Where is God?

Wk 4, “Right Place, Right Time, Will You Do the Right Thing?”

Esther 4

12/31/2023

Justin Scarberry

Message Notes

Fear/Terror is NOT from God!

2 Timothy 2:7 ESV

⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Timeline of the Jewish people from the Exodus:

World powers during latter Biblical times:

Babylon:  605-539 BC

Medo/Persia:  539-331 BC

Greece:  333-168 BC

Rome:  168BC-476AD

God can even use very bad things in our life for good!

Genesis 50:20 NKJV

²⁰ But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

An edict went out from the king (Xerxes/Ahasuerus) to have all the Jews in his kingdom to be killed!

Sackcloth and Ashes

Ancient way of an outward showing mourning. Like today when we wear black or wear a veil.

Esther 4:13-14

¹³ Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. ¹⁴ For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

God often uses people to do His will.

The Bible says that all Christ followers are a Royal Priesthood.  We’ve also attained royalty so that we can tell others about what Jesus has done for them.

Impossible Trial?  Don’t Go Through it Alone!

1. Go to God First!

2. Go to God’s People!

3. Let Go and Let God!

Consider joining a small group in 2024.  Numbers are on the wall in the lobby area.

1. What are some things that are terrifying in life?

     a. Is it often easy to see God working on very difficult times?

2. Where does fear usually come from?

     a. What are some of the ways fear gets started?

     b. Read 2 Timothy 2:7

          What is a spirit of power and self-control?

3. If the word “God” is not used in the book of Esther, why do you think this book is even included in the bible?

4. Can you recount some of the major events for the people of Israel since the Exodus?

5. Read Esther 4:1-3

     a. Who is Mordecai? What does sackcloth and ashes represent in scripture?

6. Read Esther 4:4-8

     a. why do you think Haman would want to have all the Jews eliminated?

7. Read Esther 4:9-12

     a. Put yourself in Esther’s crown are you able to approach someone that might lead to you being killed for doing it?

     b. When God appoints us to do a task, what happens if we don’t do it?

8. Read Esther 4:13-17

     a. Are Christians considered royalty? Why or why not?

     b. What is our job as Christians?

     c. Is there any verses in scripture that tell us what our job is?

9. Are Christians considered priests? Why or why not?

Please pray for the church in the New Year, that God would continue to bless this Church,  open the hearts of the people in our lives to hear and receive the Gospel.

Ask God to continue to guide us in sharing our faith in Jesus with those in this rapidly expanding community. Also pray for the church leadership and perspective new board members to be elected in the coming year. Pray that our church, (meaning us, the group of people following Jesus together) would be a group of people that to those who do not believe in Jesus would be a warm, loving and caring group regardless of who they are and what they believe.