Guest Speaker Rev. Bruce Naugle | First & Second | Hebrews 10:9 | January 2, 2021
Do This In Remembrance… | March 31, 2019
The Tables Are Turned!
Mordecai is feared! WHY?
In Susa they killed 500…
They also killed Haman’s ten sons… look at the list…
This Was Holy War!
“The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” – Genesis 6:5
“…the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” – Genesis 15:16b
The Kings Joshua defeated… look at the list… | Joshua 12:9-24
Saul was supposed to wipe out all the Amalekites
But he spared King Agag (Haman was an Agagite)
No Plunder Taken
Three times we read that they did not take any plunder—vv. 10, 15, & 16
Why not? Didn’t Mordecai give them permission?
This is Holy War. All things are devoted to God.. | Joshua 6:17
Jericho loses, Ai wins,… for Achan’s sin | Joshua 7:11-12
But This Wasn’t Exactly Like Holy War
Haman’s decree reversed God’s | 1 Samuel 15:3 & Esther 3:13
Mordecai’s decree mirrored Haman’s | Esther 8:11b
With ONE critical difference… self-defense!
This Should Be Celebrated & Remembered
Israel had no King through which to wage Holy War… but God remained faithful to His promise
Purim is celebrated each year, one month before Passover
Where Was God In All of This?
Holy War is God’s vengeance over evil
By God’s mercy & grace the Cross gave us a “time-out”
Jesus’ death on the Cross requires we cease Holy War
His sending of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to love our enemies and forgive those who persecute us
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:26
fgd| Two Decrees! | March 24, 2019
“The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Jeremiah 31:31
Haman is still hanging around!
My petition—my life. My request—my people!
Sold for (10,000 talents of silver)…
Destruction, slaughter, and annihilation
By this vile Haman!
Haman built a gallows for Mordecai
Hang Haman on it!
Then the King’s fury subsided…
Danger Averted!
Haman’s estate is given to Esther
Mordecai is made second in command
Esther gave Haman’s estate to Mordecai
Danger Averted… Or Is It?!
A decree of the King could not be repealed! | Esther 1:19
No document of the King can be revoked! | Esther 8:8
Written to the 127 provinces and to the Jews!
Using the same language…
Destroy, kill, and annihilate | Esther 8:11
And There Was Much Rejoicing in Susa!
1st Decree—Susa was bewildered, Mordecai grieved
2nd Decree—Susa celebrates, Mordecai is royalty
Where Was God in All of This?
Is this a little brutal? Attack the women & children? | Esther 8:11
Our first decree… | Genesis 3:13
All have sinned… and we have EARNED a death sentence.
Our second decree… | John 3:16-18
If we believe and confess we will be saved! Romans 10:9-10
Apologetics — Origins… (My Thinking on Creation Has Evolved) | February 24, 2019
“In the beginning God created…” Genesis 1:1a
Be Prepared for the Questions…
The Question of Evil
The Question of the Moral Law
The Question of the Reliability of the Bible
The Question of SO Many Religions
A needed clarification… LOVE!
The Question of Origins!
Know the Positions…
The Bible Position Genesis 1 & 2
The Evolution Position Romans 1:21-23
What do these two positions claim?
They explain how we got here!
What Form of Literature is Genesis 1?
Poetry with purpose
There is only ONE God Deuteronomy 6:4
Day 1—gods of light & darkness
Day 2—gods of sky & sea, etc…
Day 6—gods of humanity
Toledot—generations
They were created… by one God!
Poetry and… cosmogony
“The movement from chaos to cosmos”
Not geological or biological or chronological… cosmological
Chaos—Darkness, watery deep, formless earth…
What Can We Know About Creation? What’s Our Answer?
He is the ONLY God… and He’s a God of order
He created everything
And He created YOU in His image & likeness
And He isn’t satisfied with the chaos of this world, but through the Cross He is offering you order… and peace!