The Protestant Evangelical Church of Narbonne

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Obedience to God is evidence of our love for him. Why does God demand obedience? What is obedience? How do we learn obedience? What are the results of obedience? These are the questions that this message seeks to answer. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Deuteronomy 5:27​-29; 26:16-19 1 Samuel 15:19​-23 Matthew 7:21​-23; 24:45-47 Luke 6:46​-49; 18:9-14 John 14:15​ Acts 5:29​-32; 26:19-20 Philippians 4:7 Hebrews 5:7-9 1 John 5:1-5 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

In this final message in the series on the fear of the Lord, we will look at Jesus Christ. He is the clearest and fullest revelation of who God is and how we ought to relate to him. Getting to know Jesus will help us to better understand what it means to live in the fear of the Lord. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Isaiah 2:5; 50:10-11 Zechariah 14:9, 12-19 Matthew 10:28​, 32-39; 16:27​; 19:28​; 21:12; 24:30-31; 25:31-46 Mark 11:15​ John 1:1-5, 14, 29, 36; 2:15​; 3:17​-21; 5:22​, 25-29; 8:12​, 58; 9:5; 10:17​-18, 30; 12:47​-48; 17:5, 24 Acts 8:32​; 10:42​; 17:30​-31 Romans 2:16​ 1 Corinthians 4:4-5; 5:7; 8:6; 15:24​-28 2 Corinthians 5:10​ Ephesians 5:21​ Philippians 2:5-11 Colossians 1:16​-17 2 Timothy 4:1, 8 Hebrews 1:1-3 1 Peter 1:19​; 3:22​ 1 John 1:7 Revelation 1:10​-18; 6:15​-17; 13:8; 14:7; 19:11​-21; 20:12-13; 21:22-27; 22:13 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

November 15 is the universal day of prayer for the persecuted church. In this message, I will be answering three questions: Why does God allow Christians to be persecuted? What can we do to help persecuted Christians? How can we prepare for persecution? Open Doors UK: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/​ Open Doors USA: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/​ Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Genesis 15:16​ Psalm 9:13​; 119:84-88, 157, 161 Jeremiah 17:18​; 20:11​ Matthew 5:10​-12, 44; 10:17​-39; 13:20​-21; 24:9-13 Mark 4:17​; 10:29​-30 Luke 6:22​; 21:12​ John 5:16​; 12:48​; 15:20​; 17:15​ Acts 4:21​-31; 5:41​; 8:1; 9:4-5; 11:19​; 12:1; 13:50​; 22:4-8; 26:11​-15 Romans 8:28​-39; 12:14​, 18; 13:1-5; 15:30​-32 1 Corinthians 4:12​; 10:13​; 15:9 2 Corinthians 4:1-18; 10:4; 12:9-10 Galatians 1:13​-24; 5:11​; 6:12​ Ephesians 6:10​-20 Philippians 1:29​; 3:4-6, 10-11 Colossians 1:9-10; 4:12​ 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 3:4-8 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, 11-12; 3:1-3 1 Timothy 1:13​ 2 Timothy 3:10​-13 Hebrews 10:32​-39; 11:13​-16, 32-38; 13:18​-19 James 1:2-4 1 Peter 1:13​; 3:13​-17; 4:13​-18; 5:6-11 Revelation 2:10​; 14:11​-13 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

In this third message on “the fear of the Lord”, we will examine the biblical images of God as the Judge of all the earth and God as a consuming fire. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Exodus 3:2-5; 13:21 Leviticus 19:15 1 Samuel 24:12, 15 2 Chronicles 19:4-7 Psalm 96:1-13; 119:105 Isaiah 6:1-7; 33:22; 43:1-3 Ezekiel 18:25-32 Malachi 3:2-5 Matthew 6:14-15; 7:2 Mark 16:16 Acts 2:38; 3:19; 4:12 16:31 Romans 10:9-13 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 1 Timothy 2:4 Hebrews 10:26-31; 12:18-29 1 Peter 4:3-5, 17 1 John 1:5-7, 9 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

This message builds on the previous message and further develops our understanding of what is meant by the expression “the fear of the Lord” by examining the biblical images of God as the Creator/King and heavenly Father. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Genesis 1; 3 Deuteronomy 32:3-6 Psalm 95:1-11; 115:12-15; 121:1-8; 146:5-10; 149:1-5 Proverbs 14:31 Ecclesiastes 11:5 Isaiah 29:15-16; 40:28-31; 43:15; 45:9-13; 64:8 Jeremiah 18:1-10 Romans 1:20-25; 8:15; 9:20-21 Galatians 4:5 Ephesians 1:5; 2:1-3 1 Timothy 6:13-16 Hebrews 12:7-11 1 Peter 4:12-19 1 John 3:10 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

The Bible makes it clear that the fear of the Lord is something that everyone needs. The wicked don’t have the fear of the Lord and the righteous do have it. But what is the fear of the Lord? Does it mean to be afraid of God? Or does it mean something else, something more? In this message, we will begin to examine what the Bible means by “the fear of the Lord”. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Genesis 20:11 Exodus 34:6-7 Deuteronomy 10:12-13 Joshua 2:8-11 2 Chronicles 19:7, 9 Nehemiah 1:11; 5:15 Job 28:28 Psalm 19:9; 36:1; 62:11-12; 89:2, 8, 14, 32-35; 111:10 Proverbs 1:7, 22-33; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:27; 15:33; 16:6; 19:23; 23:17 Isaiah 8:12-13; 11:2-3; 33:5-6 Zechariah 7:9 Matthew 10:28 Acts 9:31; 10:34-35 Romans 3:5-18 2 Corinthians 5:1-11; 7:1 1 Peter 1:17 1 John 4:15-18 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

God could have created us as self-sufficient, autonomous beings, but he didn’t. God created us with needs, some of which can only be met by God and others. Why did God created us with needs? Does God promise to meet our needs? What about the situations where it appears that God has not provided for the needs of his people? If you are interested in the answers to these questions, then this message is for you. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Psalm 37:1-40; 91:1-16 Isaiah 41:8-10; 46:3-4 Matthew 4:4; 5:45; 6:25-33; 10:26-31 Luke 21:16-19 Acts 18:1-3 Romans 8:32-37 1 Corinthians 15:51 Philippians 4:6-19 1 Peter 5:6-10 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” - the Apostle Paul Both the Bible and modern society have a lot to say about wisdom and power, but there are major differences between the two. Paul explains some of these differences and why they are important. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Matthew 27:39-40; 26:48-54 Mark 8:27-33 Acts 18:1-18 1 Corinthians 1:18 - 2:16; 3:1 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

One story, but three different accounts in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Many commentators draw together the information from all three accounts. This is fine if you want the fullest possible understanding of the historical event. But if you want to understand what God is trying to teach us through this story, you need to look at each account individually. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, each gospel writer uses the same story to teach different biblical truths and principles. The information that each author chooses to include (or not include) is based on what God is wanting to communicate through that particular book. In this message, we will be looking at what God is wanting to teach us through the three different accounts of this story. I encourage you to get your Bible and have it handy as we look at each of these three accounts. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Matthew 17:14-21 Mark 9:14-29 Luke 9:37-43 John 10:10; 20:30-31; 21:25 Hebrews 6:18 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

We live in a dark world that is getting increasingly darker. The deadliest disease known to man is sin. There is a cure, but only one: Jesus. God calls his people to be the light of the world to let people know of God’s cure for sin. Are you shining brightly for Jesus? Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Deuteronomy 7:7-11; 9:5-6 Isaiah 60:1-3 Ezekiel 36:22-36 Daniel 12:3 Matthew 5:14-16; 15:14; 24 John 3; 8:12; 9:5 Ephesians 5:8-11 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

God uses different people in different ways according to the abilities and gifts that He has given to them. As an example of this, today we want to look at the life of Philip. He became known as Philip the Evangelist, but he began his ministry with more mundane responsibilities. The book of Acts gives us four windows into his life and ministry. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Matthew 25:14-30 Acts 6:1-6; 8:1, 4-17, 26-40; 21:8-9 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

Are you tired of trying to be the person that you know you ought to be, but you keep coming up short? Jesus has good news for you. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Genesis 2:15-17 Jeremiah 6:16 Matthew 11:28-30; 23:1-4 John 13:15 Acts 15:7-11 Galatians 5:1 Philippians 2:5 1 Peter 2:21 1 John 5:3-4 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

What is the role of grace, faith, and good works in the biblical message of salvation? This has always been an important question within the Christian faith. In the early 16th century, it led to the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther questioned the value of the book of James, which he felt taught salvation by works. He felt that James contradicted Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace through faith. But are James and Paul really teaching opposing ideas about the importance of faith and works? And if not, how do their teachings fit together? Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Matthew 22:37-40 Luke 17:7-10 Romans 9:30-32 Galatians 2:16; 6:9-10 Ephesians 2:4-10 Hebrews 6:10-12 James 1:26-27; 2:14-26 1 John 3:17-18; 5:3-5 Revelation 2:2-4 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

What does God require of those who wish to be disciples of Jesus Christ? Jesus never sugar coated what is required to be his disciple. He encourages people to count the cost before making a commitment to follow him. Jesus calls you to follow him, but he wants you to do so with full knowledge of what you are getting yourself into. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Joshua 24:14-15 Matthew 16:24-27; 19:16-26 Mark 8:34-38 Luke 5:27-28; 8:13; 9:23-26, 57-62; 14:25-35; 18:29-30 John 6:60-69 1 Corinthians 9:25 Galatians 5:24 Philippians 3:8-11 2 Timothy 2:5; 4:8 James 1:12 1 Peter 4:1-2; 5:4 2 Peter 2:20-21 Revelation 2:10; 3:11 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

It is important to have a clear conscience. A clear conscience means that you have an inner freedom that comes from knowing that God’s holiness is not offended by your attitudes, thoughts and actions, and that no one can point a finger at you and say, “You’ve offended me, and you’ve never asked for my forgiveness.” There are several things that you need to do to have a clear conscience. The first is to repent of your sin and ask God to forgive you. The second is what we talked about last week: you need to forgive those who have offended you. And the third thing is our subject for today: if you have committed an offense against someone else, you need to ask that person to forgive you. Asking for forgiveness is one of the most difficult things that you will ever do. So I want to give you some practical suggestions to help you with this difficult, but essential, task. This material is not original with me. It comes from the Bible, and from a seminar on basic life principles that I attended years ago. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Psalm 51:1-19 Matthew 5:23​-24 Luke 15:17​-21; 19:1-10 Acts 24:16​ 1 Timothy 1:18​-19 Hebrews 9:14​; 10:22​; 13:18​ 1 John 1:9 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

The Bible teaches us that the Christian faith is about having a personal relationship with God, and living in right relationships with other people. To make that possible, and to enable our relationships with God and others to grow deeper, the Bible makes it clear that God wants to transform our lives. Why is transformation necessary? What exactly does he want to change in us? And how does this transformation happen? In this message we will take a look at what the Bible has to say. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Matthew 5:48; 22:37-40 Romans 3:19-20, 23; 7:14-25; 12:1-2 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 Philippians 3:17-21 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Hebrews 12:5-14 1 John 4:18 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

Are there people who have hurt you or mistreated you? Is there someone (or several someones) who owe you an apology for what they have done to you? Did any specific names or faces come to mind? Have you forgiven that person or persons? Or are you bound by the chains of bitterness and hatred? The Bible teaches that we need to forgive those who have done us harm. Why should we forgive others? What is forgiveness? How can you forgive those who have hurt you? Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Job 42:7-10 Matthew 6:12​, 14-15; 18:21​-35 Luke 23:34​ Acts 7:60 Romans 8:28​; 12:14​ Ephesians 4:26​, 32 Colossians 3:13​ You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

There was a time, not so long ago, when science, philosophy, and theology were three complimentary disciplines with a common purpose: the search for truth, knowledge, and wisdom. Today, all three disciplines have been hijacked, to a greater or lesser degree, by people who use them as tools or weapons to advance a political agenda. The teaching of the Bible concerning absolute truth came under attack, with a short-term goal of convincing society that truth was relative. In this point of view, everyone has their own truth. But this was not the end game. The long term goal was to destroy the average person’s acceptance of the absolute truth taught by the Bible, so that it could be replaced by a new form of absolute truth that is political in nature and extreme left in orientation. This political movement, which for the moment is primarily found in the United States, has all the elements of a new religion. It has its own absolute truth and demands complete obedience and submission from its followers. Heretics, especially Bible believing Christians, must be converted or cancelled. In the light of all of this, we come back to the age old question: “What is truth?” Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Psalm 31:5; 119:43 Isaiah 65:16 Matthew 4:1-11 John 8:31-32; 14:6, 17; 15:26; 16:13; 18:33-38 Ephesians 1:13 Colossians 1:5 2 Timothy 2:15 James 1:18 1 John 4:6 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

Have you ever been discouraged? We all have, including some of the great people in the Bible. What are the real causes of discouragement? And how can you overcome discouragement? You will find answers to these questions in this message. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Numbers 11:14-15 Joshua 7:5-7 1 Kings 19:3-4 Job 10:1 Psalm 42:6-7 Jeremiah 15:10 Matthew 14:28-31 Romans 8:28 2 Corinthians 12:9 Ephesians 6:12, 16 Hebrews 12:1-17; 13:5 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

Actually this message is about grace and ingratitude, as you will see when we read the parable of the vineyard owner who hires people throughout the day to go and work in his vineyard. Jesus wants his people to have right attitudes about others who come to faith. Join me as we look at this story and discover how it applies to our lives today. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Matthew 19:30; 20:1-16 Ephesians 2:4-10 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

Every Christian needs to be actively involved in a local church. God calls us to give to our local church our presence, our talents, and our finances. What does the Bible say about giving? Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Genesis 14:20; 28:22 Exodus 13:2 Leviticus 27:32 Deuteronomy 16:17 Proverbs 3:9-10 Malachi 3:10 Luke 21:1-4 Acts 4:32-37; 5:1-11 Romans 12:6-8 1 Corinthians 16:2 2 Corinthians 9:7 1 Timothy 6:18 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

God and Satan both promise to give us freedom, power, happiness, and to enable us to become like God. What are they really offering? Who are you going to trust? Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-5 2 Corinthians 12:9 Galatians 5:1-26 Ephesians 4:22-24 Hebrews 6:18 2 Peter 1:3-9 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

Would you like God to give you the desires of your heart? It is possible, if you are willing to meet God’s conditions. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 Psalm 1:1-2; 37:1-40; 73:25 Habakkuk 3:17-18 Matthew 5:6; 6:19-21 Mark 10:35-40, 46-52 John 15:7 Romans 1:20-32 Philippians 3:7-11 1 Timothy 6:9-11 James 4:1-3 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

During the first lockdown here in France, churches were not allowed to have public worship services. Most churches turned to technology, using tools such as Rumble, Youtube, Zoom, and Skype. So now that we have tools set up that allow people to participate in “church” from their home, whenever it is convenient for them, why to we need to start physically meeting together again? Why should we GO to church, when we can DO church from home? This message will provide some of the reasons why it is important for us to meet together. Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Proverbs 27:17 Matthew 18:20 John 13:35 Romans 12:15 Ephesians 4:11-16 Hebrews 10:24-25 1 John 1:7 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com

Have you known hardship and suffering in your life? You are not alone. The Bible is filled with the stories of people who experienced great suffering and trials. They held on to their faith in God and made it through the difficulties of life when it seemed that the world was falling apart. How did they do it? And how can you and I do it too? Here’s a link to a great video of the song, “He Giveth More Grace”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzhKG... Here are the Bible passages that were used in the preparation of this message: Deuteronomy 8:2; 31:8 Joshua 1:9 2 Chronicles 20:1-28 Psalm 61:1-4; 119:50, 67 Proverbs 16:9 Isaiah 46:4 Jeremiah 29:11-13 Nahum 1:7 Matthew 6:25-27; 11:28-30 John 6:66-69; 14:1 Romans 8:28-30 1 Corinthians 9:27 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 12:7-10 Ephesians 3:20-21 Philippians 4:6-7 Hebrews 12:4-13 James 1:2-4 You can download a free Bible app to your computer or smartphone here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Have questions? You can contact me by e-mail at: pasteur.epen@protonmail.com