God's Sovereignty and Heroism in the Story of Esther

 

Summary

The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the omnipresence of God in our lives, drawing from the story of Esther to illustrate how God holds His people and is involved in every aspect of their lives. The pastor encourages the congregation to live confidently in the love and good news of the Gospel, reflecting back to God who controls every day of their lives. The pastor then introduces a new series on the Book of Esther, expressing excitement for a verse by verse study through the book. He emphasizes the significance of the story of Esther in relation to the gospel, arguing that without the events of Esther, there would be no gospel.

The pastor reassures the congregation that God is actively involved in their lives, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. He references the story of Esther and encourages the congregation to reflect on their own lives, noting that it becomes hard to ignore the presence of God when looking back. The pastor shares a personal anecdote about their own experience of seeing God's activity in their life at a young age. He also shares a personal story about his family's experience with adoption and the challenges they faced, and how their decision to adopt a child inspired other families in their church to do the same.

The pastor acknowledges the recent events in the Middle East and encourages the congregation to pay attention to these events, not for personal comfort or end-time prophecy, but out of a burden for those who are suffering. He urges the congregation to teach their children about the events and highlights the different perspective that the younger generation has due to growing up with constant exposure to tragedy through social media.

The pastor then discusses the story of Esther, focusing on four key aspects. Firstly, it is described as a hero story, with Esther being portrayed as a heroine. Secondly, the pastor emphasizes that the story is patriotic, as it is still celebrated by the nation of Israel through the festival of Purim. Thirdly, the pastor describes the story as comedic, containing all the elements of a good story, including twists, turns, ironies, and a descent into tragedy that ultimately ends happily. Lastly, the pastor asserts that the story of Esther is a gospel story.

The pastor then addresses the recent violence against the Jewish population, urging the congregation to confront evil and be confident in their victory over it as believers. The pastor admits to initially avoiding the news but later felt convicted to educate themselves about the situation. They began reading news articles, listening to podcasts, and gathering factual information to address the issue with the teenagers in the congregation. The pastor discovered a recurring theme of attacks on Jews throughout history, from the extermination attempts in the Book of Esther to the Holocaust and the present-day Palestinian Empire Hamas terrorists. This pattern, the pastor emphasizes, is not a coincidence but a result of the enemy's desire to destroy God's chosen people.

The pastor then encourages the congregation to study and be confident in their identity as God's chosen people, as believers in Him. The exploration of the Book of Esther becomes a focal point, leading the pastor to delve deeper into its message. The pastor believes that understanding the historical context and the recurring theme of attacks on Jews can help the congregation better understand their identity and role as believers.

The pastor then shares a personal story from their childhood, recounting how their family moved from Texas to Florida when they were 10 years old because their dad took another church. This was a dark moment in their life due to the sudden move. The pastor recalls a specific incident when their family was on their way to the airport to go to Hawaii but had to make a three-day detour in Florida because their dad was preaching at a church there. The pastor expresses their frustration at finding out through a bulletin at the church that their dad was a candidate for the position of pastor without anyone informing them beforehand.

The pastor also mentions the emotional impact of their dad leaving their previous church in Texas, which had grown significantly under his leadership, and how it felt like a terrible thing to go through as a 10-year-old. The pastor also mentions a legal issue within their new church in Florida that their dad had to deal with, adding to the challenges they faced during that time. The pastor uses this personal story to illustrate the importance of faith and resilience in the face of adversity.

Key Takeaways

- God is omnipresent in our lives, involved in every aspect, whether we are going through struggles or experiencing highs and lows. This is illustrated in the story of Esther, where God holds His people and assures us that He is holding us as well. [12:45]

- The story of Esther is significant in relation to the gospel. Without the events of Esther, there would be no gospel. Esther's heroism is highlighted as crucial for the preservation of the Jewish nation and the continuation of Jesus' bloodline. [22:30]

- God is actively involved in our lives, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. It becomes hard to ignore the presence of God when looking back at our lives. This is illustrated in the pastor's personal anecdote about their own experience of seeing God's activity in their life at a young age. [34:15]

- The pastor encourages the congregation to pay attention to the events in the Middle East, not for personal comfort or end-time prophecy, but out of a burden for those who are suffering. He urges the congregation to teach their children about the events and highlights the different perspective that the younger generation has due to growing up with constant exposure to tragedy through social media. [45:50]

- The story of Esther is described as a hero story, a patriotic story, a comedic story, and a gospel story. It is still celebrated by the nation of Israel through the festival of Purim, contains all the elements of a good story, and can be read in light of the gospel message. [58:20]

Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
2. Romans 8:37-39: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Observation Questions

1. What does Romans 8:28 suggest about the role of God in the lives of those who love Him?
2. In Romans 8:37-39, what are the things that are mentioned as unable to separate us from the love of God?

Interpretation Questions

1. How does Romans 8:28 relate to the belief that God is actively involved in our lives, even in the midst of difficult circumstances?
2. How does the assurance in Romans 8:37-39 that nothing can separate us from the love of God reflect on the confidence we should have as believers, especially in the face of adversity?

Application Questions

1. Can you recall a difficult circumstance in your life where you later realized that it worked out for your good? How did that experience strengthen your faith in God's active involvement in your life?
2. How can the assurance in Romans 8:37-39 help you confront challenges in your life with confidence? Can you think of a specific situation where you can apply this assurance?
3. In light of Romans 8:28, what is one way you can demonstrate your trust in God's purpose for your life in your actions this week?
4. Considering the recent events in the Middle East, how can you apply the teachings of Romans 8:37-39 to show empathy and support for those who are suffering?
5. How can the understanding of God's omnipresence and His active involvement in our lives, as suggested in Romans 8:28, influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Omnipresence in Uncertainty

In the midst of struggles and uncertainties, it is crucial to remember that God is always present and involved in our lives. His omnipresence is a source of comfort and strength, providing a sense of stability even when circumstances seem chaotic. Living confidently in the knowledge of God's control over our lives allows us to reflect back on Him in times of worry and fear. [12:45]

Psalm 139:7-10 - "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

Reflection: How can you actively acknowledge God's presence in your life today? Can you identify a specific situation where you need to trust in His control?

Day 2: Esther's Heroism and the Gospel

The story of Esther is a powerful testament to God's involvement in the lives of His people, even when He seems absent. Esther's heroism was crucial for the preservation of the Jewish nation and the continuation of Jesus' bloodline. This narrative serves as a reminder of God's providence and His ability to work through ordinary individuals for His extraordinary purposes. [24:30]

Esther 4:14 - "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?"

Reflection: How can you emulate Esther's courage and faith in your own life? Can you identify a situation where you can step up and make a difference?

Day 3: Testimonies of God's Activity

Personal experiences can serve as powerful testimonies of God's activity in our lives. These testimonies, like the miraculous recovery of a loved one or the decision to adopt a child, are examples of how God can work in unexpected ways. They remind us that God is always at work, even in the seemingly mundane aspects of our lives. [36:15]

Psalm 66:16 - "Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me."

Reflection: What is one personal experience that serves as a testimony of God's activity in your life? How can you share this testimony with others to encourage them in their faith?

Day 4: God's Sovereignty in Esther's Story

The story of Esther serves as a reminder that there are no coincidences or accidents with a sovereign God. Everything is held in His hands, and He can use even the most challenging circumstances for His purposes. This truth should inspire confidence and trust in God's providence, even in the face of adversity. [48:00]

Proverbs 16:9 - "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life that seemed coincidental but could have been God's providence? How can this understanding of God's sovereignty affect your approach to challenges?

Day 5: The Multifaceted Story of Esther

The story of Esther is multifaceted, encompassing heroism, patriotism, comedy, and spiritual significance. It serves as a reminder of God's providence and the power of faith in overcoming adversity. This narrative encourages us to see the complexity and depth of God's work in our lives and in the world around us. [59:30]

Esther 9:28 - "These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants."

Reflection: How can you embrace the complexity and depth of God's work in your life? Can you identify a specific aspect of your faith journey that reflects this multifaceted nature of God's activity?

Quotes

"In every area of your life, when you're going through something, when you're going through a struggle, when you're going through a high, a low, it doesn't matter, God is present and involved, and you need to have confidence in that."

"Let today not be that day because you have a God who holds you in his hand, who loves you endlessly. The story of Esther is a story of God holding his people, and that's the same story for us, God holding his people."

"I don't have the answers for how but I know that he is God is in it. God is in your life and it's very easy when you're in the pages not to see that God is in it, but when you look back on the story of Esther and when you look back on your life, it is hard to ignore the presence of God."

"We have this beautiful little sister who we get to hold, this trophy of Grace, and we got to teach our church adoption. Now all these different families in our church have adopted kids back home because of my parents' example, and it's just so easy to see God in that."

"I don't know how God's going to use Maya's life, my life, or your life. I don't know how God's going to use the situation our church is in now. But I do know that He's in control, and I have so much confidence in that. I put my faith in Him, the God who controls all things."

"Do not be afraid to look evil in the eye because we have victory over evil...you need to be confident in that."

"This is a hero story, a story about Esther who is a heroine. Unlike an action movie, it's like a literal Marvel movie building Esther up. You have her origin story, her mentor in Morai, and a heinous villain in Hmon who literally wants to eradicate an entire ethnic population."

"Most importantly, this is a gospel story. If you read the book of Esther, you'll see how it points to the gospel. It's a story of God's providence, deliverance, and redemption."

"Without Esther's heroics, the Jewish Nation goes extinct and the lineage of Jesus is ended. Jesus never is born and Jesus Never Dies for our sins. This story Saves The Gospel."

"God dealt with Esther in this story he deals in the details silently there are no coincidences with a sovereign God."

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?