John’s Opening Sonata

1 John 1:1-4 ESV

27 APR 2025

1John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

He wrote this letter, we have it still and we are reading it today, so that we may know of the eternal life offered to us by our Creator. This letter is primarily to encourage us.

We will study the first 4 verses of chapter 1 (one sentence!) and in this short text this morning we see John start on two important threads: the incarnation and the fellowship it brings. Both of these ideas will be talked about again as we go through the letter. John tells the church how important it is to understand who Jesus is and how that should affect our lives and our relationships with others. 

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 
•       John is writing to tell us about something that has existed since the very beginning. there is only one thing: God.
•       And this God has been seen by his own eyes, touched with his own hands. 
•       He is talking about Jesus, who was and is God himself, and John is writing this letter because of his position as a witness to it all! 
•       He calls him “That which was from the beginning”. Jesus has always existed. He took on a human body the better part of 2 millennium ago, but he has always existed. He is the uncreated God.

2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 
•       Jesus came to earth from the spiritual realm. He “was made manifest” means he took up a body, became like you and me with flesh and blood, hair and limitations.
•       And the purpose of his letter is so we will know that Jesus was not some legend or myth, but that he really was a man, who lived and taught what he did.
•       We have a letter that a man you and I never met, written two thousand years ago. He is using what he’s got at his disposal to impart the importance and the evidence behind what he saw.

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 
•       God became man. We saw it with our eyes! And now, we are telling you about it, so that you can be in fellowship with us.
•       What did John see? Transfiguration, crucifixion, Jesus asks him to take care of his mother, he leans up against Jesus and asks who will betray him. He knew who Jesus was.
•       The point of this letter is so that you and I can be in fellowship with other believers, the ones who did see it and experience it first-hand.
•       The truth of Christ Jesus bonds us together unlike anything else.
•       Matthew 12:48, Jesus says: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
•       John desires to tell us these things; he knows the truth and he wants to share it with us. He has a responsibility to share, I believe he was compelled because of the spirit in him, and because he knows his spiritual satisfaction will only increase by sharing it further!
•       This is true for all of us today; a Christian takes joy in sharing the good news, in declaring the truth about God. We call the gospel the good news because we believe that! It is exciting to talk about and we love to see others embrace it!

Takeaways

What is your reaction to the witness accounts of the bible?
•       As I researched this book I was comforted and amazed at how robust the historical record is surrounding this. The legitimacy of the manuscripts, the amount of referencing and quoting by other early church fathers
•       Talk to me after if you have questions on this, I am no expert but I spent a lot of time looking in to it and was encouraged and would love to share it with you.

Are we in fellowship with other believers over the things of God?
•       Fellowship in Jesus is unlike anything else
•       Find your teammates. Pick each other up. Allow yourself to be held accountable to your brothers and sisters. Be one in Jesus.
•       “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

Am I sharing? 
•       It can be tough to share our faith. It is personal, and sometimes private. This is hard for me
•       John is a great example however, that a Christian should wear it on his sleeve. The truth that we know about the world is draped over us, and we can get the same outcome as John. Our joy is made complete in sharing the work God has done in our lives.
•       Do I believe that my joy will grow?
•       Encourage you this morning to complete your joy, don’t keep it to yourself
•       Knowing who Christ is, believing what he has done and living in fellowship with Him and fellow believers brings us complete joy.

1 John is not a to-do list for Christians. Instead, it is a letter proclaiming what has been done, in sending his son to die for us. 

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The Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-36 (ESV)

4/20/25

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”

Key Takeaways:
– As the Lord taught the Scriptures to the two disciples, their hearts burned. If you are indifferent to the Bible, that’s a warning sign.

– When is the last time the Bible read you?

– He laid down His life. He took it up again. He lives forever in a glorified resurrection body. We celebrate Him today and every day, and when He returns, “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (I John 3:2)

– He said, “Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19) Death is no longer death for those who know and love Him. When our body goes dormant to rest, we’ll be more alive than we’ve ever been.

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A Spirit Of…

John 14:15-31 (ESV)

13 April, 2025

The focus of our text today is what’s about to happen. Jesus’ disciples don’t really know what is coming next, even though he’s been hinting at it and outright telling them for a while now. We’ll read Him tell them one last time what must happen, that they will face a world without him physically there.

The presence of the Holy Spirit changes our lives in many ways; it transforms us a certain way. We’ll see where Paul gets his teaching of the fruits of the spirit, it’s from Jesus himself. We’ll look at 4 things the Spirit brings: truth, obedience, knowledge, peace.

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus” Phil 1:6

• This spirit brings truth, it is through Him that we have understanding. The disciples are so uneasy about what Jesus says to them. They want it one way, and it feels incompatible with what God has planned. The spirit of truth reconciles our will with His.

o Truth is agreement with God, the way the world works is the way He says it is.

• True love is marked by willing obedience.

• To obey God is a hard thing to do, but the encouraging thing here is that Jesus understands. He was a man like you and me; he knew the challenge. Look no further than what he was about to go through!

• Jesus knows this will be difficult, to keep his commandments. 

• I can’t help but think that in this moment, the human part of Jesus needed to hear this reminder. He has a command from the Father that he needs to follow. And because of his Love for the father, he would obey his command to go to the cross. 

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 

• He then leaves them with a statement that they could not possibly understand until later

• “Because I live, you also will live.” We get the luxury of hearing those words knowing what happens on Easter Sunday. But imagine those words ringing around in the disciple’s minds as he hangs on a cross. I would guess that their fear finds a real foothold in those words, they know their lives depend on him.

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

• Those who love God will have the spirit of obedience, and He will “make our home within him”. He is promising to dwell inside our very beings. 

• The word “home” here also means “dwelling place”. God himself will be at home in us. This is pretty hard to grasp because there is nothing like it in our human world today.

• The Jews knew a little bit about this, I want us to turn to Exodus for just a minute. If you know the story, the Jews were called out of Slavery in Egypt by their God. He performed miracle after miracle, orchestrating the exit of his people for one reason. The climax of this whole story is in Chapter 40

• “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” Exodus 40:34-35

• The whole point of the exodus, the entire reason he brought them out of slavery, was so that he could dwell amongst his people. Jesus describes that is what is going to happen in us.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 

• Our last fruit of the spirit is the one that I need to hear the most often. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of Peace. His spirit brings peace in a way unlike anything found anywhere else. It does not JUST talk about the absence of conflict. This word meant “all is well”.

• The peace of the Spirit drives out worry and doubt, peace eradicates fear. It is distinct.

• There are knock offs everywhere. The world tells you that you’ll find peace once you make enough money. You’ll have peace once you get married, pay off your house or retire. Once we get through this crazy month. 

• But this peace that Jesus leaves with us, a peace between God and man, is unlike anything the world has ever known before. End to the strife between us and God.

28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 

• Jesus begins to wrap up by reiterating; I don’t want you to be surprised when these things come about. They have been told, but they still did not have the ears to hear. 

30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

• The ruler of this world is Satan; this is his domain. But be very certain about what is coming next week. Jesus was not outsmarted; the Christ was not overtaken. All of this was according to plan.

• Jesus is our model, and he obeys the father. 

• From here he does go. Jesus would go out of the upper room, to the garden where he would be betrayed. He would keep going until he was on the cross, to lay down his life out of love for the father and of love for us.

Summary

Be in the word together.

Mark 11, John 13, Matthew 26, John 18, and Luke 23

How can people be encouraged to come in to greater agreement with the Spirit?

Application

Truth

• “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not ONLY because I see it, but because by it I see everything else”. -C.S.L “Is Theology Poetry”

• Are there things you’d rather not think about, rather not ask God about? Areas where you are more content to live as you are? Not align your will with God’s?

• It can be uncomfortable to think about how destructive sin is in our lives, and how much God hates it. About loved ones who aren’t believers. Do you trust Him rather than seeking comfort of your own understanding and desires? God can handle these difficult matters, come to Him.

Obedience – Fall in love with Jesus

• It’s easy to read that and get really discouraged. I don’t keep his commandments; what does that say about me?

• What do we do if we aren’t obeying Jesus? Does it mean we don’t love him? How do we love him? Hard to love someone you don’t know.

• What ways are you learning more about Jesus? Who are you talking to about Jesus? 

• Get to know him, read his word. Spend time talking to his people. Pray for an ignition of love

• Obedience will follow

Knowledge

• Do you understand scripture? Do you read it as the living word of God?

o “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding” Proverbs 14:6

• Desire the spirit of truth to reveal things to you.

• When you read scripture are you approaching it with your own mental capacity? What you can comprehend on your own. We’ve got a lot of smart people in this room. Or do you ask the spirit to increase your understanding, to give you knowledge. 

Peace

• Luke 12:24 “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”

• We know God because he dwells with us and in us. What a promise! Through it we have peace.

• Do you have peace with God? Is there animosity between you and your creator?

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What Do We Do Next?

Romans 12:1-8
March 30, 2025

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
•       Paul is directing his fellow believers to do one thing: present our lives as a sacrifice.
•       To the first audience, this of course evokes thoughts and images of the sacrifices that the Jews made for thousands of years. The killing of an animal, shedding its blood to atone for their sins, was required by God according to His law.
•       How do we set ourselves apart? Our model is always Jesus; we look to him as our example of how to live.
o       There was no living sacrifice quite like Jesus and how he lived and died.
o       He gave his life to do the will of the father here on earth.
o       Matt 22:37 “You must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, and your whole mind.” He needs our whole self, every part of us.
o       The sacrifices of the Pharisees weren’t enough, for their hearts were far from him

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
•       Scripture confirms, to be set apart is to not conform to the world, we are to be separate from the things of this world. Hard to do, since we have no choice but to live here, in the world. To conform would be to have similar values and interests.
•       “be transformed”. Two important notes.
o       Transformed means it was one way and now it needs to be another. All need this
       We ourselves never had a godly mind; we were born in sin and never knew anything different prior to the spirit entering us.
o       “be” transformed, it is not us doing the work! Who else could it be?
       In his great mercy he transforms us.
       We are not the ones powering the engine. We are the ones being transformed; it is a command but it is also passive. A tough line to walk.
o       But we are told another outcome of this transformation is that we Christians “may discern what is the will of God”. We are given a compass or a barometer, a way for us to tell what is good and perfect.
o       cool check; how to know if you’re being transformed? Do you know more about what is good and acceptable to God today than you were yesterday? There is always more; “be transformed” is ongoing. Becoming more Christlike

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
•       Self-assessment is good. Sober judgement means being clear eyed. Luke 6:41
o       “Why do you see the spec that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
o       Jesus tells us to examine ourselves, desire to see our faults. It can be difficult to see our own sin which is why it is so critical to have fellow Christians around us. Paul will make that connection in the very next verse.
•       Be humble in your self-assessment. Judge with the right scale. Understand that it is not of our own goodness and ability that we can do anything. In (v3), Paul, who is undoubtably one of the most renown Christians in the history of the faith, says about himself that it is through grace that he can even teach this.

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
•       You have many parts that compose one overarching object. In a courtroom, a confession, video recordings, sworn testimonies: they each serve a different function but they all contribute to the strength of the case, building the body of evidence.
•       Each component is distinct; it is recognizable on its own. However, that distinct component is out of place when it is alone. One piece of evidence is weaker and less effective by itself. It might not win the case.
•       The results are less drastic for a body that is missing a part, but still very impactful. A person without a part, like a hand, might not die, the body certainly feels the absence. It can do less. That person is disabled because of a missing part.
•       According to verse 5, it is in Christ that we are one body. We are not united because we like each other, because we get along. We are not united because we live in Atlanta. Nor because we have kids that are the same age or similar interests. We are one in CHRIST JESUS. That is the primary and ONLY relevant piece of information that binds us together.
•       When we unite over other things, it can and does cause partiality. Inevitably when we don’t have the same personal connection with other members, we think of them as less important to the body. When we see people for anything other than the image of God with Jesus living inside them, we love them with human, earthly love, and not the love of the spirit.
o       Earthly love will always fail, will never go the distance, and is not how we love

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
•       As different parts of the body, we love one another the way we love Jesus and we sacrificially serve the body with our different gifts.
•       Two points to make:
o       We all have distinct gifts that God gave uniquely to YOU
o       Use our gifts, don’t sit on them
•       This is the point of having distinct members. We are not cult members, all interchangeable. We the body can feel when there is a lack of a particular spiritual gift.
•       This is a relevant command this morning; please today examine your gifting. How has the Lord gifted you?
•       There is a phenomenon in animals and humans alike: when a man loses his sense of sight, his hearing increases. The body compensates.
o        Fact is, our body has less people who are able to teach the word of God to others than we did 2 weeks ago. So, what gifts do you have, are you using them?
•       This is not a complete list of what gifts exist; it is meant to exhort us to use what God has given us for his unique purposes.
•       Are you using your gifts as a member of the body of Jesus Christ?
•       The cool thing about the body metaphor is that it ceases to be a metaphor. Jesus left his disciples with his spirit and said “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
•       We Christians have the spirit in us and we are given the incredible responsibility to be Jesus’ hands and feet, his physical body.
•       Is Jesus Christ acting in the world today through the unique gifts that he has given you?

2 Corinthians 1:5-6
“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort.”

We are not here at this church to merely absorb. We are to pour in to others, it is supposed to cost us something. But the promise of the scriptures is that we will be better for it, better Christ followers. We are to be a living sacrifice to those around us and to Christ who lives in us all.

We are called to use our lives to worship God with our actions and our lives.

Application
Being the body is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. How are you serving?

What have you sacrificed, specifically for other Christians and for Jesus?

Are you self-assessing with God’s scale? Do you have others that can speak in to your life to help you see the plank?

In what way is your life distinct and set apart for God, or are you living just like everyone else?

Have you accepted the grace God has shown you?

Heidelberg Catechism (1563) #1
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong—
body and soul, in life and in death—
to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven;
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation
Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
Q. What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
A. Three things:
first, how great my sin and misery are;
second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery;
third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance.

Phil 2:1-3
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus

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Esther Pt. 9: Mortal Combat

Mortal Combat
3/16/25
Esther 9:1-19 ESV

We are in the final act of our story

The King of Persia has recently issued a decree allowing the Jews to protect themselves from their enemies. They have been given authority to defend themselves from danger.

Today we will read how God turns around this terrible situation and God’s plan come to completion. This whole book, Esther and Mordecai have been great examples of leadership; we will see more of their courage today. And lastly, we will see the larger picture of God’s people unite and triumph over their enemies through a miracle of his protection. 

Let’s dive in and see how God works an incredible miracle on behalf of his people like he has done so many times before.

9 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. 

•       The new decree gave them the power to defend themselves, but it didn’t guarantee their success. The decree was to give them a fighting chance of survival. Even still we aren’t sure how all of this is going to shake out.
•       Realize from last week to this week, 9 months go by. This new decree happens in the 3rd month, and here we are 9 months later. Put yourself in their shoes; imagine being a Jew during this period. There is a one-day war coming and you don’t know…
•       Or maybe not, maybe they were confident, that they had faith in the LORD that they knew he would follow through and protect them. We can only speculate, and think how you would feel in that situation.
o       Scripture speaks nothing of these 9 months, instead the story picks up right with the action. The enemies of the Jews suffered a huge defeat.
•       The enemies of God’s people hoped to conquer them, to extinguish them. But instead, “the reverse occurred”. It doesn’t go the way their enemies expected. That is a core theme of the gospel, it is all about reversals. 
o       Instead of Esau, Jacob. Instead of a handsome tall king, a little shepherd boy. Instead of an eternity separated from God, his son died in our place.
o       God is the same today as he was in Esther’s day. 
o       We do not get what we deserve, in fact we get the exact opposite. Just when they were supposed to be destroyed, that very day, their fortunes reverse.
•       God gave them their success. 
o       “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” psalm 127:1
o       They conquered their enemies, even when they were unsure what would happen and how God would make a way, through it all, His will prevailed.

2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. 3 All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful. 
•       Beginning of v2 says they came together. There is Unity in God’s people. The Jews gathered in their cities; they united. It was not every man for himself. The text implies they worked together to defeat their enemy, to execute God’s vision and plan.
•       Draw your attention to the second part of v2; it is so declarative! “No one could stand against them”! This is a description of the Lord’s power; this story doesn’t make sense as a tale about how lucky and clever a small people group was.
o       They were unstoppable, fear had fallen on their enemies. Again, God is present here, their enemies knew that He was their God.
o       31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 ESV

5 The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, 7 and also killed… [Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha 8 and Poratha and Adalia and Aridatha 9 and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizatha,] 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder.
•       It tells us about 100 times in this book who Haman was and what people group he was from. The reason this is important is because the Agagites were historical enemies of Israel. Joshua had been given a command to wipe them out, all of them. But the people of Israel disobeyed. They neglected their job and these people ever since have been a thorn in their side.
o       “Now it was God’s intent that a last conflict should take place between Israel and Amalek: the conflict which began with Joshua in the desert was to be finished by Mordecai in the king’s palace.” (Spurgeon)

11 That very day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was reported to the king. 12 And the king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men and also the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what further is your request? It shall be fulfilled.” 13 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day’s edict. And let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.” 14 So the king commanded this to be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged. 15 The Jews who were in Susa gathered also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and they killed 300 men in Susa, but they laid no hands on the plunder.
•       We still see courage in her. Even though the King is on team Esther at this point. God’s leaders are courageous. That is difficult, being brave and courageous is not the normal.
•       She wants to make their death public. Meant to deter additional rebellions or uprisings against God’s people.
•       We read last week that the Jews were entitled to the plunder, according to the king’s decree. And now for the second time, the text says they did not take any of the plunder. They did not enrich themselves through the material goods they were offered. They were strictly about self-defense; survival was enough of a gift.

16 Now the rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also gathered to defend their lives, and got relief from their enemies and killed 75,000 of those who hated them, but they laid no hands on the plunder. 17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested and made that a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews who were in Susa gathered on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth, and rested on the fifteenth day, making that a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the rural towns, hold the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another.
•       We get an explanation as to why different Jews might claim a different date for the celebration. 
•       Do you understand how many people that is? From a world population standpoint that has to be a big percentage. That’s more people than the US causalities in Viet Nam.
•       This isn’t just ordinary people dying, these are people who hated them. The enemies of God are destroyed.
•       The last point we’ll look at it the word rest in v17. His people celebrate the occasion and the intentional use of the word “rest” evokes the sabbath.  It is to sit back and say “it is good”. It certainly is good; God’s plan has been executed and the enemies of his people have been devoted to destruction.

What can we takeaway from this passage?

God has a way of turning the story upside down
•       Don’t sell God short. Everything is in the realm of possible, there is truly nothing he cannot do. In unexpected ways, God flips the script.
•       How many times do we have to see it to expect it? Whether it was when Joseph was sold as a slave, or when God’s people were caught between the red sea and a furious Pharoah, wandering marching around the city of Jerico, or using the murder of his perfect son to restore his creation and gift us salvation.
•       God can turn the story around and use it for his good
•       God is the same yesterday today and forever.
•       Same is true for your life, do not put God in a box, do not diminish what God is able to do

God is faithful to his promise
•       The Jews deserved to be punished and deserved to be destroyed but God would never let that happen. He is faithful to his promise to keep a remnant of his people He is looking out for them and protecting a remnant
•       not because of what they’ve done. Because of who he is.

This story is a miracle
•       The Jews did not succeed in this story because of their own strategy, or their own might and prowess. 
•       God is at work, all over the place. There are areas of my life where I often feel all alone, but God continues to move. Where is God working in your life, and how can you find ways to be more tuned in, the miracles he is working right in front of you?

God’s work is to be celebrated. 
•       Do you take time to celebrate the things that God has done?
•       What does that look like? Do you take a sabbath, do you rest in the Lord?
•       Take time to be with others, feasting, giving and resting in our salvation

There is unity in God’s people
•       The Jews fought off their enemies as one united front. They came together for a common purpose to enact the will of God. How often do you come together with God’s people? Physically gathering, spending time with other believers. Also important that we are on the same page about spiritual matters with one another, that we are united spiritually.
•       Is this just a social club to you? Do you look around and think, how fun it is to have friends outside of your workplace or your home? Or do you see people that you can point you closer to Jesus, can correct you when you stray and come along side you when you fight spiritual enemies?
•       The rich community we are called to is built on accountability, trust, openness and love. It is made up of people who know each other deeply enough to ask, what did the Lord teach you this week? What scripture stood out to you in your quiet time with the Lord?

The text used the phrase “no one could stand against them”. God is unstoppable and what he wants will happen. We cannot control that; we can only acknowledge it. For every man who has ever lived, there are two reactions. We see in the text two distinct types of people. There are the people who see what God is doing, fear him and even join. Last week we read about those who saw their fortune turning and wanted to become Jews. This week we saw the leaders helping the Jews fight their enemies; they knew they had a powerful God on their side and they wanted to be a part of it.

And yet we still read about a fight. There were still people who attacked the Jews on the 13th of Adar. There are those people who double down and continue to hate him, and attack his people and receive judgement and destruction because of it. 

Where do you stand? Don’t be the second man. Grab hold of the God of victory and restoration, unite with his people and celebrate the good work he has done.

/by

Esther Pt. 8: God’s Power for His People

Esther Ch. 8

Why is Esther part of the group of writings the Jewish people believe to be ‘God Breathed’ also know as ‘Scripture’ / Holy Writing? This story could be a Hollywood movie and yet…Woven through the drama, the life and death intrigue, are principles found in other parts of Scripture, Old Testament and New. If we read this with the illumination of God’s Spirit we will find things that direct us in our walk with the Lord. God uses a great story to teach us some great things, about HIM & US, TODAY He wants to teach us about Himself and ourselves.

God exposed Haman’s plot to commit genocide against all the Jewish people in Persia. Literally wiping out the entire race. Esther and Mordecai trusted God, sought God and and were led by God to be important parts of HIS Story. The agent of the evil is gone, but the tentacles of that evil still need to be severed.

Esther Ch. 8 NIV

1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.

  • King Xerxes finally acts with conviction and speed, actually doing something
  • All of Haman’s relatives, advisors & wife are cut out! Esther gets all his stuff
  • Mordecai recognized by Xerxes as his new ‘Prime Minister’ [What Haman was]
  • Esther needs nothing so she gives everything of Haman’s to Mordecai

3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.

  • Esther is emotional, but not entitled…Not demanding
  • She is humble before God’s duly authorized authority
  • The King, for all his shortcomings, is there because God wants him there
  • Esther and Mordecai are safe, but The Job is not finished
  • She understands she is there to act on behalf of all God’s People!
  • “With great power, there must also come great responsibility.”

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. ~ Jesus The Christ @ Luke 12:48b

5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”

  • Esther is super humble and respectful before the King [knowing his flaws]
  • Throughout this book we see the principal of respect for God given authority
  • She begs Xerxes that he must overrule the previous edict…for Her!
  • She makes it personal, her people, her family [care for brothers & sisters]

7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”

  • In reply to Esther’s plea the king recounts what has already been done
  • Xerxes had taken ‘The Signet Ring’ from Haman and gave it to Mordecai
  • Xerxes puts it in Mordecai’s hands to complete justice & protect God’s people
  • God moves the rulers of all nation to do HIS will [Ps. 72:11 / Rom. 13:4]
  • The previous edict / decree could not be revoked, they need to issue a new one
  • She asked to change the rules…she could not see the big picture
  • BUT God does see the big picture
  • HE made a way within the current authority structure
  • God’s people trust God to enact His will, even using flawed leaders & systems

9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language.

  • Everything is like the previous orders [Deposing Vashti, Eliminating The Jews]
  • Everyone would get the new order

10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.

  • Mordecai now speaks for the king!
  • The sense of urgency is more intense: fastest means possible at that time

11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.

  • Since they couldn’t revoke the other edict, they counter acted it
  • The new decree could give the Jews a chance…authorize their use of force
  • They would only kill ‘Armed Men’ who might attack them [self defense]
  • The plunder aspect was to make would be attackers have something to lose
  • Mordecai is used to craft an edict that will give God maximum glory

12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

  • Same day as the order allowing people to kill all jews and take their stuff
  • Everyone would be ready, but no one could attack early… no ‘sneak attack’
  • Who were their enemies? Haman was an exiled Almaikite / Agagite
  • Perhaps others resented the Jews because they prospered in exile [Jer. 29:7]

14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. 15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.

  • Soon the rest of the Jews in Persia would be given ‘A Fighting Chance’
  • The king has set Mordecai up to be the ‘Prime Minister’ / head of government
  • He is a ‘Type’ similar to Joseph and Daniel [honored by GOD for their faith]
  • The core of this story is how Mordecai would not bow down to anyone but God
  • Some Hebrew translators render Esther 2:5 ‘A unique Jew, Mordecai…’
  • Similar to how Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego. are described in Daniel 3:12

16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.

  • Party in Susa that day, celebrations would break out as the edict spreads
  • This would make a great holiday to remember what God did to save them
  • And others converted, seeing the God of the Jews rescue HIS people
  • God given maximum glory. God clearly displayed His power for His People
  • Like the parting of the Red Sea…
  • He allowed for impending doom, and then Boom! Something only God could do
  • They didn’t fear the Jews, they feared their God…THE GOD of The Universe!

Biblical Principles & Personal Application:

God can make a way when no way seems possible!

  • Build a positive outlook / HOPE by counting your blessings & ‘Ebeneezers’
  • Be humble about what you know & what will happen [don’t second guess God]

God gives His people responsibility for others & places them where needed

  • Recognize where God has placed you & use your position to help others
  • Our example is Christ…be a little Christ / Christian today

God’s people are called to work within the God given authority they are under

  • Recognize your rebellion against authority is actually rebellion against HIM
  • God always achieves HIS goals, enacts HIS will. Learn to trust HIS way to do it

No matter the situation, do not bow down to anything but Jesus Christ

  • You must view every choice you make as a spiritual matter…Because IT IS!
  • True integrity is not situational, let your yes be yes & your no be no
  • Keeping your commitments no matter the situation = Godly Integrity

When God’s people live trusting in God’s power…other people change sides

  • Ask God to grow your faith and dependence on Christ
  • Make public life choices that display your allegiance to the Biblical Christ

God’s people celebrate His amazing grace, incredible mercy and unending love

  • Spend time repenting, thanking God and receiving HIS presence
  • Strengthen your foundational beliefs & anchor your celebration in THE TRUTH
/by

Esther Pt. 7: God’s Justice

Big themes developing:

Pride leads to sin & evil, but it does not stop God from fulfilling His purposes.

Sacrificial, communal prayer by God’s people allows them to join HIS will & work

God’s people trust in God AND His timing

God alone knows how & when HE will enact HIS Judgement & Justice [unknowable]

Be ready to act when God calls upon you

Where we are in the story:

Esther and the entire jewish population of Suza fast & pray for three days after Haman [Hating on Mordecai] tricks the king into ordering all jews in Persia destroyed. After the fast, Esther gets the kings ear, gets him & Haman to a banquet only to say: ‘wait a day, let’s do this again tomorrow’…

What a difference a day can make… Haman was riding high [on his pride] bragging to his sycophants, he builds a 75 ft pole and goes to the king at dawn. King up all night, learns Mordecai needs to be honored, so instead of killing Mordecai, Haman is forced by the king to honor him! No sooner does Haman finish parading Mordecai through the whole city when he is summoned to the 2nd banquet…

Easter Ch. 7 NIV

1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

  • Yesterday Esther had demurred…Was she afraid? Trying to get him drunk?
  • I believe God told her, wait one more day
  • Before long Xerxes repeats his offer from yesterday [It was not a fluke offer]

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.

  • She has waited for God to move, now it is time for her to act
  • She uses the language he used: petition & request
  • She starts with her life and then asks for her people
  • I imagine the king is confused [poor memory / attention deficit]

4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

  • She explains because the king is perhaps not tracking
  • Already in exile they don’t have much of an expectation of freedom
  • She wouldn’t t bother the king if it was loss of rights [very respectful of authority]
  • BUT THIS.. is not loss of rights…it loss of LIFE!

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

  • He quickly gets that there is an person who has sold the queen & her people
  • Another example of Xerxes not remembering events [drinking problem???]
  • You can sense his anger building

6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

  • Esther identifies Haman as adversary & enemy of who?
  • Esther is fierce and direct… and the king is totally on her side
  • Haman is astute enough to realize he is in serious trouble

7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden.

  • He is so mad he doesn’t know what to do! [He is wise to take a beat]

But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. 8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”

  • Haman realizes Esther has the kings ear & favor so he begs her [soft target]
  • Haman is probably having some major anxiety and is out of control
  • He trips or slips or loses his balance in his panic…ends up on the couch
  • Brutal timing! What a coincidence!! [God is sovereign over massive & minute]
  • Xerxes was already so mad he didn’t know what to do…and then THIS!
  • The king speaks a question, and it is directed at his guards & attendants

As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

  • Immediately the guards took custody of Haman: bound him & hooded him
  • Then the quick thinking and well informed Harbona says: ‘I have an idea…’
  • Perhaps Haman bragged to him on the way in that morning about his plans

The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

  • No hesitation by the king
  • They seem to have done it immediately
  • Once it was done the king finally calmed down

So Haman is no more, Justice, God’s Justice, not man’s justice, has been enacted. But what is going to happen next… Tune in next week…

Principles and Application

When you give God time & obedience, He will use you to enact His will

  • Practice waiting on God and listening when you pray [Holy Spirit Connection]
  • In all of your requests of God, gladly submit to HIS way and time to answer

Evil will be exposed. What is planned in the dark, God will ultimately bring to light.

  • Expose what evil you can and trust God will use others to do the same
  • God will enact justice as HE wills, HIS people trust HIM to define justice

The end of your pride is the destruction of your pride, one way or another.

  • In a Spirit Indwelled Christian it is Your Pride vs God’s Spirit. What side r u on?
  • As God destroys your pride you can either cling to it or surrender it

The enemies of God ultimately find out God is GOD [All Everything]

  • Underestimating God [blasphemy of The Holy Spirit] puts U on the wrong team
  • One day everyone will know God’s absolute sovereignty. You can today!

Whatever protection you think you have [status, connections, money] they can’t protect you from God’s Justice.

  • What do you trust to protect your eternal soul?
  • How you live displays what you put your trust in. Place yourself in God’s hands

Living based on your pride results in you building the means of your death.

  • Become aware of your pride and don’t build your life on it
  • We are all building something eternal, are you building your things or God’s?
/by

Esther Pt. 6: God’s Will Be Done!

Everything that transpires is ultimately God’s will.

The idea of control is important. Who controls what? ‘God’s Will’ is whatever transpires. HIS Will is reality, history, circumstances, relationships, health, family, current events. The story of Esther is demonstration of just how in control God is. What’s our role if God controls everything? Cooperation or Rebellion: YOU choose.

Let’s talk about doing what is right, based on Biblical principals, whether anyone knows about it or not. Whether you get rewarded OR punished for doing it

How about the idea that you can cover up your sin, that you can ‘get away with it’.

Let’s talk about how you respond when God blesses you. How do you deal with success? What happens when things go well in your life? How grateful are you? How content with the success you have VS wanting more? Who do you give credit to for the success? [In your heart & with your mouth]

Last Week:

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. ~ Esther 5:14

Chapter 6 NIV

1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

  • The Kings of that time all kept known records
  • The assassination attempt was recorded but went unnoticed…

3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.

  • The King assumes Mordecai was rewarded for such an important act
  • He may have had a ‘self aware’ moment: ‘I would be dead if not for Mordecai’

4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. 5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.

  • Haman was waiting in the outer chamber just like Esther had been
  • He is totally occupied with murder, his pride driving him

6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?”

  • Before Haman can make his murderous request, the king has a question
  • Haman: The ultimate self absorbed dude
  • It’s all about him…that is where pride always takes people
  • He’s so infatuated with the idea of being honored he forgets about Mordecai
  • His pride drives him to disregard what is most important [killing Mordecai]

7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”

  • What Haman prescribes for himself is maximum attention [what pride wants]
  • Very specific and elaborate plans…like he has thought of this before today
  • The previous evening he told his friends what a big deal he is
  • Now everyone will know what a big deal Haman is!

Imagine Haman standing there waiting for the king to say he is going to be honored…Imagine his shock when the hears the king say:

10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

  • Great idea, make it happen at once…for Mordecai
  • You get to be the ‘one of the kings most noble princes’ and lead him around
  • Do it just as you described it, don’t leave any part out [maximum attention]
  • Obviously Haman didn’t think he could question Xerxes so he got right to it!

11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” 12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate.

  • Haman thought he was going to have Mordecai killed
  • Instead Haman is forced to publicly honor Mordecai and behalf of the king!
  • At some point he realizes there in no way the king will kill Mordecai now
  • Don’t miss V12: How does Mordecai deal with his success & all the attention?
  • He went right back to doing what he does…serve at the gate
  • He displays humility before God and men

But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”

  • Different story from last night’s arrogant boasting
  • When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. ~ Prov. 11:2
  • They are saying: the jig is up! You are going down!
  • The king is going to find out about everything!
  • He will discover Mordecai is a Jew, and his Queen is a Jew as well
  • He will find out why Haman wanted him to destroy the Jews

14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

  • Before he can comprehend how bad this is all going to become for him…
  • Haman is whisked away to the banquet Esther [GOD] has set up
  • Man, must he have been nervous! And the anxiety just builds and builds…

Tune in next time when we will hear Harbona say: “Your majesty, I have an idea…”

Biblical Principals & Active Application Ideas

God is watching; living by HIS standards does not go unnoticed, ‘Have you see my servant Job’? When you live by Biblical Standards you will not need to self-promote because God will become ‘Your Public Relations Agency! [1 Peter 5:6]

  • #1: Pray for God’s Spirit to empower you to choose humility before God
  • #2: Intentionally hang around with and learn from people who ‘Walk with Christ’

Biblical Principals & Active Application Ideas

Your pride will make you violate your values…Biblical Values! If you are a Christ follower God will use times when you follow your pride to humble you… as in HE will Humiliate you. If you don’t intentionally fight pride, it will lead to sin. [Proverbs 16:17-19]

  • #1: Find someone you trust to be accountable to about your pride [confess sin]
  • #2: Own your specific sins of pride and receive God’s discipline [Be Teachable]

Biblical Principals & Active Application Ideas

When things go well, when God honors you, don’t take credit for it, give God the credit, don’t steal HIS glory! Christ was humble in victory, God’s people are called to imitate HIM [Philippians 2:3-5]

  • #1: Create an inventory of everything you are thankful for & give God full credit
  • #2: In times of success focus on how you can share it with others [true humility]

The Last Word

The truth about Everything, including well hidden Evil, will be exposed as God wills. The truth about some things may be unknown for years or centuries…or until heaven! In the meantime, what is best for your soul Christian? Live by the Spirit of God… and when you fall short: daily practice honest repentance. Peace and Contentment are found in an honest relationship with your Creator!

/by

Esther Pt. 5: Guided By God

Waiting On God For Guidance

How God answers prayer is necessary Information!

Why do YOU seek to apply God’s Word in a consistent, habitual way? I have learned: It takes time, motivation & effort to get the best results.

Why do YOU attempt to live by the principals God puts forth in Scripture? Why I try my best: I have given my life to Christ! I live for HIM! [integrity]

ALSO…I recommend a serious focus on God’s Word and a life of Christ Discipleship…For the health and vitality of your eternal soul

It requires life application of Scripture to surrender our souls to Christ Jesus… And once that happens our soul is now eternally linked to God by HIS Spirit in YOU. So I encourage YOU to intentionally create disciplines of study and application of both the Old & New Testaments. YOU can [and I would argue MUST] learn how to walk, connect, be led by, be disciplined by and have a right relationship with God. [Biblical Christianity] YOU & I NEED that relationship to navigate the life HE has placed us in. We do well to learn Scripture’s principals and live by them as though they were essential to our survival.

Treat this sermon the same way, as life-giving nutrition for your eternal soul.

FOCUS / TAKE NOTES / HIGHLIGHT / TAKE PICTURES / REREAD IT ON WEB

This kind of approach to the Word has gotten me through some serious crisis

Esther Pt. 5 Chapter 5

1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

  • After three days of fasting & praying to the God of Israel, the God of her fathers
  • She had no doubt been taught by Mordecai and others how to seek God
  • She knew how the drill went, she did what she should do and trusted God
  • She gave her best presentation & stood where she could be seen [didn’t rush]

3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” 4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

  • ‘What is your request? Even up to half my kingdom, it will be given to you.’
  • Who does that remind you of? Kings may think they rule… Pride
  • Esther, very graciously, does not press the issue but puts off the request
  • It seems what she heard God saying was: ‘Wait on Me’
  • God’s answers to prayer mostly fall along the line of Yes, No or Wait
  • God has HIS reasons for how HE answers prayer and they are beyond us

5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

  • Haman is summoned…It seems like the king is in full ‘Please Esther’ mode
  • After some niceties, small talk & wine consumption Xerxes puts her on the spot
  • Xerxes repeats his offer to fulfill Esther’s request, up top half the kingdom…
  • We would think now is the time for her request: Stop the order to kill the Jews!

7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

  • Why does she stretch this out…some more…she is still waiting on Yahweh
  • If you wish to grant my request, come tomorrow for another banquet
  • THEN I will make my request
  • She is giving God time to act [HE has not told her to act yet]

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

  • He leaves the palace feeling like someone important… [Pride being fed]
  • Mordecai didn’t make Haman feel important…he wanted Mordecai to fear him!
  • Haman is enraged yet does not act…God is controlling the action
  • He will go home and figure out what to do

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow.

  • Haman tells his would be sycophants & yes men just how powerful he is
  • Looking for affirmation and praise… ‘Do you all get get what a big deal I am?’
  • Even Queen Esther thinks he’s a big deal… she invited him into her inner circle

13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

  • But he can’t enjoy all these honors and privileges…Mordecai ruins them!
  • Haman’s ego: it needs to be appeased…it flows from Pride…Satan’s best tool
  • The wife leads the advice squad telling Haman: ‘Go ask the king to kill him!’
  • Haman sets up the impaling pole & set plans to go see the king first thing

Cliff Hanger! What is God up to? Stay Tuned…

Life Application Of Scripture

Part of seeking God is consistently focusing on the things YOU know YOU are meant to do and trusting God will guide before you have specific instructions.

When YOU are in times of need and crisis, learn to give God the time to do what HE wants to do. ‘Wait on the Lord’ as His patient servant and don’t rush HIM based on your fleshly desires.

Be watchful for God’s moving then obediently join as HE calls you to act based on HIS Word. [Effective watchfulness requires community]

Pride is the ultimate ‘Gateway’ to evil. Because of their pride, the devil and those he controls are so self-absorbed they always ‘Overplay their Hand’.

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Esther Pt. 4: ‘For Such A time As This’

Esther Chapter 4 NIV

Our story takes place in the Fortress City of Susa, in the heart of the Great Persian Empire circa 478 BC. King Xerxes, at the end of an incredibly elaborate celebration, has a conflict with His Queen which leads to her removal from the throne.With Queen Vasthi gone, Virgins are gathered from across the empire to see which woman will please the king enough for him to make her the new queen. We meet Mordecai and his cousin Esther, both Israelites who were born in exile and live in the Fortress of Susa. Esther: a significantly attractive young woman. Mordecai an enterprising guy who had a position of responsibility. Mordecai’s refusal to bow and honor the kings number 2 man, Haman, the arrogant enemy of God, drives Haman to seek the destruction of the entire Israelite population of Persia. Haman convinces King Xerxes to order the annihilation of all jews in Persia, one year from now, on a single day. The order is posted in Susa…

1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

  • The decree is posted & Mordecai begins to mourn in the traditional jewish way
  • He mourned publicly, perhaps he wanted the King could see him
  • We are told the response was the same by Jews in all the Persian Empire
  • ‘HAIRCLOTH’ & Ashes
  • Jacob in Gen 37, David in 2 Sam 3, Hezekiah in Isaiah 37, Daniel in Daniel 9

4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

  • Seeing Mordecai in such a state upset Esther, she knew something big was up
  • Esther recognized the very Jewish mourning practice [Haircloth & ashes]
  • Clothes sent to make him less conspicuous, she was still unknown as a jew
  • Clothes refused, she sends a servant to get the low down

6 So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

  • Esther’s servant when to Mordecai in public and got the whole scoop
  • The money is important to show how much Haman wanted this personally
  • Copy of the edict so she had the details: Kill a Jew and you get his stuff!
  • Mordecai instructed her to go to the king [Mordecai instructed Esther on a lot]

9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned, the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

  • Esther hears Mordecai’s instructions & responds with the perceived reality
  • Esther realizes her influence with the king is waning [2nd gathering of Virgins]
  • Totally opposite of our situation with Christ [Go boldly before the throne]

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

  • Mordecai’s answer is kinda harsh but absolutely true
  • Great theology: If God wants to do it, He is gonna do it…with or without you
  • Mordecai instructs Esther hat she is where she is to perhaps save her people

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

  • Esther is moved by Mordecai’s plea…but she wants his help
  • Her plan is based on trust in God. How did she get to that point?
  • She literally surrenders her life into God’s hands…where it is already!
  • Esther is now the driver of the action [she has the vision that Mordecai follows]
  • Jews fast in order to pray to Yahweh / no other purpose to fast from food

Application Principals From Our Text:

If WE live believing God is totally in control, it will cause us to mourn with great grief, knowing that God allows for earthly suffering we can’t understand.

Seeking to comfort those who mourn is how God’s children can become relationally intimate. Trying to reduce someone’s pain is a reflection of God’s influence.

Our surrender to God’s sovereignty is to be paired with acting in ways HE has called us to act. God calls HIS people to act, fully aware of the corruptness of earthly authorities, while knowing we have perfect grace and justice in the end from our creator.

If YOU do not fulfill God’s will… it will not effect HIS will being done! HE wants to use us but HE is never limited by our limits.

If YOU belong to Christ, HE has placed you in positions and around people to glorify HIM. Spend your energy figuring out how to make that happen.

In life or death situations, get hyper intentional in your communication with God. Follow the ways that God’s people have always done that.

COMMUNION:

We must be in the hands of God for God to do exactly what He like with us, and that means disentanglement from every thing that hinder His purpose. If you want to remain a full -orbed grape, you must keep out of God’s hands for He will crush you, wine cannot be made any other way.

The call of God has nothing to do with personal holiness. It’s about being made broken bread and poured-out wine. If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink whole grapes. But God can never crush those who resist the fingers he uses to do it. Those fingers may belong to someone we dislike, or to some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit. We think, “If only God would use his own fingers to crush me, and do it in some special, heavenly way!” ~ Oswald Chambers [2 quotes]

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