Christmas has been described as the most wonderful time of the year. But for many of us, it can also be the most exhausting and busy time. With travel, presents, and the often immense pressure of the holidays, it can sometimes feel like a season with everything but peace and joy. As the church, we... Continue Reading →
Sermon: The Practice of Thanksgiving
Please pray with me: Father, may your Word be our rule, Your Holy Spirit our teacher, and the glory of Jesus Christ our single concern. Amen. These are the very words of God from the book that we love: Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Purim People
I was not sure whether I would be standing up here this morning and sharing God’s word with you, not just because the arrival of our second child is imminent. There was a sign this week, a portent, that perhaps the end was drawing near and the consummation of all things must soon begin. “And... Continue Reading →
Sermon: What We Cannot Bear
I invite you to open your Bibles with me to the book of Esther. Esther, chapter 8, beginning in verse 1. Esther 8, beginning in verse 1. Esther is in the Old Testament - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Job. Esther 8, beginning in verse 1. We have found ourselves this fall immersed in the book... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Esther 8
"Futhermore, many of the peoples of the country professed to be Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them." (Esther 8:17b) It is not our place to judge the inner motivations of every human heart. As a result of the counter-edict issued by Mordecai, the people of Israel are given permission to... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Haman’s Fall
I invite you to open your Bibles with me to the book of Esther. Esther, chapter 7, beginning in verse 1. Esther is in the Old Testament - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job. Esther 7, beginning in verse 1. If you do not have a Bible with you this morning, please feel free to take one... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Esther 7
"Then Harbona, one of the eunuch’s in attendance on the king, said, “Look, the very gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, stands at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” Esther 7:9 I was never a child star. On the only occasion that... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Gospel Laughter
I invite you to open your Bibles with me to the book of Esther. Esther 6, beginning in verse 1. Esther is in the Old Testament - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, and Psalms. Esther 6, beginning in verse 1. As always, you are encouraged to leave your Bibles open as we read and study God’s... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Wisdom & Folly
In our jaunt through Esther, we have been listening to God’s Word as a story of redemption. The people are in exile, in great peril from the wicked plot of Haman. We hope, along with Esther and Mordecai, for God’s deliverance, which often comes in unexpected ways and from unexpected places. We have been listening... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Haman’s Anger
I invite you to open your Bibles with me to Esther, chapter 3. Esther 3, beginning in verse 1. Esther is in the Old Testament - after Ezra and Nehemiah and before Job and Psalms. Esther 3, beginning in verse one. We are listening to God’s Word through the Book of Esther this fall because... Continue Reading →
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