Esther: From Calm to Crisis (Esther 1)

Message for June 21st, 2020 from Pastor David Elliott.

Video

The video will on premiere on YouTube starting 10:30 am Sunday.

Sermon Audio

mp3 link: 20200621_sermonaudio_Esther_from_Calm_to_Crisis.mp3

Notes

Text: Esther 1

THE KING’S P______________ (vs. 1-9)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1) (NKJV)

THE KING’S P_______________ (vs. 10-21)

1. Unchecked _____________ (1:1-8)

People who accept correction are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray.  (Proverbs 10:17)

2. Excessive _________________ (1:10)

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.  For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. (Proverbs 31:4-5)

3. Careless _____________ (1:10-11)

…what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire…(James 3:5b-6)

4. Explosive ______________(1:12; 2:1) (James 1:19-20)

If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are. (Proverbs 14:29) (GNB)

5. Foolish __________________(vs. 13-20)

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. (Proverbs 13:20)

6. Stubborn _____________ (1:21-2:1)

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

Digging Deeper

Q1: Reflecting on the home you grew up in…what positive examples of healthy conflict resolution did you witness?  What about unhealthy and unhelpful examples?

Q2: Study Romans 12:9-21.  What biblical conflict resolution principles are in this text?

Q3: Read this quote from Rev. John Piper. What impacts you? Encourages you?

Remember the story in Genesis 22 of Abraham sacrificing Isaac? Before they went up the mountain, Isaac said to his father, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” When God had shown Abraham a ram caught in the thorns Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide.”  Whenever it says “provide” in Genesis 22 the Hebrew word is, “see.” Very simply Abraham said to Isaac, “God will see for himself the lamb.”… Wherever God is looking, God is acting...If he inspects He effects! …“providence” does not merely mean “foreknowledge,” but rather “the active sustenance and governance of the universe.” When God “sees,” He sees to it. Where He patrols, He controls.  (John Piper)

Q4: Pastor David mentioned 6 things from the text that can create conflict/crisis in our lives?  Which if the 6 do you struggle with the most?  Take a moment right now to pray and ask God to strengthen/help you in that area.

Q5: Read Genesis 2:18-25.  What does this passage teach about God’s view of marriage/family?

Q6: Listen to the sermon (link) by John Piper from Ephesians 5.

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/husbands-who-love-like-christ-and-the-wives-who-submit-to-them