The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Introduction
Pat Tillman reminds me of another great man of the past, the Apostle Paul who penned this letter to the church in Colosse:
Like Pat, Paul walked away from a promising and lucrative career.
Like Pat, Paul was a man of deep conviction and courage.
Like Pat, Paul made his transition out of the limelight into obscurity without fanfare.
Like Pat, Paul was willing to give up his life for a cause he believed in.
Like Pat, Paul was a “Man On A Mission!”
I  Paul's Attitude In Life
He rejoiced in what was suffered [Verse 24a]
            Three things characterized Paul’s suffering: They were a source of joy; They were for others; They were related to the afflictions of Christ
            As you recall, Paul wrote the book of Colossians from a Roman jail. Undoubtedly, the false teachers in Colosse claimed that Paul’s imprisonment and suffering was a clear sign of God’s disapproval of his life and ministry.
 But Paul, instead of being ashamed of his suffering, rejoiced in it!
                  Rejoiced = Chairo = “To be cheerful”
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The Epic Life
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(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Introduction
In every religion outside of biblical Christianity, you will find either:
A rejection of what the Bible teaches about Christ (his deity or humanity)
An effort to add something to the work of Christ
In the case of the Colossian church, the false teachers were doing both – subtracting from His person and adding to His work.
Paul's solution to the Colossian Heresy was to present the supremacy of Christ in relation to God, Creation and the Church.
I  The Identity Of Christ
He is the image of the invisible God [Verse 15a]
            Image = Eikon = “Likeness or manifestation”
            Invisible = Aoratos = “Not visible or capable of being seen”          
But Christian apologist Josh McDowell says, in light of the biblical claims, there are only three possible conclusions as to the identity of Jesus Christ:  “Either Jesus Christ was a liar, or He was a lunatic, or He was just who He claimed to be:  The Lord God.” 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Introduction
In every religion outside of biblical Christianity, you will find either:
A rejection of what the Bible teaches about Christ (his deity or humanity)
An effort to add something to the work of Christ
In the case of the Colossian church, the false teachers were doing both – subtracting from His person and adding to His work.
Paul's solution to the Colossian Heresy was to present the supremacy of Christ in relation to God, Creation and the Church.
I  The Identity Of Christ
He is the image of the invisible God [Verse 15a]
            Image = Eikon = “Likeness or manifestation”
            Invisible = Aoratos = “Not visible or capable of being seen”          
But Christian apologist Josh McDowell says, in light of the biblical claims, there are only three possible conclusions as to the identity of Jesus Christ:  “Either Jesus Christ was a liar, or He was a lunatic, or He was just who He claimed to be:  The Lord God.” 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Paul was a prisoner in Rome (1,000 miles east of Colosse), and was physically unable to help the church that was facing the dual threats of paganism and false teaching.
Despite the fact that Paul was physically chained, he remained spiritually aggressive, mounting a forceful offensive on their behalf through the power of prayer.        
I  The Motivation for Paul's Prayer
He had heard about: [Verse 3-5]
Their faith in Christ Jesus - Rom 10:17
Their love for all the saints - Gal 5:6
Their hope stored up in heaven - 1 Pet 1:3-5
      Love ¬ Faith ¬ Hope ¬ Word ¬ Truth ¬ Christ (The wellspring of life)
He had not stopped praying for them [Verse 9a]
            Literally: “Pray and desiring”
            Praying = Proseuchomai = “To pray”
            Desiring = Aiteo = “To ask, beg, call for”
            Paul praises God in prayer for:
The report regarding their faith, love, and hope
The success of the gospel in their midst through the ministry of Epaphras
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Paul was a prisoner in Rome (1,000 miles east of Colosse), and was physically unable to help the church that was facing the dual threats of paganism and false teaching.
Despite the fact that Paul was physically chained, he remained spiritually aggressive, mounting a forceful offensive on their behalf through the power of prayer.        
I  The Motivation for Paul's Prayer
He had heard about: [Verse 3-5]
Their faith in Christ Jesus - Rom 10:17
Their love for all the saints - Gal 5:6
Their hope stored up in heaven - 1 Pet 1:3-5
      Love ¬ Faith ¬ Hope ¬ Word ¬ Truth ¬ Christ (The wellspring of life)
He had not stopped praying for them [Verse 9a]
            Literally: “Pray and desiring”
            Praying = Proseuchomai = “To pray”
            Desiring = Aiteo = “To ask, beg, call for”
            Paul praises God in prayer for:
The report regarding their faith, love, and hope
The success of the gospel in their midst through the ministry of Epaphras
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Introduction
In contrast to the false teachers and so-called “super spiritual” believers infiltrating the Colossian church, Paul, in his opening greetings give us some wonderful authenticating characteristics of true Christianity.
And even as he wrote this letter to the Colossian church he was imprisoned. He could have been bitter, confused, angry with God, even depressed.  Instead, he chose to live and model a life of gratitude to God!
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Introduction
In contrast to the false teachers and so-called “super spiritual” believers infiltrating the Colossian church, Paul, in his opening greetings give us some wonderful authenticating characteristics of true Christianity.
And even as he wrote this letter to the Colossian church he was imprisoned. He could have been bitter, confused, angry with God, even depressed.  Instead, he chose to live and model a life of gratitude to God!
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com
 
 

(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Introduction
      As we begin our study of the Book of Colossians, I am amazed at how contemporary its message is – especially for those of us who live on Kauai!  Many of the issues that Paul addresses in this short book are the same questions we face today:
Was Jesus just a prophet, a moral teacher, an ascended master – or is He God?
Can a Vegan diet heighten a person’s spiritual awareness? Or can you be an on-fire follower of God and still eat pork hash and lau lau?
Does it matter what day you worship on? Or is any day as good as another?  
Is it alright to pursue contact with angels? Are they really mediators between God and man or are they demons in disguise?
Can harsh treatment of the body empower a person to overcome the flesh?
Is it OK to mix the teachings of Christ with the teachings of Eastern mysticism?
Aren’t all religions equally valid – just different paths to the same God?
Paul’s answer to each of these questions is quite simple: “Christ is all-Sufficient”
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

(Pastor Bob's sermons notes on this series can be found on bible.org).
Introduction
      As we begin our study of the Book of Colossians, I am amazed at how contemporary its message is – especially for those of us who live on Kauai!  Many of the issues that Paul addresses in this short book are the same questions we face today:
Was Jesus just a prophet, a moral teacher, an ascended master – or is He God?
Can a Vegan diet heighten a person’s spiritual awareness? Or can you be an on-fire follower of God and still eat pork hash and lau lau?
Does it matter what day you worship on? Or is any day as good as another?  
Is it alright to pursue contact with angels? Are they really mediators between God and man or are they demons in disguise?
Can harsh treatment of the body empower a person to overcome the flesh?
Is it OK to mix the teachings of Christ with the teachings of Eastern mysticism?
Aren’t all religions equally valid – just different paths to the same God?
Paul’s answer to each of these questions is quite simple: “Christ is all-Sufficient”
 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com
 

Financial Freedom:
      Lesson #1:  "God's Blueprint"
      Lesson #2:  "Investing For A High Return"
      Lesson #3:  "Practical Financial Strategies"
      Lesson #4:  "Avoiding And Overcoming Debt"
I Biblical Perspective On Using Credit
God favors lending over borrowing - Deut 15:4-6  
Unwise borrowing can enslave us - Prov 22:7; 1 Cor 6:12
Use credit wisely and avoid it when possible - Rom 13:8
II Problems With Using Credit
It can circumvent trusting God - Matt 6:30-33; Phil 4:19
It reduces our capacity for wise stewardship
By making impulsive buying too easy
By reducing the scope of our options
By enslaving us financially and emotionally
It can signal a lack of contentment - Heb 13:5; 1 Tim 6:6-8; Phil 4:11-13
III Questions To Ask Before Using Credit
Do I really need it? Phil 4:19; I Jn 2:15-17; 1 Tim 6:9-11
Is my lifestyle already adequate? - Mat 6:31ff; Lk 12:15, 23
Have I asked God for it? - Matt 7:7-8; James 4:2-3
Have I waited for His answer? - Ps 27:14; 37:7, 34
Is God testing my faith, my values, my motives, etc.?
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Life
info@theepiclife.orghttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com