1) BATTLES! (9:1-16)
Throughout the Persian Empire Jews defend themselves
2) BANQUETS! (9:17-32)
The Feast of Purim celebrated in all the provinces
3) BLESSINGS! (10:1-3)
Mordecai speaks ‘Shalom’ to all his people
LESSONS:
Proverbs 3:11-12 1. The COMMAND Do not despise the Lord’s discipline or reproof 2. The REASON It’s a lesson of love and a display of delight Hebrews 12:3-11 3. The Application and Outcome Our Endurance Our Good Our Holiness Our Peace Our Righteousness
Back to Basics Where? Who? When? Why? What? How?
1. The Word of God Produces – New Life Through Faith (v13) Genesis 1 & John 1 – the Word of God brings… The Thessalonians: a) Received, believed, went on believing b) Trusted the words they heard were from God – true & authoritative, even though delivered by human heralds (1 Cor 2:13, Matt 16:17) c)…
1. The REALITY of Oaths – Biblical Precedent 2. The REASON for Oaths – Honesty and Accountability 3. There are RASH Oaths – Thoughtless and Costly 4. There are REDUNDANT Oaths – Blinding and Foolish 5. Yes or No in WORSHIP 6. Yes or No in WITNESS 7. Yes or No with ONE ANOTHER
1) OUR POSITION! (vs1 & 3) Risen with Christ Hidden in Christ 2) OUR PROGRESSION! (vs1 & 2) Seek then those things which are above Set your mind on things above 3) OUR PROMOTION! (v4) We will appear with HIM in glory
TRUTH! a) The Spirit of truth b) The resistance to truth c) The power of truth TRIAL! a) Its root – idolatry & covetousness b) Its outcome – mob rule TEARS! a) Of ministry b) Of fellowship c) Of Christ