Esther: For A Time Such As This
Kingdoms of Heaven and Earth
Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui
Scripture: Esther 8-10
Two Key Observations:
• no mention of God = “I don’t feel God’s presence”
• no miracles from God = “I don’t see God’s work”
A Theology of Possibility:
• Learning to SPOT the activity of God - knowing God is still at work for us.
• Learning to JOIN the activity of God — knowing God is still at work through us.
Joining the Activity of God:
a. Seek Justice (for a time such as this)
b. Choose Joy (for a time such as this)
The Hope of Deliverance
June 16, 2024 • Rev. Shu-Ling Lee • Esther 7:1—8:14
Esther: For A Time Such As This
The Hope of Deliverance
Speaker: Rev. Shu-Ling Lee
Scripture: Esther 7-8:14
RECAP Esther 1-6
SUMMARIZING Esther 7-8:14
CLARIFYING Esther 7-8:14
Prescription vs. Description
BIG IDEA: In positions of worldly power, position and/or influence, could God be giving you an opportunity to make a difference for His purposes?
Now write another decree in the king’s name on behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.
—Esther 8:8
1. We may have to work within this world’s system and structures, but doesn’t mean we have to perpetuate them.
2. WARNING: You may gain a certain worldly influence to make a difference in this life, but don’t forget, the world can rid of you just as easily.
CONCLUSION
Present, Yet Unseen
June 9, 2024 • Rev. Kelly Tam • Esther 5:9—6:14
Esther: For A Time Such As This
Present, Yet Unseen
Speaker: Rev. Kelly J. Tam
Scripture: Esther 5:9-6:14
We can be encouraged to trust in God’s plan even in the face of injustice and oppression.
1. Haman’s Pride (5:11)
2. Haman’s Status (5:12)
3. Haman’s Vengeance (5:14)
What can we learn about God’s faithfulness?
1. God has His timing
2. God has his purpose
3. We can trust God’s timing and purpose
Through Faith and with Courage
June 2, 2024 • Pastor Stephen Hsu • Esther 4:15—5:8
Esther: For A Time Such As This
Through Faith and with Courage
”If I die, I die”
Speaker: Pastor Stephen Hsu
Scripture: Esther 4:15-5:8 NIV
Sermon Notes
BIG IDEA: To find God during crisis, we must learn to fast & pray, be willing to risk all, and wait upon the Lord.
HOW TO FIND GOD DURING YOUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS
1. Fast & Feast 4:16a)
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done,” —Esther 4:16a NIV
“In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing…” —Esther 4:3 NIV
Even now,” declares the Lord,“return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”—Joel 2:12 NIV
2. Don’t Fear Failure (4:16b)
“…I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” —Esther 4:16b NIV
3. Wait For God (4:17-5:8)
Why didn’t God include His own Name in the book of Esther?
“whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” —Colossians 1:16b-17 NIV
A Call to Action
May 26, 2024 • Pastor Joey Ling • Esther 3:1—4:14
Esther: For A Time Such As This
A Call to Action
Speaker: Pastor Joey Ling
Scripture: Esther 3-4:14
———
Esther 1- 2 Recap
Nothing is coincidence
Everything is under his controlThis book teaches us to spot the activity of God.
———
Esther 3
God can seem distant, but God is always present
1. God is omnipresent
2. God can seem absent, but God is committed to us
3. God demands commitment from us because He is committed to you
Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?—
———
Esther 4:13-14
1. Reminds us of the way God delivers His people (Esther 4:14)
The big idea: When we are in situations where the demands of people from you do not give God’s first place, we are faced with the challenge of obedience to God vs. obedience to People.
2. Reminds us to live faithfully in where God has placed you (Esther 4:14)
You have been wishing for another position where you could do something for Jesus: do not wish anything of the kind but serve him where you are.—“Providence As Seen in the Book of Esther” Charles Spurgeon, 1874
What will you do in time such as this?
A Behind-The-Scenes God
May 19, 2024 • Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui • Esther 1—2
Sermon Notes
Esther: For A Time Such As This
A Behind-The-Scenes God
Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui
Scripture: Esther 1-2:23
How do you live in a culture that holds values opposed to your own? How do we live faithfully as God’s people in a hostile world?
The Book of Esther was written to help us
BIG IDEA: Often, God may place us in situations where we may not know or understand the purpose until we respond to His call to action.
Observations:
no mention of God
no miracles
no spiritual practices
We see two key themes emerging in the first two chapters of Esther:
1. Nothing is a coincidence (God’s providence is often hidden)
The Book of Esther teaches us how to spot the activity of God.
2. Everything is under his control (God’s love is unwavering)
The Book of Esther teaches us to lean on the love of God.
a. God reverses the expected
b. God uses the imperfect
