Elements City Church
Old School - The Story of Esther
Some things stand the test of time. Some things that are vintage dramatically increase in value. Join us as we glance back into the Old Testament for some ancient stories that hold some timeless truth, principles, and practical insights for us in our apprenticeship after Jesus and God's best for us. We're looking into a few characters from the Old Testament to discover that these aren't just stories from long ago -- they hold ancient truths for us in our spiritual journey today. May you find your faith spurred on by their story.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
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https://connect-card.com/yr4Y0g8VLBSqzKXeubjbWhile the primary purpose of the book of Esther was to relate the dramatic origins of the Feast of Purim, a greater reality shines through the story…
The sovereignty and faithfulness of God permeates each scene.
Nothing is truly coincidental - all is guided by our Providential God.
God’s UNSEEN PROVIDENCE…
the name of God is nowhere found in this story; but, the hand of God is on every page.
Quote:
“Providence is the hand of God in the glove of history.”
-Jerry Vines
5 Main Characters:
King Xerxes
Queen Vashti
Mordecai
Haman
Esther
The sovereignty and faithfulness of God permeates each scene.
Nothing is truly coincidental - all is guided by our Providential God.
God’s UNSEEN PROVIDENCE…
the name of God is nowhere found in this story; but, the hand of God is on every page.
Quote:
“Providence is the hand of God in the glove of history.”
-Jerry Vines
5 Main Characters:
King Xerxes
Queen Vashti
Mordecai
Haman
Esther
The book of Esther is bookended by parties. One is by a king that shows off his power and wealth and last 6 months. The last (Feast of Purim) is to remember and honor the King of Kings and how His providence is always timely and unending.
Esther's Burden and Bravery
Sometimes it’s our burdens that God can use in our calling to join him at work in the world…God never wastes the pain you I will go through in this broken world…
Reminds me of: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Reminds me of: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Bravery moment:
Esther chapter 4:
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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?”
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 chapter 4:
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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?”
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.”
What God does next in the story of Esther is an ONLY GOD reality...
Challenge:
**you can read the entire story of Esther (the book) in about 15 minutes, encourage you to do it this week as you reflect on God and what he might have for you...
Quote:
Never interpret the silence of God as the indifference of God.
- Erwin Lutzer
Challenge:
**you can read the entire story of Esther (the book) in about 15 minutes, encourage you to do it this week as you reflect on God and what he might have for you...
Quote:
Never interpret the silence of God as the indifference of God.
- Erwin Lutzer
The TUG-A-WAR that’s still present today… Pride vs Humility
Jesus models humility, calls us to it and the Scripture shouts for us to pursue humility...
James 4:6
But he (God) gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”” –Jesus
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Quote:
“Jesus doesn’t separate the world into good people and bad people. He separates the world into proud people and humble people. What’s more, he opposes the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” —Scott Sauls
God is not a Creator who creates and disassociates Himself from the working of His own hands. In the story of Esther, we see His providential presence and prevailing hand active across ever page.
In the story of Esther, we find the majestic interweaving of God’s invisibility with His invincibility—His silence with His power. Though the name of God is absent in this book, His fingers thread every word on its pages. Friends, God often chooses to work in this quiet way…
There might be times in your life where He may be silent, but He is NEVER ABSENT - He is always at work!
Jesus models humility, calls us to it and the Scripture shouts for us to pursue humility...
James 4:6
But he (God) gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”” –Jesus
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Quote:
“Jesus doesn’t separate the world into good people and bad people. He separates the world into proud people and humble people. What’s more, he opposes the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” —Scott Sauls
God is not a Creator who creates and disassociates Himself from the working of His own hands. In the story of Esther, we see His providential presence and prevailing hand active across ever page.
In the story of Esther, we find the majestic interweaving of God’s invisibility with His invincibility—His silence with His power. Though the name of God is absent in this book, His fingers thread every word on its pages. Friends, God often chooses to work in this quiet way…
There might be times in your life where He may be silent, but He is NEVER ABSENT - He is always at work!
Thank you for partnering with us!
If you partner with us financially, thank you for enabling us to be the church in our city. Your tithes and offerings help fuel the mission of Elements City Church, as well as our capacity to function as a church on a daily basis. You can give online at the link below, or through the Elements app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/giveJoin us next weekend as we continue our series, Old School: Ancient Truth for Today.
REMINDER: FALL FESTIVAL IS THIS FRIDAY OCTOBER 27TH, 6-8PM
Check out the Elements City Church app to stay up-to-date with upcoming events, listen to playlists of the songs we sing in worship, and more. Find it in your smartphone's app store.
REMINDER: FALL FESTIVAL IS THIS FRIDAY OCTOBER 27TH, 6-8PM
Check out the Elements City Church app to stay up-to-date with upcoming events, listen to playlists of the songs we sing in worship, and more. Find it in your smartphone's app store.