March 8, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Esther 8, Esther 9, Romans 6:1–14
God is the God who consistently uses evil to surprisingly serve a higher good. From Joseph, to Esther, to the cross, to the early church - a pattern emerges. If God is active in all of human history, you can choose which side you’re on. It won’t change the ultimate outcome, but it might change yours. So why not surrender?
Me, Myself, and I
March 1, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Esther 6, Esther 7, Esther 4, Esther 5
Of all the people we meet in Esther, Haman is the least attractive. He is completely devoted to himself. And yet before we dismiss him, it might be wise to take a closer look. Is there any possible way in which you and I are like him? And if so, what can we do about it?
Big Impact
February 22, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Esther 3, Esther 4
Sometimes you just don’t know what hangs in the balance. Neither did Mordecai. But in a very real way, our actions today always leave a legacy. How would you live if you knew your actions today would leave a legacy for a generation tomorrow?
Little Moments
February 15, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Esther 2, Esther 3, Esther 4
In the story of Esther, we meet several key characters, all of whom will be remembered for something. What do you want to be remembered for? Contrary to what most people want to believe, your character in the little moments determines your legacy in the big moments. If you’re wise, you’ll seek to define what defines you.
Setting up Big Moments
February 8, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Esther 2, Jeremiah 29:11, James 1:27
Both Mordecai and Esther had a painful past. Mordecai in captivity, and Esther was an orphan. What do you do with painful memories and a painful past? Should be consumed by our past and be held in bondage to it? Should we pretend that it our past just never happened and repress it? Or is there a third option—allowing God to use our past turning it into a wonderful plan for our future?
Just An Ordinary Day
February 1, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Esther 1, Esther 2
Most days, life seems quite ordinary. In fact, some days God seems entirely absent. If you can relate to that, you need to meet Esther. Sometimes the little moments are more significant than you think. And you can trust that God is present, even when God seems absent. The book of Esther gives us a surprising example of how that is true.
THE BIG IDEA: God is present even when God seems absent.
