Bethel Community Church Orlando

ARE YOU SURE // WEEK 1 // Certainty through Experience

The book of 1 John is written to anyone wondering, "How do you know that your experience with God is genuine?" Over the next few weeks, we'll be taking a closer look at answering this question.

ESTHER // WEEK 8 // GOD PROTECTS

Mordecai’s life has been spared, but the death sentence for all of God’s people is still in effect, and it cannot be reversed. What are Esther and Mordecai going to do with the power that they now have? They became missionaries in a pagan culture, and they were used by God to rescue the Jewish people. Today, God calls Christians to be missionaries in a pagan culture to share the gospel of Jesus. 

ESTHER // WEEK 7 // THE KING'S WRATH

At Esther's second banquet, the queen makes her request to King Xerxes – to save herself and the Jewish people from death. She also reveals Haman as the enemy, and Haman is hanged on the gallows that he had made for Mordecai.

ESTHER // WEEK 6 // GOD'S PROVIDENCE

God is sovereign; He knows the future; and He’s at work. Even when we can't see it or understand it, we should not question the providence of God. God is never mentioned in the book of Esther, yet we can see how He is at work through the lives of the people in the book. God is working everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. God is in control; God is good; and He is present with us.

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.