Epikos Church Sermons

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering emphasizes two key aspects of Daniel's character: his resolution to remain faithful to his beliefs and his ability to remain relevant in Babylonian society. Mark encourages us to pursue a "relevant faith" that engages with the changing world while maintaining an unchanging faith, always striving to give glory to God rather than ourselves. We as believers are called to excel in our spheres of influence while remaining resolute in our faith, ultimately pointing others to Jesus.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Frank Gil discusses the biblical story of Rahab, a prostitute who helped Israelite spies and later became an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Pastor Frank uses Rahab's story to illustrate how God can transform lives and change labels, emphasizing that a person's past or current circumstances don't define their future. He challenges us to look beyond labels and preconceived notions, especially in today's polarized political climate, and to see the humanity and potential in everyone. Pastor Frank encourages his listeners to actively engage in community service and to prioritize their citizenship in God's Kingdom over earthly divisions. He concludes by urging us to show grace and compassion to others, just as God has shown them grace.

In this sermon, Pastor Mark Deering discusses the story of the Tower of Babel from Genesis 11. He uses the narrative to illustrate the contrast between building one's own kingdom and participating in God's kingdom. Pastor Mark explains that the Tower of Babel serves as a blueprint for human pride and self-glorification, which ultimately leads to confusion and division. He contrasts this with the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, where God unifies people through the Holy Spirit. He then emphasizes the importance of community, humility, and imitating Jesus rather than seeking personal glory. He encourages us to examine their motivations and to build our lives in a way that points others to God, rather than to ourselves.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Jacob Michalski uses the biblical narrative in Genesis 4 to illustrate the human tendency towards anger, revenge, and sin, contrasting it with God's call for forgiveness and mercy. He relates the story of Cain's murder of Abel and the subsequent legacy of violence through Cain's descendant Lamech to modern-day struggles with anger and retaliation. Pastor Jacob then shifts to Jesus' teachings on forgiveness, emphasizing the need to forgive "77 times" as a reversal of Lamech's vow of vengeance.

This sermon introduces a new series called "Citizens" which explores the concept of the Kingdom of God and what it means to be a citizen of that kingdom. Pastor Mark Deering explains that the Kingdom of God is not a physical place, but rather God's rule and reign through His people. He traces this theme from Genesis through to Revelation, emphasizing Jesus' role in establishing the kingdom. Pastor Mark encourages us to understand our identity as citizens of God's Kingdom, imitating Christ in all areas of life. He cautions against isolating from the world or conflating earthly politics with God's Kingdom, instead urging believers to live faithfully as representatives of God's Kingdom here on earth.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Tommy Hutchison explains that Psalm 121 is meant to bring comfort, joy, and encouragement to its listeners. He breaks down the psalm verse by verse, emphasizing its duet-like structure and the central message that God is always present as a keeper and protector. Pastor Tommy encourages us to internalize its message, whether we are going through difficult times or celebrating joyful moments.

This week's sermon by Pastor Mark Deering focuses on the concept of lament in the Bible, particularly examining Lamentations 3:22–24. Pastor Mark explains that lament is a way to express grief, confusion, and protest to God, and is an important part of spiritual formation. He emphasizes that true lament always ends with hope, distinguishing it from mere complaining. He uses the example of Jeremiah lamenting over Jerusalem's destruction to illustrate how one can declare God's faithfulness even in dire circumstances. Pastor Mark encourages us to practice lament as a spiritual discipline, especially in preparation for the upcoming political season, and suggests ways to incorporate lament into personal spiritual practices.

This week's sermon focuses on Ephesians 2:1–10, discussing the transformation of believers from spiritual death to life in Christ. Pastor Frank Gil emphasizes that before accepting Christ, all people are "dead in trespasses and sins," following worldly desires and deserving God's wrath. However, he highlights the pivotal phrase "but God," which marks the intervention of God's mercy and love. Pastor Frank explains that through God's grace, believers are saved and made alive in Christ, not by their own doing but as a gift from God. He concludes by encouraging the congregation to live out their faith actively, using their God-given gifts to serve others and reflect Christ's love in all areas of life.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Jacob Machelski explores Psalm 46, focusing on the verse "Be still and know that I am God." He emphasizes understanding this verse within the context of the entire psalm, which portrays God as a refuge amidst worldly chaos. Pastor Jacob argues that truly knowing God involves developing a deep trust in Him, not just intellectual acknowledgment. He addresses the challenge of being "still" in today's hectic world, suggesting that it requires letting go of control and trusting in God's protection. The sermon concludes with practical spiritual practices to cultivate stillness and combat anxiety, including fixed-hour prayer, Sabbath observance, and breath prayers.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering discusses the importance of Psalm 131, one of the "Psalms of Ascent" that the Israelites would sing as they traveled to Jerusalem. He explains that the psalm is about humility, resting in God, and finding hope in the Lord, despite the noise and chaos of life. Pastor Mark encourages us to follow the example of King David and Jesus by laying down our pride, calming our souls, and trusting fully in God. He suggests practical steps to reduce the "noise" in our lives and cultivate a disciplined state of rest with the Heavenly Father.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering provides historical context for Zephaniah's prophecies, explaining the prophet's role during the reign of King Josiah in Judah. He emphasizes that Zephaniah's message includes both warnings of God's judgment (the "day of the Lord") and promises of salvation for a faithful remnant. The sermon culminates in an exploration of Zephaniah 3:17, highlighting God's presence, His power to save, His joy over His people, and His love.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Tommy Hutchison explains how 3 John connects to John's other writings and emphasizes its key messages. He highlighted the importance of hospitality, generosity, and supporting those who spread the gospel. The sermon stresses the need to imitate good, even when facing opposition, and to remember we're not alone in our faith journey.

"This week's sermon by Pastor Jacob Michalski explores the final passages of 1 John, chapter 5, focusing on the theme of caring for fellow believers through prayer. In the sermon, he grapples with the concept of ""sin that leads to death,"" offering various interpretations while ultimately emphasizing that our main concern should be praying for fellow believers when we see them stumble. The sermon highlights that God responds to these prayers by giving life, and believers are called to protect one another from evil influences. Pastor Jacob also discusses the letter's closing thoughts, which reinforce knowing the truth, abiding in Christ, and guarding against idols. He stresses the need for discernment in a world full of distractions and false promises, encouraging us to immerse ourselves in Scripture and a supportive Christian community. The overarching message is that walking in faith requires collaboration; believers need each other to stay focused on Jesus and combat the lures of worldly idols."

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering focuses on the themes of eternal life and prayer. He emphasizes that eternal life begins when one has saving faith in Jesus Christ, not just after physical death. He encourages boldness and confidence in prayer, as believers are invited into God's presence through Jesus. Mark guides us through different types of prayer—upward (praising God), inward (personal requests), and outward (interceding for others). He challenges us to fuel our life of faith through bold prayers, not holding back but praying with the confidence that God hears us.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering discusses the testimony of the "three witnesses" mentioned in 1 John 5:6–12—the water (Jesus' baptism), the blood (Jesus' atoning sacrifice), and the Spirit (the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers)—as proof that Jesus is who He claimed to be. He encourages us to stand firm in our faith, live a life that defends our faith, and humbly learn how to better articulate and defend our beliefs when facing opposition or skepticism, as God has given us all we need to maintain our confidence in Christ.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering delves into the topic of discernment, discussing how the Apostle John instructed the early church to test every spirit or way of thinking against two litmus tests: whether it upholds their view of Jesus, and whether it upholds their unity under Christ. He shares some practical steps for growing in spiritual discernment by being Spirit-filled, listening and learning, and disagreeing well on non-essential matters while remaining united under the essentials of the faith. He closes out the sermon by encouraging us to foster unity amidst differing viewpoints by keeping Christ at the center.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Frank Gil, encourages us to have a confident faith that controls lying thoughts, emboldens prayers, and empowers obedience to God. He explains that feelings and insecure thoughts can be deceptive, but believers should find assurance in God's love and their position as his children, evidenced by loving others and obeying his commands. Though prayers may not always be answered as desired, a confident faith trusts God's will. Ultimately, a confident faith leads to obedience to Christ's commandments to believe in him and love others, which is enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit given to all true believers.

In this week's sermon, Pastor Mark Deering delves into the topic of discernment, discussing how the Apostle John instructed the early church to test every spirit or way of thinking against two litmus tests: whether it upholds their view of Jesus, and whether it upholds their unity under Christ. He shares some practical steps for growing in spiritual discernment by being Spirit-filled, listening and learning, and disagreeing well on non-essential matters while remaining united under the essentials of the faith. He closes out the sermon by encouraging us to foster unity amidst differing viewpoints by keeping Christ at the center.