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 the Creation
2. In the Burning Bush
3. In the Pillar of Fire
4. In the Shekinah glory

A visible manifestation of the presence of God in the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle and in Solomon's Temple. The Shekinah was a luminous cloud which rested above the altar in the place of worship and lit up the room.

You can support this ministry: Donate

Enjoy the message,

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

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 His bride, He has given believers and church leaders the privilege, responsibility and authority to keep it pure, essentially saying, "You represent Me in that church and act on my behalf as an undershepherd of my sheep!

But the biblical disciplining of sinning Christians in a church body family is almost unheard of in our society. The question is, “Why?”

1. We haven’t seen it modeled and don’t know how to do it! (Ignorance)
2. We don’t want to be perceived as judgmental or unloving (Pride)
3. We don’t want the hassle of the corrective process (Apathy/indifference)
4. We fear losing long-time friends and ministry associates (Cowardice)
5. We are afraid of losing church members -- and their tithe (Greed)
6. We are afraid of lawsuits (Fear of man). Prov 29:25 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Regardless of what excuse we use for not following God’s directive to exercise church discipline, at the end of the day, it amounts to disobedience to His clear directives and commands!

I The Purpose of Church Discipline

What is Church Discipline? “It is the corrective process instituted by Christ Jesus to bring repentance, restoration and recovery to a sinning member of His body and to protect the church from the corrupting influence of sin.”

( 7/27/2014)

You can support this ministry: Donate

Blessings, The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

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 His bride, He has given believers and church leaders the privilege, responsibility and authority to keep it pure, essentially saying, "You represent Me in that church and act on my behalf as an undershepherd of my sheep!

But the biblical disciplining of sinning Christians in a church body family is almost unheard of in our society. The question is, “Why?”

1. We haven’t seen it modeled and don’t know how to do it! (Ignorance)
2. We don’t want to be perceived as judgmental or unloving (Pride)
3. We don’t want the hassle of the corrective process (Apathy/indifference)
4. We fear losing long-time friends and ministry associates (Cowardice)
5. We are afraid of losing church members -- and their tithe (Greed)
6. We are afraid of lawsuits (Fear of man). Prov 29:25 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Regardless of what excuse we use for not following God’s directive to exercise church discipline, at the end of the day, it amounts to disobedience to His clear directives and commands!

I The Purpose of Church Discipline

What is Church Discipline? “It is the corrective process instituted by Christ Jesus to bring repentance, restoration and recovery to a sinning member of His body and to protect the church from the corrupting influence of sin.”

( 7/27/2014)

You can support this ministry: Donate

Blessings, The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

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 you disputed among yourselves on the road?" But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.”

1. At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying: [Verse 1]
2. “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Greatest = Meizon = “Larger, eldest, greatest”

Kingdom of Heaven = “The sphere of God's rule”

1. The Kingdom of God emphasizes the ruler
2. The Kingdom of heaven emphasizes the character of His ruling

Jesus had just taught in Matt 16:24 that if any would come after Me:

1. Let him deny himself
2. Let him take up his cross
3. Let him follow Me
4. Let him lose his life and he will find it

Summary: “The cross before the crown and grief before glory!”

But the disciples are so skewed in their biblical understanding of the mission and agenda of the Messiah that they remained adamant in their pursuit of position, promotion, prominence and personal greatness – and they would remain so until after Christ’s resurrection!

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

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 you disputed among yourselves on the road?" But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.”

1. At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying: [Verse 1]
2. “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Greatest = Meizon = “Larger, eldest, greatest”

Kingdom of Heaven = “The sphere of God's rule”

1. The Kingdom of God emphasizes the ruler
2. The Kingdom of heaven emphasizes the character of His ruling

Jesus had just taught in Matt 16:24 that if any would come after Me:

1. Let him deny himself
2. Let him take up his cross
3. Let him follow Me
4. Let him lose his life and he will find it

Summary: “The cross before the crown and grief before glory!”

But the disciples are so skewed in their biblical understanding of the mission and agenda of the Messiah that they remained adamant in their pursuit of position, promotion, prominence and personal greatness – and they would remain so until after Christ’s resurrection!

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

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 thankful for:

1. We have been forgiven of our sins
2. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit
3. We have direct access and fellowship with God through His Word and prayer
4. We have the knowledge that God is always working for our ultimate good
5. We have been placed in the family God with wonderful sisters and brothers
6. We have assurance of eternal life
7. We have the promise of an eternal inheritance with Christ

In light of the many blessing that God has given us, our lives should be full of praise, thanksgiving, and joy.

May God bless you through this message!

The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

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 thankful for:

1. We have been forgiven of our sins
2. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit
3. We have direct access and fellowship with God through His Word and prayer
4. We have the knowledge that God is always working for our ultimate good
5. We have been placed in the family God with wonderful sisters and brothers
6. We have assurance of eternal life
7. We have the promise of an eternal inheritance with Christ

In light of the many blessing that God has given us, our lives should be full of praise, thanksgiving, and joy.

May God bless you through this message!

The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

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 return to the unsettling valley of reality!

(2014)

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life