Study Notes From Esther Chapter 5

Once a week, women from my home church gather for a Bible study. At this time, we are going through the book of Esther. These are the notes for the lesson in Chapter 5. Susan Estes

Esther Chapter 5

5:1, The Jews, at Esther’s request, have been fasting 3 days. (Daniel 10:3). Jesus said that when we fast we do not make it visible and He will see our faith and reward us, (Matthew 6:16-18.) Conceivably, Esther is still fasting, yet she is bathed and dressed in the royal apparel of Queen of the Medes and the Persians. More importantly, through fasting, she ‘washed’ and dressed herself in her faith in Almighty God.

Esther’s entrance is beautiful example of our cleansing by Jesus’ blood and our entrance into God’s Holy Throne room dressed in Jesus’ righteousness? Esther obtained her apparel when she became the bride to the king. All believers obtain glorious apparel when we become the Bride of Christ. (Isaiah 61:10)

5:2, Esther can’t see the future but her faith in action is entering Xerxes court knowing she could die. Trusting God is answering her prayers, she presents herself to Xerxes. Earlier Vashti refused to come wearing the Queenly raiment. Today Esther prepares herself in her royal clothing and presents herself for his inspection. Her care honors his throne, and for whatever reason, he approves.

We dress in royal robes of holiness and daily present ourselves to our King. But unlike Esther’s danger, our King’s throne room is always open to enter with boldness, joy, gladness and praise. (Psalm 100, Hebrews 4:16, 10:19,13:6, Ephesians 3:12). And God approves. He has betrothed us to Himself through our faith. (Ephesians 2:9-10) Hosea 2:19)

5:3, This verse shows God’s sovereignty at work in the faith of His people. Evil is visibly amassing against the Jews while God is moving unseen on their behalf. (Proverbs 21:1) It is conceivable for Xerxes to sign half the kingdom to her control. Historical documentation records women of Persian royalty owned and manage property.

5:4-8, (Proverbs 31:10-12) Knowing the king has the power to kill her even now, her approach is calculated to appeal to his pleasures. (Xerxes is known for his drinking parties. J. Vernon McGee). She does not know what will happen, yet she prepares for God’s future answer. The banquet is not to deceive, but Esther utilizes it to appeal to Xerxes baser nature, which appears to rule much of his decisions.

Inviting Haman is strategic, her invitation deadens any suspicions he could have, plus Xerxes will have the one person who flatters him as his Queen serves him. Esther utilizes the weakness of her king and Haman’s megalomania to facilitate male bonding around food.

5:9-11, Haman thrives on his own self-esteem. When Mordecai still doesn’t bow, Haman cannot even take pleasure knowing he has ordered Mordecai and the Jews killed. Maybe he thought Mordecai would be begging for his life. Haman has no concept of faith in the true and living God.

“For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” C.S. Lewis , Mere Christianity

God, the Holy Spirit, gives the extraordinary supernatural gift of faith to those who are facing serious consequences, (1 Corinthians 12:9). Those tortured and murdered for being Christian in the past, and present, are supplied this amazing gift to endure horrendous physical acts against them. Mordecai is sure of his God. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are three men who stood in the power of God without bowing to idolatry, Daniel 3:12.

“Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” Hebrews 11:35b

God says to ask for His supernatural grace and He promises to supply all we need, when we need it. For all that He does in and through us, His body, the church, will bring beautiful glory to Him, (1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1).

5:12-14, Haman’s hatred is driven by pride and it’s lethal. Xerxes is a fool and Haman is a servant in power.

“For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food” Proverbs 30:22a.

“A quick tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated” Proverbs 14:17.

5:14, And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made. Haman has no idea that there is a real, powerful, and living God, who does move on behalf of His people.

The very essence of secularism is the thesis that the here and now is all there is. There is no realm of the eternal. But as Christians, we are called to consider the present in light of the eternal. This is what Jesus preached again and again. What does it profit a man if in this time and in this place he gains the whole world, but he loses his own soul (Luke 9:25)? —Dr. R.C. Sproul, Founder & Chairman of Ligonier Ministries, and author of Crucial Questions

The world is full of false gods, and those who believe in them suffer blindness to the fact their gods never answer or move one way or the other. They base their ‘faith’ on favorable or unfavorable circumstantial acts that happen to them. (Horoscope, Karma, Luck, The stars, Chance, The lottery)

We have the Almighty GOD as our GOD. He really is HOLY GOD. Let us get to know Him in a truly personal way that transcends this earth. For this earth is passing away. Our GOD is Everlasting.

Lesson points:

1. Prayer is a real connection between us and Almighty God

2. Believe God at His Word. (Hebrews 4:12) Read it to know it

3. Daily ask God to empower you for His service. (2 Corinthians 4:6,7)

4. Get to know your God.

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Study Notes from Esther Chapter 4

Esther chapter 4 (theme verse Malachi 3:16)

It’s unfortunate Mordecai’s name isn’t in the Hebrews 11 list of heroes of faith.

4:1, 2, Mordecai is as open as anyone can be about the troubling predicament. His prayers are loud and his petitions of God are very visible. And because he was in sackcloth and ashes, he had to leave the king’s court, as grief and calamity weren’t permitted in the sight of the king. It was customary for kings to ban anything not perfect and beautiful. (Even King David, 2 Samuel 5:1-8)

Mordecai’s faith openly honors God. Jesus said in John 4:23, God is looking for those who would worship Him in Spirit and truth. Matthew 7, Jesus said many who say “Lord, Lord” are fakers, but Mordecai is the genuine article.

James 2:14-26, says Christianity without accompanying visible action is useless. Just saying words proves nothing about faith in God. Someday, everyone who names the name of Jesus will stand before God. Can you image standing there and saying, “Almighty God, here I am. I didn’t offend anyone with my Christianity. I never upset anyone by telling them they were a sinner in need of a Savior. I was such a nice person, not one soul ever felt the guilt of sin because I never said there is One God and One Savior to save them forever from eternal Hell-Fire”

4:3, The rest of the Jews in the city also fervently prayed. It seems Mordecai may have been the Spiritual leader of the Jews and not just Esther. God is being asked to intercede for them. More proof God is in this book as they ask while in sackcloth and ashes God to intercede for them.

4:4-8, Esther knows nothing about the king’s order. Queens were more for show than kingdom affairs. All she knows is Mordecai’s making an uproar. Maybe she thinks his distress is for her. She sends a gift to let him know she’s fine only to learn why Mordecai will not be comforted.

4:9,10,11, Mordecai tells her to go to her husband the king and ask for the decree to be repealed. Esther explains what Mordecai already knew, observance of the One rule that won’t get you killed upon entering the king’s presence. Anyone entering the throne room must be in the approval of the king or they die.

God the Father has One rule for people who are allowed into His presence. (John 3:16, John 14:6, Matthew 22:1-14, Acts 4:12, Rev 19:11-15.)

Jesus answered him and said “Truly, I say, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” John 3:3.

4:13, Mordechai informs Esther that even though she is the Queen, the law will stand even in the Palace. King Xerxes is already known for keeping the laws of the Medes and the Persians, and though he may feel badly about killing her, he would not stop it.

Daniel 6:6-17, King Nebuchadnezzar was as much a prideful fool as Xerxes, when he wrote the law that had Daniel thrown to the lions. He could not repeal it.

4:14, (A parallel of Esther and Mordecai & Father God and Jesus) The book of Esther mentions no wife or birth children. I would presume that had he any family in the city, they too would be crying to the Lord with Mordecai. In telling Esther she has the power to save her people even though she may die, Mordecai, in a sense, gives his (only) beloved child to save the nation. (John 3:16)

4:14, Mordecai comforts her with her greater work for God in explaining she may well have been placed where she is for God’s purpose . But so is Mordecai placed by God right where he can accomplish the part he plays in the plan. The foreshadow of their connection in 2: 21-23is utilized for a greater purpose.

2 Timothy 1: 6 & 7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" Read also John 14:12-14, 15: 4-8, & 16. God the Holy Spirit, our Helper.

Never underestimate your significance in God’s plan. You may think you’re not doing anything but God may be using you for a greater purpose than you can see. The smallest encouraging smile can move a brother or sister to overcome a trouble you know nothing about.

4:16, Esther makes her prayer request known. The city now goes into unified intercessory prayer. This is the real thing when it comes to a prayer chain.

“Fasting does not make you anything special but it does make God everything in your life.” Anonymous

Esther willing gave herself as a sacrifice for her people. Mordecai didn’t know if he would ever see her alive again but his faith in God let him pray for her and send her to do what only she was positioned to do. She knew she could be dead in a short while, yet she was obedient to her father’s order.

Jesus prayed to His Father “Not My will but Your will be done” Luke 22:42.

Amazing! His city is in an uproar, yet Xerxes is unaffected. His heart is so callous he can ignore the wails and pleas of his own subjects he has doomed.

Lesson points:

1. Be visibly Christian

2. Never underestimate the significance of your smallest Christian action.

3. Pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Extra reading: 1 Samuel 25. Another powerful man who ignored the right thing and put his people in danger. His wife was more understanding to the affairs of the household than he was and like Esther, she took her life into her hands to avert disaster.

Special application: Sometime this week, lay your hands on a close relative and pray for them. (Husband, child, family member, or a friend)

Something like this: “My Dear Father in heaven, I pray for my husband. Please bless his day, keep him safe, help him be the husband only You can help him be. Help me be his wife. Please be the God of this house, Thank you Lord . Amen"

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Plagued Unto Death

"The Fool has said in his heart 'There is no God'."

Psalm 14:1.

Some will never accept God sovereignty, even after He proves Himself as the Almighty God.

Pharaoh was the fool, as he repeatedly rebelled against the truth of God's existence and power.

(God said) "but if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs" Exodus 8:2

And God brought the frogs, which although they upset Pharaoh, his heart was hard, and he didn't change. He asked that God remove the reptiles, and after the frogs were gone, he recanted his word to let the children of Israel go. he didn't believe God could be that powerful, nor that jealous.

What's a few frogs anyway? And if Moses' God was so great how did it happen Pharaoh's magicians brought forth frogs in a like manner?

But magic is an illusion, and deception. If the land was filled with frogs by God's hand, then showing the conjuring appearance of some frogs must have been a simple trick.

On the other hand, the next plague was lice from the dust. And that miracle Pharaoh's magicians couldn't duplicate. For the lice was on the people and the animals. If they themselves were covered with lice, then how can they conjure up the effect and deceive the audience? There comes a time when charlatans will be exposed.

Pharaoh had a front row seat, yet he still fought against Almighty God. For this proud man, he scorned the might of Israel's God. The plagues were upsetting and bothersome but they weren't threatening his throne. Pharaoh was still king of Egypt.

And so the plagues go on for months. For a time, God brings them on both Egypt and the children of Israel. Then, to show His people that He is fighting on their behalf, God makes a distinction between the two nations. Instead of fearing the plagues, a great hope begins growing the hearts of the children of Israel.

Then God says to Pharaoh, regarding the final plague, "But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel" Ex 11:7

Death is a serious action that God never intended for anyone. But 100% of 100% people die. It's a fact.

Pharaoh thought Almighty God was the same as his gods, but he was wrong. The gods of Egypt were of Egypt's making. The God of Israel is Eternal God. He is the I AM, forever and ever, without beginning and without end.

The last sign that God gave Pharaoh was the plague of the death of the firstborn of Egypt.

"And the LORD said to Moses, 'I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether" Ex 11:1.

"And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.' So the people bowed and worshiped." Ex 12:26,27.

This is the night where the children of Israel are set free from slavery and the stubbornness of sin in Pharaoh destroys his nation.

The children of Israel bowed and worshiped GOD when He announced what was happening. That is so wonderful an example of our attitude of worship.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction"

Proverbs 1:7.

"Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly. He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path" Proverbs 2:5-9.

Pharaoh was the fool who refused to learn to know the Almighty, Living GOD. later, after changing his mind again, Pharaoh pursues the children of Israel to the Red Sea, where he dies. he and his army drown in the Red Sea when God lets the water back to normal. So in his rebellion, even in the face of God's proof, Pharaoh was plagued to death by his own pride.

The children of Israel, on the other hand, came to the knowledge that their GOD is Almighty, Awesome God, and they fell down in worship.

Unlike Pharaoh, who scorned the truth with every proof he saw, there comes a day when Christians should see God as Almighty GOD. It give us freedom to worship in a higher level.

Worship is our best response once we come face to face

with the awesome knowledge of Holy God. 

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Brother Against Brother: Short Fiction

Reassuring himself the Enfield was loaded; Seth pointed it at the Confederate. The man remained calm, propped against the remains of the stonewall.

“How old are you, Son?”

“What?”

“You ain’t old enough for fightin’, Son. You should be in school, or fetchin’ for your mother.”

“You shut up!” He tried to be threatening but failed. He was just a scared kid in a war that was supposed to be over.

A Private in Colonel Joshua Chamberlain’s Twentieth Maine Infantry, who were occupying this hill, miles from the main battle, Seth was still amid the horrors. The moans and screams of the wounded and dying added to his mental anguish. Somehow, when they swung down the side of the mound named Little Round Top, he had separated from the main group and stumbled into this depression, and away from the major shooting.

Falling into the hole, Seth landed on a body, which grunted and moved. Terrified, he scrambled around for identity, discovering the powdered blackened face of one of General Hood’s Texans, the very army they were killing. The Texan was unarmed, his Springfield broken beside him and his arm too mangled for bayonet use. Triumphantly, Seth had ‘captured’ an enemy single-handed. This glory soon faded, as he realized he was as trapped as the other was. Where could he go? He didn’t know if they had succeeded.

"Son, you ain’t fighin’ for slavery any more than I am.”

“Ain’t you?”

“Nope,” the Texan replied. “I’m a Texas soldier. That I’m in the Confederate army is just an odd detail.”

“But this is about slavery, ain’t it?” 

The man chuckled. “This war is about Government and politics, neither of which you or I care one whit about.” The Texan waved his good hand. “You let me palaver. You’ve probably heard speeches ‘bout the horrors of slavery, most not even half-told of the evils. There's a man in Washington that made some noise about the evil and it made a large part of this country a bit worried 'bout their rights as slave owners. I don’t own slaves, never have, never will. I’m in this ‘cause Texas said we’d fight and I’m Texas. As for the Cause, the Good Lord above will abolish slavery. He hates it and He won’t allow it, no matter what some may think. I can't agree havin' a war over the trouble is the best way to fix it, but that's the way it's come about. You and me are just a part of something a whole lot bigger." he chuckled. "hate to admit it, but it's even bigger than Texas."

Shifting slightly made his coat open, revealing his bloody chest. A grimace twisted his dirty face. he asked Seth, “Ya got any water?”

Seth tossed his canteen. “You said the Good Lord. You mean Jesus?”

“Born again into Jesus Christ twenty three years ago. Bet I was older’n you are now. How old are you, Son?”

“Sixteen.”

The Texan smiled. “Yup. Was seventeen when I accepted Jesus’ salvation. Have you, Son?”

Seth swallowed hard. “Yes, Sir. Three years now.” In fear, he lifted his rifle as the Texan reached under his coat. For a pistol?

“Whoa, Son, just getting’ my Prayer Book.” He held up a small ragged book bound together with twine. “A’right if I show you somethin’?” The Texan shifted and then settled back. “No need to keep pointin’ that gun. I surrender. I ain’t gonna fight no more ag’in ya.” He settled down next to the boy. “Do you know that right here, in the second letter to Timothy; we have the power to end all wars?”

The sour-sweet smell of the dark, thick, of the Texan's congealed blood rose in his nostrils. Swallowing bile, Seth leaned over and read from the Texan’s Bible. ‘All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

He smiled, although through the blood, grime and black powder soot the action made him seem more a ghoul than a man. There was no threat to Seth from the wounded man as he talked.

“An old man named Paul wrote that to a young soldier for Christ. And I’m sharing it with you, ‘cause there’s a place for enemies and there’s a place for killin’, but there’s a place in the hearts of all men for the truth of God. That, Son, if every man believes it, would end all wars. If only all people would turn to God, wars would cease.”

Seth never saw the rock. Lights burst in his head. Aware through a fog, the gun taken from his hands, he lay stunned and helpless.

“Forgive me, Son.”

Incredibly, he saw the sadness in the face of his enemy.

The Texan gazed at him a moment longer before turning to walk into the bullet shattered forest.

Seth thought, ‘Lord Jesus, that man’s not my enemy, he’s my brother.’

The End

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Hard Questions

These are personal study questions at the back of my EBook

Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

How strong is your faith in Christ Jesus, the Lord? Maybe you will never have to face anything as severe as Joseph, Job, Ruth, or Esther but when everything appears to deteriorate, focus on the joy of the Lord; the joy that we have because we are “they who are looking for a country of their own” (cf Hebrews 11:13,14,15). These scenarios intend to challenge you to think about how close your personal walk is with Jesus and how much is earthly baggage.

*  *  *

1. How would you respond if your house burned down today? Everything in it is now ashes, not one thing survives. Mentally walk through your house right now and look at the things you have. Right now, it is gone! It no longer exists!

What are you feeling the loss of most?

What will replace that loss?

Whom are you going to trust to relieve the loss?

What is it you are afraid of facing the most at the loss of your house?

*  *  *

2. How would you respond if your spouse died today? Are you walking close enough to the Lord to accept it? How do you answer these questions if the person you love never comes back to you alive today?

Do they know you love them?

Have they trusted the Lord as their Savior?

Have you prayed for them lately, really prayed for their safety, well being, love, strength, spiritual growth? That they are walking close to the Lord daily.

Are they ready to meet the Lord Jesus today?

If the scenario was your children died today, ask the previous questions for this also.

*  *  *

3. What if your home church burned, there is not a shred of anything left; to what do you associate the building?

What constitutes as loss when the building is no longer available?

How does this affect your worship?

How strong is your feeling toward the activities that you attended?

How much are you accustomed to what was available inside the building?

If how you served depended on the material inside the building, how will you serve now?

*  *  *

4. What does the pastor mean to you in terms of your church attendance and service?

Do you come to church to hear him or God?

Do you feel uncomfortable when someone unfamiliar speaks?

Are you reluctant to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart through a different speaker?

Do you think all sermons are supposed to speak personally to you?

*  *  *

5. What happens if you died today?

Are you ready today to meet Jesus?

Is your daily desire to meet Jesus face to face?

Is your family’s faith strong enough to walk with Jesus after your death?

Is there someone you need to tell about Jesus?

*  *  *

How much of your life since your salvation would be considered building with straw, hay, and stubble?

How much of your life since salvation would be considered building with gold, silver, and precious stones?

These questions are not to depress you but to help you examine your daily spiritual life. Where are your values? Is it your stuff, your people, your activities? Today, can you walk through your house and say to Jesus, ‘I throw it all away.’ The challenge is to do just that.

Where have your thoughts been lately?

Where are they right now?

Do these scenarios hurt? Why or why not?

With the Psalmist say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23,24). Ask Jesus to clean your house, physically and metaphorically. Ask Jesus to show you where your stuff is hindering your service to Him. Be real.

*  *  *

Are you ready today for the rapture?

Do you really want to go home?

Is your desire to stand before the Lord and see exactly what He is and whom He is?

Do you love Him enough to let Him have everything?

Do you fear Him that much?

*  *  *

In the next month do this daily. Think about these scenarios and pray about your thoughts daily.

Revival begins when we want to live. Revival begins when we want others to live.

LIVE!

Revival begins with Jesus!

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A Good Commentary or The Bible?

Do you need to read commentaries when you read the Bible? Do you spend your devotional and study time reading other people's writings more than the Bible?

While there are many great books written by godly men and women, those writings are not God inspired nor are they alive with Godly power the way the Bible is. (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12)

If you enjoy books about the Bible more than enjoying reading the Bible for yourself, you're missing out on the voice of God speaking to you. You're missing out on God directly teaching you.

God has placed His power in His word. Knowledge and understanding are found in the Bible. Knowledge and understanding of war and peace, of life and death, of honesty and deceitfulness, of working and laziness, of money and spending, of having and giving, of marriage and parenting, of learning and practical wisdom, of God's miracles and false testimonies, of truth and heresy, of love and blasphemy.

And the Bible instructs us of Jesus' grace, love, compassion and mercy. Of Jesus' justice and wrath.

It teaches to see where Satan works his evil and where he is delivering murder and destruction to the world he hates.

All this wisdom is found between Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:21.

Brothers and sisters, read the Bible more today than ever before.

"But Jesus answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' Matthew 4:4.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" John 1:1-4.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" John 1:14.

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The Author & Finisher to Begin 2017

Beginning the New Year 2017 with thoughts from the letter to the Hebrews. This is an appropriate beginning as the writer of Hebrews teaches us Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. 12:2.

ONE GOD but Elohim

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" Hebrews 3:12,13

After the opening four verses of chapter 1 establishes Jesus' Deity, the writer jumps right in with OT proof of the afore stated matter and continues on for several pages of the Theocratic position of Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent GOD of heaven and GOD the Son, Jesus, called the Christ.

You can't miss the point he's making unless you tear the entire book from the Biblical text while never having read it!

Jesus is GOD the Son, Co-equal with the GOD the Father. You cannot separate the Two from being ONE. And since the Holy Spirit is the One who helped the writer with the accuracy of Scriptures, GOD the Holy Spirit is speaking the Almighty truth of what is written through the entire book.

Three in ONE GOD.

Perfect Sacrifice

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 

"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me."

"In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure."

Then I said, "Behold, I have come---In the volume of the book it is written of Me--To do Your will, O God."

Previously saying, "Sacrifices and offering, burnt offerings and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law) Hebrews 10:5-8.

The sacrifices that the Law required to take away the sin of Adam inherited by all people, (For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:32), were not to please God and therefore gain forgiveness. The blood of bulls and goats and lambs was to substitute for the earned death of the sinner.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23.

God did not make man to be a sinner, nor does He desire sinners to die. (2 Peter 3). So something has to die to save the sinner, otherwise the sinner dies for their sin alone. God does not take pleasure in the sacrifice of animals, nor did He take pleasure in sacrificing His only begotten Son.

When the perfect time came, Jesus became the substitutionary sacrifice to fulfil the need of the death of all mankind.

Only GOD could do that. Only GOD could carry out such a perfect plan. Only GOD could die on the cross and resurrect from the dead, thus overcoming the sin debt.

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" Hebrews 10:12,13,14.

One offering---Jesus

Our Faith

"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." Hebrews 11:4.

The faith that gives the more excellent sacrifice makes one righteous. Born again Christians have put their faith in Jesus as the more excellent sacrifice, which, alone, makes the believer righteous.

That's all that is done and all that can be done for you to be saved for ever and ever and ever.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" Hebrews 11:6.

Faith to believe Jesus died in your place for your sin is all God asks and He rewards that believing faith.

Seek God today with diligence as if you were seeking a paramedic to staunch a life threatening injury. It's for your eternal life after all.

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Do You Want Revival?

Brought dynamically alive by God for His work would be great!

But, is it possible, if God the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to some congregations today, might there be more weeping than rejoicing.

To have the perfect presence of God come into the midst of a Sunday congregation would expose how terribly sinful we are and how unfit we are for His work. When Peter saw one miracle, he fell at Jesus' feet and begged Him to leave,(Luke 5:5-8). And Peter was a godly man seeking the coming of his Messiah, (John 1:40, 41).

In the past, when the God's revivals came, the men and women went into small groups of prayer, and earnestly sought God for themselves, fasting, asking to be cleansed, forgiven, and made right for the work. And then they turned their prayers toward the needs of others.

And God answered their faith and faithful prayers to change them and the areas around them for a generation.

"Fear of the LORD is instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility" Proverbs 15:33.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" 1 Peter 5:6.

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Now to Him who is able to keep
you from stumbling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of His glory
with exceeding joy, to God our Savior,
who alone is wise, be glory and majesty. dominion and power,
both now and forever.
Amen."
Jude 20-25.

To be revived, you must admit you're dead and without power in yourself, trusting God to bring life back to your body.

Wanting revival shouldn't be for personal benefit, it should be a desire for our God to be revealed and glorified by the changes in our lives and the lives of those who will be saved by His grace and love.

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Three Things Everyone Should Know About Biblical Hell--Guest Blog by Joel Littlefield

Joel's Blog is posted here by permission:




“when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

Hell is the presence of God’s wrath and holy justice.

Some say that Hell is what it is because God’s presence is not there. Even Paul, in the above passage, speaks of hell as eternal destruction that takes place “away from the presence of the Lord”

But tell this to a person who doesn’t want to be with God in the first place.

The conversation may go like this:

“Don’t you believe?”

“No, I don’t”

“Unless you believe, you will die in your sin and be cast into hell apart from his presence forever”

“Well, good! I’m not sure I want to spend eternity with God anyway.”

See what I mean? The unbelievers logic is solid here. Why would someone who wants nothing to do with God mind being in hell if all it means is that God is not there? So, is God’s presence there? Or is it not?

Consider this text:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee? If I go into heaven you are there, and if I descend into Hell, you are there.” Psalm 139:7

If God is truly omnipresent, and He is, then He is also in Hell. But it’s a different kind of presence altogether than what the redeemed will experience. In that outer darkness His presence will not be enjoyed. The comfort that his presence gives to those who worship Him will not be there. That is why Paul said that part of the punishment is to be away “from the glory of His might”

Hell is the very real presence of God’s anger, wrath and judgement. One may wish for annihilation there, but the end will never come. The torment will be forever.

Hell is Eternal Dying

Charles Spurgeon once said that “It is the hell of hell that everything there lasts forever. Here, time wears away our griefs, and blunts the keen edge of sorrow; but there, time never mitigates the woe. Here, the sympathy of loving kindred, in the midst of sickness or suffering, can alleviate our pain; but there, the mutual upbraidings and reproaches of fellow- sinners give fresh stings to torment too dreadful to be endured.”

The Scripture concurs with this thought that the fires and torments of hell are unceasing.

Mark 9:47-48 “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’’

A God who loves perfectly also must hate that which opposes His perfect love. A God of perfect kindness and grace must also be a God of perfect justice and judgement against all who do not obey His truth. Jesus shed his blood at the cross, and in so doing, killed death for all who believe in Him. But Hell is where death never dies, for those who go there did not believe in the Resurrection and the Life.

“and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:26

In Light of Hell we Preach Christ

Hell is mercy removed and grace withheld. It is unrelenting slavery to sin and the filth of the flesh. The drunkard will desire to be drunk, but with nothing even to temporarily satisfy. The thief will be constantly haunted with his evil desires to take what is not his. The covetous man will covet forever but gain nothing he desires. Hell is constant emptiness with no reprieve in sight. With this, let us look upon this world, not with apathy, but with compassion. We have the only news that sets souls free.

Do not be ignorant about what happens after death. All who believe upon the gospel with genuine faith will be saved. All who do not will perish forever in everlasting torment and unrelenting regret. Their punishment will be just. But we do all we can to join in Christ’s mission of reconciliation and redemption.

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;” (2 Corinthians 5:18)

The devil’s first heresy was this, “You will not surely die.” But we did die, all of us. Man is so deeply depraved that no one can pull himself from the despair. Only by God’s grace can man have life. Through the One who is eternal life can life be restored.

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

Joel Littlefield

Joel is a husband, father of three, pastor and worship leader. His desire for blogging and writing is from a heart for the Body of Christ to glorify God in everything, and through every season.

To read more of Joel's writings, visit Made to Make Disciples 

Joel is the author of

Grace In Crossville (Amazon)
and
Beeline to the Cross (Barnes & Noble)
(Tate Publishing & Enterprises LLC.)
& Amazon

Beeline to the Cross

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