Risk, Reward, Reversal, Ruin | March 17, 2019

by | Mar 17, 2019 | Sermons

Risk, Reward, Reversal, Ruin | March 17, 2019

 

“He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success…” Job 5:12

 

Esther: RISKING It ALL… For ALL The Right Reasons
If I perish, I perish…
Fearing the worst, she prepares for the best
Be sincere, not manipulative!

 

Haman: REWARD!
Blessed beyond belief!
     Wealth, sons, honor from the King…
     He made me 2nd in Command!
AND…
     The Queen honored me today!
     And she will again tomorrow!!
BUT…
     That Jew!  Mordecai!
     “Hang him and be happy, Haman!”

 

Haman: REVERSAL… of Honor?
“Who would the King rather honor than me?!”
Let’s plan MY parade!
“Go at once… and do so for Mordecai, the Jew!”

 

Zeresh: RUIN… it’s coming!
Mordecai wouldn’t fall before you, but you will fall before him…
You will surely come to ruin

 

Where Was God in All of This?
The golden scepter
The King’s desire to bless the Queen
The King’s sleepless night…
Haman hanging out in the court…
Did Esther know what was going on for Haman?
Did Haman know what was going on for Esther?
Did God know what was going on for all of them?
Does God know what’s going on with you?

 

 

    CROSSROADS CHURCH

    5467 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466 | 715-884-2665

    Sunday Services at 9:30AM

    [email protected]

    The Agagite! | March 10, 2019

    by | Mar 10, 2019 | Sermons

    The Agagite! | March 10, 2019

     

    “… with fasting and weeping and mourning…” Joel 2:12-14

     

    The Setup (Esther 1 & 2)
    Queen Vashti out… Queen Esther in!
    Esther remains a Jew in secret
    Mordecai saves the King
              but is shown no honor for doing so…

    An Age Old Enemy
    The Agagite is made 2nd in command | Exodus 17 & 1 Samuel 15
    The King commands everyone to honor Haman
    Mordecai refuses, because he is a Jew
    Haman decides to kill all of the Jews
    His proclamation goes out on the Eve of Passover
    Israel is in exile because they were not faithful
    Will God still be faithful?

     

    Q:  Have you ever wondered if God will bless you when you’ve disobeyed? 1 John 1:9

     

    But Who Knows?
    Great mourning… with fasting and weeping and wailing…
    Send Esther to the King!
    The Honeymoon is over and that could get me killed!
    Will silence save you?!
    For such a time as this…
    Maybe Joel was right?

     

    Where Was God in All of This?
    Fast (and pray) for me for three days…
    …even though it is against the law | Acts 4:19
    If I perish, I perish | Matthew 16:24-27

     

    Q:  What have you risked for your faith?

    Q:  What are you willing to risk?

    Q:  Has God promised you a good result… (in this life)?

    CROSSROADS CHURCH

    5467 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466 | 715-884-2665

    Sunday Services at 9:30AM

    [email protected]

    Where Was God?! | March 3, 2019

    by | Mar 3, 2019 | Sermons

     Where was God?! | March 3, 2019

     

    One of the oldest books describes Him this way… Job 5:12-16

     

    The Background on Esther
    In History… after the Babylonian exile (485-464BC)
    Location… in the capital of the Persian Empire (see map)
    Overview of the plot… (chapters 1 & 2 are the setup)

     

    A Queen Rejected
    There is a great feast
    Queen Vashti refuses the King’s command
    The King is very angry
    King Xerxes seeks wise counsel
    A position comes open in the Kingdom

     

    A Star is Born!
    Hadassah (Hebrew), also known as Esther (Persian)
    Hadassah means “Myrtle”, Esther means “Star”
    Lovely in form & features (like the queen)
    A Jew in secret, she’s winning over the judges
    Esther is crowned Queen! Let’s feast!

     

    One Up—Two Down
    Esther is still a Jew in secret
    Mordecai overhears an assassination plot
    The matter is investigated and proven true!
    The two officials are hanged from a gallows (hint)
    Mordecai’s heroism is recorded in the King’s history books

     

    Where is God in All of This?
    Why don’t we ask this question when things are going well?
    Sometimes we can’t see Him until we look back
    A feast, a lovely queen, disobedience, a lovely “star”, obedience, and a feast
    Secrets maintained, secrets revealed, heroes hailed, a hanging, and we’re only getting started…
    Where are you in your story?
    Are you sure God’s not involved? 

    CROSSROADS CHURCH

    5467 1st Ave, Pittsville, WI 54466 | 715-884-2665

    Sunday Services at 9:30AM

    [email protected]