The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

Matthew 18:1-14 - The King's Kids - Part 1

Introduction
Matthew 18 is all about the King’s kids:
How they enter the Kingdom of Heaven - Matt 18:3-4
How they're to be treated - Matt 18:5-9
How they're to be cared for - Matt 18:10-14
How they're to be disciplined - Matt 18:15-20
How they're to be reconciled and forgiven - Matt 18:21-35
I  The Simplicity of Children
Mark 9:33-34  “Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?"  But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.”
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying: [Verse 1]
“Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Greatest = Meizon = “Larger, eldest, greatest”
Kingdom of Heaven = “The sphere of God's rule”
The Kingdom of God emphasizes the ruler
The Kingdom of heaven emphasizes the character of His ruling
Jesus had just taught in Matt 16:24 that if any would come after Me:
Let him deny himself
Let him take up his cross
Let him follow Me
Let him lose his life and he will find it
Summary: “The cross before the crown and grief before glory!”
But the disciples are so skewed in their biblical understanding of the mission and agenda of the Messiah that they remained adamant in their pursuit of position, promotion, prominence and personal greatness – and they would remain so until after Christ’s resurrection!
May God bless you through this message! 
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A Heart of Gratitude (Luke 17:11-19) - Part 2

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

A Heart of Gratitude (Luke 17:11-19) - Part 1

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 Life3-2600 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

Matthew 17:14-27 - Suffering, Death and Taxes - Part 2

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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The Epic Lifehttps://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

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! 
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 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