The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

There are at least three types of darkness a person can experience in life:

1. Physical darkness
2. Emotional darkness
3. Spiritual darkness

Fortunately, physical and emotional darkness are usually temporal. But the Good News is that spiritual darkness is something that no man or woman has to live with.  If you want, you can come out of the darkness and into the light! 

I The Promise of God's Light: Foreshadowed in the OT

1. In...

There are at least three types of darkness a person can experience in life:

1. Physical darkness
2. Emotional darkness
3. Spiritual darkness

Fortunately, physical and emotional darkness are usually temporal. But the Good News is that spiritual darkness is something that no man or woman has to live with.  If you want, you can come out of the darkness and into the light! 

I The Promise of God's Light: Foreshadowed in the OT

1. In...

Introduction

 The church is a holy community created by God and intended to reflect His character and glory in the midst of a fallen world.  God loves the church and His ultimate purpose for His church is to make it a gift to His Son; thus He calls it the Bride of Christ.  For this reason the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are constantly at work to purify the church and bring her to maturity (Eph 4:7-16; 5:25-27).

Until He returns for...

Introduction

 The church is a holy community created by God and intended to reflect His character and glory in the midst of a fallen world.  God loves the church and His ultimate purpose for His church is to make it a gift to His Son; thus He calls it the Bride of Christ.  For this reason the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are constantly at work to purify the church and bring her to maturity (Eph 4:7-16; 5:25-27).

Until He returns for...

Introduction

Matthew 18 is all about the King’s kids:

1. How they enter the Kingdom of Heaven - Matt 18:3-4
2. How they're to be treated - Matt 18:5-9
3. How they're to be cared for - Matt 18:10-14
4. How they're to be disciplined - Matt 18:15-20
5. 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 ...

Introduction

Matthew 18 is all about the King’s kids:

1. How they enter the Kingdom of Heaven - Matt 18:3-4
2. How they're to be treated - Matt 18:5-9
3. How they're to be cared for - Matt 18:10-14
4. How they're to be disciplined - Matt 18:15-20
5. 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 ...

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 thankfu...

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 thankfu...

Review:

1. 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!
2. 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 r...

Review:

1. 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!
2. 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 r...

I The Revelation of Jesus’ Identity

Now, after six days: [Verse 1]

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 pr...

I The Revelation of Jesus’ Identity

Now, after six days: [Verse 1]

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 pr...

Introduction

The Confession of Simon Peter (16:13-20)

1. 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?”
2. Peter, acting as a spokesman for the group, made two historic assertions:
3. “You are the Christ”: The anointed Messiah of God (His mission)
4. “The Son of the Living God”: More than a pr...

Introduction

The Confession of Simon Peter (16:13-20)

1. 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?”
2. Peter, acting as a spokesman for the group, made two historic assertions:
3. “You are the Christ”: The anointed Messiah of God (His mission)
4. “The Son of the Living God”: More than a pr...

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 ...

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 ...

Introduction Allude

We left off in Matthew 15, where Jesus was up in Gennesaret, being confronted by the Pharisees and Scribes for not requiring His disciples to practice ritualistic hand washing – an extra-biblical tradition of the elders not found in the Bible!

If that weren’t enough to upset Israel’s religious leaders, now Jesus redirects His ministry and attention toward the surrounding pagan Gentiles!

(2014)

May God bless you ...

Introduction Allude

We left off in Matthew 15, where Jesus was up in Gennesaret, being confronted by the Pharisees and Scribes for not requiring His disciples to practice ritualistic hand washing – an extra-biblical tradition of the elders not found in the Bible!

If that weren’t enough to upset Israel’s religious leaders, now Jesus redirects His ministry and attention toward the surrounding pagan Gentiles!

(2014)

May God bless you ...

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:

1. The Mormons have the Bible PLUS the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.
2. The Jehovah Witnesses have their own translation of the Bible called the New World Translation of the Ho...