The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

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! 
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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
(2011)
May God bless you through this message! 
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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! 
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Matthew 5:31-48 - Corrections and Clarifications - 2: Part 1

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
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Matthew 5:17-30 - Corrections and Clarifications - 1

Like the errant newspapers of today, the religious leaders in Israel had misinterpreted the facts about the true meaning of the Law and had disseminated their misinformation among their fellow Jews for centuries. Jesus gives the correct interpretation of the law.
Note: The last half of the sermon is missing, but the instructive notes for Reconciliation are below:
The appeal for corrective action:     [Verse 23-24]
If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you:
Leave your gift there in front of the altar
First, go and be reconciled to your brother
Then come and offer your gift
How important is it to reconcile broken relationships?  So important that it takes priority over everything else – including worship!!
Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court
Do it while you are still with him on the way
On the way to where?  To civil court – the place that Paul exhorts believers in conflict to avoid at all costs since it represents an utter failure on the part of Christ-following believers (1 Cor 6:1-6).
The rationale: [Verse 25-26]
Reconciliation is preferable to imprisonment
Or he may hand you over to the judge
The judge may hand you over to the officer
You may be thrown into prison
You will not get out until you have paid the last penny
Penny = Kodrantes = “One tenth of a denarius (a day’s pay)
It was the smallest Roman coin in use among the Jews at that time.
Biblical process of reconciliation: Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15-17
1. Be willing to see your own fault/sin and confess it
Be eager to repent of your sin
Be ready to ask for forgiveness for your sin
4. Be prepared to make restitution when appropriate
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 4:1-25 - The Leader and His Followers - Part 2

Introduction
Matthew skips some of the earliest events as recorded in John's Gospel: the wedding at Cana, the first cleansing of the temple, the encounter with Nicodemus, the visit to Samaria and reveals to us a most remarkable event – the temptation of the Messiah!
Why is this event so important?
It represented a supernatural showdown between Satan and the Son of God
It reversed the failure of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Where the first Adam failed, the Second Adam triumphed!
It demonstrated Jesus’ holy, sinless and perfect role as the atoning Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world
It enabled Jesus to identify with mankind and become a sympathetic High Priest
It offers believers a biblical pattern for overcoming temptation
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 4:1-25 - The Leader and His Followers - Part 1

Introduction
Matthew skips some of the earliest events as recorded in John's Gospel: the wedding at Cana, the first cleansing of the temple, the encounter with Nicodemus, the visit to Samaria and reveals to us a most remarkable event – the temptation of the Messiah!
Why is this event so important?
It represented a supernatural showdown between Satan and the Son of God
It reversed the failure of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Where the first Adam failed, the Second Adam triumphed!
It demonstrated Jesus’ holy, sinless and perfect role as the atoning Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world
It enabled Jesus to identify with mankind and become a sympathetic High Priest
It offers believers a biblical pattern for overcoming temptation
(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

What a Mother Needs (Ephesians 5:25-33)

When you consider the job description of mothering, it is truly astonishing:
A mother is the family chauffeur, gardener, family counselor, teacher, pediatrician, entertainer, maintenance worker, cleaning woman, housekeeper, cook, errand runner, bookkeeper/budget manager, interior decorator, caterer, dietitian, secretary, public relations person, and hostess.  
Being a mother is definitely challenging.  In fact, at times, it can be overwhelming.  Here are some challenges that mothers face:
1) Low self-esteem
2) Monotony and loneliness
3) Stress from too many demands
4) Lack of time with her husband
5) Confusion about child discipline
6) Maintaining a peaceful home atmosphere
7) Need for outside role models
8) The daily challenging of training up children
(From And Then I Had Children, Susan A. Yates)
 
In light of these challenges, what does a mother really need?  What does you mother really need?  Obviously, she your needs your respect, your love and your appreciation.  But there is something a mother needs even more than these.  Since God created women and motherhood, let’s turn to Ephesians 5 and find out what God says mothers need most.      (2001)
May God bless you through this message! 
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Matthew 3:1-17 - The Baptism of Jesus - Part 2

In Matthew chapters 1 and 2 we were introduced to Promised Messiah:
His genealogy: Being of the ancestry and lineage of King David
His virgin birth: Conceived of the Holy Spirit
His visiting guests: The Wise Men, AKA King-Makers, of Persia
His miraculous deliverance from King Herod
Only Luke’s gospel records any events of Jesus’ childhood:
He astonished the spiritual leaders of Israel with the depth of his spiritual understanding and insight (Luke 2:41-48).
He had an awareness of God’s calling on his life (Luke 2:49)
He was obedient to his parents (Luke 2:51)
He grew: (Luke 2:52)
In wisdom and stature
In favor with God and men
Unlike Luke’s account, Matthew skips directly ahead 28 years to the start of Jesus’ ministry.
May God bless you through this message! 
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