STUDY OUTLINE
. Where/how can I find courage when I need it?
. Have you thought much about life’s 4 big questions: What is my DESTINY? WORTH? IDENTITY? PURPOSE? How can a love relationship w/ Jesus provide answers to all 4? Which of these are you dealing w/ most these days? Who can help you discover answers?
. How has my problem turned me inward? How has it turned me outward in a 2 Cor 1:3-5 sort of way?
. How has my problem aroused my passion? How has it drained me of passion, energy or emotion?
. List some specific ways you will use your prevailing problem, and the passion and energy that comes from it, motivate you to accomplish the purposes God has for you? Go here for Ahmadinajad’s speeches www.joelstrumpet.com/?p=2204
I. We usually think of evangelism in a positive way and unique to Christians. But Christianity is not the only faith that believes in evangelism, by far? The cults do; and do a better job of it. Islam clearly does. In fact each time since 2005 in his annual speech to the UN, Iran’s President Ahmadinajad includes an evangelistic invitation somewhere in his speech (more like a sermon. Go to www.joelstrumpet.com/?p=2204 to hear the text, a theological rambling about Allah and the purpose of man.) Check out the number of times he mentions “obedience to Allah” and doing what is “for the good of all,” which is DESTROYING ISRAEL.
He’s warned many times THAT’S WHAT he intends to do. But now he’s also warned WHY.
WHY? Faithful Muslims are awaiting the return of The 12th Imam, the Mahdi, just as intensely as many Christians are awaiting the bodily return of Jesus to earth in the Second Coming.
Just as we are told to live holy lives and thus hasten the return of Jesus (2 Peter 3), Ahmadinajad believes that annihilating Israel will hasten the Mahdi’s return--the WHY.
Many Bible students believe this 12th Imam is the Antichrist.
On Sept 27, 2009 Iran successfully fired a Shahib 3 long range missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to Israel or deep into Europe. We all have been told plainly of their enrichment of nuclear materials toward weapons grade uranium. Secy of State, Hilary Clinton, recently warned Iran is on the verge of its own military taking over the control of the country. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei back in October again threatened to destroy Israel and warned that Iran will unveil a "punch" that will stun the infidels in the West. Could that be the continued enrichment of its nuclear stockpile creating weapons-grade uranium capable of producing nuclear bombs.
Some on the UN Security Council want strong sanctions. But the Chinese have expressed no intention of cracking down on Iran, since Beijing buys an enormous amount of oil and gas from Tehran. In light of this when will Israel take matters into her own hands to stop them, with our without U.S. blessing or help? Only God knows what that would set off in the world markets, that are still reeling from the worldwide economic crisis. Or what will happen in the middle-east tensions that are usually on the brink of warfare anyway.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just weeks ago, called on the U.N. Security Council to impose "crippling sanctions" on Iran in the hopes that this will bring Tehran to its knees and cause them to change course. What do you think in light of this background?
The Koran plainly states that before infidels are destroyed without mercy they must be invited “evangelistically” to Islam, which has now been done many times by Achminajad. Prophecy unfolds. One of the messages the prophets repeat over and over, be careful how you treat Israel.” God uses other nations to punish Israel. But in the end they all are punished by God if they are not righteous and right w/ God.
II. This is not the first time in history when the Jewish people have been threatened with annihilation from Persian/Iranian leaders who hated them without cause. The Book of Esther tells the story how two heroic Jewish believers, Mordechai and Esther, prayed, fasted and encouraged others to do the same, to save the Jews from Iranian annihilation.
A. In response to those faithful prayers, the Lord intervened in a dramatic and powerful way. The evil Prime Minister of Iran (Haman) was removed from power and hanged. The heart of the Supreme Leader of Iran (King Ahausuerus) was miraculously changed. The Jews did have to fight to defend their lives, along with the help of many Iranians/Persians who came over to their side, becoming true converts to the God of Israel.
B. This year, the holiday of "Purim" commemorating these events falls on Sunday, February 28th.
III. Esther lived around 470 BC, toward the end of the Babylonian 70 year captivity, which is the time the southern kingdom, called Judah, was in exile for her sins. The book of Esther spans ten years, between the first return from captivity led by Zarubbabel, and the second return led by Ezra. The vast majority of Jews chose to remain in Persia rather than return to Palestine. They loved the comforts of the world. The applications are many.
A. The Persians had conquered Babylon. Their ruling King, Xerxes (Ahaushuerus), was a boisterous man of emotional extremes. He loved to multiply wives, as many middle-eastern kings did & do.
B. That was one of the downfalls of Jewish kings as they tried to “be like the nations around them” (recognize that refrain?).
His harem and his empire was huge, stretching from Western India to Africa to Greece.
C. Esther’s life reads like a good news/bad news report: She was born into slavery in a foreign land, but Good News: Her family is together. Bad news: Both of her parents die, leaving her an orphan. Good News: She gets to have her kind cousin, Mordecai, raise her. Bad News: The lustful king is scouring the kingdom to find a wife to take the place of the queen he deposed because she wouldn’t parade her beauty when and where he wanted her to.
D. So the king arranges a Project Runway walk off to see who’s the fairest maiden of them all. Good News: Esther’s the winner, pleasing the king more than anyone else! Bad News: Wicked Persian Prime Minister, Haman, is so mad at her cousin that he gets permission to have all her people in this vast kingdom killed.
So here she is, a Jew, though that is not known in the palace, sentenced to death by her husband’s, the king’s, own decree. This was the law of the Medes & Persians (“& not reversible” 8:8).
E. Another bad news/good news scenario; this powerful woman was in a strategic spot to do something about a big problem for her and her people. Her cousin who raised her, Mordecai, tells her she must intervene (4:12-14).
F. Bad news: she reminds him that no one could just approach the king unsummoned (4:10-11).
G. Aren’t you glad we have a king and Father we can boldly, confidently approach at ANY TIME (Heb 4:14-16)?
III. àLesson 1; OUR PROBLEMS OFTEN POINT TO OUR PURPOSE. [Rick Warren would be pleased w/ this point]
A. How important is knowing our life purpose? How about just this year’s purpose? (How about the next hour? Ill. My Palm pilot)
B. I suggest that four of life’s important issues are: Destiny, Worth, Identity and Purpose. Trace man’s problems back and they will often lead to one of these four major life questions; all that can be answered in a love relationship with Jesus Christ.
C. GOSPEL HERE
D. How many times do our problems reveal what our life purpose should be? I recently talked to a woman whose daughter has struggled with the limitations of juvenile diabetes all her life. This girl well on her way to be a research scientist to try to discover all she can about diabetes. John Walsh found purpose for his life after his son Adam was horribly kidnapped and killed. How many children in similar situations have been saved because of the hotlines and laws John Walsh introduced, along with his Emmy award- winning TV show? Many dedicate their lives to helping people through AA and Celebrate Recovery because those programs have SAVED their lives. Millie Lace and Samantha Rinehart, whose first-hand experience with the trauma and tragedy of abortion pressed them into serving post-abortive women because the love of
Christ compelled them (2 Cor 5:14) and (2 Cor 1:3-6).
1. I could go on and on listing people whose problem pointed them directly to their purpose. How about you? Has that thought even crossed your mind about your problem? Did you ever think it could define and direct your life in a positive way instead of a debilitating, destructive way?
2. Hopefully helpful questions: how has my problem turned me inward? Discouraged and debilitated me? How has it turned me outward in a (2 Cor 1) sort of way? How has my problem aroused my passion? How has it drained me of passion/energy? Will you let that problem, and the passion and energy that comes with it, motivate you to accomplish the purpose God has for you?
3. This will be the biggest thing Esther ever does. “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this!”
4. It may not come down to one defining moment like this for you, but our problem often points like a laser to what we are supposed to do with our lives. Our problems may change. Our purpose can change with it. Oh to go with the flow of God in our life. Another way to say it: IT’S IN A CRISIS THAT WE DISCOVER OUR CALLING.
5. It may be the death of a child that drives you to launch a crusade to find a prevention or cure. It may’ve motivated you to form a support group. Your purpose doesn’t have to go national. It may not be directly your problem, but indirect, like the MUC students whose friend, Pierre Garcon came from Haiti. That’s why Haiti relief has become their purpose “for such a time as this.”
6. Maybe it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway…that’s what preachers do), but you need the indwelling power of the Spirit to strengthen and sustain you in fulfilling your purpose. Just because there’s no mention of God or His Spirit in the entire book of Esther doesn’t mean they aren’t there. We don’t see Him, but we need Him IF we are to accomplish anything of real or eternal value or anything beyond our own strength.
7. God is looking for people who will commit to His purposes for their lives to fill with His Spirit and His strength: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chr 16:9; Rom 8:28).
IV. FEAR FORCES OUR FAITH TO GO DEEPER (Esther 4:15-17)
A. One of the signs of deepening faith for Esther was a new seriousness about prayer and fasting. I know I cling to the hem of the Lord’s garment more when I have no clue what I’m supposed to do, a place I’ve been in more times than I want to admit.
B. Nature abhors a vacuum and preachers (all Bible students) hate gaps (of silence) in the Bible. We tend to just skip over them like nothing happened there. We don’t dwell much on the three days Jesus was buried in the tomb. We tend to focus on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. But there were parts of three days there, days of silence, solitude for the Savior and for the disciples. But powerful days we don’t have time to explore right now.
C. Between Esther 4 & 5 we see three days. WE don’t know exactly what happens then except Esther, her maids and the Jews in Susa that Mordecai could gather prayed and fasted. Something tells me they prayed and fasted like their lives depended on it, because…
1. If she goes in to see the king she MAY perish. If she does
not go in she WILL perish! Being between “a rock and a hard place” forces us to focus our lives, our energies, and our prayers. Aron Ralston found himself there back in Apr 2003 when an 800 lb. Boulder shifted onto his hand when he was hiking solo in the UT desert. Finish the story…an engineering student and accomplished pianist, who also loved adventure and hiking. Between the rock and a hard place he made a forced, focused decision; he knew what he MUST do--cut off his hand with a dull pocketknife.
2. Many people testify that when their lives are on the line, after a fearful medical diagnosis or…, they see their lives, and what they must do, clearer than they ever have before.
D. It’s fun to engage in sanctified imagination what else Esther may’ve done in this 3 days. Did she consult with anyone? Did she read the Scriptures available to her (she is the queen of the leading empire on earth). Did she journal? Sing? Sleep? Dream?
1. One thing we know is she acted out of true courage, not instinct. You’ve heard soldiers and firefighters, etc, downplay their courage in doing some of the things they do. Maybe it’s no downplay. Some have said they’re reacting more out of training and instinct than courage. Maybe TRUE COURAGE is when you have time to fully evaluate the gravity of a situation, and you still do what’s right. Don’t debate or get distracted by which it is. Maybe there are 2 types of courage. If I’m the one saved, I won’t care which.
2. But I do believe courage that has time to think through consequences is special. In those 3 days Esther has time… “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway!” John Wayne
3. I’m confident for the follower of Jesus that kind of courage can come from getting God’s Word in our heart: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (Ps 56:3-4). The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident (27:1-3). The contrast in scripture between our own strength and what we can do in God’s strength is striking.
VI. The final way to have courage when it counts is we must get in our heart one of Jesus’ most paradoxical statements: to really live we must die (to fear and self, 7:3-6; Jn 12:24-25; Gal 2:20).
A. Esther did. Aron Ralston realized he must die to the dream of being a world-class explorer, mountain climber, concert pianist and ? if he was going to live.
B. What death do you need to die in order to live? Maybe it’s a dream, something positive. Maybe it’s a fear, something negative. All of us have to die [my anemia story OPT] at points in our lives in order to really live. What is that death you must die today? |
