Embracing Divine Purpose: Lessons from Esther
Summary
Welcome to Kingsford Church, where we gather to realign our souls towards God, reflecting on His providence and the great reversals He orchestrates in our lives. As we delve into the story of Esther, we see a powerful narrative of courage, identity, and divine intervention. Esther, a Jewish woman in exile, becomes the queen of Persia and is placed in a unique position to save her people from genocide. Her story is a testament to God's unseen hand guiding us into unexpected places for His purposes.
Esther's journey mirrors our own as migrants in Australia, a land of diverse backgrounds and opportunities. We are reminded that our identities are multifaceted, encompassing our heritage, our faith, and our new home. Yet, ultimately, our citizenship is in heaven, and we are called to live out our faith in action, participating in God's redemptive work in this land.
The book of Esther is a story of great reversals, where the plans of the wicked are overturned, and God's people are delivered. This narrative foreshadows the ultimate reversal in the gospel, where Jesus Christ, once condemned, is now exalted, and we, once condemned, are offered forgiveness and new life. As we reflect on this, we are called to embrace our role in God's plan, recognizing that we are here for such a time as this.
In this season, let us focus on evangelism, discipleship, and action-oriented faith. We are called to share the good news of Jesus, build meaningful relationships, and put our faith into action. As we celebrate Australia Day, let us reflect on God's providence and the blessing of being part of this land. May we be agents of reconciliation and transformation, bringing the message of hope and forgiveness to those around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Divine Placement and Purpose: Just as Esther was placed in the Persian court for a divine purpose, we too are placed in our current circumstances for God's work. Our unique backgrounds and experiences are tools for His kingdom, and we must seek His guidance to understand our role in His plan. [51:04]
2. Identity and Citizenship: While we may hold multiple identities—cultural, national, and spiritual—our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. This perspective shapes how we live and interact with the world, reminding us that our primary allegiance is to God's kingdom. [47:32]
3. Courage in Uncertainty: Esther's courage to approach the king despite the risk of death is a powerful example of faith in action. In times of uncertainty, we are called to trust in God's providence and step out in faith, knowing that He is with us. [48:52]
4. The Great Reversal: The story of Esther highlights God's ability to reverse dire situations for His glory. This mirrors the gospel's message of transformation, where death is turned to life, and condemnation to forgiveness. We are invited to participate in this redemptive work. [54:14]
5. Action-Oriented Faith: Our faith is not passive but calls us to action. We are to be doers of the word, engaging in acts of reconciliation, transformation, and sharing the gospel. This active faith reflects our commitment to God's mission in the world. [01:08:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[20:57] - The Power of Prayer and Community
[34:28] - Embracing Diversity in Our Church
[36:55] - Reflecting on Australia Day
[38:12] - The Story of Esther
[39:54] - Esther's Courage and Faith
[42:51] - A Migrant's Tale
[44:50] - Identity in a New Land
[45:56] - God's Guiding Hand
[47:32] - Our Ultimate Citizenship
[48:52] - For Such a Time as This
[51:04] - Divine Placement and Purpose
[54:14] - The Great Reversal
[01:03:24] - Evangelism and Discipleship
[01:08:49] - Action-Oriented Faith
[01:17:24] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Esther 4:11-16
2. Philippians 3:20
3. Hebrews 12:2
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Esther's initial reaction to Mordecai's request for her to approach the king, and what risks did she face in doing so? [48:52]
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of Esther's dual identity as both Jewish and the Queen of Persia? [45:56]
3. What are some examples of "great reversals" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the story of Esther? [54:14]
4. According to the sermon, what role does courage play in Esther's story, and how is it demonstrated? [48:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Esther's story illustrate the concept of divine placement and purpose, and what might this suggest about the circumstances in which individuals find themselves today? [51:04]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our ultimate citizenship in heaven should influence our daily lives and interactions with others? [47:32]
3. How does the sermon connect the story of Esther to the broader narrative of the gospel, particularly in terms of transformation and redemption? [54:14]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of action-oriented faith, and how is this reflected in Esther's decision to approach the king? [01:08:49]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt placed in a specific situation for a purpose. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [51:04]
2. How can you balance your multiple identities (cultural, national, spiritual) while maintaining your primary allegiance to God's kingdom? [47:32]
3. Think of a situation where you need to demonstrate courage in uncertainty. What steps can you take to trust in God's providence and act in faith? [48:52]
4. Identify a "great reversal" in your life where a challenging situation was transformed for the better. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's work in your life? [54:14]
5. What specific actions can you take this week to live out an action-oriented faith, particularly in the areas of reconciliation and transformation? [01:08:49]
6. As we celebrate Australia Day, how can you be an agent of reconciliation and transformation in your community, sharing the message of hope and forgiveness? [01:08:49]
7. Consider someone in your life who might benefit from hearing the good news of Jesus. How can you build a meaningful relationship with them and share your faith? [01:03:24]
Devotional
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Quotes
And so as we look at Esther's journey, it really is a story of a migrant's tale of a migrant story. And this is, I think for nearly all of us here, um, we are, we are migrants from, from another land. And for those who are born in Australia, um, you may not have been born in Kingsford, so welcome. Uh, you've migrated from somewhere else, but picture Esther. Here she is this young Jewish woman unexpectedly becoming queen of Persia. [00:44:18] (32 seconds)
But ultimately, I think whilst we are here in Australia, yes, we are Australians. Yes, we are, you know, Christians. Yes, we, we, we carry some of our cultural heritage ultimately where our citizenship is in heaven. Philippians chapter three says, but our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:47:46] (24 seconds)
And then Mordecai comes up with the line that I think it really connects with me in verse 14. It says, if you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place. But you and your relatives will die. It's an interesting turn of phrase because it's a reminder that whilst God is in control, we also have a responsibility. [00:50:41] (33 seconds)
And here's the thing as we look at this I want us to not just look at that story in isolation I actually want us to see this that this is actually a gospel parallel for us to focus on and for us as an easter story and as we keep on helemaalizing this gonna be an incredible pantalla that the reverseals in esther store is actually beautifully foreshadows the the ultimate reversal in the gospel right the first one is that christ is exalted hundreds of years later he was on the cross he he was you know publicly shamed and yet now he sits at the right hand of the father and so satan is defeated who's saying that and only now the church isn't there in the church because the church isn't going anywhere it's the holy family is gone is gone who said that needless to say the church being one who will be condemned and for us there is salvation from death to life from condemnation to forgiveness this is the good news of the gospel people this is the good news that that we carry as citizens of heaven and so here's the ultimate reversal in christ right this death to life reversal is this incredible picture of the gospel that jesus was condemned to death on the cross but then elevated to the right hand of the father hebrews chapter 12 says for the joy set before him he endured the cross scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of god satan who who stood before god as our accuser has now been cast down right in revelation chapter 12 we read that the great dragon was hurled down that ancient serpent called the devil or satan who leads the whole world astray right there is now victory in jesus because of jesus death and resurrection the news of death and condemnation has been replaced by promise of forgiveness and restoration that's what we carry as christians that's this is what we carry as people who have been transformed who have been reconciled to god that we have this same message of reconciliation that we can give to others acts chapter 10 says you know the god's blessing is the peace and kingdom of god it is the fruit of the apple of the future it is the work of the will of god we come under his name and god has the redemption by which his peace will be known to all pose the matter in this time ofantson generation after generation we will see the work of audio snippets consistent feels with the lesson that life is about us and which life will derive in the life of our friends and but we need to change a little bit more because we have learned something else this week there's [01:00:46] (155 seconds)
And the third one is this action -oriented faith. It comes directly from the book of James, particularly James 1, verse 22, where James writes, do not be merely hearers of the word. Put it in action. Do something about it, right? This faith in Jesus is not just about receiving a golden ticket into heaven. [01:07:06] (29 seconds)
It is actually God calling us to participate in the work that he has already started and that he actually, we get this opportunity to participate in that, that the faith that we have is not just merely words and that by the end of our lives, we just go, oh, yep, I've received Jesus, so I'll get into heaven and that's it. Actually, no, it's more than that. That Jesus desires for each and every one of us to have this deep abiding relationship with him, but also that our faith is put into action. So what does that mean? It could mean something around reconciliation, around transformation, around bringing the good news that our lives, as God has received us and he has reconciled us to him, to himself, to God the Father, that we would also carry that same message of reconciliation, that our lives were one way and that as we've received Jesus in relationship with him, that we are then transformed into another person, that we get to do things that we would not normally do because God has called us into a place that is bigger than ourselves. [01:07:35] (75 seconds)
Remember, brothers and sisters, just as God placed Esther in the Persian court for his purpose, he's brought each and every one of you to Australia, to this faith community for such a time as this. [01:08:49] (17 seconds)
Father, I give you thanks for your word this morning. I pray, Lord, that it is a word in season. We pray for Australia, a country that both celebrates being migrants here, that we've come, many of us have come from many nations from across the lands. And yet also there is a great hurt in the land. [01:09:50] (28 seconds)
And Father, as we pray for revival for Australia, we recognize that there are some conditions as we look at history, that there are some conditions before revival actually occurs. And one of those conditions is repentance. One is to turn away from living our own way to living God's way. a life for christ i pray father for on behalf of australia [01:10:14] (36 seconds)
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