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The Esther Chronicles Nuts! Theme: Year of the Holy Spirit, we shall see water! . Pastor Lionel Aingimea. Response . Attack’s comes – sure way of defeat No response Incorrect response In Esther the attacks were tackled through prayer and walking in faith.
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The Esther Chronicles Nuts!Theme: Year of the Holy Spirit, we shall see water! Pastor Lionel Aingimea
Response • Attack’s comes – sure way of defeat • No response • Incorrect response • In Esther the attacks were tackled through prayer and walking in faith. • When attacked – its an opportunity for growth, an opportunity to gain strength.
Sure foundations • Prov 29:18 • Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he • Vision: revelation, oracle, prophesy – basically the word of God • Law: Literally the Pentateuch • Perish: destruction, reduce to nakedness
Godly foundation • Our start in EVERYTHING must be from Christian presuppositions • God must be the reference point for when He is not, then it is anti God
Response #1 • The reactions under attack • Closes with the start of emotions that gripped the Jews when the edict is known. • Bewilderment (Esther 3:15) – first reaction • – I cant believe this is happening. Why is this happening? • Reminds us of Job and his friends who went about trying to answer the question of “why” for Job.
The flesh reasons • Part of the attack – start questioning God. • The “why” will always be based on mans reasoning. • Bewildered – the Jews in the far flung corners of the Xerxes empire did not know of Mordecai not bowing to Haman. • Is it fair for them to suffer also? • Why do innocent people suffer?
Bewilderment brings doubt • Bewilderment brings doubt – for it is in this atmosphere, the atmosphere of an unanswered questions that seeds of doubt start to be planted. • Did not God promise me healing? (Is 53:5) • Did not God plan for me to prosper (Jer 29:11) • Did not God promise to be with me (Matt 28:20)
Response #2 • Opens with reaction # 2 (Esther 4:1-3) • We see this reaction in Job ( Job 2:11-12); King of Israel (1 Kings 6); • Put on sackcloth and ashes • Wailing loudly and bitterly • Many lay in sackcloth and ashes • Great mourning and weeping • But in Mordecai – this weeping is a cry of action • Courage is found, not cowardice
Response #2 • We respond to attacks with weeping, feeling depressed, emotions all ruined and physically look like garbage. • Depression kicks in, suicidal thoughts kicks in, feelings of worthlessness kicks in, etc • Like I said – this reaction is all over the Bible. • We read it in the Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Job, Jeremiah, Lamentations, etc.
Response #3 • Reaction #3 is outlined in Esther 4:4 • This reaction makes us respond carnally, through the flesh. • Esther responded to the calamity of her uncle by sending a robe. A palace robe no less. The best she can offer. • This is where we think that through our own abilities we can overcome an attack of the enemy.
Responding using the flesh • Jesus says this method does not make sense. • Matthew 12:22-30 • It does not make sense to oppose the flesh using the flesh • “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined…”
Paul’s warning about using flesh • “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world…” (NIV) • “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal…” (KJV) • “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh… (ESV) • 2 Cor 10:4 • This response does not affect the edict of death
Response #4 • Esther 4:9-11 – records the 4th and final reaction. • FEAR! • Esther’s words drip with fear. • She is saying that greater are her chances of death than of life. • “…30 days ago I was with the King…”
Fear changes views • “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6 • Fear is a funny thing. It enlarges whatever we’re afraid of and shrinks our view of God. As Christians, we need to reclaim our view of God’s greatness by focusing on His presence, power, and protection when we are afraid.
What’s happening through all this? • There are 3 incidents in Esther which not only are prophetic in nature but teaches us about the importance of staying with the walk. • Teaches what the response should be • Associated with the different coats of Mordecai
The coats • Esther 4:1 • Sack cloth and ashes • The attack has just started • Mordecai is strong – his words convey strength and a fighting spirit – the correct response – NUTS!
Pray! • Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phillipians 4:6) • Mordecai prayed!!! • Esther, Survival, Strength, Victory,
2nd Coat • Esther 6:10 • Robe the King wore once • Esther has invited the King and Haman -FAITH • Esther 6:12-14 • His destruction been prophesied • Mordecai was still at the gate! – PRAY & FAITH • That’s where the action is, and he is not going to stand down from an enemy that’s already defeated. See John 16:11
An already defeated enemy • “and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned” John 16:11 • 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:18-20
3rd Coat • Haman is dead – Fruit of prayer and faith • Esther 8:15 • The splendor of the robes, and crown • For the Jews – great shouting and joy? • Because they have the authority to fight back • The last Response: Don’t cry, feel depressed, don’t do it yourself or be in fear – REJOICE!
Paul’s Boast & Delight • 7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Our presupposition Jesus rose from the grave!