Service for Sunday July 12, 2020. Preacher: David Elliott.
Video
Sermon Audio
Link to audio: 20200712_Esther_Commitment.mp3
Notes
“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…(2 Chron. 16:9a) (NASB)
- ____________ REVEALS COMMITMENT!
1. The _______________ of a crisis (4:1–8)
2. A common _________________ to a crisis (4:10–11)
Psalm 56:1-4
3. The _________ in a crisis (4:12–14)
4. ________________________ in a crisis (4:15–17)
“We know that at the end of all things, Christ will gather us together and reveal His glory to the world…so then, let us, with His glory and our hope in mind, throw down our lives and pick up His- that is, picking up our cross. Let us die daily for Christ so that we can follow Him and better obey His call. That’s what God is teaching me.”
B.J. Higgins, August 2, 2005
I Would Die For You (Bart Millard/Mercy Me) And I know that I can find You here 'Cause You promised me You'll always be there Times like these, it's hard to see, But somehow I have a peace, You're near And I pray that You will use my life, In whatever way Your name is glorified Even if surrendering, Means leaving everything behind My life has never been this clear Now I know the reason why I'm here You never know why You're alive Until you know what you would die for I would die for You And I know I don't have much to give, But I promise You I will give You all there is Can I possibly do less, When through Your own death I live? No greater love is found, Than of those who lay their own lives down As sure as I live and breathe, Now I know what it means to be free
Digging Deeper
DIGGING DEEPER
(For use in personal/family devotions or with your care group)
Q1: What “picture” comes to your mind when you think of “commitment”?
Q2: Have you ever been involved in a short-term mission trip? If so, what did you learn about the world…yourself…God?
Q3: 2 Chronicles 16:9a tells us that God is on the look-out for people who have a heart that is sold out to Him. How does that truth impact you? What do you think God means when He says that He will “strongly support” us?
Q4: Have you ever experienced a crisis moment? If so, how did that crisis impact your feelings (emotions), your thinking (mind) and your decisions (will)?
Q5: Study 1 Samuel 17:6–11, 22–25, 45–49. What different ways do people respond to crisis in this story? Who do you most relate to? Why?
Q6: Mordecai “pulled no punches” when he challenged Esther to go the king. Has anyone ever CAREfronted you and called you to a higher level of commitment? If so, explain.
Q7: Study Genesis 22:1-19. What can we learn from the example of Abraham when it comes to commitment in the midst of crisis?
Q8: What is it that God is calling you to do right now in order to demonstrate or strengthen your commitment to Him?