Esther 1-10

Introduction: Do you feel “stressed”? Have you (we) learned to REST while you’re  stressed? Speaking of stress, I heard about a man that went to the doctor. After examining him thoroughly, the doctor recommended that the man take a RED pill in the morning with a full glass of water, a BLUE pill at lunch time with a full glass of water, and finally, a GREEN pill at night with a full glass of water. The man agreed. Then he asked, “Doc, what’s my problem?” To which the Doctor replied, “You’re not getting enough WATER!”

A careful study of the book of Esther reveals (7) steps to RELIEVE your STRESS and RESTORE your REST. Esther’s Persian name means “star,” but her Hebrew name means “myrtle.” Here is a brief outline of the highlights in this book that does not mention the name of God but demonstrates His Sovereignty on every page:  

The nation of Israel was taken into captivity (Babylon – which later became Persia) for a total of 70 years because of her disobedience. Yet, according to the Lord’s chastening purpose, she had been promised to return to her home land. While in captivity is the setting of the book of Esther.

1. Esther was willing to Fulfill her Purpose by SERVING & HONORING God! (Esther 1, 2:7)

“And he brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”

{Esther went thru the (1) year prepping process with oil, myrrh etc. (Esther 2:12)}

2. Esther found FAVOR with the King! (Esther 2:15, 17; 5:8)

“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight….and he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”

3. Esther learned to DEPEND upon God as her SOURCE of STRENGTH! (Esther 4:16)

“Go gather all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day….so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”

4. Esther accepted the role to be CALLED by God to be a servant LEADER! (Esther 4:13)

“Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews….who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

5. Esther placed herself on the altar and let God have His WAY! (Esther 4:16) 

“If I perish, I perish”

6. Esther engaged the ENEMY and let God FIGHT her BATTLES! (Esther 6, 7:6)

“And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.”

7. Esther witnessed the Lord CHANGING the course of Human History! (Esther 9,10)

Conclusion: After studying the book of Esther, our stress is reduced. Right? We like her, can Fulfill our Purpose by serving our risen Savior, and find “FAVOR” with the King. Because He who Called us is the SOURCE of our STRENGTH! As we PLACE our will under His Will, He not only fights our Battles but He changes the course of “history”….because it’s “His Story.” 

Introduction: Have you ever gotten in trouble for not being home on time? As a boy we would play out in the woods and at supper time, my dad would whistle for us to come home. It was our signal. He was calling us (this was before cell phones!?). Would we answer? What do you think? Is Jesus calling you? Calling you to follow Him? Calling you to put aside other less important things than being in His will. How will you answer His call? Isaiah had a life-changing experience when he saw the Lord, saw himself, and answered the Lord’s call! Follow his (3) steps:

• Jesus towers above us (v 1)
• Jesus’ overpowering presence is all around us (vv 1-4)

*** If we ever see our Lord Jesus with the eye of FAITH, we will come away forever CHANGED…ready to go!

{The word “Woe” is oy, which means a passionate cry}
{The word “Undone” is damah, which means to be cut off, cease, undone….. one English Bible translates it, “I am dumb…I have no words…I am guilty of silence….I am ruined.”}

• Our confession (v 5)
• His cleansing (vv 6, 7)

*** When we see Jesus with the eye of FAITH, it causes us to see ourselves in the light of His Holiness.

3. The 3rd Step to getting into God’s will is to hear the CALL of Jesus and answer with an AFFIRMATION! (Isa 6:8-13)

“Then one of the seraphim….having a live coal in his hand….laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged…And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

* 1. Confession
* 2. Cleansing
* 3. Calling

• Look up & look in
• Look out and go out

*** If we see Jesus with the eye of FAITH, and see ourselves in the light of His holiness, then we should confess our sinfulness and be cleansed by His blood, which will result in our answer to His CALL to be in His WILL.

Conclusion: Maybe our Lord Jesus is calling you to do the following:

* Be saved ( develop a personal relationship)
* Break away from bad habits
* Be bold in witnessing
* Be ready for His return
* Be pro active in serving Him
* Be faithful in praying for others
* Be a student of the Word of God
* Be forgiving
* Be kind and loving
* Be willing to let go of past hurts
* Be visionary in His will
* Be strong instead of being afraid
* Be patient
* Be Spirit-filled
* Be purposeful in leaving a lasting legacy
* Be able to defend what you believe
* Be engaging the enemy in spiritual warfare
* Be a blessing to others by giving to meet their needs
* Be a servant leader in your home

Genesis 13:1-18

1. The 1st Step to WATCH is “FAMILY FEUDS”! Do you ever have them? (Gen 13:5-13)

“And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle….And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren.”

{The word “strife” is Reeb which means dispute, controversy, quarrel}

• Feuds are inevitable (v 7)
• Feuds can be avoidable (v 8)
• Feuds can be reconcilable (v 9)

* Lessons learned*
   * Blessings can lead to Bickering (v 7)
   * Strife can lead to Separation (v 11)

2. The 2nd Step to take in a “FAMILY FEUD” is FAMILY FAITH! Are you willing to fight for your family faith? (Gen 13:14-18)

“And the Lord said unto Abraham after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art….for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever….And Abram removed his tent and came and dwelt….in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.”

• Lot’s choice was worldliness, which led to his waywardness (vv 10,11)
  * Lot lost his focus
  * Lot lost his fortune
  * Lot lost his family
  * Lot didn’t lose his FAITH (2 Pet 2:7, 8)

Acts 9:36-42

Introduction: What kind of “GOOD  WORKS” do you have? No. We’re not saved by “Works,” but if we are saved, there should be some “Works” (Eph 2:8-10; James 2:14-26).

**Remember the Wendy’s commercial (1984 – Before your time?) – “Where’s the beef?” Well, “Where’s the works?”

1. Dorcas was a CHRISTian woman of faith in the God of the Bible and she was “FULL of GOOD WORKS”! (Acts 9:36)

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did…..all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made.” 

{The word “Disciple” here is mathetria, which means a female disciple. Tabitha, or Dorcas’ name, means gazelle.}
{The word “Alms deed” is the word elehaymosoonay, which means mercy and pity}

2. Dorcas grew SICK, succumbed to her illness, and DIED! (Acts 9:37)

“And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.”

3. Dorcas was RAISED from the dead! (Acts 9:40-42; also 1 Thess 4:13-18; John 14:1-3; Rev 21:1-7) 

“But Peter…kneeled down, and prayed….and turning to the body said, Tabitha arise. And she opened her eyes….and sat up.”

“Many believed in the Lord.” 

Ezra 7:1-10

1. Look at the Place WHERE God shows FAVOR! (Ezra 7:1-9)

“….This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given him: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.”

{The word ” scribe” is saphar, which means to recount, secretary, learned man, scribe; it refers to Ezra in this passage}

    • Favor with those over you (vv 1-9)

“And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month…..in the seventh year of the king,” (Ezra 7:8)

    • Favor with those against you 

“And the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy.” (Ezra 8:31)

    • Favor with that within you 

“And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me.” (Ezra 7:28)

   • Favor with those outside

2. Look at the WAY to get God’s FAVOR! (Ezra 7:10)

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and do it, and teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

    • Do we have a Holy HEARTBEAT for the Word of God?

“Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord” (v 10).

    • Do we have a Holy HEARTBURN to be a doer of the Word of God?

“And to do it” (Ezra 7:10)

[Do we just hear it read and preached, or do we apply it to our life? (James 1:22)]

     • Do we have a Holy HEART-BURDEN to TEACH the Word of God?

“And to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (Ezra 7:10)

    • God’s spiritual gift of teaching (Rom 12:7)

Conclusion: At a crucial time in history, the GOOD Hand of the Lord raised up a man named Ezra. God’s plan was to bring His people back to their homeland from Babylon – Persia (after 70 years of captivity), which was accomplished (Ezra 1-6). Using Jewish men, women and even an unbelieving Persian king, Cyrus, the GOOD HAND of the Lord brought BLESSINGS!

Don’t you LOVE the GOOD Hand of the Lord’s BLESSINGS on you? Of course you do!

 Jeremiah 29:10-14

Introduction: Do you ever feel like giving up? Giving up on a loved one? Feeling hopeless? I’ve got “GOOD NEWS.” Our Lord doesn’t give up on us! God’s great unconditional love and commitment to His people, especially the nation of Israel, as demonstrated in this passage, is an example that brings security and hope in this life. He has our best interest in mind, which is proven thru His chastisement (Heb 12:5). This is the lesson learned throughout the book of Jeremiah. With that in mind, this gives believer’s (3) reasons to serve the Lord Jesus, to give to the Lord Jesus, and to love the Lord Jesus!

1. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did not GIVE UP on me or You! (Jeremiah 29:11)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” [The words “expected end” is tik taw which means “hopeful future”!]

{This verse (v.11) comes after (v.10) where God announces that because of Israel’s, more specifically Judah’s, disobedience (Jer 29:10-see Lev 25), she would be led into captivity in Babylon for 70 years (see the books of Ezekiel Daniel, etc.). This would be for the purpose of learning to “KISS the Rod” of God’s correction. “Whom the Lord loves, he chastises” (Heb 12:5).

• God sees a Hopeful future
• On the Potter’s wheel

2. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has taken us PLACES that we could not have gone on our own with RESOURCES we did not have! (Jeremiah 29:14)

“And I will be found….and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

• It’s not who you know / it’s whose you are
• It’s not who you are / it’s who He is
• It’s not what you have / it’s what He has

{Just as in the case of Israel – even though the Church does not REPLACE Israel, God will make a way}

3. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has PROMISED when we SEEK Him, and SEARCH for Him with all of our Heart, we will find Him! (Jeremiah 29:12, 13)

“Then shall ye call upon me….and ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye search for me with all of your heart.”

When we SEEK Jesus we find:
* He loves us
* He corrects us
* He keeps us
* He strengthens us
* He leads us
* He encourages us
* He is coming back for us

1 Corinthians 15:58

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 

Introduction: In order to stay healthy physically, it is very important to take B vitamins. Likewise, in order to stay healthy spiritually, we need to take some B Vitamins. After thoroughly discussing the resurrection of Jesus Christ {past, present and future}, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, encourages the Corinthian believers and us today to take (3) B Vitamins in order to HOLD the LINE!

1. Be SETTLED DOWN! (1 Cor 15:58)

“Be steadfast” {The word “steadfast” is hedrahyos, which means settled down.}

    • “Settled down” in your past (Regeneration)

    • “Settled down” in your present (Sanctification)

    • “Settled down” in your future (Glorification)

2. Be FIRMLY FIXED! (1 Cor 15:58)

“Unmovable” {The word “unmovable” is ametakinaytos, which means, unmoved, firmly persistent.}

     • Firmly Fixed – when you’re under attack from the Infernal enemy

     • Firmly Fixed – when you’re under attack from the internal enemy 

     • Firmly Fixed – when you’re under attack from the external enemy 

3. Be RUNNING OVER! (1 Cor 15:58)

“Always abounding in the world of the Lord” {The word “abounding” is perissyooo, which means to abound, overflow.}

      • Running over in your Prayer life

      • Running over by sharing your faith in Jesus 

      • Running over by exercising your spiritual gifts  

Conclusion: Staying healthy as a CHRISTian should be a top priority. Considering the battles we all go thru, taking Holy Spirit (B) Vitamins – BE SETTLED, BE FIRM, and BE RUNNING OVER, is what doctor Jesus orders!

Introduction: Do you feel Ioved? If not, why not? What if I told you someone really loves you a whole lot? Would you believe me? He doesn’t just SAY it, He PROVES it! Check out Romans 5:8, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while yet sinners, Christ died for us.” “Commendeth” means showed – demonstrated. Love is the greatest thing in the world… God’s LOVE! It’s higher, deeper, longer, and greater than anything. Because of the LOVE of Christ, let’s look at (3) reasons we are without excuse for not serving and giving, and loving Jesus back since He loved us first, according to Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus. 

1. When we were lost sinners on our way to a devil’s hell, Jesus LOVED us! (Eph 2:1-3)

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins….in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in disobedience….Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind: and were by nature the children of wrath.”

2. When we were lost, the LOVE of God rescued us and made a way for us to go to Heaven! (Eph 2:4-6)

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for  his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, And hath raised us up together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

3. All because of His GREAT LOVE & AMAZING GRACE we are made trophies, giving us reasons to LOVE Him and serve Him! (Eph 2:7-10)

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus: For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not if yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Conclusion: Is God’s unconditional LOVE meant for us to keep for ourselves and not share? No. His Great LOVE is so vast that it is limitless. Now the question is…. what are we going to do? Now that we know what JESUS has done for us, and is doing in us… how should we respond to such unfathomable LOVE?

What do you think?

Psalm 13:1-6

Introduction: Do you find yourself in a constant struggle with CARE? CARE that escalates into worry. How can you break free from unnecessary anxiety? An exhausted and tired David, asked God four times, “How long?” And yet, he has a breakthrough over the CARE that weighed him down. His discovery was by, FINDING, FIXING, and being FREE from his worry:

1. We need to FIND our worry and PROBLEMS – CARE! (Psa 13:1, 2)
“How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?….having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?”

• Internal problems (v 1)
[Things we can’t change]
[Things in the past]
[Things in the future]

• External problems (v 2b)

2. We need to FIX our worry PROBLEMS through PRAYER! (Psa 13:3, 4)
“Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”

• Releasing
• Resolving
• Rededicating
• Retaking

3. We need to be FREE from worry – PROBLEMS with PRAISE! (Psa 13:5, 6)
“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”

• Praise God for His Spiritual Breakthroughs (v 5)
• Praise God for His Spiritual Blessings (v 6)

Love y’all,

Luke 13:10-17

Introduction: Do you ever feel bound down with hurts from the past? Without a breakthrough, it can get you down not only emotionally but also physically as well as spiritually. In turn, our relationships can be damaged, and remain that way, unless we allow Jesus to show up and loose us from what holds us down.

1. Those Women who desperately need to be “LOOSED” from Satan’s POWER! (Luke 13:11)
“And he was teaching in one of the synagogues in the sabbath. And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could  in no wise lift up herself.”[The word “Infirmity” is astheneias, which means lack of strength.]
[The word “bowed together” is sunkupto, which means a curvature of the spine.]

    • Loosed from the hurts of the Past

    • Loosed from the heavy burdens of the Present

[The word “Loosed” is apoluo, which in the Greek means to stay loosed.]

      • Jesus saw her – He sees us

      • Jesus called her – He calls us

3. Those Women who have been divinely “LOOSED” by Jesus’ PRESENCE! (Luke 13:13)
“And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God……And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan hath bound, lo these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”

      • The devil’s crowd horrified

      • The woman electrified