Esther
Part 9 | The Reversal Realized
March 12, 2023 • Pastor Kevin Timmons • Esther 9, Esther 10
In the final chapters of Esther, the reversal of the Jews' fate is realized. They defeat their enemies and inaugurate the feast of Purim. Throughout the entire story Esther and Mordecai have had moments where they've shined. But they also have had moments where they've fallen short. Throughout it all, God's providence has been on display and pointed us to the great reversal we experience through Christ's death and resurrection: Salvation from sin and death.
Part 8 | Esther as Mediator
March 5, 2023 • Pastor Travis Marsh • Esther 8
Jesus extends his grace and mercy to all who reach out to him. He is our mediator between life and death. In Jesus we have life, life abundant. Esther is in a position of being a mediator in Chapter 8. She is in the position of protecting God’s people from certain death and giving them an opportunity for life. Join us as we learn about the importance of Jesus as our mediator through the example of Esther.
Part 7 | The Courage of Esther
February 26, 2023 • Pastor Travis Marsh • Esther 7
Esther's people are in peril and the only way to rescue them is by placing her own life in harm's way. Most people tend to struggle with confrontation especially when the stakes are so high. However, the time has come for the Queen to confront the King. Join us as we learn about Esther's confrontation in Chapter 7 and how we might become bold in our own faith through her example.
Part 6 | God Works in the Background
February 19, 2023 • Pastor Travis Marsh • Esther 6
Often God is at work in your life and you might not even know it. He is ordering and reordering according to his plan. Sometimes this can be frustrating and overwhelming until you get the fuller picture of his work. Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the book of Esther. We will see in Chapter 6 how the God who is not mentioned once by name is ever-present and in full view.
Part 5 | Esther's Intervention
February 12, 2023 • Pastor Kevin Timmons • Esther 5
Esther 4 ends with a cliff hanger. Esther has resolved to embrace her Jewish Identity and go to the king on behalf of her people. Will the king kill her for approaching him uninvited? Will he grant her request? Will she perish along with the rest of her people when Haman's edict goes into effect? Part 5 of our sermon series answers some of these questions and moves us closer to the story's climax and resolution. It will also focus our attention on the characters' faith and idolatry, as well as our own.
Part 4 | For Such A Time As This
February 5, 2023 • Pastor Marty Scales • Esther 4
There is a grave danger coming upon the Jews of the Persian Empire. The King's Edict states that for one day, all Jews can be killed and plundered. The Jews hear and lament in sackcloth and ashes and look for God's deliverance. Mordecai sees one astonishing way that God may intend to intervene; he envisions his adopted daughter, the Queen of Persia, going before the King and pleading their case. Will she go? Will she be allowed to speak? Will she deliver them? Has she come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Part 3 | Mordecai and Haman
January 29, 2023 • Pastor Kevin Timmons • Esther 2:19–23, Esther 3
What do we do when we are treated unfairly? What are wise and unwise reactions? What are morally right and wrong responses? The book of Esther pushes us to ask and answer these questions when Mordecai, and the entire Jewish people, are treated unfairly at the hand of one man: Haman the Agagite. How will Mordecai and the rest of the Jews respond? And most importantly - how does Jesus reshape the way we respond?
Part 2 | Searching for Depth in a Shallow World
January 22, 2023 • Pastor Travis Marsh • Esther 2:1–18
If King Xerxes struggled with giving in to his compulsions then the people around him struggled with compliance. Defying an all-powerful King is difficult when that King is constantly hovering laws and threats over your head. It would be great to say that we would stand against such tyranny but until you are in the moment you simply do not know. This week we are going to be introduced to Esther and her caregiver Mordecai who struggle with compliance although they remain sensitive to the plans of God. They are very much like us in every way and through their story perhaps we can learn how to confront inappropriate compliance with a resounding faith. Join us this Sunday as we study Esther 2 together through the sermon and small groups.
Part 1 | Two Kingdoms
January 15, 2023 • Pastor Travis Marsh • Esther 1
This Sunday we begin a new All Church Sermon Series on the book of Esther. Found in the Old Testament, Esther is the story of an Almighty God working in a pagan culture through the most unlikely of people. In Esther 1 we will explore the tension we all experience between control and submitting to God. Join us this Sunday as we launch into this new series.