September 24, 2017

Hurricane Maria – Puerto Rica

Mexico-rescue efforts

Canada’s Moral Compass Is Broken

The TRUTH is HATE SPEECH

The TRUTH is HATE SPEECH for those who HATE the TRUTH

September 24, 2017

Consider the account of Esther Consider our Lord’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane Examine their relevance today

BOOK OF ESTHER set in the third year of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) king of Persia (c. 486-465 BC) God is not mentioned once God’s hand is unmistakeably present

33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof Proverbs 19 33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

Queen Vashti is wrongfully deposed Esther (Hadassah) becomes queen, Haman, plots destruction of all Jews Mordecai urges Esther to plead for her people

There is a stumbling block “...any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them.”

Mordecai - in mourning

14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.”

I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther is received The Jews are saved Haman is executed Mordecai prospers

20 And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus

on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, 21 to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, 22 as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies,

as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy,

of sending presents to one another 23 So the Jews accepted the custom and gifts to the poor. 23 So the Jews accepted the custom

Purim is still celebrated, every year, in mid-March

The Lord’s Prayer in Gethsemane

18 As You sent Me into the world, John 17. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

To commission (someone) to go Sent – a-pos-tel’-lo To commission (someone) to go to a place appointed

...He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad John 20 ...He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, As the Father has sent Me, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

To bid a thing to be carried to someone Send – pem’-po To bid a thing to be carried to someone

CHRIST WAS SENT... Before the foundation of the world To do the will of the Father To preach the kingdom of God In the fullness of the times

“Secularization leads to no shame; pluralism leads to no reason;

and the fulfillment of meaning privatization is where there is a cleavage between your public and your private life – and the fulfillment of meaning you are told has to be found in private.

And so, what we are really told is that you can be a Christian in private, but keep it to yourself.

The most important thing about who I am is what I think about in private. But that private, secret trust, if it is not carried into the public arena creates a schizoid personality within.

The globalization situation in our world today has produced a generation of empty people. Ravi Zacharias

How is this Significant Today? God is at still at work No circumstances are too difficult for Him Christians are sent – as Christ was Our commission is urgent

How is this Significant Today? For those in sin… For those who have no purpose… For those who feel unloved… For those who feel empty…

How is this Significant Today? For those without hope… For those who are burdened… For those who are anxious… For those who are fearful

7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Matthew 10 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Freely, Freely 447

God forgave my sin in Jesus' name God forgave my sin in Jesus' name. I've been born again in Jesus' name And in Jesus' name I come to you To share his love as he told me to.

He said 'Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give He said 'Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.

All pow'r is giv'n in Jesus' name in earth and heav'n in jesus name And in Jesus' name I come to you To share his pow'r as he told me to.

He said 'Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give He said 'Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.

the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant

equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen Hebrews 13:20-21