The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

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

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 But over time, these supplemental books took on an authoritative role in Judaism that many times superseded even the OT scriptures.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! 
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Matthew 14:22-36 - Walking on Water - Part 2

Introduction  -  Context:
Jesus has been presented and authenticated as the Messiah of God
The Jews have rejected Jesus and have demonized Him
But Jesus never stopped teaching and healing the crowds
He discovered that Herod has brutally beheaded his cousin and forerunner, John the Baptist and is devastated by the news
His first attempt to be alone was interrupted by the physical needs for food by 5,000 men – plus women and children!
In this passage, we find the disciples in the grip of a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee.  A storm similar to the one they encountered in Matthew chapter 8.  A storm so violent that it left these weathered and experienced seamen in fear for their lives.
It’s a very strange and sometimes confusing place to be – in the will of God and in the midst of a storm, all at the same time!!
Have you ever found yourself in that place?
- Doing what you understand to be the will of God
- Facing the headwinds of a threatening crisis
I don’t know what kind of storm you might be facing today, but I do know that the Lord has a purpose in allowing that storm to rage in your life.
(Jan 2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 14:22-36 - Walking on Water - Part 1

Introduction  -  Context:
Jesus has been presented and authenticated as the Messiah of God
The Jews have rejected Jesus and have demonized Him
But Jesus never stopped teaching and healing the crowds
He discovered that Herod has brutally beheaded his cousin and forerunner, John the Baptist and is devastated by the news
His first attempt to be alone was interrupted by the physical needs for food by 5,000 men – plus women and children!
In this passage, we find the disciples in the grip of a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee.  A storm similar to the one they encountered in Matthew chapter 8.  A storm so violent that it left these weathered and experienced seamen in fear for their lives.
It’s a very strange and sometimes confusing place to be – in the will of God and in the midst of a storm, all at the same time!!
Have you ever found yourself in that place?
- Doing what you understand to be the will of God
- Facing the headwinds of a threatening crisis
I don’t know what kind of storm you might be facing today, but I do know that the Lord has a purpose in allowing that storm to rage in your life.
(Jan 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 14:1-21 - Sowing in Tears - Part 2

Introduction
In Matthew 14:1-21, we find Jesus facing the very personal, senseless, painful and brutal death of His cousin and Messianic forerunner, John the Baptist! 
No one would blame Jesus for being consumed with grief, taking some time off from ministry, meeting His own needs for a while and turning the ministry over to someone else!  But He doesn’t do that.  Instead, He continues to serve!!
In truth, this passage teaches us a great deal about how to respond when faced with life’s inevitable challenges, injustices, losses and disappointments!
(2013)
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 14:1-21 Sowing in Tears - Part 1

Introduction
In Matthew 14:1-21, we find Jesus facing the very personal, senseless, painful and brutal death of His cousin and Messianic forerunner, John the Baptist! 
No one would blame Jesus for being consumed with grief, taking some time off from ministry, meeting His own needs for a while and turning the ministry over to someone else!  But He doesn’t do that.  Instead, He continues to serve!!
In truth, this passage teaches us a great deal about how to respond when faced with life’s inevitable challenges, injustices, losses and disappointments!
(2013)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
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Matthew 13:44-58 - The Treasure of the Kingdom - Part 2

I  The Hidden Treasure
The kingdom of heaven is like …: [Verse 44a]
Treasure hidden in a field, which a man found
Treasure =  Thesauros = “A deposit, i.e. wealth”
Hidden = Krupto = “To conceal by covering”
The man’s joyful response: [Verse 44b]
He hid it
He sold all that he had
He bought that field
Interpretation and application
A common interpretation is that the man who finds the treasure/pearl is an unbeliever who finds Christ and sells all he has in order to obtain salvation. 
Here are the problems with this interpretation:
It violates the principle of “Expositional Constancy”. In the previous parables, Jesus has already informed us that the “field” is symbolic of the world (Matt 13:38) – a rather unlikely place to find spiritual treasure.
It violates a biblical understanding of salvation by faith:
The treasure (Christ and salvation by faith) isn’t for sale nor can it be purchased.
Even if it were possible, an unbeliever has no resources from which to make such a purchase.
A new believer has no reason to hide his newfound faith in Christ, but rather, is expected to make it public through the proclamation of “Believer’s Baptism”.
(2013)
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 13:44-58 - The Treasure of the Kingdom - Part 1

I  The Hidden Treasure
The kingdom of heaven is like …: [Verse 44a]
Treasure hidden in a field, which a man found
Treasure =  Thesauros = “A deposit, i.e. wealth”
Hidden = Krupto = “To conceal by covering”
The man’s joyful response: [Verse 44b]
He hid it
He sold all that he had
He bought that field
Interpretation and application
A common interpretation is that the man who finds the treasure/pearl is an unbeliever who finds Christ and sells all he has in order to obtain salvation. 
Here are the problems with this interpretation:
It violates the principle of “Expositional Constancy”. In the previous parables, Jesus has already informed us that the “field” is symbolic of the world (Matt 13:38) – a rather unlikely place to find spiritual treasure.
It violates a biblical understanding of salvation by faith:
The treasure (Christ and salvation by faith) isn’t for sale nor can it be purchased.
Even if it were possible, an unbeliever has no resources from which to make such a purchase.
A new believer has no reason to hide his newfound faith in Christ, but rather, is expected to make it public through the proclamation of “Believer’s Baptism”.
(2013)
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 13:24-43 - Seeds, Weeds and Yeast - Part 2

Introduction
Israel’s leaders’ response to the gospel in Matthew 11-12:
Refused to accept the testimony about Christ
John the Baptist
The Father (at Jesus’ baptism)
The OT prophesies
Christ Himself
The Holy Spirit’s authenticating miracles
2. Rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah!3. Committed the unpardonable sin – Matt 12:31-32
Defined: “The national rejection by Israel of the Messiah, while he was present on earth, on the basis of His being demon possessed.”
These events set the stage for a marked transition in Jesus’ ministry:
He taught using parables – explaining their meaning only to the disciples
Why did Jesus teach in parables?
To reveal the mysteries of the kingdom
To conceal the mysteries of the kingdom
To appeal through fulfilled prophecy and divine judgment
(2013)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
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Matthew 13:24-43 - Seeds, Weeds and Yeast - Part 1

Introduction
Israel’s leaders’ response to the gospel in Matthew 11-12:
Refused to accept the testimony about Christ
John the Baptist
The Father (at Jesus’ baptism)
The OT prophesies
Christ Himself
The Holy Spirit’s authenticating miracles
2. Rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah!3. Committed the unpardonable sin – Matt 12:31-32
Defined: “The national rejection by Israel of the Messiah, while he was present on earth, on the basis of His being demon possessed.”
These events set the stage for a marked transition in Jesus’ ministry:
He taught using parables – explaining their meaning only to the disciples
Why did Jesus teach in parables?
To reveal the mysteries of the kingdom
To conceal the mysteries of the kingdom
To appeal through fulfilled prophecy and divine judgment
(2013)
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 13:1-23 - A Sower, His Seeds and the Soils - Part 2

Introduction
Summary of Israel’s leaders’ response to the gospel in Matthew 11-12:
Refused to accept the testimony about Christ:  John the Baptist, The Father (at Jesus’ baptism), The OT prophesies, Christ Himself, The Holy Spirit’s authenticating miracles
Rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah!
Committed the unpardonable sin – Matt 12:31-32
Defined: “The unpardonable sin is the national rejection by Israel of the Messiahship of Yeshua, while he was present on earth, on the basis of His being demon possessed.”
These events set the stage for a marked transition in Jesus’ ministry:
He taught using parables – explaining them only to the disciples
He spent more time teaching outside the synagogue
He appealed for a greater degree of secrecy:
“Don’t tell anyone what I have done for you”
“Don’t spread the news about the miracles”
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