Bethel Community Church Orlando

ESTHER // WEEK 5 // IDENTITY

Haman found his identity in idolatry. He was consumed with power, never repented, and his life ended tragically. The idols where he found his identity were liars. In contrast, Esther has a change of identity, but her life doesn’t end in tragedy and misery. She is not perfect, but she is noble. Haman was concerned with himself. Esther was concerned with others, even to the point of losing her life for them. 

ESTHER // WEEK 4 // OUR MEDIATOR

Esther served as a mediator between her people and Xerxes, but Jesus serves as a mediator between God and His people. Esther had to come to King Xerxes on his throne, but our King Jesus got off His throne to come to us. Esther was willing to die for her people, but Jesus actually died for His people. And He’s alive and seated on the throne of heaven where He always welcomes us into His presence.

ESTHER // WEEK 3 // I WILL NOT BOW

Despite the way people are often characterized, people are not good or morally upright by nature. In this portion of Esther, everyone seems to have their own best interests in mind. First, Esther was hiding that she was Jewish. Next, two of King Xerxes' servants plot to assassinate him. Then the king's nobleman, Haman, wants to kill all of the Jews because Mordecai is a Jew and refused to bow to Haman. Finally, Xerxes gives Haman the power to murder the Jews because Haman is going to pay the king a percentage of the Jews' belongings. Only be God's grace are we kept from being consumed by self-interests, greedy, praise-seeking, or angry when we don't get our way.

ESTHER // WEEK 2 // WE HAVE A BETTER SAVIOR

Throughout the book of Esther it is evident that King Xerxes lived for himself. He wanted the glory and recognition of being a great king. As Esther enters the story, we can see her as a symbol pointing us to Jesus. While one can find many similarities between Esther and Jesus, only Jesus is the one, true Savior. Just as He did with Esther, God walks with us even when we don’t walk with Him. Jesus is a much better king than Xerxes, and Jesus' kingdom is much better than the one Xerxes, Esther, or any other earthly ruler could offer.

ESTHER // WEEK 1 // KING AND KINGDOM

Xerxes was the greatest king in the history of the world up to his day. However, his kingdom was filled with lavish parties where addictions were fed and women were mistreated. Xerxes created ungodly laws and saw himself as above the law. Whether past or present, all earthly rulers will leave people disappointed. Earthly rulers attempt to give people what they want; King Jesus gives people what they need. Jesus has a better kingdom. Jesus sits exalted, risen from death, ascended into glory, for all eternity upon His throne. And His kingdom will last forever.

WILL YOU MAKE JESUS PREEMINENT?

Colossians 1:18 tells us that Jesus should be preeminent in everything. Jesus shouldn't just be a priority in our lives. He is supreme over all things, including: God's creation, our deliverance, and our spiritual growth. Because of Jesus' preeminence, He brought the fullness of God into human form and died on the cross, and shed his blood to pay for our sin; and through that payment, He has reconciled us to God.

DELIGHTING IN PRAYER

Our goal is to move from only discipline and into delighting in prayer to God because of God's delight in us. This will lead us to boldly approach God and submit our lives to Him in prayer.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 9 // PURPOSE

The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, your family, your career, or even your ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose. Your ultimate purpose in life is to bring God glory.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 8 // TECHNOLOGY

Technology is a helpful tool, but it can also be harmful. Too many Christians ignore the relationship between technology and their spiritual development. It’s not enough to ask ourselves if we are using our devices to openly sin. In at least some ways, a technology-focused life is contradictory to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Technology can never be a substitute for the real world in real communities for which God created us.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 7 // OBEDIENCE

God’s Design is that we’d love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind. One of the first steps to living in God’s Design is obedience. Obedience is difficult. Our natural instinct is to do what we feel and think is right. Each of us must submit ourselves to God’s authority and obey His commands. Jesus was obedient to His Father, even to the point of death. But His death took the punishment for our sins and can grant us forgiveness for our disobedience.