Fear Not
Isaiah 41:1-10
The nations fear, V.1-7
God’s people are secure, V.8-10
Providence Vs. Pride
Esther 5:1-14
I. PRAYERFUL PREPARATION
II. POISED BY PROVIDENCE
III. PRIDEFUL PASSIONS
When Evil Seems to Prevail Part II
Esther 4:1-17
I. WHEN EVIL SEEMS TO PREVAIL, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO WEEP, FAST, MOURN, AND REPENT
II. WHEN EVIL SEEMS TO PREVAIL, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO USE THE MEANS AT OUR DISPOSAL
III. WHEN EVIL SEEMS TO PREVAIL, WE COME TO THE CROSSROADS OF FAITH
Six Foundational Gospel Truths
Romans 1:1-6
I. IT IS THE GOSPEL OF GOD
II. IT IS THE GOSPEL OF GOD, ABOUT CHRIST
III. IT IS THE GOSPEL OF GOD, ABOUT CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES
IV. IT IS THE GOSPEL OF GOD, ABOUT CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, FOR ALL NATIONS
V. IT IS THE GOSPEL OF GOD, ABOUT CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, FOR ALL NATIONS, FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH
VI. IT IS THE GOSPEL OF GOD, ABOUT CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, FOR ALL NATIONS, FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH, FOR THE SAKE OF JESUS NAME
When Evil Seems to Prevail
Esther 3:1-15
I. HAMAN’S HUNGER FOR HONOR
II. MORDECAI’S PRINCIPLED DISOBEDIENCE
III. GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY EVEN OVER EVIL HUMAN PLOTS
The Foolishness of Pride
Esther 1:1-22
I. THE PRIDE OF POSITION
II. THE PRIDE OF POWER
III. THE PRIDE OF POSSESSIONS
IV. THE PRIDE OF PRESUMPTION
V. THE PRIDE OF POLITICS
Overview of Esther
Esther 1:1
1) Esther shows us what it’s like to live in the world as it actually is: worldly, secular, compromising, and godless.
2) Esther reminds us that God’s people are always exiles and pilgrims.
3) Esther reveals so clearly that, though God isn’t mentioned by name, he is sovereignly ruling over all of the world to bring about his purposes.
4) Esther teaches us to trust God and take risks even when we don’t know what will happen.
5) Esther shows us the humor of human hubris.
6) Esther foreshadows the powerful reversals that the gospel will bring.
Live as Children of God
1 John 2:28-3:3
I. ABIDE IN CHRIST
II. LIVE WITH CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST’S RETURN
III. LIVE WITH CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S LOVE FOR HIS CHILDREN
IV. LIVE WITH CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WILL KEEP EVERY PROMISE TO US
Husbands Love Your Wives as Christ Loved the Church
Ephesians 5:25-33
I. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL BELIEVERS
II. THE PARTICULAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF HUSBANDS
A. Husband, love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
B. Husband, love your wife such that you seek her highest beauty and blessing
C. Husband, love your wife more than you love yourself
D. Husband, love your wife more than all others save one
Disciples Are Commissioned by Christ
Matthew 28:16-20
I. WE ARE COMMISSIONED BY CHRIST TO MAKE DISCIPLES
II. WE ARE COMMISSIONED TO MATURE DISCIPLES
III. WE ARE COMMISSIONED TO MULTIPLY DISCIPLES
Disciples Are Compelled to Love
John 13:34-35
I. THE GREATEST DISPLAY OF THE GLORY OF GOD WAS IN THE SACRIFICIAL, SELF-GIVING OF JESUS ON THE CROSS
II. AS DISCIPLES, WE DISPLAY THE GLORY OF CHRIST WHEN WE LOVE LIKE HE LOVES
III. LOVE IS THE FINAL APOLOGETIC FOR THE WATCHING WORLD
Disciples Are Consecrated to Christ
John 17:13-19
I. BEING CONSECRATED TO CHRIST MEANS FINDING OUR HIGHEST JOY IN HIM
II. BEING CONSECRATED TO CHRIST MEANS THAT CHRIST’S WORD IS ULTIMATE IN OUR LIVES
III. BEING CONSECRATED TO CHRIST MEANS THAT WE BELONG TO CHRIST’S KINGDOM FIRST
IV. BEING CONSECRATED TO CHRIST MEANS THAT HIS MISSION BECOMES OUR MISSION
Disciples Continue with Christ
John 6:60-71
I. DISCIPLES CONTINUE WITH CHRIST EVEN WHEN HE SAYS HARD THINGS
II. DISCIPLES CONTINUE WITH CHRIST EVEN WHEN OTHERS CHOOSE NOT TO
III. DISCIPLES CONTINUE WITH CHRIST BASED ON HIS GRACE TOWARD US
Disciples Count the Cost
Luke 14:25-33
I. JESUS’ INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR ALL DISCIPLES
II. JESUS GIVES THREE REQUIREMENTS OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. Jesus requires commitment to him over all other relationships
B. Jesus requires commitment to his mission even if it means death
C. Jesus requires commitment to him over all that this world offers
III. JESUS WARNS AGAINST MAKING RASH COMMITMENTS
Disciples Are Chosen, Called, and Converted
Mark 3:13-19
I. DISCIPLES ARE CHOSEN BY CHRIST
II. DISCIPLES ARE CALLED BY CHRIST
III. DISCIPLES ARE CONVERTED TO CHRIST
Sovereign Over Suffering
Matthew 2:1-18
I. GOD DOESN’T MAKE THIS ISSUE EASY FOR US
II. SUFFERING SHOWS WITH CLARITY THE BROKENNESS OF OUR WORLD
III. GOD ALONE HAS ENTERED INTO OUR SUFFERING AND HAS SUFFERED HIMSELF
Sovereign Over Salvation
Galatians 4:4-7
I. GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL TIME AND HISTORY
II. GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER THE SENDING OF HIS SON
III. GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER THE SALVATION OF HIS PEOPLE