E.P.I.C. Word of Truth

From Slaves to Sin – to Kingdom Living (Matthew 5:1-3)

The Sermon on the Mount is widely recognized as the heart of the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. Although almost 2000 years have passed since Jesus uttered these words, they remain as relevant today as when the Savior's lips first breathed them.
One author described the Sermon on the Mount this way:
“After nineteen hundred years the Sermon on the Mount still haunts men. They may praise it, as Mahatma Gandhi did; or like Nietzsche, they may curse it. They cannot ignore it. Its words are winged words, quick and powerful to rebuke, to challenge, to inspire. And though some turn from it in despair, it continues, like some mighty magnetic mountain, to attract to itself the greatest spirits of our race (many not Christians), so that if some world-wide vote were taken, there is little doubt that men would account it ‘the most searching and powerful utterance we posses on what concerns the moral life.’”[1]
The Sermon on the Mount does express the ethic of the Millennial Kingdom, but it also applies to all of God’s people at this moment in history.
The righteousness described in the Sermon on the Mount should be the goal for the character and conduct of every believer today.[2]
“Although the Sermon on the Mount may drive sinners to seek God’s forgiving grace, the sermon was intended to be a description of the effects of God’s transforming grace. Believers should recognize that the righteousness described in the Sermon on the Mount is not attained through mere human effort. On the contrary, this amazing righteousness is progressively produced in Jesus’ disciples through the expression of God’s saving power.”[3]
 
[1] (Hunter, 1965)
[2] (Quarles, 2011)
[3] (Quarles, 2011)

The Self-Existence, Eternity, & Transcendence of God

The attributes of God are not that of which He is composed. The fact that God is God should indicate to us that God is not composed of anything, He is not a sum of His attributes.
Anything that is composed of different parts, or attributes of its nature, had to be composed by something greater than the composition. If God, the Almighty Father, had been composed, then something greater than God would have had to do the composing.
But God is not composed of His various attributes, God is not made of parts, God is not made, God simply is, and always was, and always will be. A.W. Tozer put it this way:
“God’s attributes are not God; that is, I say that God is self-existent, but that’s something that I posit about God – that isn’t God. I say that God is holy, but holiness is not God. I say that God is wisdom, but wisdom is not God. God is God!”[1]
Now, I want you to imagine for a moment the vastness of the universe. Picture the innumerable stars, galaxies, and celestial wonders that stretch beyond our comprehension. Now, consider the One who spoke all of this into existence with a word.
Imagine the One who was before time itself began, who exists in perfect independence, needing nothing and needing no one, yet choosing to create, choosing to create so that He could love, and so that He could redeem, so that He could redeem a race that would reject Him, blaspheme Him, and eventually crucify His own Son.
With this message, we are going to explore a little bit of that God, and the attributes or qualities of that God that led Him to do just that.
We are going to explore the profound and awe-inspiring attributes of our God: His Self-Existence, Eternity, and Transcendence. These are not mere theological concepts, but truths that reveal the very nature of the Almighty. They should shake us to the core and draw us into deeper worship and adoration.
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[1] (Tozer, 2015)

Angelology: The Doctrine of Angels - Part 1

The Bible speaks often of angels, and yet their true nature, purpose, and activities are subjects shrouded in both wonder and misconception. Today, we will journey through the Scriptures to explore the characteristics of these extraordinary beings, who serve as messengers, warriors, and ministers of God's divine will.
Imagine with me for a moment a realm teeming with beings of unimaginable power and purity, a realm that intersects with our own in ways we often cannot see, that we cannot begin to comprehend, but at times we can profoundly feel or sense.
This realm is not a product of human imagination or the stuff of ancient myths; it is reality. It is a reality described in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Today, journey into this realm as we begin our study of the Doctrine of Angels.
Our study will encompass three key areas:
Creation and Existence of Angels
Characteristics of Angels: Angels are spiritual beings created by God, possessing remarkable power, intelligence, and holiness. They are innumerable, and though they are spirits, they can take on physical forms when required by God's purposes.
Organization, Nature & Employment of the Holy Angels: The Holy Angels, those who have remained faithful to God, are organized into various ranks and orders. We will explore the archangel, Michael, the captain of the heavenly host, and Gabriel, God's special messenger.
We will look into the seraphim, who stand in the presence of God, crying, "Holy, holy, holy," and the cherubim, who guard the glory of God. We will also consider the roles of the ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14).
So, as we open the Scriptures and explore these profound truths, let us do so with hearts full of reverence and minds eager to understand more fully the mysteries of God's creation.
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Proclamation, Compassion & Mental Infirmity (Matthew 4:23-5:1)

First, we observe Jesus teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
His message was one of repentance, hope, and the imminent arrival of God's Kingdom. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus preached with authority and clarity, captivating the hearts and minds of His listeners. This was not just a proclamation; it was an invitation to enter into a new relationship with God, a relationship defined by grace and truth.
Second, we see Jesus healing all manner of sickness and disease.
His miracles were not mere acts of compassion; they were signs of the Kingdom's power breaking into the world. Every healing was a foretaste of the restoration and wholeness that the Kingdom of God brings.
Lastly, we witness the multitudes following Him.
From Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond Jordan, people flocked to Jesus. They were drawn by His teachings, His miracles, and His undeniable presence. They came seeking healing, hope, and the words of eternal life that only He could provide.
As we embark on this series exploring the Sermon on the Mount, let us remember the profound impact of Jesus' ministry that drew the multitudes to Him.
It was a ministry marked by powerful preaching.
It was a ministry marked by compassionate healing.
And it was a ministry marked by a magnetic draw that transcended social and geographical boundaries.
May we, too, be drawn to His words, seeking to understand and live by the principles He taught. May the Lord open our hearts and minds as we journey through His Word together.

Assassination Attempt & It's Practical Theological Implications

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The recent events in our country should draw our hearts and minds to contemplate those three profound and interwoven truths:
The sovereignty of God,
The depravity of man,
And the fragility of life.
These truths reveal the grandeur of God's reign, the depths of our fallen state, and the fleeting nature of our earthly existence.
God‘s hand, God's sovereign hand, I believe, was truly there in Butler Pennsylvania eight days ago. God is not finished writing the story that is the life of President Donald Trump. God has a purpose for him to be alive. President Trump, himself, recognized the gracious and providential hand of God in the events of that day.
God spared His life, miraculously spared his life – I don’t think you can argue against that statement. But just as God still has something He wants from the life of our former president - God still has something for each and every one of us:
He still has plans for our lives.
He has things He wants us to do for Him.
He has a perfect will for our life that He still wants done.
Everything I just said is true or we would not be here today either.
Eight days ago, the events in Butler Pennsylvania got me thinking we need to ponder these truths as a church. We need to contemplate what we saw happen. But I think we need to look at it theologically.
We need to look at those events from a theological perspective and the main three theological themes that kept coming to my mind as I considered what happened there in Butler Pennsylvania, with the attempted assassination of President Trump and the death of the firefighter from Pennsylvania, the three theological things that kept coming to mind were:
the sovereignty and providential hand of God in the lives of men,
the depravity and the sinfulness of man, of how one man could desire to kill other men,
and the third theological thing that kept coming to my mind was the fragility of life. Our life is a vapor. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. We are not guaranteed this evening, much less tomorrow.
In the book of Daniel, we read, "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" (Daniel 4:35). Here the Word of God declares God’s absolute sovereignty. He reigns supreme over all creation.
His decrees are unchallenged,
His purposes are unthwarted.
He is the Alpha and the Omega, orchestrating all things according to His divine will.

Submitting Our Priorities to God: (1) God, (2) Family, & (3) Church

The time comes in every Christian's life when we must make a pivotal decision: whom will we serve? Joshua's challenge to the Israelites resonates through the ages and into our very hearts today.
He declared in Joshua 24:15, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
The choice he presented was stark and clear-cut: serve the LORD or serve false gods. Today, the challenge remains the same, though the false gods may take different forms.
Are we going to serve the Lord, or are we going to serve ourselves and our priorities?
Are we going to serve evil and the devil, or are we going to serve the Lord?
Are we going to serve tradition or are we going to serve the Lord our God properly?

The Gospel & Babylon (Revelation 14:6-8)

In this message we turn our attention to Revelation 14:6-8, a passage that serves as a powerful reminder of God’s ultimate sovereignty and justice. As we navigate through this prophetic vision, we are confronted with the reality of divine judgment and the urgency of the gospel message.
This section of Scripture, set within the larger context of the Tribulation, provides us with profound insights into God's righteous dealings with humanity and the fate of those who reject His grace.
The passage begins with the vision of three angels, each delivering a critical message to the inhabitants of the earth:
The first angel, flying in the midst of heaven, proclaims the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people (Revelation 14:6). This angelic herald emphasizes the universal scope of the gospel, calling all people to "fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come" (Revelation 14:7). This proclamation underscores the imminence of divine judgment and the need for repentance.
The second angel follows, announcing the fall of Babylon the Great, "that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Revelation 14:8). Babylon stands for the corrupt world system in rebellion against God, and its fall signifies the inevitable collapse of all that stands opposed to God's righteousness.

Exhortation, Fellowship & Grace (Hebrews 13:22-25)

The Book of Hebrews has consistently pointed us to the supremacy of Christ. We have seen Jesus Christ exalted above angels, above Moses, and above the Levitical priesthood. To put it simply: Christ is So Much Better!
We have been reminded that He is our great High Priest, who has entered once and for all into the holy place, obtaining eternal redemption for us. We have explored the themes of faith, perseverance, and the New Covenant, learning that our faith is anchored in the perfect work of Christ.
We have been warned against the dangers of drifting away, of hardening our hearts, and of falling into apostasy. Yet, we have also been encouraged by the "great cloud of witnesses" that surrounds us, urging us to run with endurance the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
As we come to the final verses of this magnificent letter, Hebrews 13:22-25, we find the writer's closing remarks—a heartfelt plea, a blessing, and final greetings.

The Great Shepherd, His Workers & His Power (Hebrews 13:17-21)

 While addressing the relationship between spiritual leaders and their congregations, this passage offers profound insights that are particularly relevant as we consider the role of fathers in our lives and the church's life.
This passage calls us to obedience and submission to those who lead us, for they watch over our souls with a sense of divine accountability. Fathers, too, are called to be shepherds in their households, guiding their children in the ways of the Lord with love and integrity.
Just as spiritual leaders are to watch over the flock of God, fathers are entrusted with the spiritual nurturing and protection of their families – that is the most important thing fathers can do, and that is our priority, this responsibility has priority over all other things for fathers.
The role of a father mirrors that of our heavenly Father—caring, guiding, disciplining, and loving unconditionally. This caring guiding, and loving is not based on how our children behave or how they behave toward us – fathers we are to do all this unconditionally.
Fathers, much like our spiritual leaders, are to lead by example, living out our faith in every aspect of life. We are to be men of good conscience, striving to live honestly and in a manner that glorifies God.

When Lies are Told About Us (Proverbs 12:19)

Welcome, today, we’re discussing a topic that many of us have faced—dealing with people who believe lies about us. We’ll explore how to respond, encourage ourselves in the Lord, and move on with peace and confidence.
It’s incredibly disheartening when people believe lies about you, especially when you’ve lived with integrity. Proverbs 12:19 reminds us, "The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." The truth stands the test of time, while lies are fleeting.
In Proverbs 6:16-19 the Lord tells us just what He thinks about lies and the liars that tell them, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Jesus faced false accusations throughout His ministry. In I Peter 2:23, we read, "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." Instead of retaliating, Jesus entrusted Himself to God. We, too, should refrain from responding in anger or seeking revenge.
Following Jesus' example in responding to false accusations and lies about us is a powerful testimony to our faith and character. Jesus faced numerous false accusations throughout His ministry, especially during His trial and crucifixion. Let's look at some key principles we can glean from His response, grounded in Scripture.
In the face of false accusations, Jesus often chose silence. In Matthew 26:62-63, during His trial before the high priest, we read, "And the high priest arose, and said unto Him, Answerest Thou nothing? what is it which these witness against Thee? But Jesus held His peace."
By holding His peace, Jesus demonstrated control and trust in God's ultimate justice. This echoes the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7, "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."
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