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Chestnut Ridge Church

The Ordinaries - Part 6: Esther

People love Bible stories, because they involve ordinary people doing extraordinary things—with the help of God. Our summer series, The Ordinaries, will explore examples & lessons from some of the most beloved Old Testament Bible stories.

Locations & Times

Chestnut Ridge Church [CRC] (ONLINE ONLY)

2223 Cheat Rd, Morgantown, WV 26508, USA

Sunday 8:00 AM

Chestnut Ridge Church

Sunday 5:55 PM

Hello

Thank you for visiting Chestnut Ridge Church today! You can find out more about our church and upcoming events on our Facebook page or our website. You can also follow the church on Twitter at @chestnut_ridge.<br>

http://www.chestnutridgechurch.com/

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Music from today
Look to the Son, Yes I Will, Over All I Know, Living Hope

http://theridge.church/familyminpreview Are you new here or want to see what the Family Ministry staff and volunteers do every Sunday? Come to the Family Ministry Preview at 9am and 11am TODAY for a behind-the-scenes tour! The tours take place during the 9am and 11am services, so you can see all the action. You may even discover that you’d enjoy investing time in these areas, and be able to make a difference at The Ridge. Sign up at theridge.church/familyminpreview.

http://theridge.church/backpack A back-to-school supply drive kicks-off at The Ridge today! Many students in our community are in need of essential supplies for the upcoming school year. We want to make a difference for those families and need your help! Simply bring backpacks filled with school supplies for students in elementary, middle school, and high school from July 29th through August 12th. Drop-off bins are available in the walkway near the chalkboard wall, and are separated by age group. You can bring your donation on Sunday when you arrive for services, or you can bring it to the main office during the week. Let’s fill the bins with backpacks! Lists of suggested supplies are available

http://theridge.church/beattheheat August 9 at 6:30pm—Students entering 6th–12th grades in fall 2018, don’t miss out on the best nights of the summer! You can enjoy games and competitions while having fun and making new friends!

http://theridge.church/nightofworship Night of Worship is a special event filled with music and praise at The Ridge! Bring the family, and invite your friends to join you. This event will take place of the 5pm service, and all are welcome. Kids’ programming will not be available, however we welcome children to enjoy the music, too! Join us as the Ridge Worship band sings some of your favorite songs! Find more info at theridge.church/nightofworship.

http://theridge.church/mosaictropics If you’re a single adult, you’re invited to join Mosaic for dinner at Tropics following the Night of Worship on Sunday, August 19th! For those planning to attend the Night of Worship, the group will meet at the lobby coffee bar immediately after the event, and travel together. Individuals will be responsible for their own bill. Enjoy friendship, food, and fun with Mosaic [singles]! Sign up today at theridge.church/mosaictropics.

The Ordinaries - Part 6: Esther [August 5, 2018] Tim Haring

Problem: We don't realize how strategic it is for us to be alive today
Solution: We are here and now for such a time as this

God has us here and now for such a time as this

The book takes place in the Persian period after many Israelites had returned from the Exile to the land of Palestine to rebuild the temple and set up the sacrificial system. Most Israelite captives, however, chose not to return to their homeland. They should have done so for Isaiah and Jeremiah had urged the yet-to-be-exiled nation to come out of Babylon after 70 years and return to the place where the Lord could bless them under the covenantal promises. Esther and Mordecai had not returned to the land and did not seem interested in complying with the prophetic command to return.[1]

[1] Martin, J. A. (1985). Esther. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 698–699). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Esther 1:1-8

Esther 1:11-12

Esther 2:3-4

Esther 2:17-18

Esther 3:1-2

Probably this persistent (day after day) refusal stemmed more from pride than from religious scruples…Mordecai was using their national heritage as an excuse for not giving honor to a high Persian official.
– J.A. Martin

[1] Martin, J. A. (1985). Esther. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 705). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Esther 3:5-6

Esther 3:8-9

Esther 3:13

Esther 4:1-3

Esther 4:10-11

Esther 4:14

God has us here and now for such a time as this

Esther 7:3-6

“R. David Cohen, in his Sefer Esther Ha-Malkah, quotes unnamed archaeologists who found numerical cubes in Persia that, apparently, were used for divining the future. They would throw these cubes and, based on the number that landed, would attempt to discern the future.”

Purim is still celebrated by the Jews on the fourteenth day of Adar, which in our calendar varies from February 25 to March 25[1] -Breneman

[1] Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 365). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Acts 17:26

Ephesians 2:10

• Using the gifts and abilities God has given you to serve him

• Impacting those in your world with the gospel

• Doing good wherever you are

• Carrying out God’s will on earth as it is in heaven

Discussion Questions

Ready to take a next step in your personal or group study time? Follow the link below for printable discussion questions about today's message. You'll also find links to this Sunday's audio, video and weekend program.

http://www.chestnutridgechurch.com/theordinariespart6

Miss a weekend?

You can watch or listen to past messages online!

http://www.chestnutridgechurch.com/messages/