WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.600 Good morning. That's kind of half-hearted. Okay, good morning. Oh, that's better. See, 00:00:06.660 --> 00:00:13.000 I've been at VBS all week with the kids, so I've had bananas thrown at me. I've had water poured 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:18.879 over me. So this feels a little bit tame now being up here. So Kevin's right on the front row, 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:26.000 maybe with some bananas at hand, but we'll see. My name's Chris. I'm one of the pastors here. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:32.679 And we've been going through a series looking at Christ in the Old Testament. Sometimes we read 00:00:32.679 --> 00:00:38.060 the Old Testament and we think, what's going on there? It seems to be very different from the New 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:43.780 Testament. But we've been seeing how from Abraham all the way through to David and Mephibosheth last 00:00:43.780 --> 00:00:51.359 week, we've seen that actually the gospel message of the New Testament is in seed form throughout the 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:58.920 Old Testament. And so we've been looking at these different stories to show us what Christ is like. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:08.060 And today we're going to kind of fast forward about 500 years from last week to 480 BC to the 00:01:08.060 --> 00:01:17.819 Persian Empire. God has taken his people Israel out of Israel into exile into Babylon. Now Babylon has 00:01:17.819 --> 00:01:25.659 fallen and a new empire has risen, which is the Persian Empire. Some Jews have gone back to Israel, 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:32.839 but now many of these Jews have settled down in Persia. And that's where the story, the true story 00:01:32.839 --> 00:01:39.339 of Esther we're going to look at today comes from. We're going to close our series with this story. 00:01:40.039 --> 00:01:44.119 So I'm going to introduce the story and then we're going to have the scripture reading and then I'll share 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:49.880 a little bit more about the scripture reading. But I want to introduce you to this amazing story 00:01:49.880 --> 00:01:55.380 because it's a little bit like a Korean, the plot line is kind of like a Korean drama or like a 00:01:55.380 --> 00:02:04.860 Brazilian soap opera. So, but the story of Esther is basically a story where the name of God is never 00:02:04.860 --> 00:02:11.120 mentioned in the story. It's the only book in scripture because the author wants to show you that 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:17.219 sometimes even when God seems hidden, he's right there behind the scenes working through all the 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:25.439 action. So I want to introduce you to the cast of this story. Okay. We have, first of all, King 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:32.920 Ahasuerus or King Xerxes because Ahasuerus is a bit difficult to pronounce. He is impetuous. That's his 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:41.040 Greek name, by the way. He is impetuous. He's ambitious and he's the most powerful man in the known world. 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:50.560 He's the ruler of the Persian empire and he likes his drink. He, after his wife refuses to come out 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:56.740 at one party to be with his friends, he, the drunk king divorces her and then suddenly realizes, 00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:04.879 oh, that was a mistake. And so what happens is his ministers come up with a plan. They come up with a 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:12.460 plan to hold Miss Persia competition. And basically they're going to find all the best looking young 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:17.699 women in the whole of Persia, bring them together for a competition and the winner gets to become 00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:30.139 King Xerxes' new bride. And so we have the next character, grumpy, stubborn Jew Mordecai. I don't know if you can see that. 00:03:30.139 --> 00:03:38.359 Now, he works as a bouncer at the palace of the king. He's a second or third generation Jewish guy 00:03:38.359 --> 00:03:47.099 living as a minority person in this foreign pagan land. And he's a stubborn guy. But he's also got a 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:56.179 much younger cousin called Esther. And Esther was orphaned when she was young and he's brought her up 00:03:56.180 --> 00:04:01.879 as his own daughter. Now, the thing you need to know about Esther is she is really good looking. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:09.240 And she, she's like the, she's the diva. She's, she, but she's not really a very good Jew. 00:04:09.860 --> 00:04:15.219 Because when the Miss Persia competition gets announced, she gets dragged in to be one of the 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:24.319 contestants. And do you know what happens? She ends up winning the competition. And, but in order to win 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:30.240 the competition, she has to spend a night with the king. She keeps her identity as a Jew secret. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:38.019 And she plays this game so well that she goes from a nobody to the queen of the most powerful man in 00:04:38.019 --> 00:04:47.800 the world. She's in the palace as the queen. So we have King Xerxes. We have Mordecai. We have Esther, 00:04:47.800 --> 00:04:53.060 final character, final character, evil villain, Haman. 00:04:56.660 --> 00:05:05.220 Haman, the Agagite, is his family are Canaanites. For centuries, they had been enemies of the Jews. 00:05:05.900 --> 00:05:12.460 They'd made war against Moses, against Saul, against David. And now, Haman is going to make war 00:05:12.459 --> 00:05:18.680 against the Jews again. You see, he gets promoted to prime minister, and he's got a bit of an ego. 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:23.500 And he wants everyone to know how great he is. So when he walks past in the morning, 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:30.959 he wants everyone to bow as low as possible to him. But Mordecai, the Jew, he will not do it. He's 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:40.240 not going to bow down to this guy's ego. And this really ticks off Haman. So much that Haman 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:46.560 doesn't just want to get back at Mordecai. He wants to get back at the whole Jewish people. 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:54.500 He gets the king, Xerxes, to sign a decree ordering the genocide of all the Jews. 00:05:55.540 --> 00:06:04.620 This is like the Holocaust. And he is willing to pay for this out of his own pocket. That's how much 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:11.480 he's an enemy of the Jews. I'd like to invite Pui and Karen to come up and read today's passage for us. 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:22.620 The scripture reading comes from Esther chapter 4. Please follow along in your bulletins or on the 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:30.680 screen. When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:37.460 and ashes and went out into the midst of the city. And he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 00:06:37.459 --> 00:06:43.379 He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:49.519 clothed in sackcloth. And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, 00:06:49.859 --> 00:06:56.560 there was great mourning among the Jews with fasting and weeping and lamenting. And many of 00:06:56.560 --> 00:07:03.679 them lay in sackcloth and ashes. When Esther's young women and her eunuchs came and told her, 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:11.000 the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai so that he might take off his 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:18.120 sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther called for Hatik, one of the king's eunuchs who had 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:25.379 been appointed to attend her and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:32.759 Hatik went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate. And Mordecai told 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:39.719 him all that had happened to him and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the 00:07:39.719 --> 00:07:47.339 king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:54.279 issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command 00:07:54.279 --> 00:07:59.500 her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:07.699 And Hatik went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. Then Esther spoke to Hatik and commanded him 00:08:07.699 --> 00:08:14.060 to go to Mordecai and say, all the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:20.519 any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:27.639 to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:36.019 But as for me, I have not been called to come into the king these 30 days. And he told Mordecai what 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:43.659 Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, do not think to yourself that in the king's 00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:51.000 palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:56.399 deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place. But you and your father's house will perish. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:09:03.700 And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Then Esther told 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:11.259 them to reply to Mordecai, go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa and hold a fast on my behalf. 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:19.580 And do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young woman will also fast as you do. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:28.000 Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Mordecai then went 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:35.139 away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. This is the word of God. Thank you guys. 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:40.460 Let me just pray for us as we come and think about God's word. 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:52.580 Father, this story from your word is a challenging and a powerful one. 00:09:54.699 --> 00:09:59.840 And I pray that you'd speak to us this morning. I pray that we wouldn't just be here wanting to hear 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:04.779 a nice message, but we're here wanting to hear from you and to respond to what you want to say to us. 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:10.319 Lord, I pray for my words that anything that's not from you, just remove it. And I pray that you'd 00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:15.899 speak with your spirit's power into our hearts, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:10:18.579 --> 00:10:27.519 So, Mordecai. We're going to pick up the story. Mordecai has heard this death sentence on his people. 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:38.120 And he tears his clothes and he puts on sackcloth, both of which tearing your clothes is a visible sign of the torn, 00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:44.179 broken heart that you have inside. And putting on sackcloth is uncomfortable, coarse material, 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:49.079 is a sign visibly to show everyone, this is the pain that I'm going through. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:59.340 This is the discomfort in my life that I'm experiencing right now because every Jew from Ethiopia to India is under threat. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:06.480 And every one of them feels this pain and they follow suit and they put on sackcloth and ashes and they mourn together. 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:09.940 Their identity is under threat. 00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:18.000 And yet Esther, who used to hang out with the other Jews, she's now moving in different circles. 00:11:18.680 --> 00:11:21.620 She's networking with the elites in the comfortable palace. 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:26.000 And she's kind of cut off from the realities of what's going on with her people. 00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:28.160 Now she's got her own issues. 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:34.160 You know, in the harem of the time, you would have lots of competition between the different concubines and wives. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:36.699 And so they're all trying to get the king's attention. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:39.279 But in verse 2, it says, 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:46.179 No one was allowed to enter the king's gate into the palace clothed in sackcloth. 00:11:46.459 --> 00:11:52.019 Because in these circles, no one wants to be bothered by sad and depressed people. 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:58.379 So if you're like Mordecai wearing sackcloth, you can't come in to the palace. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:07.539 But she gets a report from her beloved cousin Mordecai that he's in serious mourning and she wants to see him. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.639 She's distressed. 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:13.600 So she sends him an extra set of clothes to help him be able to get into the palace so she can talk to him. 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:18.600 But she doesn't get the pain of what's going on in their lives. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:20.799 And so he refuses to come. 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:31.579 Finally, Esther takes the initiative to send her PA, Hatak, to learn what this was and why this was. 00:12:32.339 --> 00:12:32.639 Do you see? 00:12:33.079 --> 00:12:37.259 Her people are about to be wiped out and she's oblivious to the whole thing. 00:12:37.859 --> 00:12:39.059 Doesn't see what's going on. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:46.139 And so Hatak comes back with a terrible report from Mordecai with a flyer advertising the genocide. 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:48.139 Verse 8 says, 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:54.960 Mordecai gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa, it's the capital city, for their destruction. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:59.620 That he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, because she didn't understand, 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:07.600 and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.000 You see what Mordecai is saying? 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:15.939 He's saying, Esther, you're the only one who can stand before the king and plead our cause. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:19.919 You're the only one who can stop this death sentence. 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:21.019 Help us. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:24.340 That's kind of passionate appeal. 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:30.919 And Esther, living in the abundance of the palace, destruction of her people, just at hand, goes, 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:33.080 Oh, that's a little bit tricky. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:38.639 She goes, I'd love to help, but you don't understand how it works in the palace. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.699 Verse 11, she says, 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:48.580 All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman enters without being called, 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:55.759 and I'm no exception, I can't pull strings here, there is one law to be put to death, 00:13:56.440 --> 00:14:02.480 except there's only one exception, the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:04.840 so that he may live. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:09.100 But as for me, I haven't been called to the king for like these 30 days. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:10.860 Do you see what she's saying? 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:14.779 She's saying, okay, I can send a check for victims of sport. 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:17.840 I could even send a grief counselor to you just to help you. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:23.680 But what you're asking me to do is to risk everything for the sake of my people. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:25.840 And that just doesn't sound very appealing at the moment. 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:30.300 Because you can't just enter in the king's court any old how, 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:35.300 because you might die if you go the wrong way about this. 00:14:36.300 --> 00:14:41.220 The only exception is if the king puts out the golden scepter saying, 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:43.259 You're accepted, you can come in. 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:46.700 But she says, I'm not the flavor of the month at the moment. 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:48.700 This isn't good timing for me. 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.320 Okay? 00:14:49.780 --> 00:14:53.220 Listen, if it had been a couple of years ago, we were great, me and the king, good terms. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.520 But now it's not so good. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:55.980 Timing's not great. 00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:59.660 Excuses, excuses, excuses. 00:15:02.140 --> 00:15:04.820 Don't you often find like we like being a hero? 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:06.280 We all kind of want to be a hero. 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:10.879 You know, when you daydream, who is the hero in your daydreams? 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:13.780 Me, I am, right? 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:16.000 Well, not in your daydreams, in my daydreams. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:24.980 But when you face the reality of the real situations which require heroism, that's another issue. 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.919 Because there's a cost involved. 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:32.519 And Mordecai's response is, don't think to yourself. 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:33.940 Literally. 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:41.420 Don't imagine in your soul that in the king's palace, you will escape any more than the other Jews. 00:15:42.280 --> 00:15:46.960 What he's saying is, don't live in this daydream that the palace is going to protect you. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:48.020 Because it won't. 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:56.060 He says, for if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place. 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:59.259 But you and your father's house will perish. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:02.199 He's saying, God wants to use you. 00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:09.219 But if you don't step out into what he's calling you to do, you're going to miss out on what he has for you. 00:16:09.959 --> 00:16:12.699 And in fact, it's going to be more serious than that. 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:14.359 The judgment's going to come back to you. 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:18.440 And then he says this famous line. 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:26.800 And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:36.080 He's saying, maybe God in his grace has brought you through this journey all the way where you can be in this position in the palace 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:41.659 for precisely this moment where you can do what no one else can do. 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:50.100 And will you turn your back on the very purpose and reason that God has placed you right here in this situation? 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:54.620 And so Esther is persuaded by his appeal. 00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:57.159 But she's also scared. 00:16:57.719 --> 00:17:03.799 And so she calls for a fast to appeal to God to bring deliverance for them. 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:06.559 And they pray as they fast. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:15.940 And Esther begins to courageously accept the mission as a mediator, as a representative on behalf of her people. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.899 And she says this. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.139 I will go. 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:23.019 And if I perish, I perish. 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:27.259 Because this is what I'm called to. 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:30.599 Even if I lose everything, this is what I'm here for. 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.440 It's a pretty powerful story. 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:39.259 But let's, I want to just pull out a few things, three things from this story. 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:43.480 How does this actually connect with us in our lives? 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.779 So I've got three points. 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.440 First point. 00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:51.680 God calls unworthy people. 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:55.840 This is extraordinary. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:18:00.899 Because, you know, Esther has got where she is and Mordecai. 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:04.879 They're these minority in a pagan majority culture. 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:08.179 And she has compromised in many ways. 00:18:09.199 --> 00:18:15.879 You know, a hundred years earlier, a guy called Daniel had been in a similar situation in the court of the king of Babylon. 00:18:17.199 --> 00:18:21.799 And yet he had refused to compromise his own identity, even at the cost of his life. 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:24.980 You know, the story of Daniel on the lion's den, all of those kind of things. 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:30.019 But Esther, so Daniel is faithful to his God. 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:33.160 Esther is a completely different story. 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:36.920 You see, God's word required sexual purity. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:40.480 Unmarried, she sleeps with the king to win the competition. 00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:44.579 God's word said that Jews shouldn't intermarry with people of different religions. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:47.279 Esther had married the pagan king. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:53.440 God's word said that Jewish people should be distinctive in the sight of the nations around them. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:19:01.860 Esther had hidden her identity so that no one would really know she was a Jew, just so she could get on in life, blend in, move up the career ladder. 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:09.240 Esther, in many, many ways, has compromised her identity, and she's been unfaithful. 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:15.700 She'd wanted and settled for the comfort of the palace, was content to ignore what God had called her to. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:22.259 And this is where I find this challenging, because how many of us are sometimes like Esther? 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:29.960 You know, we're a Christian, but in our workplace, we've never told anyone that we're a Christian, 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:38.240 because if we're too out and proud about it, you know, sometimes it might cause more problems. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:43.559 It's easier to stay quiet, because that can help you to move up the ladder and be liked by everyone. 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:50.720 You know, God calls believers to sex only within marriage relationship of one man and one woman. 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:56.240 And Jesus even says, lust in your heart is like adultery. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:20:00.620 And yet, some of us regularly use porn. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:04.200 We have masturbation to fulfill our own pleasures. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:06.839 We sleep with our girlfriends or boyfriends. 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:10.259 We even have lustful thoughts about people who are not our spouses. 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:13.500 We compromise in so many ways. 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:17.319 And we could go on in so many areas of our lives. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:20.299 Many of us, we want to live for God. 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:22.740 We want to live and be on mission for Him. 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:28.440 But our unfaithfulness to Him has destroyed a passion that we had to live for Him and His glory. 00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:35.019 The joy that we had seems to have been snatched away by just so many decisions that we've made 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:38.099 where we know we have a guilt and a guilty conscience. 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:42.839 Sometimes you don't feel you can share the gospel with other people, 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:45.099 because frankly, we feel like we're a terrible witness. 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:50.839 Sometimes we feel like we can't pray, or sometimes even come to the church, 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:53.679 because we know we've not been as faithful as we should have been. 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.779 Anyone like me? 00:20:56.879 --> 00:21:01.299 And just, you know, like a person who's decided to come off a chocolate addiction, 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:04.539 and stupidly they eat one chocolate and they go, 00:21:04.939 --> 00:21:08.439 well, I've already failed with one, therefore I might as well eat the whole box. 00:21:09.699 --> 00:21:14.019 Like Esther, we settle from the failures that we've made 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:17.700 to then just pursuing the comfort and compromise at the palace, 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:22.139 where we just chase after our career, our studies, our kids' education, 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:24.900 and that is central to everything we do. 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:28.619 But we have denied the calling that God has got on our lives. 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:33.379 And if we go on a long time living like that, 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.500 you know what happens? 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:37.639 God's voice can become so dull that we don't even hear Him, 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:40.079 don't even hear what He's calling us to. 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:42.559 And you know, we have a thousand excuses, 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:45.639 just like Esther did, for why we're living that way. 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:49.659 But if you're like that, 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:53.839 what we need is what John Piper calls gutsy guilt. 00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:58.679 Because it's precisely Esther the unfaithful, 00:21:59.139 --> 00:22:00.559 Esther the compromiser, 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:04.480 that through Mordecai, God is calling her again 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.139 to stand up for her people, 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:09.099 to identify herself as a Jew, 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:10.459 and to live out her calling. 00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:12.659 She was Jewish in name, 00:22:12.719 --> 00:22:13.679 but not in behavior. 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:16.159 But God had not given up on her. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:20.399 He was calling her again to be who she was. 00:22:21.679 --> 00:22:23.459 You know, there's this verse in Micah, 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:26.419 which I've just been just really challenged by 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:27.399 and encouraged by, 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:29.959 which if you know that your own guilt 00:22:29.959 --> 00:22:31.759 and unfaithfulness holds you down, 00:22:31.919 --> 00:22:33.339 you need to memorize this verse. 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:36.299 Micah 7 verse 8 says this, 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:48.940 He's saying, 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.039 if you were a Christian 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:52.500 and you have fallen in different ways 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:54.140 and there's that guilt that comes on you, 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:55.840 there's that sense of you just compromised 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.620 because you don't know, 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:59.880 you don't hear the call that God has on your life. 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.980 God says, 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:03.259 I'm calling you again to rise up again today 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.140 to follow me. 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:08.180 Your past compromise doesn't disqualify you 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:10.340 from God's call on your life today. 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.759 Yesterday was yesterday. 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.640 Today is a new day. 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:19.380 God calls you to rise up with gutsy guilt 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:22.000 because he's got a call on your life. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.540 And he says, 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:27.340 if you turn back in repentance and confession, 00:23:28.060 --> 00:23:30.080 you shall rise again 00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:32.820 because God is your light. 00:23:33.540 --> 00:23:34.940 Because God is your light. 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:37.620 And if you're just religious, 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:41.000 you come to church as fire insurance, 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.440 you know, 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.599 in case God's real 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.700 or because you hope 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:45.160 he'll make you a little bit better 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:46.519 and your kids a little bit better. 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.460 God is not interested 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.779 in just making you religious. 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:52.319 He's got a call on your life 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.880 and he wants you to start 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:55.799 by turning to him in surrender 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:58.220 because he's got something greater for you 00:23:58.220 --> 00:24:00.019 than just living for the comforts 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.900 of your own life. 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:04.019 God calls unworthy people. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.579 Isn't that amazing? 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:05.859 Secondly, 00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:11.939 we are called for the sake of others. 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:14.199 Called for the sake of others. 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:15.619 You know, 00:24:15.679 --> 00:24:17.159 the Jews are in mourning. 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:21.159 They're oppressed from the palace 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:24.319 because from the palace 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:26.919 has come this decree of destruction. 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:31.319 And yet Esther has truly flourished 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.319 in the palace. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:35.220 She's received all the benefits 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.899 while others are experiencing 00:24:36.899 --> 00:24:38.099 the oppression and pain. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:41.740 And yet Mordecai comes to her 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.919 and he calls her to plead 00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:45.200 on behalf of her people. 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.919 And he says that famous phrase, 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.960 maybe you have come to the kingdom, 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:52.460 to royalty, 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:54.079 to the palace 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:56.240 for such a time as this. 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.519 What is he saying? 00:24:58.679 --> 00:25:01.079 He's saying you are blessed, Esther, 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:02.539 to be a blessing. 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:03.939 Esther, 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:06.240 you may have been disgruntled 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.779 because the king seems to have left you 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:09.079 behind for 30 days. 00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:11.899 Maybe he's with other women 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:13.599 and he hasn't been a faithful king 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.439 because he wasn't. 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:17.619 You focus on all the blessings 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.720 that you don't have 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:20.319 but you fail to see 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:22.139 all that you are 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:23.500 and who you are 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.419 and where you are 00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:25.220 is not an accident. 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.059 Do you know that? 00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:26.859 Who you are 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.559 and where you are 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.419 is not an accident. 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:31.539 Because don't think 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.039 that you've got 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.980 all these blessings, Esther, 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.120 in the palace 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:37.620 simply because you made yourself beautiful. 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:39.180 Your beauty is a gift. 00:25:39.800 --> 00:25:41.759 Don't think you got to this place 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:44.000 where because you were so smart, 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.560 because you were better 00:25:45.560 --> 00:25:46.519 than everyone else, 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.720 because actually God 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.700 has weaved you 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.820 to this place. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.039 It's not from you. 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.560 Sure, you've worked hard 00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:54.220 but all that you have 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:56.560 is a gift from God. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.799 There is purpose 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:59.000 behind your place 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.740 in the palace 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:01.240 and that purpose 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.879 is bigger than yourself. 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:05.799 God has brought you here 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:07.119 to be a representative 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:09.759 of his representative 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:11.579 on behalf of his people 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:13.259 to use your position 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.679 for his purposes, 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.460 not just for yours 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.179 and for those 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:18.519 who are in pain around you. 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.599 That's what he's saying 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.119 to Esther. 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:23.099 And I've just been 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:24.339 very challenged by this 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:26.119 because if I'm honest 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.639 and I've just been 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.459 thinking about it, 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.599 I think I 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.979 and I think many of us 00:26:30.979 --> 00:26:31.559 in this church, 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.679 we live in the palace. 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.119 You know, 00:26:34.399 --> 00:26:36.279 as a white Westerner, 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:38.199 I get respect 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:39.239 just from the color 00:26:39.239 --> 00:26:40.079 of my skin. 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.939 Isn't that ridiculous? 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.139 Like, 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.939 people in England 00:26:43.939 --> 00:26:44.939 are trying to go brown. 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:45.799 People in Hong Kong 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.699 are trying to get white. 00:26:46.979 --> 00:26:47.759 It's ridiculous. 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.500 But many of us 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.119 have good educations. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.459 Our kids go to good schools. 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:56.120 We have good job prospects. 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.460 We have opportunities. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.180 We speak English. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.400 We have access 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.799 to financial resources. 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.299 We have flats. 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.840 Some of us. 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.600 We have cars. 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.079 Some of us. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:04.900 Even just living 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:06.059 in the peace and security 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.819 of Hong Kong 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.279 is a place of blessing. 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.420 Many places 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.160 don't have that. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.779 We live in the palace. 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.279 But don't we often 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.420 get into comparing 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.079 ourselves 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:18.860 just with our other colleagues, 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.340 just with our other classmates 00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.200 in the harem 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.019 of our workplace, 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.620 in the place 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.259 of our schools 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.160 or playgrounds, 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:26.240 and it blinds us 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.960 to see 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.900 the hurting 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.799 and the broken people 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.779 around us. 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.720 Because I know 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.880 so well for myself, 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.880 I shut myself 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.860 in this little bubble. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.600 You know, 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:36.400 we have similar kinds 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.860 of friends 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:37.900 who live in similar areas 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.000 with similar problems, 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:39.640 right? 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.100 Don't we, 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.660 if we're honest? 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.680 But we don't see 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.480 that we're blessed 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.259 to be a blessing. 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.340 You know, 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.799 my dad has a PhD. 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:50.720 If you have doctor 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.440 before your name, 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.440 that carries weight. 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.839 But I've only ever seen 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.919 my dad use, 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.419 say, 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.740 Dr. Thornton 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:59.200 very few times. 00:27:59.599 --> 00:27:59.919 Do you know 00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:00.980 when I've seen him use it? 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:03.579 It's when he's writing letters 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:05.200 on behalf of asylum seekers. 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:08.480 Because that doctorate 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.159 was never meant 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:10.419 to be purely for him. 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.879 That doctorate 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:12.680 was for that Iranian 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.779 asylum seeker 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:15.579 who was being unfairly treated 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.539 and had no voice. 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.920 That doctorate 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.879 was for the defense 00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:20.799 of those who had no power. 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.240 Sure, 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.420 did he get a job through it? 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:22.759 Yes. 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.639 Did he get blessings 00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:23.879 through it? 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:24.579 Yes. 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.200 But it was never meant 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.180 to be solely for him. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.899 There was a purpose 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.859 beyond it. 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.480 And so we have to look 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.099 at all the things 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:33.039 that we have 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.799 and say, 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:35.200 if you've got a flat, 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.119 is your flat 00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:39.019 just for yourself 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.819 and your family? 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:41.859 Or are there other people 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.839 that you are blessing 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:44.359 through that blessing 00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:45.279 God has given you? 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.180 Are the hurting 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:46.779 and the needy 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.399 and the broken? 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.799 Are you using that 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.359 for them? 00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:51.599 And if we come 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:51.960 and say, 00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:52.279 well, 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:53.000 not really, 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.279 then we have to come 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:54.940 before God 00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:56.119 and seriously ask ourselves, 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.399 God, 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.379 am I just living 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:57.980 in the palace 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.859 for the palace? 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.599 And it doesn't matter 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.599 whatever it is 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.480 that we have. 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.160 Have you ever thought 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.259 you might be educated 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.420 for a greater purpose 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.259 than just your own 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.059 career advancement? 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.940 Have you ever thought 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.920 you might have a job 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.680 for more than just 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.480 paying the bills? 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:15.180 If you're a domestic helper, 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.920 you're not just 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.920 a domestic helper. 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:19.319 You're God's kingdom representative 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:21.000 to mediate his love 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.579 and blessings 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.660 to the family 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.220 and the people 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:26.339 and your employer 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.160 around you. 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.860 If you're a businessman, 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.460 you're not just 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.059 a businessman. 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:33.380 You're God's representative 00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:34.440 to mediate 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.440 with the resources 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.200 and the gifts 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:36.720 and the talents 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.079 you have, 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:37.860 God's blessing 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:39.059 to people around you. 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.400 If you're a lawyer, 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.500 you're not just a lawyer. 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:43.680 You're God's kingdom representative 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:45.480 to mediate his blessings 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.839 to the people around you. 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.460 If you're a homemaker, 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.839 you're not just a homemaker. 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:52.079 You are God's kingdom representative 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:54.140 to mediate his blessings 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.099 to your family, 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.559 to those at the school gates, 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.299 to the helpers, 00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:57.900 to the mums, 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:58.859 to the dads, 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:00.319 whoever it is around you. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.140 If you're a student, 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.640 you're not just a student. 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:06.079 You're God's kingdom representative 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:08.099 to mediate God's blessing 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:09.220 to the needy, 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.440 the people around you 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.900 who need to know 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:13.559 that Jesus loves them. 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:18.240 That's what we're called for. 00:30:19.820 --> 00:30:21.180 That's what we're called for. 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.880 And you know, 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:24.920 if you're like me, 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.900 sometimes we come with 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:27.000 a thousand excuses 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.680 like Esther. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:30.200 Well, it's not good timing. 00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:31.980 You don't know 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:33.100 what it's like here. 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:35.039 But God says, 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.839 do you not know 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.619 that maybe I have brought you 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.639 to where you are 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:41.859 for such a time as this? 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.759 Will you see that God 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:45.379 calls unworthy people, 00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:47.299 but he calls us 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.759 for something bigger 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.859 than just ourselves, 00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:50.839 for those who are 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.939 outside the palace? 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:54.960 You know, 00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:58.299 I think this is, 00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:59.059 I've just been praying 00:30:59.059 --> 00:30:59.640 about this. 00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:00.920 And I think, 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:03.220 you see what Esther does, 00:31:03.320 --> 00:31:03.960 because this is actually 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.519 really tough. 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.100 When you've lived 00:31:05.100 --> 00:31:05.580 with a habit 00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:06.640 of living in the palace, 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.860 like I think many of us, 00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.640 it's difficult. 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.880 It's difficult. 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:12.360 But I think what Esther does, 00:31:12.959 --> 00:31:13.879 she realizes 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.679 how difficult 00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:16.379 her calling is. 00:31:16.719 --> 00:31:17.719 And so she starts 00:31:17.719 --> 00:31:18.339 at a place 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.539 of fasting and prayer. 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.699 And that's where 00:31:21.699 --> 00:31:22.439 I think all of us, 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:22.839 I don't know 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.679 what it means for you, 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:26.019 but if in our CGs, 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:27.039 if as a church, 00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:27.979 if as individuals 00:31:27.979 --> 00:31:28.719 and as families, 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.500 we just start 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.399 and get on our knees 00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:30.659 and say, 00:31:30.719 --> 00:31:31.000 God, 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:32.479 thank you for everything 00:31:32.479 --> 00:31:33.359 you've given us, 00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:34.619 the blessings 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.519 that we have. 00:31:36.179 --> 00:31:38.019 Show us how we can use these 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.219 for your glory 00:31:39.219 --> 00:31:40.799 and for those around us. 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:41.539 God is going to 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.519 show you 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.920 and he will call us 00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:44.759 out of the palace. 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:50.799 Called unworthy people. 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.920 Use our positions 00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:53.920 to be representatives 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.700 for others. 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:55.759 Thirdly, 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:58.539 we have a need 00:31:58.539 --> 00:32:01.259 for our own mediator 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.299 like Esther. 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.519 You know, 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:09.839 the story of Esther 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:11.379 Esther ends up 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.379 with Esther saving 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:13.759 the whole of the Jewish people. 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.980 The king listens to her. 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.359 Her life is spared. 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.859 All the Jewish people 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:20.359 are saved and delivered. 00:32:21.939 --> 00:32:22.779 And so I can leave you 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.299 with a kind of 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.439 inspiring story 00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:25.740 of just be like Esther. 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.599 Live out your call. 00:32:29.679 --> 00:32:30.779 But there's a problem. 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:33.680 Because every single character 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.660 in this story 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.420 is flawed. 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.660 Deeply flawed. 00:32:38.639 --> 00:32:40.220 And even Esther, 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.160 even though I think 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:43.139 she made one right decision, 00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:45.940 I think she still struggled 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.879 to live out her life 00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:47.339 in the palace 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:48.220 after that decision. 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:49.940 I don't think 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.700 she was just 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:52.079 suddenly, 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:52.980 miraculously, 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.180 everything was suddenly better 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:55.000 and she was perfect. 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.299 I don't think so. 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:58.639 Does anyone else 00:32:58.639 --> 00:32:59.740 struggle to live out 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.619 this sense of call 00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:01.619 that God has on us? 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:03.119 Am I the only one? 00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.419 You see, 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.839 sometimes, 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:08.319 you know, 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:09.659 when you listen to talks 00:33:09.659 --> 00:33:10.659 which inspire you 00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.220 and you're like, 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:11.539 okay, 00:33:11.659 --> 00:33:12.539 I'm really going to do that. 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.720 And then by lunchtime, 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.599 it's kind of, 00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:15.599 you just got distracted 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.359 and you're back thinking 00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:17.419 about being in the palace. 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.940 And yet, 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:21.000 Mordecai 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.519 comes and says, 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:24.660 if you keep silent, 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:27.119 deliverance will come 00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:28.299 from somewhere else 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.500 but you and your family 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.319 will perish. 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:33.900 Just think, 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.819 how many times 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.980 have I kept silent? 00:33:37.599 --> 00:33:38.680 How many times, 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.359 how many people 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:40.660 have I actually kept silent 00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:41.779 when God had called me 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.720 to reach out to them? 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:43.660 I mean, 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.700 it's countless people. 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:46.859 How many times 00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.879 have we hoarded 00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:48.460 our blessings 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.139 for ourselves? 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.660 How many times 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:51.359 have we stolen 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:52.099 the blessings 00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:52.919 that God meant 00:33:52.919 --> 00:33:53.699 for other people 00:33:53.699 --> 00:33:54.799 and just tried 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.500 to keep them? 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.039 And yet, 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:58.159 God is a king 00:33:58.159 --> 00:34:00.019 who also has a law. 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.199 He's not like 00:34:01.199 --> 00:34:01.859 the other king. 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.299 But he has a law 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:04.279 which says thieves 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.099 of his blessings 00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:06.039 should be judged. 00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:08.000 And the judgment 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.679 of death 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.259 that was upon 00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:10.179 all of the Jews, 00:34:10.299 --> 00:34:10.639 actually, 00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:11.199 he says, 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:12.860 that's what every single 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.880 one of us is under. 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.099 There's a real reason 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.699 why sometimes 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.440 we feel guilty 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.119 and condemned. 00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:20.940 Because when you break 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.940 God's holy law, 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.440 there is judgment. 00:34:25.339 --> 00:34:26.860 But Micah 7 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:29.259 continues like this. 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:32.179 Rejoice not over me, 00:34:32.279 --> 00:34:33.039 O my enemy. 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:34.400 When I fall, 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.619 I shall rise. 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:37.159 When I sit in darkness, 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.319 the Lord will be 00:34:38.319 --> 00:34:39.219 a light to me. 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.559 I will bear 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.799 the indignation 00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:42.440 of the Lord 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.279 because I have 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:44.460 sinned against him 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:47.299 until he pleads 00:34:47.299 --> 00:34:48.139 my cause 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:49.860 and executes 00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.940 judgment for me. 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:52.360 He will bring me 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:53.300 out to the light. 00:34:53.659 --> 00:34:54.800 I shall look upon 00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:56.200 his vindication. 00:34:58.760 --> 00:35:00.340 God is a holy king 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:01.679 not like King Xerxes. 00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:03.380 He's not impetuous. 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:05.800 He's not easily angered 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:07.139 like Xerxes. 00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:09.079 But before him, 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:09.659 none of us 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.619 can enter in 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.880 to that inner room 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:12.880 of the throne room 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.780 of his presence. 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.800 We are shut out 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:16.800 like Mordecai 00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:17.760 and no amount 00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:18.920 of tearing our clothes 00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:20.060 or religious duty 00:35:20.060 --> 00:35:21.120 can ever get you 00:35:21.120 --> 00:35:21.920 into the palace. 00:35:23.060 --> 00:35:25.060 We bear the indignation, 00:35:25.180 --> 00:35:26.280 the righteous anger 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:27.320 that God has. 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:30.480 The sentence is passed. 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:34.340 Our only hope 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:36.560 is if there is one person 00:35:36.560 --> 00:35:37.880 who has access 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:38.720 to the king, 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:40.620 who can plead 00:35:40.620 --> 00:35:42.100 our cause before him. 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:45.960 We don't need 00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:47.400 Esther to save us. 00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.119 We don't need 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:49.019 a human being 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:50.539 who is flawed 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.539 to save us. 00:35:51.719 --> 00:35:52.920 We need a greater Esther. 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.059 Esther was tempted 00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:56.079 in many ways 00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:56.900 and sinned. 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.339 Hebrews tells us 00:35:58.339 --> 00:35:59.360 Jesus was tempted 00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:00.440 in every way 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:01.940 yet was without sin. 00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:03.339 Esther stayed 00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:04.099 in the palace 00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:05.480 and brought deliverance 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.059 from there. 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:07.440 Jesus left 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.199 the palace 00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:08.900 of heaven 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:10.179 and came down 00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:11.320 to where we were 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:12.599 and brought deliverance 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.420 for us 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:16.920 because God the king 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:18.119 desired relationship 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:19.440 with us that much. 00:36:20.759 --> 00:36:21.599 Esther risked 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:22.099 her life 00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:22.500 and said 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.420 if I perish 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.420 I perish 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:25.980 and yet she lived. 00:36:27.239 --> 00:36:28.000 Jesus risked 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:28.420 his life 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:28.659 and said 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.440 if I perish 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.380 I perish 00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:32.099 and he died. 00:36:33.259 --> 00:36:34.340 God's righteous 00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:34.920 judgment 00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:36.159 has been executed 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:38.539 but not on us 00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:40.280 but on him. 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.820 There's no condemnation 00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:43.300 now 00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:45.360 which means 00:36:45.360 --> 00:36:46.880 we have a mediator 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.720 an advocate 00:36:47.720 --> 00:36:48.980 a representative 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:50.400 constantly 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.820 before the throne 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:52.440 of God 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:54.880 who intercedes 00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:55.780 for us 00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:57.280 who's got your name 00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:58.440 written on his heart 00:36:58.440 --> 00:37:00.039 which is why 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:00.900 God can call 00:37:00.900 --> 00:37:01.920 an unworthy person 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.420 like you 00:37:02.420 --> 00:37:03.099 and me 00:37:03.099 --> 00:37:04.559 and say 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:05.719 when I fall 00:37:05.719 --> 00:37:07.119 I shall rise 00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:09.119 because like the hymn 00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:09.539 says 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:10.599 when Satan 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.400 tempts me 00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:12.199 to despair 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:13.099 tells me 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:13.819 of the guilt 00:37:13.819 --> 00:37:14.339 within 00:37:14.339 --> 00:37:14.940 upward 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.519 I look 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.159 and see him 00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:16.519 there 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.139 who made 00:37:17.139 --> 00:37:17.599 an end 00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:18.539 of all my sin 00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:19.599 because 00:37:19.599 --> 00:37:20.799 the sinless 00:37:20.799 --> 00:37:21.860 savior died 00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:23.699 my sinful soul 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.860 is counted free 00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:26.199 for God the just 00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:27.000 is satisfied 00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:28.079 to look on him 00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:29.360 and pardon me. 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:31.019 you know you can 00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:31.800 spend millions 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:32.800 on getting a good 00:37:32.800 --> 00:37:33.559 lawyer to try 00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:34.320 and defend you 00:37:34.320 --> 00:37:36.680 God spent his 00:37:36.680 --> 00:37:37.340 only son 00:37:37.340 --> 00:37:39.280 spent his only 00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:40.200 son's life 00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:41.099 on a cross 00:37:41.099 --> 00:37:42.720 that we might 00:37:42.720 --> 00:37:43.360 have Jesus 00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:44.200 the best lawyer 00:37:44.200 --> 00:37:45.099 in the universe 00:37:45.099 --> 00:37:47.140 pleading for us 00:37:47.140 --> 00:37:48.240 in heaven's courts 00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:49.700 and do you know 00:37:49.700 --> 00:37:50.059 what 00:37:50.059 --> 00:37:51.160 Jesus wins 00:37:51.160 --> 00:37:52.260 every single case 00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:55.580 so we can 00:37:55.580 --> 00:37:56.160 enter in 00:37:56.160 --> 00:37:56.640 and see the 00:37:56.640 --> 00:37:57.720 golden scepter 00:37:57.720 --> 00:37:58.240 of God's 00:37:58.240 --> 00:37:58.740 approval 00:37:58.740 --> 00:37:59.860 you can come 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:00.280 into the 00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:00.840 throne room 00:38:00.840 --> 00:38:01.500 of grace 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:03.580 this is the 00:38:03.580 --> 00:38:04.080 gospel 00:38:04.080 --> 00:38:05.880 this is what 00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:06.400 it says 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:07.240 in Hebrews 00:38:07.240 --> 00:38:08.660 let us then 00:38:08.660 --> 00:38:09.660 draw near 00:38:09.660 --> 00:38:10.560 with confidence 00:38:10.560 --> 00:38:12.120 to the throne 00:38:12.120 --> 00:38:12.800 of grace 00:38:12.800 --> 00:38:13.460 not a throne 00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:14.420 like Xerxes throne 00:38:14.420 --> 00:38:14.960 but a throne 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:15.760 where God is 00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:16.640 longing to bring 00:38:16.640 --> 00:38:17.820 grace to you 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:19.100 regardless of 00:38:19.100 --> 00:38:19.660 what you have 00:38:19.660 --> 00:38:20.080 done 00:38:20.080 --> 00:38:21.440 that we may 00:38:21.440 --> 00:38:22.579 find mercy 00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:23.980 and grace 00:38:23.980 --> 00:38:24.740 to help 00:38:24.740 --> 00:38:25.720 in time of 00:38:25.720 --> 00:38:26.200 need 00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:27.420 in time of 00:38:27.420 --> 00:38:27.619 need 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.260 even with the 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:28.820 calling that 00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:29.460 God has placed 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:29.840 on us 00:38:29.840 --> 00:38:30.200 because we 00:38:30.200 --> 00:38:30.860 cannot do it 00:38:30.860 --> 00:38:31.599 by ourselves 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:34.559 and if you 00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:35.480 see that you 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:36.460 have Jesus 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:39.740 what happens 00:38:39.740 --> 00:38:40.139 is this 00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:40.980 if your vision 00:38:40.980 --> 00:38:41.840 gets captured 00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:42.659 by who he 00:38:42.659 --> 00:38:43.059 is 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:45.220 the reason 00:38:45.220 --> 00:38:45.720 we stay 00:38:45.720 --> 00:38:46.420 living for our 00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:47.079 palaces 00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:48.079 our tiny 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:48.720 little puny 00:38:48.720 --> 00:38:49.179 palaces 00:38:49.179 --> 00:38:49.740 is because 00:38:49.740 --> 00:38:50.360 they capture 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:51.079 our hearts 00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:54.059 but ultimately 00:38:54.059 --> 00:38:54.799 the palaces 00:38:54.799 --> 00:38:55.500 of the world 00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:56.139 of our career 00:38:56.139 --> 00:38:56.819 of our job 00:38:56.819 --> 00:38:57.799 of our reputation 00:38:57.799 --> 00:38:59.199 they're fragile 00:38:59.199 --> 00:39:00.659 if you want a 00:39:00.659 --> 00:39:01.219 bigger flat 00:39:01.219 --> 00:39:02.019 you get the 00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.599 bigger flat 00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:03.440 suddenly it 00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.679 feels like 00:39:04.679 --> 00:39:05.139 it's not big 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:05.480 enough 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.380 you get a 00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:06.679 job 00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:07.960 you want a 00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:08.159 job 00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:08.699 you get the 00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:08.940 job 00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:09.400 then soon 00:39:09.400 --> 00:39:09.779 afterwards 00:39:09.779 --> 00:39:10.099 it's like 00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:10.340 you want 00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:11.059 another job 00:39:11.059 --> 00:39:12.579 and whatever 00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:13.279 it is 00:39:13.279 --> 00:39:13.840 in our 00:39:13.840 --> 00:39:14.279 palace 00:39:14.279 --> 00:39:15.039 it never 00:39:15.039 --> 00:39:15.799 is enough 00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:17.820 but if 00:39:17.820 --> 00:39:18.640 you realize 00:39:18.640 --> 00:39:19.300 that you 00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:19.920 can enter 00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:20.580 into the 00:39:20.580 --> 00:39:20.940 palace 00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:21.260 of the 00:39:21.260 --> 00:39:21.519 king 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:21.760 of the 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:21.960 whole 00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:22.440 universe 00:39:22.440 --> 00:39:24.019 and you 00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:24.140 have 00:39:24.140 --> 00:39:24.660 relationship 00:39:24.660 --> 00:39:25.200 with him 00:39:25.200 --> 00:39:25.380 and it 00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:25.780 will never 00:39:25.780 --> 00:39:26.320 be taken 00:39:26.320 --> 00:39:26.760 away 00:39:26.760 --> 00:39:27.440 because that 00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:28.160 scepter is 00:39:28.160 --> 00:39:28.840 always coming 00:39:28.840 --> 00:39:29.360 down saying 00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:29.980 approved 00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:33.240 that means 00:39:33.239 --> 00:39:35.259 we confidently 00:39:35.259 --> 00:39:36.500 enter him 00:39:36.500 --> 00:39:37.019 and I can 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:38.099 risk my 00:39:38.099 --> 00:39:38.359 own 00:39:38.359 --> 00:39:39.539 little palace 00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.459 because I 00:39:40.459 --> 00:39:40.679 have a 00:39:40.679 --> 00:39:41.399 greater one 00:39:41.399 --> 00:39:42.839 Esther 00:39:42.839 --> 00:39:43.759 faced with a 00:39:43.759 --> 00:39:44.219 choice 00:39:44.219 --> 00:39:45.239 to give up 00:39:45.239 --> 00:39:45.739 the palace 00:39:45.739 --> 00:39:46.299 to give up 00:39:46.299 --> 00:39:46.879 her entire 00:39:46.879 --> 00:39:47.379 life 00:39:47.379 --> 00:39:48.099 to save 00:39:48.099 --> 00:39:48.619 the people 00:39:48.619 --> 00:39:49.500 or to hold 00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:49.919 on to the 00:39:49.919 --> 00:39:50.219 palace 00:39:50.219 --> 00:39:50.799 and give up 00:39:50.799 --> 00:39:51.359 her entire 00:39:51.359 --> 00:39:51.759 people 00:39:51.759 --> 00:39:53.000 and she 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.639 chooses the 00:39:53.639 --> 00:39:54.359 greater calling 00:39:54.359 --> 00:39:56.039 Jesus said 00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:57.419 if anyone 00:39:57.419 --> 00:39:58.059 would come 00:39:58.059 --> 00:39:58.739 after me 00:39:58.739 --> 00:39:59.599 let him 00:39:59.599 --> 00:40:00.579 deny himself 00:40:00.579 --> 00:40:01.559 take up his 00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:02.099 cross and 00:40:02.099 --> 00:40:02.759 follow me 00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:04.140 whoever seeks 00:40:04.140 --> 00:40:04.760 to save 00:40:04.760 --> 00:40:05.340 his life 00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:05.980 will lose 00:40:05.980 --> 00:40:06.220 it 00:40:06.220 --> 00:40:07.480 whoever loses 00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:08.160 his life 00:40:08.160 --> 00:40:08.660 for my 00:40:08.660 --> 00:40:09.100 sake 00:40:09.100 --> 00:40:10.180 will find 00:40:10.180 --> 00:40:10.540 it 00:40:10.540 --> 00:40:11.200 he's saying 00:40:11.200 --> 00:40:11.460 there's a 00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:12.240 greater palace 00:40:12.240 --> 00:40:15.040 so that 00:40:15.040 --> 00:40:15.760 means for us 00:40:15.760 --> 00:40:16.300 you can take 00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:16.940 a risk 00:40:16.940 --> 00:40:18.820 to reach out 00:40:18.820 --> 00:40:19.240 to those 00:40:19.240 --> 00:40:19.540 in your 00:40:19.540 --> 00:40:20.000 office 00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:20.660 that maybe 00:40:20.660 --> 00:40:21.820 are not 00:40:21.820 --> 00:40:22.300 like you 00:40:22.300 --> 00:40:22.580 that you 00:40:22.580 --> 00:40:23.200 feel scared 00:40:23.200 --> 00:40:23.660 to reach 00:40:23.660 --> 00:40:24.120 out to 00:40:24.120 --> 00:40:25.220 to go 00:40:25.220 --> 00:40:25.680 and talk 00:40:25.680 --> 00:40:26.000 to that 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:26.520 person 00:40:26.520 --> 00:40:27.280 who you 00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:27.760 may have 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:28.340 like no 00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:28.840 idea what 00:40:28.840 --> 00:40:29.140 to say 00:40:29.140 --> 00:40:29.520 to them 00:40:29.520 --> 00:40:30.460 to invite 00:40:30.460 --> 00:40:31.040 a student 00:40:31.040 --> 00:40:31.580 a single 00:40:31.580 --> 00:40:32.080 or someone 00:40:32.080 --> 00:40:32.420 else from 00:40:32.420 --> 00:40:32.820 a different 00:40:32.820 --> 00:40:33.280 background 00:40:33.280 --> 00:40:34.039 into your 00:40:34.039 --> 00:40:34.400 flat 00:40:34.400 --> 00:40:35.400 even though 00:40:35.400 --> 00:40:35.980 it seems 00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:36.800 scary to 00:40:36.800 --> 00:40:37.180 you 00:40:37.180 --> 00:40:38.700 to join 00:40:38.700 --> 00:40:39.220 sons and 00:40:39.220 --> 00:40:39.539 daughters 00:40:39.539 --> 00:40:39.960 of young 00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:40.460 lives 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:41.460 to reach 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:41.840 out to 00:40:41.840 --> 00:40:42.539 risk 00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.639 whatever it 00:40:43.639 --> 00:40:43.960 is that 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:44.519 God calls 00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:44.960 us to 00:40:44.960 --> 00:40:47.019 and if 00:40:47.019 --> 00:40:47.639 I perish 00:40:47.639 --> 00:40:48.360 I perish 00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.619 if I'm 00:40:49.619 --> 00:40:50.139 embarrassed 00:40:50.139 --> 00:40:51.000 I'm 00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:51.460 embarrassed 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:52.700 if it's 00:40:52.700 --> 00:40:53.139 awkward 00:40:53.139 --> 00:40:54.220 it's 00:40:54.220 --> 00:40:54.639 awkward 00:40:54.639 --> 00:40:55.700 if it 00:40:55.700 --> 00:40:56.000 doesn't 00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:56.559 work out 00:40:56.559 --> 00:40:57.599 it doesn't 00:40:57.599 --> 00:40:58.119 work out 00:40:58.119 --> 00:40:59.179 if 00:40:59.179 --> 00:40:59.960 people 00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:00.339 laugh 00:41:00.339 --> 00:41:00.719 at me 00:41:00.719 --> 00:41:01.759 they 00:41:01.759 --> 00:41:02.059 laugh 00:41:02.059 --> 00:41:02.500 at me 00:41:02.500 --> 00:41:04.039 and that's 00:41:04.039 --> 00:41:04.480 okay 00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:06.219 because the 00:41:06.219 --> 00:41:06.779 palace of 00:41:06.779 --> 00:41:07.299 my puny 00:41:07.299 --> 00:41:08.000 reputation 00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:08.659 and my 00:41:08.659 --> 00:41:09.079 comfort 00:41:09.079 --> 00:41:10.239 is nothing 00:41:10.239 --> 00:41:11.819 compared to 00:41:11.819 --> 00:41:12.480 the palace 00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:13.519 that Jesus 00:41:13.519 --> 00:41:14.900 has guide 00:41:14.900 --> 00:41:15.559 and is 00:41:15.559 --> 00:41:16.059 reigning 00:41:16.059 --> 00:41:16.759 and is 00:41:16.759 --> 00:41:17.779 interceding 00:41:17.779 --> 00:41:18.199 for us 00:41:18.199 --> 00:41:18.579 that we 00:41:18.579 --> 00:41:19.219 may enter 00:41:19.219 --> 00:41:19.599 into 00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:23.239 that's 00:41:23.239 --> 00:41:23.559 what this 00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.079 series is 00:41:24.079 --> 00:41:24.619 all about 00:41:24.619 --> 00:41:26.940 the whole 00:41:26.940 --> 00:41:27.179 of the 00:41:27.179 --> 00:41:27.420 Old 00:41:27.420 --> 00:41:27.960 Testament 00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:29.219 is 00:41:29.219 --> 00:41:29.759 trying to 00:41:29.759 --> 00:41:30.199 give you 00:41:30.199 --> 00:41:30.900 a glimpse 00:41:30.900 --> 00:41:31.480 of a 00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:31.860 vision 00:41:31.860 --> 00:41:32.380 that a 00:41:32.380 --> 00:41:32.819 saviour 00:41:32.819 --> 00:41:33.239 Jesus 00:41:33.239 --> 00:41:33.699 Christ 00:41:33.699 --> 00:41:33.920 is 00:41:33.920 --> 00:41:34.299 coming 00:41:34.299 --> 00:41:35.299 it's 00:41:35.299 --> 00:41:35.659 pointing 00:41:35.659 --> 00:41:35.960 us 00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.259 to the 00:41:36.259 --> 00:41:36.519 only 00:41:36.519 --> 00:41:37.039 righteous 00:41:37.039 --> 00:41:37.460 one 00:41:37.460 --> 00:41:38.179 who 00:41:38.179 --> 00:41:38.360 can 00:41:38.360 --> 00:41:38.579 make 00:41:38.579 --> 00:41:38.819 us 00:41:38.819 --> 00:41:39.360 righteous 00:41:39.360 --> 00:41:40.440 it's 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:40.699 pointing 00:41:40.699 --> 00:41:41.079 to the 00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:41.400 one 00:41:41.400 --> 00:41:41.719 like 00:41:41.719 --> 00:41:42.139 Jacob 00:41:42.139 --> 00:41:42.699 who 00:41:42.699 --> 00:41:42.839 is 00:41:42.839 --> 00:41:43.099 willing 00:41:43.099 --> 00:41:43.319 to 00:41:43.319 --> 00:41:43.679 wrestle 00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:43.940 with 00:41:43.940 --> 00:41:44.099 us 00:41:44.099 --> 00:41:44.360 and be 00:41:44.360 --> 00:41:44.819 defeated 00:41:44.819 --> 00:41:45.739 so we 00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:45.920 may 00:41:45.920 --> 00:41:46.139 get 00:41:46.139 --> 00:41:46.599 blessing 00:41:46.599 --> 00:41:47.799 he's 00:41:47.799 --> 00:41:47.940 the 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.199 one 00:41:48.199 --> 00:41:48.380 who 00:41:48.380 --> 00:41:48.639 shows 00:41:48.639 --> 00:41:48.819 his 00:41:48.819 --> 00:41:49.319 power 00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:49.620 in 00:41:49.620 --> 00:41:50.059 weakness 00:41:50.059 --> 00:41:50.380 like 00:41:50.380 --> 00:41:50.880 Gideon 00:41:50.880 --> 00:41:51.620 he's 00:41:51.620 --> 00:41:51.760 the 00:41:51.760 --> 00:41:52.120 one 00:41:52.120 --> 00:41:52.539 who 00:41:52.539 --> 00:41:52.720 we 00:41:52.720 --> 00:41:53.059 come 00:41:53.059 --> 00:41:53.420 to 00:41:53.420 --> 00:41:53.960 with 00:41:53.960 --> 00:41:54.380 nothing 00:41:54.380 --> 00:41:54.580 in 00:41:54.580 --> 00:41:54.720 our 00:41:54.720 --> 00:41:55.059 hands 00:41:55.059 --> 00:41:55.300 like 00:41:55.300 --> 00:41:55.680 Naaman 00:41:55.680 --> 00:41:56.400 he's 00:41:56.400 --> 00:41:56.539 the 00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:56.800 one 00:41:56.800 --> 00:41:56.980 who 00:41:56.980 --> 00:41:57.600 welcomes 00:41:57.600 --> 00:41:58.100 enemies 00:41:58.100 --> 00:41:58.380 to 00:41:58.380 --> 00:41:58.700 his 00:41:58.700 --> 00:41:59.140 table 00:41:59.140 --> 00:41:59.600 like 00:41:59.600 --> 00:42:00.519 Mephibosheth 00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:01.360 and he's 00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:01.519 the 00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:01.880 one 00:42:01.880 --> 00:42:02.140 who 00:42:02.140 --> 00:42:02.620 pleads 00:42:02.620 --> 00:42:02.880 for 00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:03.260 us 00:42:03.260 --> 00:42:03.840 like 00:42:03.840 --> 00:42:04.320 Esther 00:42:04.320 --> 00:42:05.180 this 00:42:05.180 --> 00:42:05.380 is 00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:05.720 Jesus 00:42:05.720 --> 00:42:06.220 Christ 00:42:06.220 --> 00:42:06.519 that's 00:42:06.519 --> 00:42:06.660 why 00:42:06.660 --> 00:42:06.840 we 00:42:06.840 --> 00:42:07.220 worship 00:42:07.220 --> 00:42:07.580 him 00:42:07.580 --> 00:42:08.059 from 00:42:08.059 --> 00:42:08.240 the 00:42:08.240 --> 00:42:08.640 beginning 00:42:08.640 --> 00:42:09.019 of 00:42:09.019 --> 00:42:09.160 the 00:42:09.160 --> 00:42:09.460 Bible 00:42:09.460 --> 00:42:09.680 to 00:42:09.680 --> 00:42:09.860 the 00:42:09.860 --> 00:42:10.059 end 00:42:10.059 --> 00:42:10.260 it's 00:42:10.260 --> 00:42:10.460 all 00:42:10.460 --> 00:42:10.740 about 00:42:10.740 --> 00:42:11.120 him 00:42:11.719 --> 00:42:12.819 Folk 00:42:24.819 --> 00:42:25.679 át 00:42:25.679 --> 00:42:29.559 he 00:42:30.859 --> 00:42:31.579 through