s used as a shield against God. It’s not a sanctuary to hide our sins in. No, It’s a full force burning away of our sinful selves. The grace of Christ Jesus, bought at the cross, is the source and wellspring of our salvation and sanctification. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve - trading sin and death for new life and holiness.”

“Mark is keen to show, almost word for word, that absolutely everything went according to plan. That everything occurred just as Jesus said it would. Ever, always in Mark, Jesus is shown to be in control of every situation, he is always the authority in the room, he is always in command of what happens around him. It’s one of Mark’s big themes that grows throughout his book, guiding his readers to readily acknowledge Jesus, not only as the King of kings and Lord of lords, but personally so. You and I are to witness these moments and proclaim, Jesus is my King. He is my Lord…”

“…This could well be our spiritual constitution. Every kingdom needs a constitution, and this is as fine a summary as ever there was. In the kingdom of God, only God is king, everyone else ranks the same, and even though upon which he confers some role of authority is only just a servant. None higher, none lower. We are all just servants. Slaves even. Happy, well-looked after slaves of the king. If God is good, providing for our every need, and is our leader, keeper, and guide, there’s no need to jostle for position, there’s no point in jockeying for rank…”

“This week Josh pointed out to me that the phrase ‘faith like a child’ isn’t in the bible. ‘A childlike faith’ is actually bad theology given Hallmark-like ubiquity. So what is the common thread? What do all kids have? It’s need. Children are completely dependent on others. They are not self-sufficient. In a culture of doers, a society of adults, because a child can not do anything for themselves, they are the least important, have the least status, smallest value. And, according to Jesus’ social handlers, the least right to approach him. And more than saying let them come, Jesus says to his very grown up disciples; ‘one thing you lack: be like them’.”

“(I)f there’s one thing I want you to understand from this message today - one thing that’s more important than anything else I’ll speak this morning - I want you to catch who the father came to see with his son:

‘Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has an evil spirit.’ (v.17)

No matter what your expertise is in life, no matter how gifted a pastor or counselor or friend you are, when someone comes to you for advice or help, they are not coming to you. They are coming to Jesus. They are asking him for help. You are only a messenger. You are only a conduit. If you don’t give them Jesus, you are at best being a hindrance.”