"Epiphany†is a Greek word which means to show forth, to appear, to become visible, or to clearly show. In Titus 2:11-13:
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…
Paul gives the basis for right (godly) living in the current time period is based on the first and second comings (advents) of Jesus Christ. Paul uses this word to describe the two most strategic times that Christ appeared and will appear.
The first Epiphany describes Christ birth into the world and the second Epiphany refers to Christ conquering the world while displaying his Glory. In this present age, those who have been changed by his first coming are to be “Living Epiphanies or Glory Reflectors†which affirm the reality of the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The Crisis In Our Culture Part I
Most of those born after 1965 (especially African-Americans) have been exposed to western American Christianity. So many of us have become disgruntled with the gap of relevance which exists between this current generation and the past generations. Because of this great chasm, this generation has denied the historic Christian faith and its forms of expression that is distant from their present day experience. Postmodernism and hip-hop have developed a strategic partnership as a means of cultural expression and identity, for those without identity and meaning.
Ministering in this Pop Culture has been one of the most passionate pursuits of the Epiphany Team. Seeing the culture take the Hip Hop culture and use it as its missionary has been a matter deep within our thoughts. We have witnessed the humble urban form of expression become one of the greatest capitalistic commodities to date. Hip hop is everywhere and not many ministries have taken the time to study it and use it to the glory of God to identify with today’s emerging American. It rules commercials, sports, media, sitcoms, business marketing strategies, and the hearts and minds of the world’s young adults and youth. One of the most staggering realities is that Hip hop has made a formidable impression on every continent except Antarctica.
Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.â€
Verse 5 makes the purpose of Christ’s coming clear. What does fullness encompass? Many commentators suggest that the fact the Roman empire built roads provided the opportunity for travel and spread of the gospel to occur. In the same way, the pop culture empire has used the Hip Hop Culture to capitalistically reach every continent. Therefore, we plan to use certain elements of the genre as common ground for the gospel without propagating its negative elements (Matthew 28:18-20; John 4; Acts 17:16-34).
The Macedonian Call (Acts 16:6-10)
6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.â€
10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
A group of young families and individuals have been called to reflect the Glory of the living God and His Son Jesus Christ through church planting in the city of Philadelphia, PA. Initially, we received this Macedonian call from a young man by the name of William “Duce†Branch. William has been doing evangelism in Philly for over 12 years. Later our team took several site visits to the city. During our first site visit, we prayed and meditated on Numbers 13-14 (God’s Demographic study). Once we returned and sought the Lord further, it was inexplicably clear that He was calling us to Philly.
Why Philly? (Matthew 9:36-38)
- 80-85% unchurched population
High Crime Rate (city-data.com)
The need for more churches to plant in major urban cities
Philly is strategic in reaching the culture we are seeking to reach
Those influenced by Nation of Islam, Al-Islam, 5% Nation of Islam, Pan Africanists, Black conscious, Hebrew Israelites, and those with bias’ towards traditional expressions Christianity (ignorant, overly judgmental, immoral, hypocritical, greedy, elitists) are on the increase.
Need for more strong Leadership
Philly is the 5th largest city in America
Hopelessness and disenfranchisement
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Website:
http://www.epiphanyfellowship.org
Phone:
1-888-Titus211
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 21216
Philadelphia, PA 19114
Sermons:
Epiphany Fellowship Online Sermons
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