The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

Matthew 22:1-22 - Invitation to Intimacy - Part 1

Introduction
The historical setting:
 For three years Jesus has been preaching and teaching the gospel of the Kingdom.  He has been proclaiming Himself as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  And He has been offering Himself and His Kingdom to the people of Israel -- but His own people rejected Him!
 
Summary of events:  Jesus heads to Jerusalem as the prophesied Passover Lamb to make atonement on the cross for the sins of the world!
Sat/Sun: He arrived in Bethany and stayed with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
Monday: He fulfilled prophecy by riding into Jerusalem on a colt with the multitudes crying out, "Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the Son of David." Then, he returned again to Bethany.
Tuesday: He returned to Jerusalem and cleansed the temple and then, once again, returned to Bethany to spend the night with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
Wednesday: He curses the fig tree and then proceeded to the temple where He confronted the pride, self-righteousness, hypocrisy, rebellion and wickedness of Israel’s spiritual leadership by means of a series of parables.
Thurs-Sun: He will celebrate the Last Supper with the disciples on Thursday, be crucified on Friday and rise from the dead early Sunday morning!!
 
I  The Intimacy of a Wedding Invitation
“The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son ..”
Interpretation:
The Kingdom of heaven is the sphere of God's rule.
The king and father of the Son is God.
The king’s son is the bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
The wedding feast is the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb" - Rev 19:7-9.
The initial guests are the Jews of that generation.
The servants who are sent out are preachers of the gospel.
The alternate guests are the Gentile nations.
The wedding garment is the righteousness of Christ.
He sent out his servants to call those who were invited [Verse 1-3]
Sent out = Apostello = “To set apart for a mission”
Background on Jewish weddings:
The wedding date was set and invitations were sent out
Once the preparations had been made, servants would be sent to remind the invited guests that everything was ready
The wedding ceremony would be performed followed by a 7-day wedding feast -- paid for by the father of the groom.

Matthew 21:23-46 - Who Died and Made you Messiah? Part 2

Summary of events:
Jesus has concluded His Galilean and Perean ministry, crossed the Jordan River, entered Jericho, healed two blind men, one by the name of Bartimaeus, brought Zacchaeus into the Kingdom and traveled to Jerusalem for Passover.
Having arrived in the vicinity of Jerusalem, He stays in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus that first Saturday night and then spent Sunday with the multitude who either followed Him or actually lived in Bethany.
On Monday, He sent His disciples to find the colt, which He rode triumphantly into the city of Jerusalem while the multitudes threw palm branches and clothing in His path and hailed Him, "Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the Son of David." Then, once again, He returned to Bethany to spend the night in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
On Tuesday, He returned to Jerusalem and cleansed the temple – chasing out those who sold animal sacrifices and those who changed money. And by doing so, He infuriated the religious leaders who already despised Him and wanted Him dead. Then, once again, He returns to Bethany to spend the night with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
On Wednesday, He curses the unfruitful fig tree and then proceeds on to the temple where He will spend the next 2 chapters of Matthew confronting the wickedness of Israel’s spiritual leadership, which will end in His crucifixion.
 
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 21:23-46 - Who Died and Made you Messiah? Part 1

Summary of events:
Jesus has concluded His Galilean and Perean ministry, crossed the Jordan River, entered Jericho, healed two blind men, one by the name of Bartimaeus, brought Zacchaeus into the Kingdom and traveled to Jerusalem for Passover.
Having arrived in the vicinity of Jerusalem, He stays in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus that first Saturday night and then spent Sunday with the multitude who either followed Him or actually lived in Bethany.
On Monday, He sent His disciples to find the colt, which He rode triumphantly into the city of Jerusalem while the multitudes threw palm branches and clothing in His path and hailed Him, "Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the Son of David." Then, once again, He returned to Bethany to spend the night in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
On Tuesday, He returned to Jerusalem and cleansed the temple – chasing out those who sold animal sacrifices and those who changed money. And by doing so, He infuriated the religious leaders who already despised Him and wanted Him dead. Then, once again, He returns to Bethany to spend the night with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
On Wednesday, He curses the unfruitful fig tree and then proceeds on to the temple where He will spend the next 2 chapters of Matthew confronting the wickedness of Israel’s spiritual leadership, which will end in His crucifixion.
 
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
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Matthew 21:1-22 - He's Coming Again - Part 2

Introduction
Matthew 21 initiates the last week of the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah!
Jerusalem was to be the end. He never ever leaves the vicinity of Jerusalem. This is it. He dies in the city. This is the end of Jesus’ 33 plus years. Thirty years of obscurity, three-plus years of ministry, it all ends here. This is the end of the pilgrimage. The goal of the Lord's life and ministry is about to be reached.  In just 6 more days he would be crucified for the sins of the world!
I  The Messianic Preparations
Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem [Verse 1]
(To Bethphage at the Mount of Olives)
On Saturday, 6 days before the Passover, as they approached the city of Jerusalem, Jesus stops at the little village of Bethany:
Located 2 miles east of Jerusalem on the backside of the Mount of Olives.
A village of several hundred people
The hometown of three dear friends - Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
John 12:1-3  “Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.  There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”
 
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 21:1-22 - He's Coming Again - Part 1

Introduction
Matthew 21 initiates the last week of the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah!
Jerusalem was to be the end. He never ever leaves the vicinity of Jerusalem. This is it. He dies in the city. This is the end of Jesus’ 33 plus years. Thirty years of obscurity, three-plus years of ministry, it all ends here. This is the end of the pilgrimage. The goal of the Lord's life and ministry is about to be reached.  In just 6 more days he would be crucified for the sins of the world!
I  The Messianic Preparations
Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem [Verse 1]
(To Bethphage at the Mount of Olives)
On Saturday, 6 days before the Passover, as they approached the city of Jerusalem, Jesus stops at the little village of Bethany:
Located 2 miles east of Jerusalem on the backside of the Mount of Olives.
A village of several hundred people
The hometown of three dear friends - Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
John 12:1-3  “Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.  There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”
(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 https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Matthew 20:17-34 - Three Kinds of Blind - Part 2

Introduction
The biblically blind
The spiritually blind
The physically blind
I  Jesus Foretold of His Death to His Disciples
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem [Verse 17]
Note: This is the 4th time Jesus predicted His suffering, death and resurrection!
3 times with all 12 disciples (16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19)
Once with Jesus’ inner circle (17:12).
The disciples knew that Jesus was the Messiah, but they only understood Him as the conquering King, but not the Suffering Servant!
No matter how much Jesus declared it, they just couldn't comprehend it!
The Son of Man will be betrayed [Verse 18a]
Betrayed = Paradidomi = “To surrender, deliver or yield up”
Ps 41:9  “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread has lifted up his heel against me.”
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 20:17-34 - Three Kinds of Blind - Part 1

Introduction
The biblically blind
The spiritually blind
The physically blind
I  Jesus Foretold of His Death to His Disciples
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem [Verse 17]
Note: This is the 4th time Jesus predicted His suffering, death and resurrection!
3 times with all 12 disciples (16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19)
Once with Jesus’ inner circle (17:12).
The disciples knew that Jesus was the Messiah, but they only understood Him as the conquering King, but not the Suffering Servant!
No matter how much Jesus declared it, they just couldn't comprehend it!
The Son of Man will be betrayed [Verse 18a]
Betrayed = Paradidomi = “To surrender, deliver or yield up”
 
Ps 41:9  “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread has lifted up his heel against me.”
 
(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 https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Matthew 19:30-20:16 - God is No Man's Debtor - Part 2

Introduction
One of the most common complaints in life: “That’s not fair!” 
- You hear it from children on the playground when someone is picked and they’re not!
- You hear it from employees when someone gets promoted first or is paid more for the same work.
- You hear it from pro athletes who demand multimillion contracts only to later complain about being underpaid because someone else gets bigger payday.
- You here it when otherwise reasonable siblings argue over an inheritance.
Truth is, we tend to be very concerned about the “fairness” of life!
Most, if not all, of our complaints are based on:
Presumed rights: “The belief that a person has inalienable rights, according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory.”
Assumed entitlements: “The belief that one is inherently deserving of unique privileges or special treatment.”
Unmet expectations: “The belief that some slight, offense or injustice has occurred (violated rights and entitlements) due to the failure of a person or institution to provide what is rightly due.”
But let me ask you this:
Do you really want what you deserve?
Do you really want to be rewarded according to your conduct?
Do you really want God to treat you with justice? 
Of course not, because none of us want HELL! 
There at two truths that are key to understanding this parable:
“What I deserve I don’t want and what I want I don’t deserve!”
Professing Christians are called to depend solely on God’s mercy and grace – for salvation, for life, for EVERYTHING! 
Jesus sets out to dismantle these manmade presuppositions that He owes us something by answering Peter’s earlier question about compensation for their obedience and sacrifices for the kingdom of God in Matthew 19:30.
And He does so by illustrating the right side up realities of the Kingdom of God, over against the wrong headed thinking of “rights, entitlements and expectations”, by telling the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, which makes two things abundantly clear:
Participation in the kingdom is solely dependent upon grace!
God is no man’s debtor!
(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 https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Matthew 19:30-20:16 - God is No Man's Debtor - Part 1

Introduction
One of the most common complaints in life: “That’s not fair!” 
- You hear it from children on the playground when someone is picked and they’re not!
- You hear it from employees when someone gets promoted first or is paid more for the same work.
- You hear it from pro athletes who demand multimillion contracts only to later complain about being underpaid because someone else gets bigger payday.
- You here it when otherwise reasonable siblings argue over an inheritance.
Truth is, we tend to be very concerned about the “fairness” of life!
Most, if not all, of our complaints are based on:
Presumed rights: “The belief that a person has inalienable rights, according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory.”
Assumed entitlements: “The belief that one is inherently deserving of unique privileges or special treatment.”
Unmet expectations: “The belief that some slight, offense or injustice has occurred (violated rights and entitlements) due to the failure of a person or institution to provide what is rightly due.”
But let me ask you this:
Do you really want what you deserve?
Do you really want to be rewarded according to your conduct?
Do you really want God to treat you with justice? 
Of course not, because none of us want HELL! 
There at two truths that are key to understanding this parable:
“What I deserve I don’t want and what I want I don’t deserve!”
Professing Christians are called to depend solely on God’s mercy and grace – for salvation, for life, for EVERYTHING! 
Jesus sets out to dismantle these manmade presuppositions that He owes us something by answering Peter’s earlier question about compensation for their obedience and sacrifices for the kingdom of God in Matthew 19:30.
And He does so by illustrating the right side up realities of the Kingdom of God, over against the wrong headed thinking of “rights, entitlements and expectations”, by telling the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, which makes two things abundantly clear:
Participation in the kingdom is solely dependent upon grace!
God is no man’s debtor!
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 https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Matthew 19:16-30 - Kala and the Kingdom - Part 2

Interesting facts about money:
The first paper money was invented in China about 1,400 years ago!
Ever wonder why quarters have has 119 grooves on its edge and dimes 118? In the early days, coins were made of silver or gold and it wasn’t uncommon for thieves to sell coin shavings off the edge of coins without being detected.
A penny costs 2.4 cents to manufacture
A stack of dollar bills one mile high would be worth 14.5 million dollars and weigh 2,040.8 pounds.5. Your money may be dirtier than your bathroom toilet! 90% of bills carry trace amounts of Cocaine! And 94% of dollar bills contains bacteria, viruses and pathogens including staphylococcus?  These sicknesses, like the flu for instance, can be transmitted via your cash for up to 17 days.
There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.
If you have $10 in your pocket and no debt, you are wealthier than 25% of Americans.
I The Insufficiency of Temporal Riches
The young ruler, recognizing his own spiritual emptiness: [Verse 16]
Background on this man:
He was a man (a cultural advantage)
He was young (a physical advantage)
He was rich (a financial advantage).  From a rabbinic standpoint, his material wealth was an indicator of God’s divine favour, blessing and assurance of eternal life.
He was a ruler (a sociological advantage).  The president of a synagogue or a member of the Sanhedrin. Unusual for a young man of his age
He was a man of integrity: Devout, honest, prominent, influential, respected, transparent
He was a man of humility: He ran to Jesus - Mk 10:17a; He knelt before Jesus - Mk 10:17b;  He publically and openly confesses his spiritual emptiness!
(2014)
May God bless you through this message! 
You can support this ministry: Donate
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