Introduction

If you’ve never struggled with doubt, you’re not human! Truth be told, we all struggle from time with time with doubt!

Some doubts have little to no impact on our lives: For instance, …

1. When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?
2. If the "black box" flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn't the whole airplane made out of that stuff?
3. Why do people say, "you've been working like a dog" when dogs just sit around all day?

On the other hand, there are doubts that can have a significant impact on our self-image, the choices we make, our treatment of others, the priorities we set, the values and beliefs that rule us and the eternal outcome of our lives!

Such is the case in our text today!

May God bless you through this message!

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I A True Disciple Imitates Christ

Above = Huper = “Superior to or better or greater than”

We aren’t called to live lives superior to the character, life, agenda, conduct or words of Christ. But we are expected to be like Him! The ultimate goal of every disciple is to be like his teacher!

Application: Our goal is to cooperate with God’s transforming work!

Truth: The result of being like Christ is that we will be treated like Christ:

1. He is the Creator of the earth, but was rejected by men!
2. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, but he was despised by men!
3. He was the Savior of the world, but he was crucified by the world!

How can we expect that those who hated Him will love us?

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

I A True Disciple Imitates Christ

Above = Huper = “Superior to or better or greater than”

We aren’t called to live lives superior to the character, life, agenda, conduct or words of Christ. But we are expected to be like Him! The ultimate goal of every disciple is to be like his teacher!

Application: Our goal is to cooperate with God’s transforming work!

Truth: The result of being like Christ is that we will be treated like Christ:

1. He is the Creator of the earth, but was rejected by men!
2. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, but he was despised by men!
3. He was the Savior of the world, but he was crucified by the world!

How can we expect that those who hated Him will love us?

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

I Jesus Called the Disciples

Called = Proskaleomai = “To call toward oneself; to summon or invite”

Apostles = Apostolos = “An ambassador or messenger of the Gospel”

There is so much we could say about these twelve men, but for now, we will simply say that they were not particularly "remarkable" men - not by this world's standards, anyway. But Jesus called them to Himself; and because He did, they went on to change the world!

1. Simon Peter and Andrew
2. James and John, the sons of Zebedee
3. Philip and Bartholomew
4. Thomas and Matthew
5. James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus
6. Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot

Observation: Matthew listed these men in pairs, perhaps reflecting that he sent the disciples on this initial mission, two by two.

Principle: Never do ministry alone!!

1. Encouragement
2. Accountability
3. Strength, protection and synergy

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor … and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

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

I Jesus Called the Disciples

Called = Proskaleomai = “To call toward oneself; to summon or invite”

Apostles = Apostolos = “An ambassador or messenger of the Gospel”

There is so much we could say about these twelve men, but for now, we will simply say that they were not particularly "remarkable" men - not by this world's standards, anyway. But Jesus called them to Himself; and because He did, they went on to change the world!

1. Simon Peter and Andrew
2. James and John, the sons of Zebedee
3. Philip and Bartholomew
4. Thomas and Matthew
5. James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus
6. Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot

Observation: Matthew listed these men in pairs, perhaps reflecting that he sent the disciples on this initial mission, two by two.

Principle: Never do ministry alone!!

1. Encouragement
2. Accountability
3. Strength, protection and synergy

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor … and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

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

Matthew’s intent in writing his gospel was to present Jesus Christ as the Messiah King:

1. He proves Jesus’ genealogical credentials in Chapter 1
2. He proves Jesus’ heavenly calling by having John the Baptist identiy Him as Messiah and having the Father say, “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.”
3. In chapter 4, Satan immediately goes on the offense during Jesus’ 40 days of temptation, which He passed with flying colors!
4. He then showcases the principles of the Kingdom of God in chapters 5-7 in the Sermon on the Mount.
5. And then in chapter 8-9, he presents the attesting miracles of Christ, proving Him to be the Son of God, the promised Messiah King!
6. In the closing verses of chapter 10, Matthew transitions from the attesting miracles to the calling and sending out of the 12 by pointing out the vastness of the task, the need for workers to accomplish God’s plan.

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

Matthew’s intent in writing his gospel was to present Jesus Christ as the Messiah King:

1. He proves Jesus’ genealogical credentials in Chapter 1
2. He proves Jesus’ heavenly calling by having John the Baptist identiy Him as Messiah and having the Father say, “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.”
3. In chapter 4, Satan immediately goes on the offense during Jesus’ 40 days of temptation, which He passed with flying colors!
4. He then showcases the principles of the Kingdom of God in chapters 5-7 in the Sermon on the Mount.
5. And then in chapter 8-9, he presents the attesting miracles of Christ, proving Him to be the Son of God, the promised Messiah King!
6. In the closing verses of chapter 10, Matthew transitions from the attesting miracles to the calling and sending out of the 12 by pointing out the vastness of the task, the need for workers to accomplish God’s plan.

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

Introduction

Three levels of proof within the courts of Law in our country:

1. Proof by a preponderance of the evidence: The standard is met if the proposition is more likely to be true than not true (anything greater than 50 percent chance).
2. Proof by clear and convincing evidence: The evidence establishes a high probability that the facts are true. These first two are the standard used for civil litigation.
3. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt: This is the strictest standard of proof and requires that there be no doubt as to a person’s guilt or innocence. This is the standard for criminal proceedings. The reason that the high proof standard of reasonable doubt is used in criminal trials is that such proceedings can result in the deprivation of a defendant's liberty or even in his or her death.

In Matthew chapter 8-9, we are presented with the evidences or proof of Jesus rightful claim as the Messiah (Isa 35:5-6; 42:6-7), demonstrated by His authority:

1. Over the physical world by healing the leper (Mt 8:1-4)
2. Over the natural world by calming the storm (Mt 8:23-27)
3. Over the spiritual world by casting demons out of the demoniacs (Mt 8:28-34)
4. Over the penalty of sin by forgiving the sins of a paralytic (Mt 9:1-17)

And now, over death by bringing a dead girl back to life!

Perhaps you remember that John the Baptist had gone through a time of doubting. He was in prison; and sent some of his disciples to Jesus to ask if He truly was the Messiah. And Jesus assured him by sending them back; saying, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:4-6).

Each of these uniquely Messianic activities were prophesied over 700 years in advance of Christ! (Is 29:18; 35:5-6; 42:6-7; 61:1-2)

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