Marcus Mecum

Marcus Mecum - Esther Christmas

December 22, 2024 | S

Leaving an eternal legacy through the wisdom and life-changing truths from God’s Word.

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Marcus Mecum | Marcus Mecum - Esther Christmas | December 22, 2024

♪ ♪
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>> i want to start with
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>> i want to start with a very famous christmas verse
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Matthew 2:9 and it says,
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"after they had heard the king,
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They went on their way
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And the star,"
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Everybody, say, "the star."
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>> congregation: the star.
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>> "the star, the star.
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They had seen when it rose
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They had seen when it rose ahead of them until it stopped
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Ahead of them until it stopped over the place where
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Over the place where the child, jesus, was."
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The child, jesus, was." so, i want you to get
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So, i want you to get the nativity scene in your mind
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For just a moment,
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For just a moment, see the stable.
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See the stable. i want you to see
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I want you to see mary and joseph,
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Mary and joseph, see the manger that jesus
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See the manger that jesus would be laid in.
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Would be laid in. i want you to pull back
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I want you to pull back a little bit from that
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A little bit from that moment and focus on
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Moment and focus on that star above it.
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That star above it. and isn't amazing
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And isn't amazing out of the billions of stars
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Out of the billions of stars in the galaxy that god
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In the galaxy that god would commission one star
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Would commission one star to shine especially bright?
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To shine especially bright? it was so unusually bright
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It was so unusually bright that it would lead wise men
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That it would lead wise men on a long, spiritual journey.
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On a long, spiritual journey. i could see them maybe after
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I could see them maybe after that moment talking with
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That moment talking with one another about how they found
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One another about how they found their way to the messiah.
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Their way to the messiah. it was that star.
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It was that star. the christmas star
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The christmas star was the way they found
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Was the way they found their way to jesus.
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Their way to jesus. we're here today because
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We're here today because of that christmas star.
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Of that christmas star. the star gave them direction.
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The star gave them direction. the star gave them
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The star gave them the gift of guidance.
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The gift of guidance. and i want you to also see
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And i want you to also see that it's not just
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That it's not just that christmas star
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That christmas star that we need to focus on,
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That we need to focus on, but maybe you're even here
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But maybe you're even here tonight because god has placed
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Tonight because god has placed an earth-bound travel guide
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An earth-bound travel guide in your life.
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In your life. god has placed someone
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God has placed someone out of all the billions
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Out of all the billions of people on the planet --
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Of people on the planet -- god has placed someone
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God has placed someone in your life that shines
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In your life that shines especially bright
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Especially bright and there's just something
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And there's just something about their faith,
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About their faith, something about their love
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Something about their love for god that just is a gift
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For god that just is a gift of direction for you.
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Of direction for you. it's a guiding thing for you.
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It's a guiding thing for you. well, we look at
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Well, we look at the old testament
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The old testament and we look at this woman
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And we look at this woman by the name of esther.
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By the name of esther. and esther's amazing
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And esther's amazing because god has been
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Because god has been faithful not just today,
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Faithful not just today, not just the christmas story,
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Not just the christmas story, but throughout history
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But throughout history to give us guiding stars.
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To give us guiding stars. and we're going to look at this
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And we're going to look at this old testament story of this
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Old testament story of this woman who was an orphan
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Woman who was an orphan who became a queen.
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Who became a queen. her name, the name esther,
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Her name, the name esther, in hebrew means star.
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In hebrew means star. that's where we got the idea
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That's where we got the idea for today's message from.
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For today's message from. her life became so bright
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Her life became so bright that it saved an entire
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That it saved an entire nation and generation.
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Nation and generation. in the same way that
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In the same way that the christmas star became
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The christmas star became so bright that it led
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So bright that it led wise men from
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Wise men from india to jerusalem,
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India to jerusalem, ultimately to bethlehem,
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Ultimately to bethlehem, where god almighty
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Where god almighty was wrapped in flesh.
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Was wrapped in flesh. god also raised up
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God also raised up this powerless orphan named
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This powerless orphan named esther to be a guiding star
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Esther to be a guiding star to her generation.
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To her generation. let's check it out.
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>> narrator: esther, a queen
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That saved a nation.
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She began with nothing.
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Raised as a jew,
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Her people were disowned
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By their nation.
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Orphaned by the death
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Of her parents,
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She was cared for
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By her cousin mordecai.
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But everything changed
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With the demand of a king.
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♪ ♪
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In search of a new queen,
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King xerxes called
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Every young and beautiful woman
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In the land of susa
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To be brought before him.
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Esther, not revealing her
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Jewish heritage obeyed the call.
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For 12 months, the girls
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Were trained and treated
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In the art of beauty
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As one by one they were
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Presented to the king.
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Esther, just as she was,
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Won the favor of everyone
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Who laid their eyes upon her.
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King xerxes was no exception.
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For to him, her beauty was
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The greatest in his kingdom,
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The jewel of his empire.
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He sat the royal crown
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Upon her head
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And the orphan girl, esther,
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Became a queen.
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♪ ♪
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>> james 1:17 says,
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>> james 1:17 says, "every good and perfect gift
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"every good and perfect gift comes from the father of lights,
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Comes from the father of lights, with whom there's no shadow
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With whom there's no shadow of turning."
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Of turning." in other words,
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In other words, gifts come from god.
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Gifts come from god. in the story of esther,
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In the story of esther, it was the gift of her beauty
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It was the gift of her beauty that god used to present her
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That god used to present her to the king and ultimately
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To the king and ultimately led to saving a nation.
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Led to saving a nation. but the key is you have to know
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But the key is you have to know that god gives you gifts.
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That god gives you gifts. you look at our world,
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You look at our world, it's amazing how we're all in
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It's amazing how we're all in some type of beauty pageant.
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Some type of beauty pageant. who's the best?
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Who's the best? who's the prettiest?
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Who's the prettiest? who's the most fit.
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Who's the most fit. who's the wealthiest?
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Who's the wealthiest? and there's nothing wrong.
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And there's nothing wrong. the story of esther
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The story of esther is a good key,
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Is a good key, there's nothing wrong with
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There's nothing wrong with discovering your gifts.
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Discovering your gifts. there's nothing wrong with
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There's nothing wrong with having your strengths.
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Having your strengths. develop them, live to your
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Develop them, live to your fullest potential.
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Fullest potential. go all in with the skills
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Go all in with the skills that god has given you,
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That god has given you, but remember,
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But remember, god is the giver of gifts.
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God is the giver of gifts. there is a purpose
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There is a purpose behind the gifts that
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Behind the gifts that you've been given.
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You've been given. they're not random.
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They're not random. they've not been
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They've not been given by accident.
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Given by accident. maybe you're beautiful
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Maybe you're beautiful like esther.
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Like esther. it's a gift.
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It's a gift. maybe it's something different.
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Maybe it's something different. maybe your intellect and your iq
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Maybe your intellect and your iq is incredibly high.
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Is incredibly high. maybe it's your athletic ability
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Maybe it's your athletic ability or an artistic gift.
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Or an artistic gift. maybe it's a business gift,
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Maybe it's a business gift, a finance gift,
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A finance gift, a leadership gift,
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A leadership gift, a hospitality gift.
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A hospitality gift. maybe you've never
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Maybe you've never discovered your gift.
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Discovered your gift. the amazing thing about gifts
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The amazing thing about gifts is sometimes they're not
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Is sometimes they're not obvious in the natural.
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Obvious in the natural. for some people, their gift
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For some people, their gift doesn't go before them.
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Doesn't go before them. but if you'll look back
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But if you'll look back throughout your life,
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Throughout your life, many of you have been
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Many of you have been through horrific circumstances
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Through horrific circumstances or you've been through
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Or you've been through traumatic situation,
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Traumatic situation, and you face crosses,
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And you face crosses, and you face enemies,
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And you face enemies, and you faced
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And you faced all kinds of things.
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All kinds of things. and they're things you didn't
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And they're things you didn't ask for or desire.
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Ask for or desire. but yet, here you are
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But yet, here you are and inside of those things,
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And inside of those things, if you'll look for it,
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If you'll look for it, there's a gift.
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There's a gift. you have compassion that
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You have compassion that you would have never had.
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You would have never had. you're filled with
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You're filled with greater perseverance.
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Greater perseverance. you have a new level of strength
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You have a new level of strength because of the things
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Because of the things you've overcome,
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You've overcome, and you've been through.
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And you've been through. and the key is, the gift
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And the key is, the gift is bigger than just you.
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Is bigger than just you. and when you get that,
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And when you get that, that's where you find
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That's where you find there's purpose,
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There's purpose, god given purpose
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God given purpose in your gifts.
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In your gifts. and how you use your gift
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And how you use your gift to honor him is your gift
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To honor him is your gift back to him.
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Back to him. and the christmas story,
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And the christmas story, the wise men didn't
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The wise men didn't just show up.
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Just show up. the wise men showed up
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The wise men showed up and they brought gifts.
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And they brought gifts. they presented
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They presented their gifts to god.
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Their gifts to god. have you presented the gifts,
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Have you presented the gifts, the strengths that god has
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The strengths that god has given you to him and say,
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Given you to him and say, "god, whatever strengths
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"god, whatever strengths i have i want you
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I have i want you to use them for your glory
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To use them for your glory and for your kingdom's sake"?
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And for your kingdom's sake"? because any strength
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Because any strength or any gift unguarded
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Or any gift unguarded becomes a double weakness.
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Becomes a double weakness. let's continue to watch
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Let's continue to watch the story.
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♪ ♪
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>> mordecai, the cousin
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And adoptive guardian of esther,
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Cared for her as though
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She was his own daughter.
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Day after day, he watched
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For her by the castle gates.
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One morning, he overheard
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The guards scheming a plot
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To kill the king.
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Upon hearing this,
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He told queen esther
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Who told king xerxes.
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The report was found to be true,
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And the traitors were
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Sentenced to death.
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Mordecai had saved
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The king's life.
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Haman, the sworn enemy
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Of the jews,
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Had been promoted by the king
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To the highest ranking
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Official in government.
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All the king's servants
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Honored him by bowing down
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And kneeling before him,
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All except mordecai,
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Who refused out of his
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Uncompromising commitment
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To god.
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This act of defiance outraged
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Haman and he decided to take out
00:08:00.386 --> 00:08:02.021
His fury on not just mordecai,
00:08:02.121 --> 00:08:04.657
But on all jews.
00:08:04.757 --> 00:08:07.160
He came to king xerxes
00:08:07.260 --> 00:08:08.595
For the proposition.
00:08:08.695 --> 00:08:10.196
"my king," he said,
00:08:10.296 --> 00:08:13.333
"there is a foreign people
00:08:13.433 --> 00:08:14.000
In your land who do not
00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:15.301
Obey your laws.
00:08:15.401 --> 00:08:17.337
Let us destroy them."
00:08:17.437 --> 00:08:20.206
With approval from the king,
00:08:20.306 --> 00:08:22.041
Haman wrote up order
00:08:22.141 --> 00:08:23.076
To massacre, kill,
00:08:23.176 --> 00:08:24.477
And eliminate all jews,
00:08:24.577 --> 00:08:26.145
All on a single day.
00:08:26.246 --> 00:08:28.848
The documents were
00:08:28.948 --> 00:08:29.816
Signed and distributed
00:08:29.916 --> 00:08:31.050
Throughout the kingdom.
00:08:31.150 --> 00:08:33.019
A deafening lament was heard
00:08:33.119 --> 00:08:34.087
Throughout the land.
00:08:34.187 --> 00:08:36.322
Haman, the enemy of the jews
00:08:36.422 --> 00:08:39.092
Would look upon their
00:08:39.192 --> 00:08:40.159
Hopelessness with victory.
00:08:40.260 --> 00:08:43.463
Esther, worried for
00:08:43.563 --> 00:08:45.231
The wellbeing of her people,
00:08:45.331 --> 00:08:47.100
Sent one of her servants
00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:48.368
To check in with mordecai.
00:08:48.468 --> 00:08:52.005
Mordecai reported back asking
00:08:52.105 --> 00:08:53.907
Of esther to go to the king
00:08:54.007 --> 00:08:55.775
To intercede for her people.
00:08:55.875 --> 00:08:58.978
There is a single faith
00:08:59.078 --> 00:09:00.313
For every man or woman who
00:09:00.413 --> 00:09:01.848
Approaches the king without
00:09:01.948 --> 00:09:03.082
Being invited, death.
00:09:03.182 --> 00:09:07.353
Mordecai pleased with esther,
00:09:07.453 --> 00:09:09.455
"if you persist in staying
00:09:09.556 --> 00:09:10.857
Silent at a time like this,
00:09:10.957 --> 00:09:12.825
Help and deliverance
00:09:12.926 --> 00:09:13.693
Will arrive for the jews
00:09:13.793 --> 00:09:14.794
From someplace else,
00:09:14.894 --> 00:09:17.297
But you and your family
00:09:17.397 --> 00:09:18.798
Will be wiped out."
00:09:18.898 --> 00:09:21.334
He then posed the question
00:09:21.434 --> 00:09:22.468
That challenged esther's heart.
00:09:22.569 --> 00:09:24.504
"who knows," he said,
00:09:24.604 --> 00:09:27.307
"perhaps you were born
00:09:27.407 --> 00:09:29.676
For such a time as this."
00:09:29.776 --> 00:09:31.411
>> i love that verse that was
00:09:35.348 --> 00:09:36.149
>> i love that verse that was mentioned in the video.
00:09:36.215 --> 00:09:37.617
Mentioned in the video. esther 4:14, where it says,
00:09:37.684 --> 00:09:40.553
"perhaps," or the way
00:09:40.653 --> 00:09:41.487
I grew up hearing is,
00:09:41.554 --> 00:09:42.589
"it might just be you were born
00:09:42.689 --> 00:09:44.891
"it might just be you were born for such a time as this."
00:09:44.958 --> 00:09:47.493
For such a time as this." maybe, it's possible,
00:09:47.560 --> 00:09:51.030
Maybe, it's possible, it might just be.
00:09:51.097 --> 00:09:53.299
It might just be. when you look through
00:09:53.366 --> 00:09:53.800
When you look through the pages of scripture
00:09:53.866 --> 00:09:54.767
The pages of scripture or you look
00:09:54.834 --> 00:09:55.234
Or you look even through history,
00:09:55.301 --> 00:09:57.337
Even through history, it's impossible to miss
00:09:57.403 --> 00:09:58.171
It's impossible to miss that every generation has
00:09:58.237 --> 00:09:59.372
Some type of enemy to face.
00:09:59.472 --> 00:10:01.808
Some type of enemy to face. for joseph and mary,
00:10:01.874 --> 00:10:04.077
For joseph and mary, it would be king herod.
00:10:04.143 --> 00:10:05.645
It would be king herod. for king david,
00:10:05.712 --> 00:10:06.379
For king david, it would be the goliath
00:10:06.446 --> 00:10:07.547
It would be the goliath that he would be up against.
00:10:07.614 --> 00:10:08.748
That he would be up against. maybe for you,
00:10:08.815 --> 00:10:09.415
Maybe for you, it's something more personal.
00:10:09.482 --> 00:10:10.817
It's something more personal. maybe your enemy is cancer
00:10:10.883 --> 00:10:12.952
Maybe your enemy is cancer or some other health issue.
00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:15.188
Or some other health issue. maybe it's an addiction.
00:10:15.254 --> 00:10:16.122
Maybe it's an addiction. maybe it's something emotional
00:10:16.189 --> 00:10:17.390
Maybe it's something emotional like depression.
00:10:17.457 --> 00:10:18.992
Like depression. maybe it's this one
00:10:19.058 --> 00:10:19.993
Maybe it's this one that we all have in common
00:10:20.059 --> 00:10:21.160
That we all have in common in this room.
00:10:21.227 --> 00:10:21.794
In this room. just go ahead and just pinch
00:10:21.861 --> 00:10:22.662
Just go ahead and just pinch yourself real hard.
00:10:22.729 --> 00:10:25.531
Yourself real hard. just pinch --
00:10:25.598 --> 00:10:26.499
Just pinch -- oh, that hurts.
00:10:26.566 --> 00:10:28.001
Oh, that hurts. and this is what
00:10:28.067 --> 00:10:29.135
And this is what the bible calls your flesh,
00:10:29.202 --> 00:10:32.338
The bible calls your flesh, and it has one goal.
00:10:32.405 --> 00:10:33.873
And it has one goal. pamper me, comfort me,
00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:35.375
Pamper me, comfort me, pleasure me, numb me.
00:10:35.441 --> 00:10:38.111
Pleasure me, numb me. and your flesh demands that you
00:10:38.177 --> 00:10:39.646
And your flesh demands that you give into its cravings.
00:10:39.712 --> 00:10:41.714
Give into its cravings. but the bible teaches
00:10:41.781 --> 00:10:42.615
But the bible teaches the opposite.
00:10:42.682 --> 00:10:43.249
The opposite. your flesh is to be
00:10:43.316 --> 00:10:44.150
Your flesh is to be subject to your spirit.
00:10:44.217 --> 00:10:45.852
Subject to your spirit. it's to be subject to
00:10:45.918 --> 00:10:47.987
It's to be subject to the will of god in your life.
00:10:48.054 --> 00:10:49.355
The will of god in your life. it's to serve the will of god
00:10:49.422 --> 00:10:51.224
It's to serve the will of god in your life.
00:10:51.290 --> 00:10:52.725
In your life. and if you allow your flesh
00:10:52.792 --> 00:10:53.926
And if you allow your flesh to have what it wants,
00:10:53.993 --> 00:10:54.694
To have what it wants, it will destroy your life
00:10:54.761 --> 00:10:55.795
It will destroy your life and even potentially take you
00:10:55.862 --> 00:10:57.597
And even potentially take you to a place called hell.
00:10:57.664 --> 00:10:59.599
To a place called hell. maybe not a great
00:10:59.666 --> 00:11:00.266
Maybe not a great christmas subject,
00:11:00.333 --> 00:11:01.868
Christmas subject, but it's very real that
00:11:01.934 --> 00:11:03.102
But it's very real that we all at least have this
00:11:03.169 --> 00:11:05.772
We all at least have this one enemy is common.
00:11:05.838 --> 00:11:07.507
One enemy is common. not even beginning to go
00:11:07.573 --> 00:11:08.608
Not even beginning to go into the world, and the devil,
00:11:08.675 --> 00:11:10.576
Into the world, and the devil, and all of those things.
00:11:10.643 --> 00:11:12.278
And all of those things. we have enemies.
00:11:12.345 --> 00:11:12.912
We have enemies. we have things that
00:11:12.979 --> 00:11:13.579
We have things that we're up against,
00:11:13.646 --> 00:11:15.014
We're up against, that if we don't learn
00:11:15.081 --> 00:11:15.848
That if we don't learn how to deal with,
00:11:15.915 --> 00:11:16.816
How to deal with, it can rob up of the purpose
00:11:16.883 --> 00:11:18.284
It can rob up of the purpose that god has for our life.
00:11:18.351 --> 00:11:19.986
That god has for our life. for esther and mordecai,
00:11:20.053 --> 00:11:21.154
For esther and mordecai, it was a man by
00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:22.121
It was a man by the name of haman,
00:11:22.188 --> 00:11:23.156
The name of haman, this incredibly powerful man
00:11:23.222 --> 00:11:24.791
This incredibly powerful man in the persian empire.
00:11:24.857 --> 00:11:26.693
In the persian empire. this massive empire
00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.494
This massive empire that went all the way
00:11:28.561 --> 00:11:29.362
That went all the way from ethiopia to india.
00:11:29.429 --> 00:11:31.064
From ethiopia to india. it was comprised of 127
00:11:31.130 --> 00:11:32.465
It was comprised of 127 different provinces.
00:11:32.532 --> 00:11:33.933
Different provinces. seven princes oversaw those
00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.768
Seven princes oversaw those 127 provinces,
00:11:35.835 --> 00:11:37.804
127 provinces, and all seven
00:11:37.870 --> 00:11:38.571
And all seven of those princes
00:11:38.638 --> 00:11:39.939
Of those princes had to report to haman.
00:11:40.006 --> 00:11:41.641
Had to report to haman. anything they wanted to get
00:11:41.708 --> 00:11:42.775
Anything they wanted to get to the king had to flow
00:11:42.842 --> 00:11:43.910
To the king had to flow through this man, haman.
00:11:43.976 --> 00:11:45.712
Through this man, haman. and i love esther because you
00:11:45.778 --> 00:11:47.313
And i love esther because you go back and you look at all
00:11:47.380 --> 00:11:49.015
Go back and you look at all that she had already overcome,
00:11:49.082 --> 00:11:50.683
That she had already overcome, losing her parents as a child,
00:11:50.750 --> 00:11:52.518
Losing her parents as a child, overcoming the sense
00:11:52.585 --> 00:11:54.954
Overcoming the sense of abandonment and the sense
00:11:55.021 --> 00:11:56.355
Of abandonment and the sense of being alone in life
00:11:56.422 --> 00:11:58.691
Of being alone in life and having no one
00:11:58.758 --> 00:11:59.325
And having no one to look out for her.
00:11:59.392 --> 00:12:01.227
To look out for her. and then, you see her come
00:12:01.294 --> 00:12:02.328
And then, you see her come through all of that as an orphan
00:12:02.395 --> 00:12:03.996
Through all of that as an orphan and now she's in the palace.
00:12:04.063 --> 00:12:06.632
And now she's in the palace. she's arrived.
00:12:06.699 --> 00:12:07.300
She's arrived. she's made it.
00:12:07.366 --> 00:12:08.101
She's made it. she's become a great success.
00:12:08.167 --> 00:12:09.602
She's become a great success. and you would think that she
00:12:09.669 --> 00:12:11.104
And you would think that she shouldn't have all the struggles
00:12:11.170 --> 00:12:12.405
Shouldn't have all the struggles she had outside the palace
00:12:12.472 --> 00:12:14.307
She had outside the palace or before the palace.
00:12:14.373 --> 00:12:15.575
Or before the palace. she should be set.
00:12:15.641 --> 00:12:16.509
She should be set. she should be comfortable.
00:12:16.576 --> 00:12:17.610
She should be comfortable. she should be secure.
00:12:17.677 --> 00:12:18.878
She should be secure. yet, inside of the palace walls,
00:12:18.945 --> 00:12:20.713
Yet, inside of the palace walls, she encounters
00:12:20.780 --> 00:12:21.748
She encounters the greatest enemy
00:12:21.814 --> 00:12:22.548
The greatest enemy she had ever had.
00:12:22.615 --> 00:12:24.650
She had ever had. it wasn't something she wanted.
00:12:24.717 --> 00:12:26.152
It wasn't something she wanted. it wasn't something
00:12:26.219 --> 00:12:26.919
It wasn't something she was prepared for.
00:12:26.986 --> 00:12:28.955
She was prepared for. and mordecai says,
00:12:29.021 --> 00:12:30.823
And mordecai says, "it might just be,
00:12:30.890 --> 00:12:32.358
"it might just be, you were born
00:12:32.425 --> 00:12:33.960
You were born for such a time as this."
00:12:34.026 --> 00:12:37.163
For such a time as this." esther, you could act like
00:12:37.230 --> 00:12:38.030
Esther, you could act like it's something else's fight.
00:12:38.097 --> 00:12:39.599
It's something else's fight. you can act like
00:12:39.665 --> 00:12:40.500
You can act like it's someone else's battle.
00:12:40.566 --> 00:12:41.968
It's someone else's battle. you can act like you're helpless
00:12:42.034 --> 00:12:44.403
You can act like you're helpless or you can step up
00:12:44.470 --> 00:12:45.905
Or you can step up and seize the opportunity
00:12:45.972 --> 00:12:47.273
And seize the opportunity you've been given.
00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:49.075
You've been given. in the christmas story,
00:12:49.142 --> 00:12:50.409
In the christmas story, it's put together like this.
00:12:50.476 --> 00:12:52.745
It's put together like this. in galatians 4:4 it explains
00:12:52.812 --> 00:12:55.348
In galatians 4:4 it explains what's happening
00:12:55.414 --> 00:12:56.883
What's happening in the context of time.
00:12:56.949 --> 00:12:59.285
In the context of time. it says this,
00:12:59.352 --> 00:13:00.019
It says this, "in the fullness of time,
00:13:00.086 --> 00:13:01.454
"in the fullness of time, god sent forth his son
00:13:01.521 --> 00:13:02.955
God sent forth his son to be born of a woman."
00:13:03.022 --> 00:13:05.057
To be born of a woman." and when you hear
00:13:05.124 --> 00:13:06.092
And when you hear the christmas story
00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:07.059
The christmas story and you watch mary and joseph,
00:13:07.126 --> 00:13:09.228
And you watch mary and joseph, they weren't ready.
00:13:09.295 --> 00:13:10.630
They weren't ready. they had other plans.
00:13:10.696 --> 00:13:11.564
They had other plans. they weren't prepared
00:13:11.631 --> 00:13:13.032
They weren't prepared for what was going on.
00:13:13.099 --> 00:13:14.801
For what was going on. but yet, the fullness of time
00:13:14.867 --> 00:13:16.803
But yet, the fullness of time had come, time just got full.
00:13:16.869 --> 00:13:19.305
Had come, time just got full. and christmas
00:13:19.372 --> 00:13:19.972
And christmas is the announcement
00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:21.140
Is the announcement that god's timing
00:13:21.207 --> 00:13:22.608
That god's timing is rarely our timing.
00:13:22.675 --> 00:13:24.577
Is rarely our timing. rarely are we ready
00:13:24.644 --> 00:13:25.845
Rarely are we ready for god's timing.
00:13:25.912 --> 00:13:26.979
For god's timing. it might just be
00:13:27.046 --> 00:13:28.114
It might just be that you are like esther,
00:13:28.181 --> 00:13:30.416
That you are like esther, that you're here in this room
00:13:30.483 --> 00:13:32.351
That you're here in this room and you are born for
00:13:32.418 --> 00:13:33.586
And you are born for such a time as this.
00:13:33.653 --> 00:13:35.488
Such a time as this. you didn't plan for it.
00:13:35.555 --> 00:13:37.623
You didn't plan for it. maybe up to this point
00:13:37.690 --> 00:13:38.457
Maybe up to this point you've been hanging on
00:13:38.524 --> 00:13:39.392
You've been hanging on to some bitterness
00:13:39.458 --> 00:13:40.927
To some bitterness or some offense
00:13:40.993 --> 00:13:41.694
Or some offense and it might just be,
00:13:41.761 --> 00:13:43.796
And it might just be, it's time to forgive.
00:13:43.863 --> 00:13:46.032
It's time to forgive. maybe you've been struggling
00:13:46.098 --> 00:13:47.867
Maybe you've been struggling with some kind of an addiction
00:13:47.934 --> 00:13:48.835
With some kind of an addiction in your life and it just
00:13:48.901 --> 00:13:50.069
In your life and it just may be time to say,
00:13:50.136 --> 00:13:52.271
May be time to say, "in 2024, with god's help
00:13:52.338 --> 00:13:55.441
"in 2024, with god's help and god's strength,
00:13:55.508 --> 00:13:56.008
And god's strength, i'm gonna overcome that thing."
00:13:56.075 --> 00:13:57.743
I'm gonna overcome that thing." maybe it's just finally time
00:13:57.810 --> 00:14:00.413
Maybe it's just finally time to surrender fully
00:14:00.479 --> 00:14:01.247
To surrender fully to the purpose of god,
00:14:01.314 --> 00:14:02.682
To the purpose of god, the will of god,
00:14:02.748 --> 00:14:03.950
The will of god, the heart of god for your life.
00:14:04.016 --> 00:14:05.218
The heart of god for your life. maybe it's just time to say,
00:14:05.284 --> 00:14:06.118
Maybe it's just time to say, "i'm gonna step into
00:14:06.185 --> 00:14:07.453
"i'm gonna step into a new season.
00:14:07.520 --> 00:14:08.154
A new season. i'm gonna quit allowing
00:14:08.221 --> 00:14:09.155
I'm gonna quit allowing that one thing that happened,
00:14:09.222 --> 00:14:10.723
That one thing that happened, that one event to define
00:14:10.790 --> 00:14:12.258
That one event to define the rest of my life."
00:14:12.325 --> 00:14:13.125
The rest of my life." in the fullness of time,
00:14:13.192 --> 00:14:14.627
In the fullness of time, christ came.
00:14:14.694 --> 00:14:15.561
Christ came. in other words,
00:14:15.628 --> 00:14:16.262
In other words, heaven was ready,
00:14:16.329 --> 00:14:17.430
Heaven was ready, and time was ready,
00:14:17.496 --> 00:14:18.898
And time was ready, and so god
00:14:18.965 --> 00:14:19.632
And so god brought forth his son.
00:14:19.699 --> 00:14:21.601
Brought forth his son. this is exactly
00:14:21.667 --> 00:14:22.501
This is exactly what's going on with esther.
00:14:22.568 --> 00:14:23.870
What's going on with esther. she's not ready,
00:14:23.936 --> 00:14:24.704
She's not ready, but heaven was ready,
00:14:24.770 --> 00:14:25.972
But heaven was ready, and time was ready.
00:14:26.038 --> 00:14:27.506
And time was ready. and she had to make
00:14:27.573 --> 00:14:28.140
And she had to make the decision,
00:14:28.207 --> 00:14:28.708
The decision, "am i going to miss
00:14:28.774 --> 00:14:29.675
"am i going to miss my moment with destiny
00:14:29.742 --> 00:14:31.177
My moment with destiny or i'm i going to seize it?"
00:14:31.244 --> 00:14:33.512
Or i'm i going to seize it?" and you have to decide
00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:34.547
And you have to decide the same thing.
00:14:34.614 --> 00:14:35.314
♪ ♪
00:14:37.750 --> 00:14:40.586
>> esther sent reply
00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:41.821
To her cousin, "mordecai,
00:14:41.921 --> 00:14:44.824
Go and gather all the jews
00:14:44.924 --> 00:14:46.325
Living in susa together.
00:14:46.425 --> 00:14:48.561
Let them join in a fast for me.
00:14:48.661 --> 00:14:51.530
Do not eat or drink
00:14:51.631 --> 00:14:52.565
For three days.
00:14:52.665 --> 00:14:54.367
If you would do this,
00:14:54.467 --> 00:14:56.135
I will go to the king
00:14:56.235 --> 00:14:57.703
Even though it is forbidden.
00:14:57.803 --> 00:15:00.139
And if i die, i die."
00:15:00.239 --> 00:15:03.242
Mordecai carried out
00:15:03.342 --> 00:15:04.076
Esther's instructions
00:15:04.176 --> 00:15:05.444
And the jewish people
00:15:05.544 --> 00:15:06.145
Living there
00:15:06.245 --> 00:15:06.779
All fasted together.
00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:09.348
Three days later,
00:15:09.448 --> 00:15:10.750
Esther approached the king.
00:15:10.850 --> 00:15:13.152
When he noticed her,
00:15:13.252 --> 00:15:14.720
He was pleased.
00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:16.889
The king asked,
00:15:16.989 --> 00:15:18.291
"and what is your desire,
00:15:18.391 --> 00:15:19.258
Queen esther?
00:15:19.358 --> 00:15:20.960
Ask and it's yours,
00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:23.462
Even if it's half my kingdom."
00:15:23.562 --> 00:15:26.532
Esther asked the king to come
00:15:26.632 --> 00:15:28.067
With haman to a dinner
00:15:28.167 --> 00:15:29.302
She had prepared for them.
00:15:29.402 --> 00:15:31.470
The king accepted,
00:15:31.570 --> 00:15:33.306
Calling for haman
00:15:33.406 --> 00:15:34.407
To come immediately.
00:15:34.507 --> 00:15:37.843
The first banquet was held
00:15:37.944 --> 00:15:39.412
And queen esther asked
00:15:39.512 --> 00:15:40.379
For nothing except
00:15:40.479 --> 00:15:41.380
For both of them
00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.214
To come to a second dinner
00:15:42.315 --> 00:15:43.616
The following evening.
00:15:43.716 --> 00:15:45.851
Both men accepted her request.
00:15:45.952 --> 00:15:49.355
Haman left full of pride
00:15:49.455 --> 00:15:51.123
And arrogance.
00:15:51.223 --> 00:15:52.959
His ego only brought down
00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:54.460
At the sight of mordecai
00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.995
At the king's gate.
00:15:56.095 --> 00:15:57.863
Again, he became enraged
00:15:57.964 --> 00:16:00.099
By the jew and devised
00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:01.567
A plan to build
00:16:01.667 --> 00:16:02.668
A gallows 75-feet high.
00:16:02.768 --> 00:16:04.637
>> i want you to imagine
00:16:07.573 --> 00:16:09.608
>> i want you to imagine you staring at a 75-foot gallow
00:16:09.675 --> 00:16:11.877
You staring at a 75-foot gallow being built by one of
00:16:11.944 --> 00:16:13.846
The most powerful people on
00:16:13.946 --> 00:16:15.047
The most powerful people on the planet with your name on it.
00:16:15.114 --> 00:16:18.017
The planet with your name on it. and then, to have the attitude
00:16:18.084 --> 00:16:18.751
And then, to have the attitude that esther had and she looks
00:16:18.818 --> 00:16:20.853
That esther had and she looks at it and she says,
00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:23.856
"if i perish, i perish.
00:16:23.956 --> 00:16:25.858
"if i perish, i perish. if i die, i die."
00:16:25.925 --> 00:16:27.727
If i die, i die." has the courage to face
00:16:27.793 --> 00:16:30.196
Has the courage to face that kind of fear
00:16:30.262 --> 00:16:31.731
That kind of fear in her life and she goes
00:16:31.797 --> 00:16:33.165
In her life and she goes before the king.
00:16:33.232 --> 00:16:34.533
Before the king. without that ability,
00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:36.669
Without that ability, an entire nation is destroyed.
00:16:36.736 --> 00:16:38.938
An entire nation is destroyed. the lineage that would bring
00:16:39.005 --> 00:16:39.872
The lineage that would bring christ into the earth would be
00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:41.240
Christ into the earth would be completely abolished.
00:16:41.307 --> 00:16:43.843
Completely abolished. the most repeated command
00:16:43.909 --> 00:16:45.077
The most repeated command in all of the bible is,
00:16:45.144 --> 00:16:45.945
In all of the bible is, "fear not,"
00:16:46.012 --> 00:16:47.346
"fear not," over and over, "fear not."
00:16:47.413 --> 00:16:50.082
It's the easiest one
00:16:50.182 --> 00:16:50.983
It's the easiest one to kind of disobey, isn't it?
00:16:51.050 --> 00:16:54.920
To kind of disobey, isn't it? it's --
00:16:54.987 --> 00:16:55.588
It's -- the other ones,
00:16:55.654 --> 00:16:56.122
The other ones, it's really clear.
00:16:56.188 --> 00:16:56.689
It's really clear. it's really obvious.
00:16:56.756 --> 00:16:57.690
It's really obvious. but fear is one of those
00:16:57.757 --> 00:16:58.524
But fear is one of those we seen the sidestep,
00:16:58.591 --> 00:17:00.693
We seen the sidestep, but yet over and over,
00:17:00.760 --> 00:17:02.228
The bible commands us,
00:17:02.328 --> 00:17:04.130
The bible commands us, "fear not."
00:17:04.196 --> 00:17:06.165
"fear not." it's no different
00:17:06.232 --> 00:17:06.732
It's no different in the christmas story,
00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.867
In the christmas story, over and over,
00:17:07.933 --> 00:17:08.667
Over and over, there's fear that's trying
00:17:08.734 --> 00:17:10.069
There's fear that's trying to stop god's will from
00:17:10.136 --> 00:17:12.104
To stop god's will from coming into the earth.
00:17:12.171 --> 00:17:14.073
Coming into the earth. the angel has to announce
00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:15.174
The angel has to announce to mary who's greatly troubled,
00:17:15.241 --> 00:17:16.942
To mary who's greatly troubled, "do not be afraid."
00:17:17.009 --> 00:17:18.778
"do not be afraid." the angel has to come
00:17:18.844 --> 00:17:19.945
The angel has to come and shake joseph,
00:17:20.012 --> 00:17:20.813
And shake joseph, who's heartbroken
00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:23.282
Who's heartbroken about to leave mary, and say,
00:17:23.349 --> 00:17:24.150
About to leave mary, and say, "do not be afraid."
00:17:24.216 --> 00:17:25.618
"do not be afraid." the shepherds were terrified,
00:17:25.684 --> 00:17:27.119
The shepherds were terrified, and the angel has to show up
00:17:27.186 --> 00:17:28.354
And the angel has to show up and once again say,
00:17:28.421 --> 00:17:30.122
And once again say, "do not be afraid."
00:17:30.189 --> 00:17:32.625
"do not be afraid." how is it possible
00:17:32.691 --> 00:17:34.193
How is it possible to live in a world filled with
00:17:34.260 --> 00:17:35.394
To live in a world filled with constant fear and threats
00:17:35.461 --> 00:17:37.563
Constant fear and threats and not be afraid?
00:17:37.630 --> 00:17:38.731
And not be afraid? well, luke 2:10,
00:17:38.798 --> 00:17:41.333
Well, luke 2:10, the angel not only
00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.868
The angel not only commands them to not be afraid,
00:17:42.935 --> 00:17:44.870
He tells them how.
00:17:44.970 --> 00:17:46.272
He tells them how. he says, "i bring to you
00:17:46.338 --> 00:17:48.107
He says, "i bring to you good news that will cause
00:17:48.174 --> 00:17:49.775
Good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
00:17:49.842 --> 00:17:53.012
Great joy for all the people." so, it's possible to look at
00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.313
So, it's possible to look at the gallows of life and say,
00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:56.449
The gallows of life and say, "if i die, i die."
00:17:56.515 --> 00:17:58.350
"if i die, i die." it's possible to look at
00:17:58.417 --> 00:18:00.386
It's possible to look at a fiery furnace that's turned up
00:18:00.453 --> 00:18:02.254
A fiery furnace that's turned up seven times greater with
00:18:02.321 --> 00:18:03.422
Seven times greater with your name on it and say,
00:18:03.489 --> 00:18:05.758
Your name on it and say, "i will not bow.
00:18:05.825 --> 00:18:07.760
"i will not bow. my god will deliver me,
00:18:07.827 --> 00:18:09.361
My god will deliver me, but if not,
00:18:09.428 --> 00:18:10.496
I'm gonna take a stand."
00:18:10.596 --> 00:18:12.198
I'm gonna take a stand." it's possible to not flinch
00:18:12.264 --> 00:18:13.599
It's possible to not flinch while you're being thrown
00:18:13.666 --> 00:18:14.467
While you're being thrown into a lion's den.
00:18:14.533 --> 00:18:15.835
Into a lion's den. it's possible to even
00:18:15.901 --> 00:18:17.269
It's possible to even look at a cross --
00:18:17.336 --> 00:18:19.271
Look at a cross -- that's not even against
00:18:19.338 --> 00:18:20.139
That's not even against your will according
00:18:20.206 --> 00:18:20.906
Your will according to scripture.
00:18:20.973 --> 00:18:21.540
To scripture. the bible says,
00:18:21.607 --> 00:18:22.208
The bible says, "jesus, no one took his life,
00:18:22.274 --> 00:18:24.710
"jesus, no one took his life, but he laid it down willingly."
00:18:24.777 --> 00:18:28.481
But he laid it down willingly." how do you do it?
00:18:28.547 --> 00:18:30.516
How do you do it? you focus on good news.
00:18:30.583 --> 00:18:33.319
You focus on good news. and instead of bringing fear,
00:18:33.385 --> 00:18:34.854
And instead of bringing fear, it brings great joy.
00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:37.723
It brings great joy. "for god so loved the world,"
00:18:37.790 --> 00:18:38.691
"for god so loved the world," the bible says,
00:18:38.757 --> 00:18:39.492
The bible says, "that he loved his --
00:18:39.558 --> 00:18:40.426
"that he loved his -- that he gave
00:18:40.493 --> 00:18:40.926
That he gave his only begotten son,
00:18:40.993 --> 00:18:41.794
His only begotten son, that wheresoever shall
00:18:41.861 --> 00:18:42.361
That wheresoever shall believeth in him shall not
00:18:42.428 --> 00:18:43.963
Believeth in him shall not perish but have
00:18:44.029 --> 00:18:44.730
Perish but have everlasting life."
00:18:44.797 --> 00:18:45.598
Everlasting life." and the point is simply this,
00:18:45.664 --> 00:18:47.233
And the point is simply this, that's the good news.
00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:49.401
That's the good news. focusing on that,
00:18:49.468 --> 00:18:50.569
Focusing on that, god is for us.
00:18:50.636 --> 00:18:51.537
God is for us. he loves us.
00:18:51.604 --> 00:18:52.605
He loves us. he has a plan for us.
00:18:52.671 --> 00:18:53.939
He has a plan for us. and it's not just
00:18:54.006 --> 00:18:54.673
And it's not just the here and now.
00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.509
The here and now. so, "whose report
00:18:56.575 --> 00:18:57.409
So, "whose report will you believe?"
00:18:57.476 --> 00:18:58.010
Will you believe?" is what the prophet asked.
00:18:58.077 --> 00:19:00.479
Is what the prophet asked. "whose report,
00:19:00.546 --> 00:19:02.815
"whose report, the world's report?
00:19:02.882 --> 00:19:04.650
The world's report? it's fear, fear,
00:19:04.717 --> 00:19:06.485
It's fear, fear, fear, fear, fear.
00:19:06.552 --> 00:19:09.088
Fear, fear, fear. but heaven's report reminds us
00:19:09.155 --> 00:19:11.323
But heaven's report reminds us god's in control.
00:19:11.390 --> 00:19:12.491
God's in control. he loves us.
00:19:12.558 --> 00:19:13.092
He loves us. not in theory,
00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:14.393
Not in theory, not just in word,
00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:16.128
Not just in word, but the infinite one
00:19:16.195 --> 00:19:17.730
But the infinite one became finite.
00:19:17.796 --> 00:19:19.532
Became finite. the one whose hand
00:19:19.598 --> 00:19:20.366
The one whose hand could span the universe,
00:19:20.432 --> 00:19:22.535
Could span the universe, was reduced down
00:19:22.601 --> 00:19:23.269
Was reduced down to the size of a sand,
00:19:23.335 --> 00:19:25.070
To the size of a sand, an embryo and placed
00:19:25.137 --> 00:19:26.438
An embryo and placed into the womb of mary.
00:19:26.505 --> 00:19:27.873
Into the womb of mary. he came, he lived, he died,
00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:30.576
He came, he lived, he died, and he rose again.
00:19:30.643 --> 00:19:31.944
And he rose again. and that's good news.
00:19:32.011 --> 00:19:33.345
And that's good news. and when you focus on it,
00:19:33.412 --> 00:19:34.413
And when you focus on it, it brings great joy.
00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:39.985
It brings great joy. when you focus on the good news,
00:19:40.052 --> 00:19:42.922
When you focus on the good news, you could stand like esther
00:19:42.988 --> 00:19:45.724
You could stand like esther and say, "if i die, i die.
00:19:45.791 --> 00:19:47.927
And say, "if i die, i die. if i perish, i perish."
00:19:47.993 --> 00:19:49.995
If i perish, i perish." you can stand with
00:19:50.062 --> 00:19:50.596
You can stand with other greats who say,
00:19:50.663 --> 00:19:51.397
Other greats who say, "whom shall we fear?
00:19:51.463 --> 00:19:53.232
"whom shall we fear? what can man do to me?"
00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:56.135
What can man do to me?" i think it was jesus
00:19:56.202 --> 00:19:57.036
I think it was jesus who said it like this,
00:19:57.102 --> 00:19:58.504
Who said it like this, "why would you fear the one
00:19:58.571 --> 00:20:00.172
"why would you fear the one who can kill the body?
00:20:00.239 --> 00:20:02.308
Who can kill the body? you should fear the one who has
00:20:02.374 --> 00:20:03.876
You should fear the one who has control of your eternal life."
00:20:03.943 --> 00:20:08.380
Control of your eternal life." somebody in here has been up
00:20:08.447 --> 00:20:09.548
Somebody in here has been up against some great fear.
00:20:09.615 --> 00:20:12.117
Against some great fear. and i believe through
00:20:12.184 --> 00:20:12.618
And i believe through the power of god's grace,
00:20:12.685 --> 00:20:15.154
The power of god's grace, you can walk out of here
00:20:15.221 --> 00:20:16.021
You can walk out of here being free from what the bible
00:20:16.088 --> 00:20:18.090
Being free from what the bible calls a spirit of fear.
00:20:18.157 --> 00:20:19.992
Calls a spirit of fear. it's a spirit and god
00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.460
It's a spirit and god can set you free from that
00:20:21.527 --> 00:20:23.896
Can set you free from that in jesus' name.
00:20:23.963 --> 00:20:25.197
In jesus' name. let's continue to watch.
00:20:25.264 --> 00:20:25.898
♪ ♪
00:20:28.267 --> 00:20:29.368
>> the next morning,
00:20:30.135 --> 00:20:31.003
Haman came to the king
00:20:31.103 --> 00:20:32.671
Following through
00:20:32.771 --> 00:20:33.505
With his own plan.
00:20:33.606 --> 00:20:35.541
Once the king saw haman,
00:20:35.641 --> 00:20:37.042
He asked him,
00:20:37.142 --> 00:20:39.245
What would be appropriate for
00:20:39.345 --> 00:20:40.346
The man the king especially
00:20:40.446 --> 00:20:41.847
Wants to honor?
00:20:41.947 --> 00:20:44.216
Haman's pride blinding him
00:20:44.316 --> 00:20:45.818
Replied as if the king
00:20:45.918 --> 00:20:47.052
Were speaking of him.
00:20:47.152 --> 00:20:49.922
Upon hearing haman's response,
00:20:50.022 --> 00:20:51.757
King xerxes agreed to the plan
00:20:51.857 --> 00:20:53.559
Haman had laid out and told him
00:20:53.659 --> 00:20:55.160
Not to waste another minute.
00:20:55.261 --> 00:20:57.863
"go and give honor to mordecai,"
00:20:57.963 --> 00:21:00.032
He said.
00:21:00.132 --> 00:21:01.267
He obeyed the king
00:21:01.367 --> 00:21:02.601
And robed mordecai with
00:21:02.701 --> 00:21:03.802
The king's finest garments.
00:21:03.902 --> 00:21:06.171
Took the king's horse for
00:21:06.272 --> 00:21:07.339
Mordecai to ride and led him
00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:09.174
To the city square
00:21:09.275 --> 00:21:10.576
Proclaiming before him,
00:21:10.676 --> 00:21:12.077
"this is what is done
00:21:12.177 --> 00:21:13.312
For the man whom the king
00:21:13.412 --> 00:21:14.647
Especially wants to honor."
00:21:14.747 --> 00:21:17.283
At the second banquet,
00:21:17.383 --> 00:21:18.384
The king asked,
00:21:18.484 --> 00:21:19.785
"queen esther,
00:21:19.885 --> 00:21:21.453
What would you like?"
00:21:21.553 --> 00:21:23.255
Queen esther answered,
00:21:23.355 --> 00:21:24.890
"if i have found favor
00:21:24.990 --> 00:21:26.025
In your eyes, o king,
00:21:26.125 --> 00:21:28.260
Give me my life,
00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.595
And give my people their lives.
00:21:29.695 --> 00:21:32.865
We've been sold, i and my people
00:21:32.965 --> 00:21:35.034
To be destroyed, sold to be
00:21:35.134 --> 00:21:37.403
Massacred, eliminated."
00:21:37.503 --> 00:21:40.205
King xerxes exploded,
00:21:40.306 --> 00:21:42.374
"who?
00:21:42.474 --> 00:21:43.309
Where is he?
00:21:43.409 --> 00:21:44.643
This is monstrous."
00:21:44.743 --> 00:21:47.313
"it is haman."
00:21:47.413 --> 00:21:49.548
The king in a rage
00:21:49.648 --> 00:21:51.350
Stormed out.
00:21:51.450 --> 00:21:53.052
Immediately, haman knew he was
00:21:53.152 --> 00:21:55.087
Doomed and began to plead
00:21:55.187 --> 00:21:56.889
With queen esther for his life.
00:21:56.989 --> 00:22:00.259
As the king returned
00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.327
To the banquet hall,
00:22:01.427 --> 00:22:02.628
All the blood drained
00:22:02.728 --> 00:22:03.696
From haman's face.
00:22:03.796 --> 00:22:04.496
♪ ♪
00:22:04.997 --> 00:22:12.638
Unable to look upon haman
00:22:13.205 --> 00:22:14.406
Another moment, the king
00:22:14.506 --> 00:22:16.041
Said sternly, "hang him."
00:22:16.141 --> 00:22:20.379
After this revelation,
00:22:20.479 --> 00:22:21.914
The king began to send out
00:22:22.014 --> 00:22:23.248
A contradiction to the orders
00:22:23.349 --> 00:22:24.850
Given by haman.
00:22:24.950 --> 00:22:26.785
The evil scheme that haman
00:22:26.885 --> 00:22:28.220
Had formulated would be foiled
00:22:28.320 --> 00:22:30.656
And all jews were
00:22:30.756 --> 00:22:31.590
To arm themselves
00:22:31.690 --> 00:22:32.558
And fight against any
00:22:32.658 --> 00:22:33.726
That may come against them.
00:22:33.826 --> 00:22:35.761
The tables were now turned.
00:22:35.861 --> 00:22:38.497
King xerxes shared
00:22:38.597 --> 00:22:39.431
Of the integrity and greatness
00:22:39.531 --> 00:22:40.766
Of mordecai
00:22:40.866 --> 00:22:41.834
And promoted him
00:22:41.934 --> 00:22:42.868
Second only to himself.
00:22:42.968 --> 00:22:45.938
God had proven his providence.
00:22:46.038 --> 00:22:48.774
Through it all, he had been
00:22:48.874 --> 00:22:49.942
Working in every situation
00:22:50.042 --> 00:22:52.010
For the good of his people.
00:22:52.111 --> 00:22:54.546
Even when things
00:22:54.646 --> 00:22:55.114
Seem insurmountable,
00:22:55.214 --> 00:22:57.416
All hope had been lost,
00:22:57.516 --> 00:23:00.285
God remained faithful
00:23:00.386 --> 00:23:02.354
Though it all, never forsaking
00:23:02.454 --> 00:23:05.591
Or abandoning his children.
00:23:05.691 --> 00:23:06.859
♪ ♪
00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:11.330
>> my favorite part of the story
00:23:12.064 --> 00:23:14.500
>> my favorite part of the story of esther is probably, to me,
00:23:14.566 --> 00:23:16.802
Of esther is probably, to me, the most unique part
00:23:16.869 --> 00:23:17.903
The most unique part of the book of esther.
00:23:17.970 --> 00:23:19.605
Of the book of esther. is that god is not mentioned
00:23:19.671 --> 00:23:20.973
Is that god is not mentioned one time in the entire book.
00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:24.243
One time in the entire book. out of 66 books that
00:23:24.309 --> 00:23:25.577
Out of 66 books that comprised the scriptures,
00:23:25.644 --> 00:23:28.380
Comprised the scriptures, comprise the bible,
00:23:28.447 --> 00:23:30.082
Comprise the bible, you'd have two books that
00:23:30.149 --> 00:23:32.117
You'd have two books that don't mention god's name.
00:23:32.184 --> 00:23:33.318
Don't mention god's name. the song of solomon,
00:23:33.385 --> 00:23:35.687
The song of solomon, which is a poetic book,
00:23:35.754 --> 00:23:36.522
Which is a poetic book, a love book.
00:23:36.588 --> 00:23:37.689
A love book. it's filled with
00:23:37.756 --> 00:23:39.425
It's filled with metaphors and analogies.
00:23:39.491 --> 00:23:43.662
Metaphors and analogies. and when you read this book
00:23:43.729 --> 00:23:45.697
And when you read this book of the song of solomon,
00:23:45.764 --> 00:23:46.498
Of the song of solomon, it's impossible to not see
00:23:46.565 --> 00:23:47.566
It's impossible to not see the nature and the character
00:23:47.633 --> 00:23:48.901
The nature and the character of god expressed in that book.
00:23:48.967 --> 00:23:51.670
Of god expressed in that book. but esther is a historic book.
00:23:51.737 --> 00:23:54.606
But esther is a historic book. and so, to not have any mention
00:23:54.673 --> 00:23:56.909
And so, to not have any mention of god is incredibly unique,
00:23:56.975 --> 00:23:58.811
Of god is incredibly unique, so unique that scholars have
00:23:58.877 --> 00:24:00.412
So unique that scholars have argued that it should have
00:24:00.479 --> 00:24:01.747
Argued that it should have never made it into the,
00:24:01.814 --> 00:24:03.048
Never made it into the, what they call,
00:24:03.115 --> 00:24:03.582
What they call, the cannon of scripture.
00:24:03.649 --> 00:24:07.319
The cannon of scripture. and many people would say
00:24:07.386 --> 00:24:08.387
And many people would say the reason why is because,
00:24:08.454 --> 00:24:10.522
The reason why is because, where is god at in it?
00:24:10.589 --> 00:24:12.558
Where is god at in it? some might even think
00:24:12.624 --> 00:24:13.258
Some might even think he was absent.
00:24:13.325 --> 00:24:15.661
He was absent. but when i look at
00:24:15.727 --> 00:24:16.929
But when i look at the book of esther,
00:24:16.995 --> 00:24:18.464
The book of esther, i love the book
00:24:18.530 --> 00:24:19.264
I love the book for that very reason.
00:24:19.331 --> 00:24:22.334
For that very reason. because god does not need to be
00:24:22.401 --> 00:24:24.069
Because god does not need to be acknowledged to be present.
00:24:24.136 --> 00:24:28.106
Acknowledged to be present. you don't have
00:24:28.173 --> 00:24:28.674
You don't have to acknowledge him
00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.609
To acknowledge him and he's present.
00:24:30.676 --> 00:24:33.111
And he's present. i'm guilty of that
00:24:33.178 --> 00:24:33.846
I'm guilty of that in my own life,
00:24:33.912 --> 00:24:35.280
In my own life, that i can look back
00:24:35.347 --> 00:24:36.615
That i can look back through things
00:24:36.682 --> 00:24:37.249
Through things i've been through,
00:24:37.316 --> 00:24:38.717
I've been through, and i didn't have the strength
00:24:38.784 --> 00:24:39.751
And i didn't have the strength to acknowledge him.
00:24:39.818 --> 00:24:40.552
To acknowledge him. or, maybe i was thinking,
00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:43.188
Or, maybe i was thinking, "this is so crazy.
00:24:43.255 --> 00:24:44.156
"this is so crazy. this is so over the top.
00:24:44.223 --> 00:24:45.657
This is so over the top. this is so brutal.
00:24:45.724 --> 00:24:49.795
This is so brutal. where are you at?
00:24:49.862 --> 00:24:50.529
Where are you at? what are you doing?
00:24:50.596 --> 00:24:51.597
What are you doing? what's happened?"
00:24:51.663 --> 00:24:54.566
What's happened?" and it's really difficult
00:24:54.633 --> 00:24:55.501
And it's really difficult to acknowledge him
00:24:55.567 --> 00:24:56.368
To acknowledge him when you go through
00:24:56.435 --> 00:24:57.069
When you go through some of the greatest struggles
00:24:57.135 --> 00:24:58.103
Some of the greatest struggles of life.
00:24:58.170 --> 00:24:58.837
Of life. it's just difficult, maybe not
00:24:58.904 --> 00:25:01.139
It's just difficult, maybe not for some of you, but for me.
00:25:01.206 --> 00:25:03.375
For some of you, but for me. sometimes, i'm like,
00:25:03.442 --> 00:25:04.176
Sometimes, i'm like, "i don't know where he's at.
00:25:04.243 --> 00:25:05.210
"i don't know where he's at. he seems absent
00:25:05.277 --> 00:25:06.578
He seems absent and he seems silent."
00:25:06.645 --> 00:25:08.780
And he seems silent." but christmas
00:25:08.847 --> 00:25:10.082
But christmas is the announcement
00:25:10.148 --> 00:25:11.950
Is the announcement that we have to be reminded
00:25:12.017 --> 00:25:13.018
That we have to be reminded of that he is emmanuel,
00:25:13.085 --> 00:25:14.786
Of that he is emmanuel, that's the announcement
00:25:14.853 --> 00:25:15.554
That's the announcement of christmas,
00:25:15.621 --> 00:25:16.288
Of christmas, that he is emmanuel.
00:25:16.355 --> 00:25:17.756
That he is emmanuel. he's not a god that's far off.
00:25:17.823 --> 00:25:19.858
He's not a god that's far off. he's not a god that's distance.
00:25:19.925 --> 00:25:22.060
He's not a god that's distance. he drew near to tell us
00:25:22.127 --> 00:25:25.430
He drew near to tell us he is emmanuel.
00:25:25.497 --> 00:25:26.465
He is emmanuel. he is the god
00:25:26.532 --> 00:25:27.966
He is the god that is with us.
00:25:28.033 --> 00:25:29.568
That is with us. he's present.
00:25:29.635 --> 00:25:31.303
He's present. he's present when
00:25:31.370 --> 00:25:32.871
He's present when you acknowledge it,
00:25:32.938 --> 00:25:34.373
You acknowledge it, and he's present
00:25:34.439 --> 00:25:35.607
And he's present when you refuse to.
00:25:35.674 --> 00:25:37.242
When you refuse to. he is with us.
00:25:37.309 --> 00:25:38.343
>> i'm trusting that
00:25:39.111 --> 00:25:39.778
>> i'm trusting that that message spoke to each
00:25:39.845 --> 00:25:40.879
That message spoke to each and every one of you today.
00:25:40.946 --> 00:25:42.548
And every one of you today. and i just wanna
00:25:42.614 --> 00:25:43.181
And i just wanna say thank you
00:25:43.248 --> 00:25:43.849
Say thank you from the bottom of my heart
00:25:43.916 --> 00:25:45.851
From the bottom of my heart for your watching,
00:25:45.918 --> 00:25:46.919
For your watching, praying, and supporting
00:25:46.985 --> 00:25:48.253
Praying, and supporting this ministry.
00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:49.021
This ministry. we're here for you as well.
00:25:49.087 --> 00:25:50.322
Whatever you might be facing,
00:25:50.422 --> 00:25:51.557
Whatever you might be facing, we want you to know
00:25:51.623 --> 00:25:52.257
We want you to know we're here to pray
00:25:52.324 --> 00:25:53.559
We're here to pray and believe god with each
00:25:53.625 --> 00:25:54.593
And believe god with each and every one of you.
00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:56.461
And every one of you. we're so new to the tv world
00:25:56.528 --> 00:25:57.629
We're so new to the tv world but we're not new
00:25:57.696 --> 00:25:58.597
But we're not new to what it looks like
00:25:58.664 --> 00:25:59.698
To what it looks like to be a soul winning church.
00:25:59.765 --> 00:26:01.066
To be a soul winning church. for over 20 years
00:26:01.133 --> 00:26:02.334
With four locations across
00:26:02.434 --> 00:26:03.402
The cincinnati area,
00:26:03.468 --> 00:26:05.003
That's what we've done.
00:26:05.070 --> 00:26:06.004
We've simply focused
00:26:06.071 --> 00:26:07.339
On reaching hurting people.
00:26:07.406 --> 00:26:09.408
And we believe that god's
00:26:09.508 --> 00:26:10.576
And we believe that god's opened a tv door for us
00:26:10.642 --> 00:26:12.010
Opened a tv door for us for the same reason,
00:26:12.077 --> 00:26:13.145
For the same reason, to simply wrap our arms around
00:26:13.211 --> 00:26:14.746
To simply wrap our arms around even more people
00:26:14.813 --> 00:26:15.981
Even more people who are hurting,
00:26:16.048 --> 00:26:16.715
Who are hurting, afraid, lonely, and in need.
00:26:16.782 --> 00:26:19.751
Afraid, lonely, and in need. and so, what i've been saying in
00:26:19.818 --> 00:26:21.386
And so, what i've been saying in my own heart and asking god is,
00:26:21.453 --> 00:26:23.155
My own heart and asking god is, "help raise up people all over
00:26:23.221 --> 00:26:25.357
"help raise up people all over the world who see this program
00:26:25.424 --> 00:26:27.392
The world who see this program and they wanna partner
00:26:27.459 --> 00:26:28.226
With us to be the hands
00:26:28.327 --> 00:26:29.895
With us to be the hands and the feet of jesus."
00:26:29.962 --> 00:26:31.263
And the feet of jesus." and if you're watching
00:26:31.330 --> 00:26:32.331
And if you're watching and god's been nudging your
00:26:32.397 --> 00:26:33.298
And god's been nudging your heart to partner with us,
00:26:33.365 --> 00:26:35.000
Heart to partner with us, i just challenge you,
00:26:35.067 --> 00:26:36.268
I just challenge you, give god your yes.
00:26:36.335 --> 00:26:37.769
Give god your yes. sow into his work.
00:26:37.836 --> 00:26:38.770
Sow into his work. know that you're
00:26:38.837 --> 00:26:39.471
Know that you're not giving to men,
00:26:39.538 --> 00:26:40.639
Not giving to men, you're not giving to me,
00:26:40.706 --> 00:26:41.540
You're not giving to me, you're not giving to a person,
00:26:41.607 --> 00:26:42.608
You're not giving to a person, you're not giving to salaries.
00:26:42.674 --> 00:26:44.009
You're not giving to salaries. that's not how we do it.
00:26:44.076 --> 00:26:45.277
That's not how we do it. 100%, that's our word to you,
00:26:45.344 --> 00:26:47.879
100%, that's our word to you, goes to continue to expand
00:26:47.946 --> 00:26:49.815
Goes to continue to expand preaching the gospel
00:26:49.881 --> 00:26:51.049
Preaching the gospel and sending help
00:26:51.116 --> 00:26:52.117
And sending help to those who are hurting.
00:26:52.184 --> 00:26:53.185
To those who are hurting. thank you for praying.
00:26:53.251 --> 00:26:54.519
>> your giving
00:26:55.187 --> 00:26:55.687
Is rebuilding lives
00:26:55.787 --> 00:26:56.888
Through our partnership
00:26:56.989 --> 00:26:58.123
With the dream center
00:26:58.223 --> 00:26:59.257
And fairhaven rescue mission.
00:26:59.358 --> 00:27:01.093
The dream center
00:27:01.193 --> 00:27:01.793
Is a beacon of hope
00:27:01.893 --> 00:27:02.961
In los angeles and beyond,
00:27:03.061 --> 00:27:04.930
Breaking the cycles
00:27:05.030 --> 00:27:06.031
Of homelessness, hunger,
00:27:06.131 --> 00:27:07.566
And addiction through
00:27:07.666 --> 00:27:08.767
Residential and community
00:27:08.867 --> 00:27:10.302
Outreach programs.
00:27:10.402 --> 00:27:12.371
Fairhaven rescue mission,
00:27:12.471 --> 00:27:13.538
Like the dream center,
00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.773
Is christ centered with
00:27:14.873 --> 00:27:15.941
A mission to provide shelter
00:27:16.041 --> 00:27:17.442
And recovery services,
00:27:17.542 --> 00:27:19.044
Plus a life-changing ministry
00:27:19.144 --> 00:27:20.912
To the lost but not forgotten.
00:27:21.013 --> 00:27:22.814
♪ ♪
00:27:23.148 --> 00:27:29.010

Marcus Mecum - Esther Christmas

December 22, 2024 | S

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