Epikos Church Sermons Epikos Church

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.