Epikos Church Sermons

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.