The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

Matthew 17:14-27 - Suffering, Death and Taxes - Part 1

Review:
Peter, James and John have just witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ and have heard the testimony of Moses and Elijah who confirm that Jesus is, indeed, the Messianic fulfillment of the OT Law and Prophecies!
And now we find them descending into the valley of life’s reality as they come face to face with “Suffering, Death and Taxes”!!
Summary: Our brief mountain top experiences are always followed by a return to the unsettling valley of reality!
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 17:1-13 - The Transfiguration - Part 2

I The Revelation of Jesus’ Identity
Now, after six days: [Verse 1]
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother
It may surprise you to know this; but Jesus didn't treat all the twelve disciples equally. Among the twelve, He had a special relationship with these three and included them …
When He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead - Lk 8:51
When He clarified the signs of the His 2nd Coming - Mk 13:3
When He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane - Mt 26:36-38
Jesus led them up on a high mountain by themselves
"Why does Jesus do this?  To rest and pray - Luke 9:28  They were weary from sleep” - Luke 9:32-33
Why does He take Peter, James and John?"
To serve as witnesses.  The Scriptures say, ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established' (Dt 19:15; Mt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1). 
They were intimates of the Saviour
They were acknowledged trustworthy leaders. In Galatians 2:9, Paul refers to them as “pillars of the church”!
He was transfigured before them: [Verse 2]
Transfigured = Metamorphoo = “To transform”
Meta = “To change”     Morph = “Form”   English = “Metamorphosis” 
Note: This was not a new miracle, but the temporary cessation of an ongoing one.  The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying this glory.  Now, what had been concealed burst forth!!
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Matthew 17:1-13 - The Transfiguration - Part 1

I The Revelation of Jesus’ Identity
Now, after six days: [Verse 1]
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother
It may surprise you to know this; but Jesus didn't treat all the twelve disciples equally. Among the twelve, He had a special relationship with these three and included them …
When He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead - Lk 8:51
When He clarified the signs of the His 2nd Coming - Mk 13:3
When He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane - Mt 26:36-38
Jesus led them up on a high mountain by themselves
"Why does Jesus do this?  To rest and pray - Luke 9:28  They were weary from sleep” - Luke 9:32-33
Why does He take Peter, James and John?"
To serve as witnesses.  The Scriptures say, ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established' (Dt 19:15; Mt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1). 
They were intimates of the Saviour
They were acknowledged trustworthy leaders. In Galatians 2:9, Paul refers to them as “pillars of the church”!
He was transfigured before them: [Verse 2]
Transfigured = Metamorphoo = “To transform”
Meta = “To change”     Morph = “Form”   English = “Metamorphosis” 
Note: This was not a new miracle, but the temporary cessation of an ongoing one.  The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying this glory.  Now, what had been concealed burst forth!!
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Matthew 16:18-28 - A Chip off the Old Block - Part 2

Introduction
The Confession of Simon Peter (16:13-20)
Jesus questions the disciples (vv. 13-15) regarding the popular perceptions of his identity and then, specifically asks the disciples for their opinion by asking, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter, acting as a spokesman for the group, made two historic assertions:
“You are the Christ”: The anointed Messiah of God (His mission)
“The Son of the Living God”: More than a prophet, He was the One and Only Son of God (His identity) and fulfillment of OT prophecies (Jn 6:68)
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Matthew 16:18-28 - A Chip off the Old Block - Part 1

Introduction
The Confession of Simon Peter (16:13-20)
Jesus questions the disciples (vv. 13-15) regarding the popular perceptions of his identity and then, specifically asks the disciples for their opinion by asking, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter, acting as a spokesman for the group, made two historic assertions:
“You are the Christ”: The anointed Messiah of God (His mission)
“The Son of the Living God”: More than a prophet, He was the One and Only Son of God (His identity) and fulfillment of OT prophecies (Jn 6:68)
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Matthew 16:1-17 - True Confessions - Part 2

Introduction
What do you think of when you hear the phrase, “True Confessions”?
Some might be reminded of Catholic confession.
Others might think of finally coming clean with someone we have deceived or betrayed.
True Confessions Magazine, a cherished classic first published in 1922, looks into women's souls and reveals their deepest secrets. It deals with family problems, relationship issues, romances, single moms, abuse, and any other realistic issue women face in our society.
But today, I want to suggest that we consider the meaning of these two words:
True: To be in congruence with fact or reality
Confession: To be in agreement
I  Seeking a Sign by the Pharisees and Sadducees
The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus:
The Pharisees and Sadducees were the principal religious and political parties among the Jews and together they represent official Judaism in its entirety.
Fast facts about Pharisees and Sadducees:
Pharisees: They embraced the Law, the prophets and the oral tradition. They were the fundamentalists of their day, opposed to Roman rule and concerned about preserving historic Judaism. They codified the Scriptures into 365 negative commandments and 248 positive commandments (613 in total), which became the basis of one’s salvation.
Sadducees: They accepted only the Torah as the authority. They were theologically liberal, politically powerful and social ladder climbers. While the Pharisees believed in angels, spirits, and the resurrection of the dead, the Sadducees did not (Acts 23:8).
These two opposing groups found temporary unity in their mutual opposition to Jesus Christ.
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Matthew 16:1-17 True Confessions - Part 1

Introduction
What do you think of when you hear the phrase, “True Confessions”?
Some might be reminded of Catholic confession.
Others might think of finally coming clean with someone we have deceived or betrayed.
True Confessions Magazine, a cherished classic first published in 1922, looks into women's souls and reveals their deepest secrets. It deals with family problems, relationship issues, romances, single moms, abuse, and any other realistic issue women face in our society.
But today, I want to suggest that we consider the meaning of these two words:
True: To be in congruence with fact or reality
Confession: To be in agreement
I  Seeking a Sign by the Pharisees and Sadducees
The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus:
The Pharisees and Sadducees were the principal religious and political parties among the Jews and together they represent official Judaism in its entirety.
Fast facts about Pharisees and Sadducees:
Pharisees: They embraced the Law, the prophets and the oral tradition. They were the fundamentalists of their day, opposed to Roman rule and concerned about preserving historic Judaism. They codified the Scriptures into 365 negative commandments and 248 positive commandments (613 in total), which became the basis of one’s salvation.
Sadducees: They accepted only the Torah as the authority. They were theologically liberal, politically powerful and social ladder climbers. While the Pharisees believed in angels, spirits, and the resurrection of the dead, the Sadducees did not (Acts 23:8).
These two opposing groups found temporary unity in their mutual opposition to Jesus Christ.
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Matthew 15:21-39 - The Loving Provision of God - Part 2

Introduction Allude
We left off in Matthew 15, where Jesus was up in Gennesaret, being confronted by the Pharisees and Scribes for not requiring His disciples to practice ritualistic hand washing – an extra-biblical tradition of the elders not found in the Bible!
If that weren’t enough to upset Israel’s religious leaders, now Jesus redirects His ministry and attention toward the surrounding pagan Gentiles!
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Matthew 15:21-39 - The Loving Provision of God - Part 1

Introduction Allude
We left off in Matthew 15, where Jesus was up in Gennesaret, being confronted by the Pharisees and Scribes for not requiring His disciples to practice ritualistic hand washing – an extra-biblical tradition of the elders not found in the Bible!
If that weren’t enough to upset Israel’s religious leaders, now Jesus redirects His ministry and attention toward the surrounding pagan Gentiles!
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Matthew 15:1-20 - Truth or Tradition, Part 2

Introduction
 Virtually every religion outside of Christianity has extra-biblical traditions and teachings (sources that accompany and, many times, supersede the authority of the Bible) that guide and instruct their beliefs:
The Mormons have the Bible PLUS the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.
The Jehovah Witnesses have their own translation of the Bible called the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures PLUS the Watchtower and Awake Magazines.
Islam has the Bible PLUS the Quran (God’s final and complete revelation to man) along with half a dozen other books they believe to be of divine origin.
The Catholic Church has the Bible PLUS the Vatican Councils, Papal Encyclicals and Catholic traditions:
"It is an article of faith from a decree of the Vatican Council that Tradition is a source of theological teaching distinct from Scripture, and that it is infallible. It is therefore to be received with the same internal assent of Scripture, for it is the word of God." - Catholic Dictionary, p. 41-42
"Do you have to believe in Tradition? Yes, because it is the Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible." - Catholic Catechism For Adults, p. 11
The Jews have the Tanakh (the Torah and prophets) PLUS the Midrash, Mishnah and the Talmud. Unlike, these other religions, which place their writing on par with the Bible, Judaism’s supplemental books were considered commentaries, non-holy interpretations that were supplemental to their only divinely authoritative writings – the Old Testament scriptures. But over time, these supplemental books took on an authoritative role in Judaism that many times superseded even the OT scriptures.
In contrast, Christians believethe Bible to be the inspired and only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
“We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice. The Word of God is the foundation upon which this church operates and is the basis for which this church is governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures.” (Is 28:13; Neh 8:8; Jn 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12; 1 Pet 1:23-25; 2 Pet 1:21)
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life