Esther - An Invitation to God's Plan

P.R.A.Y

Week of August 19

1 prayer focus each day

1, 2, and 3 day fasts

Jesus prayed - Mark 1: 35-39

Jesus taught us to pray - Matthew 6:5-18

Jesus gave the promise of answered prayer - John 14: 9-18

How to P.R.A.Y. this week - Praise

Praise Jesus for the evidence of His answered promise

Greater works He has done through FBC

Since January 2007, we have seen 332 baptisms.

Of those, 264 were under 18.

Guatemala - 3 trips w 24 people

Alaska - 2 trips w 15 people

Kansas - 1 trip w 17 people

Bulgaria - 1 trip w 5 people

Uruguay   1 trip w 10 people

Since January, 2007, we have given to the Cooperative Program $977,275 through regular tithes plus Five “March to the Manger” offerings, totaling $437,139.71 plus

Mission scholarships

4,292 people made professions of faith through ABSC Missions Ministries.

57 new church planters have been trained and 35 new churches started right here in our own state.

297 kids have found a home   through the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes and over 1,778 counseling sessions have been offered to at-risk families.

Baptist Collegiate Ministries across Arkansas led 44 spring break mission trips from 16    different campuses to 18 states and 9 countries.

And your Arkansas CPO Missionaries have had 18,954 consultations with Arkansas Baptists, made over 1,929 church visits, reported 2,753 evangelistic contacts with lost people, and seen 650 people come to know the Lord.

How to P.R.A.Y. this week - Repent

Let God speak to you about any issue He wants to deal with such as,

•         Lack of involvement in light of His promise

•         Lack of faith

•         Lack of prayer

•         Any hindrance, distraction, wrong priority

How to P.R.A.Y. this week - Ask

Do I pray for souls, opportunities, mission teams, my "Love List“?

How to P.R.A.Y. this week - Yield

Am I disobedient in participating in FBC's Great Commission work?

Has God placed a burden on my heart for a person? A ministry?

Esther – An Invitation to God’s Plan

 When My Prayers Don’t Work

Habakkuk 3:2

LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

“Someone once said, ‘Prayer is the dialogue between two people who love each other – God and man.’  Simply put, prayer is    communicating with God.

Prayer is much more than words, however. It is an expression of the heart toward God. It is an experience, a relationship, not an activity.” Dr. Bill Bright

When he prays

How he prays

•         With awe…

•         With confidence…

•         Without agenda…

Why he prays

•         That God would renew…

•         That God would reveal…

•         That God would remember…

Venue and 10:30am Sermon by Pastor Dave Morley

Esther - An Invitation to Pray

For Such a Time as This

Esther 4:14; Matthew 9:35-38

Look at the harvest fields

•         The compassion of Jesus

•         The condition of the harvest

1.      Harassed and helpless

2.      Like sheep without a shepherd

•         Where are the harvest fields?

Ask the Boss

•         What? – workers

•         Why?

1.      Because Jesus said so

2.      Because the harvest is ready

3.      Because God has a plan for you

Work the harvest

“When we pray as Jesus commanded, we will see what He saw, feel as He felt, and do what he did.”

9:00am Sermon by Pastor Dick Avey

Esther - An Invitation to Pray

An invitation to Pray - Adding power through fasting

August 5-26: Sermon series on prayer 

Week of August 19:

            19 - Life group lessons, "FBC Prayer Card," school prayer walks

            22-23 - FBC wide 1 day fast

            23-25 - continuation to 3 day fast

Week of August 26:

            26 - Lifegroup lessons, “FBC Prayer Card,"

How? Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting is presumed.

•         "When"

•         A fundamental Jewish practice

•         JESUS modeled it

•         Great Comission.

Fasting is personal.

•         "Secret" 

•         What is your level of desire to know Jesus?

Fasting is passionate.

•         "Will reward" 

•         How much do you believe?

Esther - Recognizing Godly Counsel

Recognizing Godly Counsel - Esther 4

Mordecai loved her enough to tell her the truth:

•         Situation – “told him all that happened” v. 7

•         How bad it was – “do not think you will escape” v.13

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Proverbs 24:26

Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. Proverbs 25:19

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Proverbs 27:5

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Mordecai loved her enough to challenge her:

•         Confronted any desire for comfort

•         Confronted her fear

Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.  Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. Proverbs 15:31-32

Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. Proverbs 15:12

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. Proverbs 15:5

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. Proverbs 13:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1

The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Proverbs 15:8

Proverbs 30:1-5

Mordecai pointed her to her role in God’s plans:

•         “Whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? Proverbs 20:24

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Haman's Judgment

Haman’s Judgment: an invitation to Salvation

Why must he die?

Why is death always so prevalent?

“For the wages of sin is death”

 Romans 6:23

“without shedding of blood there is no remission”

  Hebrews 9:22

Haman is a sinner like us

•         Born under judgment – “the son of the Agagite” Esther 3:1

•         “through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” Romans 5:12

Haman is a sinner like us

•         Judged for his “sin”

•         Sin is “wrongdoing” and “falling short” Romans 3:23

Death:

spiritual and physical death

•         “hell” – fire, describing eternal torment

•         Luke 16: 19-26 died, buried, and in torment

•         Matthew 18: 8-9 “the everlasting fire”

•         Rev. 14: 11 “the smoke of their torment ascends forever”

 “So hell, when all is said and done, is the absence of God’s goodness and blessedness … the absence of anything we can think of that’s good, right, comforting, joyous, happy, and peaceful. It’s a pretty terrifying place.”   Matt Chandler – The Explicit Gospel

Jesus’ Death:  

a necessary substitute

“by grace” through “redemption in Christ Jesus” because of His “payment by His blood” 

Romans 3:24-25

“the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord”  Romans 6:23

Pride Goes Before a Fall

Pride goes before destruction…

Haman's Invitation to Repent  -  Esther 3

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Proverbs 16:18

Pride: an inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority. Root word means "to boil" or "to run over"

Pride makes you:

•         Unable to follow God or recognize His work around you

•         Self-interested to detriment of those around you

•         Unwise because you think you are smarter, better than all  Proverbs 11:2

•         Unable to listen to counsel, even from people close to you

•         Make financial decisions out of greed, selfish; not with a mind for greater purpose 

•         Ultimately unable to repent

Keys to avoiding the destruction of pride: 

•         Sense of who God is - see yourself in light of Him and not your condition or others around you

•         Willingness to repent

•         Listen to those who challenge your pride

•         Look for Godly influences around you

•         Live for something greater than yourself - God's plan

The Importance of Character for National Leaders

1. A Commitment to Truth-based worldview of Right and Wrong

Xerxes’ self view as a god vs. belief in absolute truth

2. The Necessity of Supporting Families

•         Xerxes did not respect his own family

•         Made policy that harmed all families

•         Vile, queen search

2. The Necessity of Supporting Families

Family – building block and strength of any society

Married, heterosexual couples have:

•         11% less rate of poverty

•         Substantially higher income

•         Double the net worth on average

•         4 times household assets

•         Significantly higher savings rates

•         Both married men and married women have higher incomes

Marriage stability’s effect on children: 

•         30% or more fewer rates of child poverty

•         Far less likely to engage in pre-marital sex

•         Teen pregnancy rate drops significantly

•         Grades increase, education levels increased

•         Drug/alcohol use drops significantly

•         Kids in divorced family 38% or higher rate of divorce

3. The Responsibility to Protect individuals/groups who inherently cannot protect themselves. i.e. his decision based on advice to continue wrongful dominance of women

4. The Importance of Wise, Honest, Advisors

Xerxes’ advisors:

•         lewd

•         drunken

•         self-interested

•         evil

•         dishonest

4. The Importance of Wise, Honest, Advisors

Advisors:

•         reflect the character of the leader,

•         reveal the direction of the leader

•         magnify either the flaws or strengths of the leader

5.  The Strength of Character to Change Wrong Decision/Mistakes

Positively, Xerxes reverses his evil decision regarding the Jews. 

(Ch 8:7-12)

Understanding the power of True Beauty

What scripture teaches about Beauty

1 Peter 3:1-6

Proverbs 31: 29-31

Proverbs 11: 16, 22

What scripture teaches about Beauty

See Vashti:

Proud, disrespectful, fighting spirit

Esther’s beauty:  2:7

            “Beautiful in form and lovely to look at”

The power of Esther’s beauty was not outer, but…

her natural grace and charm

her submissive spirit

v     No bad response in tough moments

v     Continues to follow her spiritual mentor

v     No rejection of circumstances beyond her control

v     She influences those “over” her by character

her teachable, growth heart

v     She heeds Mordecai’s lessons

v     She receives Heagai’s teaching

v     She grows in the journey

her strength above her CIRCUMSTANCES

v     She does not fight to show strength over people

v     She is not changed by what happens

v     She influences people “over” her through her character

her faith

v     Trusts God for protection

v     Sees God’s aid when arises

v     Sees God’s opportunities when they arise

v     Fasting and prayer

Esther An Invitartion to God's Plan

God’s invitation to serve Him at work

Setting:

•         Secular job – gov’t  official

•         Pagan culture

•         Co-workers/contacts- lewd, heavy drinking

•         Haman – arrogant boss who hates him

•         Xerxes – evil leader of evil regime 

•         Backstabbing plots

•         Challenges to his integrity

3 Major Principles:

•         Spiritual Life is the foundation of his professional life

•         Spiritual Life made him do his job with excellence

•         Spiritual Life created circumstances for God’s blessings

Mordecai’s spiritual life was the foundation of his professional life

•         Loved the word

•         Loved God’s people 

•         Believed God at work in his secular life

•         Kept family a priority

Mordecai’s faith made him an excellent employee

•         Submissive to authority

•         Served God by serving well

•         Long term faithfulness 

•         Godly wisdom

God blessed Mordecai through his job.

•         Esther protected

•         Mordecai honored 

•         Given favor due to his faithfulness, enemies shamed

Promoted according to God’s plans

Esther "An Invitation to God's Plan"

Invitations

Life Choices - Esther 1-2  

Invitations

create a responsibility to choose

and an opportunity for God’s blessing

Invitations

come in various forms

•         Difficult circumstances - Esther/Vashti (1-2)

•         To be faithful - Mordecai and the plot (2:19-23)

•         Temptation – Haman’s bribe (3:8-10)

Invitations

come in various forms

•         To trust that God is at work – whether Esther will go before Xerxes (4:14)

•         To use wisdom – Esther’s invitation to Xerxes (5)

•         Revelation of your character – Xerxes’ question to Haman (6:6-10)

•         To stay true to your calling – Xerxes’ offer to Esther/Mordecai (8:7-8)

4 Important Principles: 

Invitations…

•         Arise in real life situations

•         Reveal your perspective of God

•         Reveal your true character

•         Carry consequences

Invitations arise in real life circumstances

1:10 “on the seventh day he commanded”

 2:1, 16 “After these things – in the seventh        year of his reign”

Invitations arise in real life circumstances

God inhabits moments

God uses ALL circumstances

Every situation is a classroom

You snooze you loose

Invitations reveal your perspective of God

He is at work, even in difficulty

He is gracious and benevolent to His children

His greater plan is for His people

He rewards those who are obedient

Invitations reveal your true character

“Squeeze and taste” 

“Heart is deceitful –who can know it” Jer. 17:9-10

Invitations carry consequences

Israel in bondage due to judgment

Mordecai’s faithfulness later integral to God’s plan

Haman’s pride destroyed him

Invitations carry consequences

Good choice/good things; bad choice/bad things

No “reset” button – choices create circumstances

Repeated choices create your character

Esther "An Invitation to God's Plan"

586 B.C. – fall of Jerusalem

539 B.C. – Persia conquers Babylon

Persian kings: Cyrus, Cambysus, Darius, Xerxes 1, Artaxerxes 1

538 B.C. – 1st return of exiles under     Ezra (Cyrus)

486-465 B.C. – Xerxes becomes King

Battles of Thermopylae and Salamis

479 B.C. – Esther becomes Queen

458 B.C. – 2nd return to Jerusalem under Ezra (Temple)

445 B.C. – 3rd return to Jerusalem under Nehemiah (Wall)

The Three Feasts

Feast of the King (1-2)

Esther’s rise

Feast of Esther (7)

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 4:14

Feast of Purim (9)

God’s victory through Esther

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 4:14

We will learn:

God is always at work

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place…”

Recognizing God’s invitation to join Him

“…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Learning how to respond to God’s invitation