The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

The Heart of Worship (Matthew 4:1-11)

Fyodor Dostoevsky said, "So long as man remains free, he strives for nothing so incessantly and so painfully as to find something or someone to worship."
The reason that we have this need to worship is because God has put that desire in our hearts. We've been implanted with that need, passion and longing to worship someone or something because that someone or something is to be God Himself. That was God's plan from the very beginning. So the question is, "What or whom do we worship?" Worship can be defined as "an act of completely giving over one's interest, desires, and admiration to some other person or thing." The word actually comes from the Old English word, "worthship," which means to ascribe worth or value to a person or thing. In fact, in the Bible, this word "worship" is mentioned over 160 times and words related to worship, like bowing down or giving thanks or raising your hands, all these things are mentioned more than 600 times in the Scriptures.
May God bless you through this message! 
The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Running to Win (I Corinthians 9:24-27)

There are really just two races that we can run: the world's race or God's race. We can run the world's race which is a race for wealth, recognition, and power. There's certainly other things involved, but fundamentally we're racing for things of material value, prestige, things that elevate us in the eyes of other people. We've all run that race.
As followers of Christ, we're called to run God's race. In Matthew 28, as Christ was preparing to leave earth, he commissioned believers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them everything that He's taught, that they might obey Him and walk in His ways. As long as we live on earth, our race is the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples.
May God bless you through this message! 
The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

An Attitude of Gratitude - Part 2 (Luke 17:11-19)

The Bible teaches us that we are to:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name.”  Hebrews 13:15  
As Christians, we certainly have much to be thankful for:
We have been forgiven of our sins
We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit
We have direct access and fellowship with God through His Word and prayer
We have the knowledge that God is always working for our ultimate good
We have been placed in the family God with wonderful sisters and brothers
We have assurance of eternal life
We have the promise of an eternal inheritance with Christ
In light of the many blessing that God has given us, our lives should be full of praise, thanksgiving, and joy. 
May God bless you through this message! 
The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com
Pastor Bob delivered this sermon in November, 2004.

An Attitude of Gratitude - Part 1 (Luke 17:11-19)

The Bible teaches us that we are to:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name.”  Hebrews 13:15  
As Christians, we certainly have much to be thankful for:
We have been forgiven of our sins
We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit
We have direct access and fellowship with God through His Word and prayer
We have the knowledge that God is always working for our ultimate good
We have been placed in the family God with wonderful sisters and brothers
We have assurance of eternal life
We have the promise of an eternal inheritance with Christ
In light of the many blessing that God has given us, our lives should be full of praise, thanksgiving, and joy. 
May God bless you through this message! 
The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com
Pastor Bob delivered this sermon in November, 2004.

Exodus Prayer Wrap-Up

Pastor Bob summarizes parts of Exodus thus far and gives people time to respond through prayer. Enjoy the summary and your prayer time!
 
Blessings, The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

The Cutting of the Covenant (Exodus 24:1-18)

In Old Testament times, legal and binding covenants were not drafted by attorneys and then signed by the parties involved. Instead, legal agreements were formalized by means of a very graphic covenant ceremony.
Called, “Beriyth” (to cut a covenant), this ceremony ratifying a legal agreement was sealed by cutting an animal in half.  Then the two participating parties would pass between the halves while repeating the terms of the covenant. By doing so, the two parties were stating, “If I fail to fulfill my commitments to this covenant, may I suffer the same fate as this animal.”
This process is described in Gen 15:10-21 when God promised Abram a son.
      In the Old Testament, there are three different types of covenants:
A parity covenant between two human parties, both of whom voluntarily accept the terms of the agreement (1 Sam 18:3,4; Mal 2:14; Obad 7).
The Royal Grant Treaty (unconditional): A promissory covenant that arose solely out of a king’s desire to reward a faithful servant. Examples: Abrahamic and Davidic
The Suzerain-Vassal Treaty (conditional): This type of covenant bound a subordinate vassal to a superior vassal. It was binding only upon the one who swore it. The purpose of the covenant was to emphasize the goodness and kindness of the lord to his vassal with a view to cause the vassal to gladly accept his responsibilities and obligations. Examples: Adamic, Noahic, Mosaic
The components of Suzerain-Vassal Treaties of that time (1500-1200 BC) are:
Preamble (Identification of the Covenant Giver)
A Historical Prologue
Stipulations
Provisions for Deposit and Public Reading
A Listing of Treaty Witnesses
Blessings and Curses
A Ratification Ceremony through the cutting of a covenant
Imposition of the Curses
The covenant at Sinai in Exodus 24 encapsulates all of these occurrences. 
Blessings, The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

The Justice and Mercy of God (Exodus 23:1-33)

The Ten Commandments give us the fundamental principles for life and conduct.  Exodus 21-23 applies those 10 principles to the complex context of daily living.
While these laws were specifically given to Israel as God’s covenant people, they are universally applicable and provide the judicial framework for all democratic countries in the world today.  
Blessings, The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

The Civil Law of Israel (Exodus 22:1-31)

Introduction
The chapters in our study today establish the “Civil Laws” of Israel -- the regulations that involve the just punishment and procedures to follow for crimes committed.  These were the laws that Moses was instructed to teach those who were put over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens (Ex 18:21-22).
Blessings, The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com
As we look at these civil laws instituted by the Lord, we observe several things:
They reveal a morality/ethic that was far beyond that of the nations in that day.
They reveal the depravity of man in that we need these laws in the first place.
They reveal to us the fairness, goodness and justice of God.

23. And Justice For All (Exodus 21:1-36)

This excerpt is from a sermon by Pastor Bob Hallman on the Book of the Covenant in Exodus, which provides legal guidelines for the Israelites. The sermon highlights the uniqueness of this ancient legal system, which emphasizes justice for all and includes laws regarding slavery, personal injury, and the death penalty. Pastor Hallman compares the Book of Covenant to the Code of Hammurabi, emphasizing God's more just and merciful approach to governance. He then connects these ancient laws to the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of love, compassion, and surrender to God in the modern context. Finally, Pastor Hallman invites listeners to dedicate their lives to God, becoming "bondservants" who are committed to serving their master and fulfilling his purposes.
Enjoy the rest of the message. 
Blessings, The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

22. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-26)

The provided text is an excerpt from a sermon by Pastor Bob Hallman, who explores the Ten Commandments, emphasizing their relevance for modern life. He contrasts Ted Turner's dismissal of the commandments as outdated with Ted Koppel's assertion of their enduring value. Hallman then examines the commandments in detail, interpreting each one in light of contemporary concerns and illustrating their application to personal life. He emphasizes that the commandments, while highlighting our inherent sinfulness, ultimately point towards the need for salvation through Jesus Christ. By recognizing our sinfulness, we can embrace the redemptive work of Christ and live lives dedicated to loving God and others.
 
Enjoy the rest of the message. 
Blessings,
The Epic Life
3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513
Lihue, HI 96766
https://www.theepiclife.org
https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife
https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life
https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com