The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

Matthew 8:1-17 - Authentication of the Messiah - Part 2

Introduction
Following the pronouncement of the principles of the kingdom in chapters 5-7, Matthew now presents the authenticating evidence of Jesus’ prophetic credentials as the Messiah King!
Lessons from this text:
Always come to the Lord with humility and with an acknowledgment that the eternal will of God always trumps our personal preferences: Our prayer must always be, “If you are willing …”
Make your need known to God and others: James 5:13-16
Have a thankful heart!
Ps 103:2-3  “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases …”
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 8:1-17 - Authentication of the Messiah - Part 1

Introduction
Following the pronouncement of the principles of the kingdom in chapters 5-7, Matthew now presents the authenticating evidence of Jesus’ prophetic credentials as the Messiah King!
Lessons from this text:
Always come to the Lord with humility and with an acknowledgment that the eternal will of God always trumps our personal preferences: Our prayer must always be, “If you are willing …”
Make your need known to God and others: James 5:13-16
Have a thankful heart!
Ps 103:2-3  “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases …”
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 7:15-28 - Authenticating God's Citizenry - Part 2

Introduction
Jesus is wrapping up the Sermon on the Mount, which is a proclamation of the law of His Kingdom, with three pairs of contrasts, all meant to sway us to a life of obedience to our sovereign Lord and King:
Two gates: One narrow leading to life – the other wide leading to destruction.
Two trees: One good bearing good fruit – the other bad and being cut down.
Two foundations: One on the rock surviving a storm – the other built on sand and being destroyed by the same storm.
In the midst of these destiny-shaping choices, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:1-6 to not be condemning in our judgment of others, but to biblically assess (adjudicate) our own life as well as those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ!
 
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 7:15-28 - Authenticating God's Citizenry - Part 1

Introduction
Jesus is wrapping up the Sermon on the Mount, which is a proclamation of the law of His Kingdom, with three pairs of contrasts, all meant to sway us to a life of obedience to our sovereign Lord and King:
Two gates: One narrow leading to life – the other wide leading to destruction.
Two trees: One good bearing good fruit – the other bad and being cut down.
Two foundations: One on the rock surviving a storm – the other built on sand and being destroyed by the same storm.
In the midst of these destiny-shaping choices, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:1-6 to not be condemning in our judgment of others, but to biblically assess (adjudicate) our own life as well as those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ!
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

Duct Tape Dads: Holding Fast in a Loose World - Joshua 1:6-9

Encouragement for Dads! 
Duct tape is like the force--it has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together – everything from our car's dangling side-view mirror to making our slippers last just a little longer!
Key points:
Stick to the main thing
Hold it together
Be strong yet flexible
Avoid exposure to damaging elements
Remember: You're not the permanent solution
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
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Matthew 7:1-14 - 20/20 Vision - Part 2

Introduction
As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals the standards, morals, ethics, attitudes and conduct characterized by the citizenry of God’s kingdom and the importance of having “20/20 Spiritual Vision”!
I  The Problem with Judging
Do not judge or you too will be judged: [Verse 1-2]
Judge = Krino = “To separate or make a distinction between things”
Positive: “To distinguish or adjudicate”
Negative: “To critically condemn, punish, damn”
The first is judicial and sanctioned -- the second is judgmental and condemned!
Most the people who quote this verse don't understand what Jesus said. They seem to think Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching.
The judgmental critic is a fault-finder who is negative and destructive towards other people and enjoys actively seeking out their failings. He puts the worst possible construction on their motives, pours cold water on their schemes and is ungenerous towards their mistakes.In our day, the word "judge" has a negative connotation. But it's certainly not wrong to "discern" the distinctions between one thing and another. In a very basic sense, we "discriminate" between things every day.
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 7:1-14 - 20/20 Vision - Part 1

Introduction
As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals the standards, morals, ethics, attitudes and conduct characterized by the citizenry of God’s kingdom and the importance of having “20/20 Spiritual Vision”!
I  The Problem with Judging
Do not judge or you too will be judged: [Verse 1-2]
Judge = Krino = “To separate or make a distinction between things”
Positive: “To distinguish or adjudicate”
Negative: “To critically condemn, punish, damn”
The first is judicial and sanctioned -- the second is judgmental and condemned!
 
Most the people who quote this verse don't understand what Jesus said. They seem to think Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching.
The judgmental critic is a fault-finder who is negative and destructive towards other people and enjoys actively seeking out their failings. He puts the worst possible construction on their motives, pours cold water on their schemes and is ungenerous towards their mistakes.In our day, the word "judge" has a negative connotation. But it's certainly not wrong to "discern" the distinctions between one thing and another. In a very basic sense, we "discriminate" between things every day.
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 6:19-34 - Wealth without Risk

Is there really such a thing as “Wealth Without Risk”?  Absolutely!! But it’s not going to be found in the midst of man’s shifting principles as he clings desperately to his stuff on a doomed world.
Rather, it can only ultimately be experienced by those who believe God’s Word, become a child of God and live their lives for God’s eternal kingdom!
Beginning of sermon outline:
I  Kingdom Investing Wisdom
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth: [Verse 19]
Store up = Thesaurizo = “To amass or lay up”
Treasures = Thesauros = “Wealth”
Literal translation = “To treasure up treasure”
Where moth and rust destroy
Where thieves break in and steal
It may help to understand what Jesus was not forbidding:
He was not forbidding the ownership of material goods
He was not forbidding good financial planning and saving
Joseph was wise for storing up grain in Egypt - Gen 41:33-38
The sluggard is instructed to study the ant, which prepares for the future – Prov 6:6ff
The virtuous woman is commended for preparing for the future – Prov 31:21, 25
He was not forbidding the enjoyment of earthly goods
What was Jesus forbidding?
The selfish accumulation of goods
Extravagant and luxurious living
Heartless and selfish neglect of those in need
Materialism, which ties our hearts to this world
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 6:1-18 - The Secret Life of a Believer

Principle:  What you are in private is the true measure of your spiritual life!
 Apparent contradiction: “Rule of Thumb” when it comes to good deeds:
If the motive is to pursue the praise of God, then let them be seen!  Matt 5:16  “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
If the motive is to pursue the praise of men, then let them be done in secret!   John 5:44  “… you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?”
(2011)
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 5:31-48 - Corrections and Clarifications - 2: Part 2

A newspaper is a daily miracle!  But they are far from perfect!  Mistakes are made! When mistakes occur, editors have a section of the paper called “Corrections and Clarifications” where they amend these mistakes.
Like the errant newspapers of today, the religious leaders in Israel had not only made mistakes – they had intentionally misinterpreted the facts about the true meaning of the Law in order to justify themselves before God.
In response, Jesus confronts their false religious system by bringing “Correction and Clarification” to the true intent of the Old Testament Law, which accomplishes several things:
It affirms God’s holy and perfect standard of righteousness based on the Law!
It confronts us with our inability and utter failure to keep the Law!
It leads us to receive the finished work of Christ as the only means of righteousness!
It provides insight into the life of a Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered, Spirit-led believer!
(2011)
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 https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com