April 19 – Via Zoom
Opening Thoughts – Matt Groff
Today’s lesson from the book of Esther is the kind of story that makes you want to stand up and applaud when you get to the end – because God stepped in and brought perfect justice.
In our current world we are all probably thinking, “What is this going to look like?” Then we remember – we don’t have to figure this out because God is in control.
God’s got it.
He is putting the pieces together.
Sunday School Teacher – Matt Patches
Lesson Title – Executed Scoundrel – Scripture Esther 7:1-10
The title sounds like we are going to study a Western movie today. 🙂
My lesson will be in two parts (1) History (2) Application
History
Matt gave an excellent history and geography lesson on the scripture background – starting with King David and the world powers that went from Syria to the Medes and Persians to Darius the Great then the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) who ruled a very large kingdom – one hundred twenty-seven provinces from Indian to Ethiopia.
Following a series of events Xerxes chose Esther (a young Jewish woman) to be his queen.
The problem for Esther began when Xerxes promoted Haman to the highest place in the kingdom and expected everyone to bow down to him. Haman was an enemy of the Jews.
Hatred grew in Haman’s heart because Mordecai (the man who raised Esther) refused to bow to him. Haman went to Xerxes and told him his problem with a certain Jew and asked to have this man hung for his disobedience. Xerxes permitted him to do this without knowing who was going to be hung.
Two things stand out in this story: (1) when Esther went before Xerxes to plead for her people – a time she could have been killed and (2) when Haman was hung in his own gallows – due to the anger of the king.
Never forget: God has power to “flip the script.”
Application
God is approachable
Because of Jesus we can have an audience with God
The Book of Esther was written to glorify God
Esther 4:14 – If you keep silent…is a challenge to us
Is God challenging you to speak up for Him and not keep silent?
God never changes.
His Will – will be done.
God is sovereign and completely in control. He never loses control.
Are you invested in doing God’s will?
Live for “just a time as this.”
Remember
God is approachable
God is sovereign
We are called to live for God’s Kingdom
Children’s Story – Jason and Cayla Laughman – Asher and Norah
The story was titled “Self-Control”
Cayla narrated the story as Asher entered the room – excited to be going to a friend’s birthday party. While he waited to go to the party, he decided to taste a piece of candy – then another and before long he had eaten each piece of candy.
Now he had no gift for his friend and he fell on the couch feeling quite sick.
His sister Norah entered – playing his mom – and asked what was wrong when she found Asher on the couch feeling sick. (I missed getting a photo of her.) Now they had to find a new gift because of his lack of self-control.
Jason closed with a challenge to look to God to help us with self-control.
Announcements and Opening – David Wenger
This pandemic has changed our lives and has gotten our attention.
Our freedom has been “crimped” and we often don’t know what to believe when we read or listen to the news. Maybe it doesn’t seem real, but if you talk to someone in the medical field, you know that it is real.
Is it for selfish reasons that I want these restriction lifted?
Dave reminded us of David’s words in Psalms.
“I trust you, oh, God. My times are in Your hands.”
Opening Devotions – Kevin Longenecker – Scripture – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Sermon – Nelson Witmer – from Shank’s Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Subject – Temperate in All Things
When we think of temperance, we think of the “Big Three”
Alcohol
Tobacco
Eating
However, temperance goes much farther that that.
We live in a time of instant gratification – fast food; answers from Google; directions from a GPS or cell phone’ friends on social media; or buying things with your credit card.
I am thankful for the availability of each of these. My concern is that they pull us away from learning patience and perseverance.
Countless numbers of things are before us with skilled marketing.
Run your spiritual race so you win!
We cannot win a race if we are not actively involved in the race.
Runners and other Olympic athletes go through great discipline to make winning a possibility.
However, we are running another kind of race where we may need to put aside some of our own desires.
Alcohol seems to appeal to us because we see the beautiful people of the world participating. However, it kills so many people, marriages, and relationships. The impact can be devastating.
Tobacco numbers are even higher and often become a self-inflicted death. It has invaded our churches and families and is often a gateway to drugs. It is a great trap of the Devil.
Our diets can all be challenged – maybe now more than ever because we are staying in the house for long periods of time. Many diseases related to diet often bring financial and spiritual poverty.
Our body is the temple of God.
Temperance is bringing our body under control.
The care of your body is your choice.
Never let Satan lead you into anything ungodly.
Time. How are we using our time?
Are we too busy or planning too much “me time?”
With either extreme our Bible study often loses out.
Thought Life. So many pictures are available to us. Social media has become our attention merchant. We are compulsively checking our devices – allowing our attention to be distracted.
Does what you post on social media cause people to look up?
I am okay with having the Bible downloaded on cell phones, but beware of being distracted because of incoming beeps and notices. The reason I still prefer reading my Bible in book form
A verse that challenges me on self-discipline:
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28
Self-control is power and victory!
You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24
Tom Landry, coach of the Dallas Cowboys said, “The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do in order to achieve what they’ve always wanted to be.”
Focus on the eternal
Focus on the incorruptible
Closing Prayer and Challenge – Luther Patches
Nelson’s message this morning is a challenge to show our family and others the way of wisdom.
