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Esther - relevance and resonance

2010-12-13T18:30:00Z

Heard a couple of sermons from Esther recently. God's doing his stuff all over the shop - moving players and set pieces: it's abundantly clear that although Ahasuerus has the throne, Haman has access to the King's ear, Esther has access to the King's heart and Mordecai has access to Esther, God is calling the shots.

But is there more than sex, scheming and sovereignty? Is Esther a book about Jesus? Or is it just about how God provided for his people in order that one Jesus might be able to come, as the seed of Abraham, and save?

According to the preacher, Esther is primarily about understanding the purposes of God in human history and seeing the interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility working without any seeming conflict.

Which is true. (And it seems that divine sovereignty and human responsibility actually work better together in the courtroom that many people think they will from the classroom).

But it's not the whole truth: because the gospel echoes throughout Esther.

Who is it that wins the favour of the King, but then shares the benefit of their relationship with their people? Esther - but she points the way to Jesus who says that the Father will love us because we love Jesus (John 14:21).

Who is it that triumphs against all odds and sees the enemy slain with his own gallows? Esther - but she points the way to the one who "through death" destroyed "the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil." (Heb 2:14)

Who lays down their life on behalf of their people in order to spare them from the judgment of the King? Esther - but she points the way to the one who doesn't merely risk his life, but lays it down for his people (John 15:13-14).

Esther does provide a fantastic, gutsy example to follow - but, were we part of the story, we'd be numbered amongst the helpless hordes who sit under threat of execution with no hope of saving themselves. And, if rather than just trying to highlight its relevance, we listen for it's gospel resonance, the book of Esther won't just point us to a great example: it'll point us to a great Saviour.

Celestial Commentary – Scene 5 – Chief Priests & Scribes [5/5]

2010-06-20T08:00:00Z

<dl>

Angel 1

Ok – here's the one thing I don't understand...

Angel 2

(Mockingly) The one thing?

Angel 1

Oi – I'm being serious! Chief priests. Scribes – you know the top notch theologians.

Angel 2

I wouldn't exactly call them top-notch? We've seen stuff they haven't even begun to dream of...!

Angel 1

Yes – but they know their scriptures. You remember how the wise men turned up? They had all answers to their questions. But they couldn't even be bothered to go the 4½ miles to see the messiah? To see the one that the Almighty promised would come to save them?

Angel 2

(Thoughtfully) Once again, you have a point. (Pauses) It was the most significant event since … well ... since the world was created.

Angel 1

What makes someone so indifferent to what the Almighty is doing?

Angel 2

Beats me – I mean, we've seen bucket loads of this kind of indifference – but still I'm never ready for it.

Angel 1

It's like they just think it's a puzzle or a story. Or for the fanatics.

Angel 2

They spend their days look so “righteous” and respectable. But their hearts are colder than something … something that's really, really cold.

Angel 1

It's like they ignore the treasure that the Almighty offers because they're too busy chasing the wind. They play with the wrapping paper, and throw out the present.

Angel 2

Humans. (Unimpressed) Huh.

Angel 1

Hey – careful how you say that – the Almighty's pretty fond of them, you know...

</dl>

Celestial Commentary – Scene 4 – Herod [4/5]

2010-06-19T08:00:00Z

<dl>

Angel 1

There's that evil scheming black-hearted villain?! He's the reason I put in my application to become an angel of wrath and destruction!

Angel 2

He's a slimebag, if ever there was one...!

Angel 1

Power hungry.

Angel 2

Backstabbing.

Angel 1

Greedy.

Angel 2

Lying.

Angel 1

Murdering.

Angel 2

Stealing.

Angel 1

You remember his line... you know the “that I too may go and worship him” thing? I actually wanted to vomit. Grrr. How does he sleep at night?

Angel 2

I think he just wants control. His biggest fear is a rival King. He knows he's the most hated man in the country – did you know that he's actually left instructions that the day he dies, a whole bunch of popular guys, you know Rabbis and so-on, will be executed.

Angel 1

Why? That makes no sense?

Angel 2

Apparently he wants to make sure that there'll be people mourning when he's dead.

Angel 1

Filthy rotten scumbag.

Angel 2

Yeah – but he's not the only one. He's driven by his fear and his need to be in control. His position just gives him more opportunity to do evil...

Herod

(Laughs)

</dl>

Celestial Commentary – Scene 3 – Wise men [3/5]

2010-06-18T16:22:00Z

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2:1-12

<dl>

Angel 2

Check out that lean, mean, blinged-up beast of a camel?! I tell you – if I ever have to go for a mission on earth disguised as a human, I totally want one of those!

Angel 1

And doubtless, if you are, you won't get one.

Angel 2

Your pessimism won't stop me from asking!

Angel 1

Strange, don't you think? The difference between these guys and the shepherds? They were uneducated, underprivileged and unwanted. But these guys look like they've got it made?! How many servants have they brought with them?

Angel 2

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … wait – did that guy move? Where was I? 4.

Angel 1

(Interrupts) That was a rhetorical question?! I was saying they've got loads of of servants. Did you notice how they waltzed into Herod's palace without even an invitation? Who turns up like that?

Angel 2

(Sarcastically) Uh... the Magi?

Angel 1

These guys are loaded, ridiculously well connected and yet they trudge miles through the desert until to visit a baby whose parents couldn't even afford a crib to put him in?

Angel 2

You put it like that... but that “baby whose parents couldn't even afford a crib” is the Almighty, the one who made the universe. And you, for that matter?!

Angel 1

Yes – and I mean Him no disrespect, but to see a guy with that much wealth, that much power go so far to worship the Almighty... I'm not sure I've ever seen that from a human before.

Angel 2

(pauses) You may have a point there. You may have a point.

</dl>

Celestial Commentary – Scene 2 – Shepherds [2/5]

2010-06-17T08:20:00Z

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:8-20

Angel 1

Oh look - there's Nathaniel. Poor guy. Heart of solid gold. (pauses and then says with sadness) He was never the same after his wife left him. Why do these humans look down so much on shepherds?

Angel 2

Beats me. They're looking after the lambs to be sacrificed next passover, and yet sometimes it seems like only lepers get treated worse.

Angel 1

Sometimes I just want to go and give Old Nat a hug!

Angel 2

(Laughs) Wouldn't try that if I were you! Did you see how freaked out they were when you appeared to give them the good news about the birth of Jesus? The shepherd boy – you know – Simeon – I swear he actually wet himself! You try hugging Nathaniel and you're liable to give him a full blown heart-attack!

Angel 1

I didn't say I would! Just that I sometimes want to!

Angel 2

Anyway – you can't tell me you didn't see him smile as he went down to Bethlehem....!

Angel 1

Yeah - I hadn't seen him smile like that since he became a Dad!

Angel 2

He hasn't really stopped since... the news that the messiah was born has done him a power of good. It's the first piece of good news he's had in decades.

Angel 1

Who'd have thought it? I was expecting them to be excited and go see Mary & Joseph – but the way they hit the town afterwards? I never saw that coming!
They were telling everyone... people who'd snubbed them the day before, old friends and acquaintances they'd lost touch with.... well, anyone and everyone they met?!

Celestial Commentary – Scene 1 – Mary & Joseph [1/5]

2010-06-16T16:00:00Z

This is from a sketch I wrote for use at church, which, in the end, was never used. It may be freely reproduced or performed etc.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-24

<dl>

Angel 1

What a cute couple...! Do you see how excited they are?

Angel 2

Huh! It was a different story a few months ago.

Angel 1

(Annoyed) When will you let that go? Joseph didn't know what was going on then? He was only trying to do the right thing?!

Angel 2

Ok – point taken. He's been great about it ever since his “dream.” You're right – he is genuinely excited! Do you think he'll be this excited when he has a child of his own?

Angel 1

It's rare – isn't it? We've spent so many thousands of years watching these humans... but it's so rare, so special, to see someone so excited by what the Almighty is doing?

Angel 2

It's beautiful – they've not just got that new parent aura – they've got that inner glow that comes from being happy to be part of the Almighty's plans. I haven't seen that in so long... it reminds me of King David in his better days. Nice to see it again in his descendants.

Angel 1

I do wonder how long it'll last though – they've already had snide rumours to deal with – and in a small town like Nazareth that stuff's not going to disappear any time soon. It's not going to be easy.

Angel 2

Don't despair too soon – you remember what that guy said, you know that Nehemiah guy, “the joy of the Lord is my strength”? I reckon if they keep their eyes fixed on Him they might just make it.

</dl>

When I hear the words "We need more women here..."

2010-05-14T20:10:00Z

how wrong is it that what I hear is: "Geoff - what you do is less useful and valuable simply because you're a guy."?

Just wondering.

Mustard Seed Soul Band comes to PBC

2010-02-22T17:49:00Z

The Mustard Seed Soul Band will be performing at Paulsgrove Baptist Church this Saturday.

Tickets are still available at £5 each - either book online at www.mustardseedsongs.org.uk or phone 023 9232 5944 during office hours. (Tickets will be available for purchase on the door, but at the higher price of £6).

Salvation and the county Jail

2010-02-20T09:00:00Z

Read Acts 16:25-40

The jailer's conversion is as sudden as it is unexpected: and yet the result is the same. His heart, now open to the gospel, leads him immediately to be concerned for Paul and his companions (he washes their wounds) and immediately gets baptised. Not only do all his household follow suit, but they rejoice with him at the good news that is now theirs.

Paul experienced the joy of seeing his jailer become his brother because he was ready to praise God and preach the gospel (singing songs while shackled?! Inmate preaching to a prison governor?!).

Are there places you go, or situations you find yourself in where you don't feel as though the gospel is relevant? Or people that you're hesitant to share the gospel with because you don't know how they'll react?

Consider how you would have reacted, had you been in Paul's situation: beaten unjustly, chained in the most secure cell in the prison – and all of it an illegal violation of your rights as a citizen! Maybe your vision of God is too small? Maybe your expectations of God are too low?

Ask God to fill you with the confidence and boldness to trust Him in every place and with everyone.

A dangerous deliverance

2010-02-19T09:00:00Z

Read Acts 16:16-24

The slave girl is at the bottom of the pile. She is enslaved by men who use her for profit, enslaved by an evil spirit who enables her to know things that she shouldn't be able to know. And the spirit in her is not happy – because followers of Jesus have just turned up in their city. Paul takes his time before intervening – it's not safe to mess with people's profit margins. Not then, not now. (Like missionary William Carey, who went to preach the gospel in India and was unable to preach it in the parts of India controlled by Britain at the time because they feared that it might cause trouble and adversely affect the economy).

The bible says that Christ came to bring us freedom – but we would be wise to remember that this world profits from people being enslaved. Liberating people often threatens existing financial interests and results in serious opposition.

From slander to murder, we should not be surprised by the opposition that the liberating truth of the gospel brings.

God opened her heart

2010-02-18T09:00:00Z

Read Acts 16:11-15

Lydia has all the hallmarks of a seeker: she was already interested in spiritual things, she had some knowledge of God, was a worshipper of God, presumably had (at least) some knowledge of the bible and was looking for more. But the bible does not say “she opened her heart” - rather it declares that “God opened” it.

If Lydia can't make it on her own, who can? The answer is no-one. No-one will ever become a Christian without the intervention of God. We simply don't have the power to open people's hearts – only God does.

Think of the non-Christians you know: how often do you pray for them? After all – prayer is how we call on God to act and to save.

But what means does God use to open her heart? He could have used a vision, or a dream or writing in the sky. But it didn't: God chose the moment that Paul was sharing the gospel with her. Having prayed – and trusting God to come through – get ready to be bold, step out in faith. Because God's top choice for opening people's hearts to the gospel is the point in time that someone is telling them about Jesus.

When God changes your plans

2010-02-17T09:00:00Z

Read Acts 16:6-10

The plan was to go with Barnabas, but he's gone to Cyprus. The plan was to encourage existing churches, but he's being called to an unreached city. The plan was to cover familiar ground, but he's travelling to a new continent. God just changed the plan.

How do you imagine Paul felt – leaving the security of having a guy like Barnabas around to encourage him and back him up – out on a mission that is no longer viable?
How differently do you think he felt when he looked back with the benefit of hindsight?

Thank God that he is in control. And that he loves you more than you love yourself – and chooses what is better for you than you would choose yourself.

Building tomorrow's church

2010-02-16T09:00:00Z

Read Acts 16:1-5

Paul started off as Barnabas's protégé and learns from him. As soon as he gets the opportunity, he calls Timothy to join his group and starts to mentor him.

If you've followed Jesus for any period of time, there will be people who can benefit from your help, encouragement and experience. Jesus discipled and trained men to succeed him in ministry. As did the apostles after them. As Paul encouraged Timothy himself to do in 2 Timothy 2:2.

The church should continue to grow. If you want you ministry to have an impact, you need to invest time in training and encouraging and discipling other Christians. All Christians should be both disciples (following Jesus) and discipling (making followers of Jesus) – Matthew 28:18-20.

Pray for the younger members of the church and those who have not been Christians for so long. And ask God for opportunities to get alongside them to help them grow and mature in their faith.

Sin and the sovereignty of God

2010-02-15T09:00:00Z

Read Acts 15:36-41

Despite having made plans to go on a trip to help build up/consolidate the churches they've already worked with, Paul and Barnabas have a “sharp disagreement” about whether Barnabas's cousin, John Mark, should accompany them on their planned trip. So they split.

But they both go on living lives that are totally committed to God.

What impact does it have when godly people fall out with each other?
Are God's plans held back by their disagreement?
What failures have you had or seen that God has used to further his kingdom?

Joseph, whose brother's sold him into slavery, experienced God's power this way: He says to them in Genesis 50:20 “ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. ” Praise the God who can use even our most spectacular sins, grievous mistakes and abject failures for good: to the point of using the murder of his Son to save the species that killed him.

Husbands, love your wives....

2010-02-10T16:06:00Z

We just published our Men's Ministry Valentine's Day reminder: Don't take your marriage for granted.

Feel free to check it out.