Three noble characters in the book of Esther. (Esther 3:1-15)

Three noble characters in the book of Esther. (Esther 3:1-15)

The book of Esther possesses unique characters among bible books. One, Esther is one of the two books named after a woman in the bible. Two, God’s name is not directly mentioned in the book, at least in many popular translations. Some of our youths read the book several times over in proprearation for a quiz competition. So many great virtues surfaced while studying the book. We will examine nobility for example in three characters in the book.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

The first noble character we would examine is Esther. At a marriageable age, despite her beauty, vulnerability as an orphan and a slave in exile, capable of being a cheap article, was a virgin.

Esther 2:3

And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. 5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

Although being a virgin till marriage is not considered today as important but I think it is distinct. It shows fidelity, faithfulness, patience and godliness. This is one of the qualities that recommended Esther to the palace. Are you destined for the palace somewhere? Esther was also obedient to her cousin Mordecai. Esther had faith as well. She called for fasting and prayer and took the great risk of facing the king against the law of the land.

Esther 4:15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

Ester was virtuous.

Mordecai, you can guess who the next noble character in the book of Esther is. He was just himself. Although he refused to bow to Haman as a required eye service, he protected the king and exposed a dangerous coup plot.

Esther 2:21

In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

When Esther was selected in the beauty contest, he followed up. He fasted when necessary, cried when required and feasted at the proper time. Even when he was decorated and his enemy was forced to herald him round the city as king’s honour, he just returned to his post shortly after.

Esther 6:11

Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

What humility. By the time his nobility added up, the indigenes started changing their nationality.

Esther 8:17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

This is amazing.

Next week we would look at the third noble character in the book of Esther and summarise but before then why don’t you also pick up the book of Esther and glance through? You would find it exciting. God bless.

GRATITUDE

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL OUR FRIENDS WHO MADE IT TO THE INAUGURATION OF OUR CHURCH, PENTECOST BAPTIST CHURCH, PORTMOUTH.

YESTERDAY SATURDAY 18/08/2012. @ 12.00 PM. VENUE: HAVELOCK COMMUNITY CENTER,

324 FAWCETT ROAD. SOUTHSEA. PO4 0LQ.

WE THANK THOSE WHO COULD NOT COME BUT WERE WITH US IN SPIRIT

GOD BLESS YOU

Shinning through the darkness. Isaiah 60:1-12

Shinning through the darkness. Isaiah 60:1-12

We are all witnesses of the amount of darkness on earth today. People are groping without directions. According to the place we read, it is a great thick darkness. It covers the whole earth, everyone, everywhere, even the church is no exception. What if this terrible darkness is waiting for you to flicker your light? Will you rise up to the challenge? Who am I? did you just ask yourself that question? Well Amos asked the same kind of question. Everyone humanly speaking will ask that question. It is only human. It only buttress the point that we are humans and the assignment is spiritual. And with the amount of support promised in the passage, you have more than enough of God in you and around you to succeed.

Amos 7:14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: 15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

So it may not be in yourself as human. It is the divine part of you. God is in it. He initiates that your light should shine through the darkness now and give light and hope to the lost world. Since this has been established in the scriptures, you only need to activate it.

1Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Recognise the darkness and hate it. Work against it by the power of God and destroy it. Yes destroy the darkness. In whatever form the darkness appears: ignorance of the word of God and ignorance about God himself, ineptitude, carelessness and outright disobedience. Just strike through it and destroy the menace.

The bible confirms that there is time for everything. It is therefore the time to destroy the darkness in your life and environment. Go for it. There is enough back up. Heaven’s support is great enough.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

This is your time to shine the light. So rise up to the challenge and shine the light.

Yesterday we were commissioned as a church to shine through the darkness of this age and this territory. Is it in us as a small people to do it? No. It is in God who is mighty through us to do it. All we need to do is cooperate with God in doing it. It has been the same process through all ages. Whenever God wants to do something, he raises up people, anybody and empowers them. Then they begin to do exploits for him.

Ezekiel 22:29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.

Have you heard of Moses, Samuel, Gideon, Deborah, Samson, Esther, David, Peter, Paul, Silas, Mary, Priscilla and the rest of them? They are ordinary men and women but they did extra-ordinary things for God when they cooperated with him. You can do incredible things for God as well. As we were exhorted in the inauguration, important factors include: believe, connect with God and with others, get involved. God bless you

GRATITUDE

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL OUR FRIENDS WHO MADE IT TO THE INAUGURATION OF OUR CHURCH, PENTECOST BAPTIST CHURCH, PORTMOUTH.

YESTERDAY SATURDAY 18/08/2012. @ 12.00 PM. VENUE: HAVELOCK COMMUNITY CENTER,

324 FAWCETT ROAD. SOUTHSEA. PO4 0LQ.

WE THANK THOSE WHO COULD NOT COME BUT WERE WITH US IN SPIRIT

GOD BLESS YOU

Gold is good. (1 Corinthians 9:15-27)

Gold is good. (1 Corinthians 9:15-27)
As the medal table of the Olympic swells, nations are being separated for one another with the count of medals. It is like the saying separating the men from the boys. As we all know, the most important medal is the gold. Fortunately only one gold is available on each game. Gold is good. Gold symbolise an unrivalled excellence. Even miners dig so deep to get the raw ones. Gold are not got from the earth surface.
1Corinthians 9:24 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. From the passage we read, Paul compared the Christian race to athletics, boxing and other games like the ones we see on the Olympics. Both the race for gold in the Olympic and the race for the prize in Christian journey have a lot in common. The competitors in both race have to beat all the hurdles and all the other competitors if they would qualify for gold. Everybody aimed for the gold. Nevertheless, it takes much practice, consistent self-denial, self control, self-discipline and hard work to get gold.
Surprisingly not only those who would win gold alone, according to 1 Timothy 5:6, it seems it applies to everybody.
1Timothy 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 　
Not only widows, anyone who live without self denial of certain things in life is a living dead. It is true of the race of life. Athletes for example do not eat anyhow, drink anything, sleep anywhere and rush to the stage to win gold. Do they? We listen to their interview everyday.
Even in their respective races, they follow laid down rules in order to win.
1Corinthians 9:25 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.
Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. So I think there is self-control. They don’t just do anything they feel like. They know they could be disqualified. And indeed many were disqualified for one reason or the other in the on-going Olympic games. There is also self discipline just as Paul explained how he runs his race.
1Corinthians 9:26 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. Not to mention, hard work is a must for would-be winners of gold. This is because they have many other contestants to beat, they have hurdles to cross. They are also under time constraints. Only those who work hard enough could gain enough mastery and win gold.
Proverbs 6:4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
The prize of the Christian race is the incorruptible crown reserved for those have won the race having followed all the rules. This refers to the victory of eternal salvation which is the precious goal of the Christian life - the gold. Unlike the Olympic gold, this gold cannot be corrupted and is eternal. Do you like gold. Would you like to win the gold of eternal life in Christ the Lord? Why not say it in your heart first and follow the simple steps of inviting Jesus Christ into your life? I am very sure eternal life will be yours.
Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.Gold is good, eternal gold is better. Go for gold. God bless you.

Life as an Olympic Games (Matthew 6:19-34)

Life as an Olympic Game (Matthew 6:19-34)

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

One thing that has united the world today is the Olympic Games. Literally speaking two unfriendly people can sit side by side just to watch the Olympic. And even many of the participants in the games are not in talking terms if not rival enemies.

Matthew 6:27

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

But the area I like to compare the Olympic Games to life is the area of participating. Anybody is free to participate. No qualifying test, no preliminaries except probably in football. This does not preclude the fact that participants had practised endlessly on their own before registering their interests and intentions to participate.

Everyone born into this world has the opportunity to participate in all life issues. Even though there are no rehearsals and no qualifying tests many go through life easily making it but a lot others go through hard pressed and abused like the ping pong ball. Then it ends somewhere somehow. After which there is eternity.

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Unlike the Olympic whereby you practice and get ready, in life you learn on the job. Quite interesting. Sometimes you may have taken the test of life before the lectures so you learn through bitter experience.

At the end of the Olympic-like life, there is the ceremony, the medals presentations, awards and decorations. Unlike Olympic anyway, there is an eternal punishment for those who missed it. May you not miss it in life.

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Revelations 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

At the end of the Olympic, some will glow like diamond and become the idols of many admirers. Some others will walk away with the memories of errors and near miss.

The question is after the Olympic of life, will you be decorated? Will you shine and glow?

If you will like to be decorated, take note of the following instructions:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Romans 10:8

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

God bless you. Let us pray.

　

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

INAUGURATION! INAUGURATION!! INAUGURATION!!!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE INAUGURATION OF OUR CHURCH, PENTECOST BAPTIST CHURCH, PORTMOUTH.

DATE: SATURDAY 18/08/2012. @ 12.00 PM. VENUE: HAVELOCK COMMUNITY CENTER,

324 FAWCETT ROAD. SOUTHSEA. PO4 0LQ

GOD BLESS YOU