October 4, 2015
Scripture:
Hymn 355 - Safe in Christ, the weakest child
Prayer
Well, we’re still in Esther. King Ahasuerus had promoted Haman, who was upset with Mordecai, Esther’s uncle. Haman had asked King Ahasuerus if he could write a letter saying that all the Jews of the kingdom would be killed on a certain day. The king agreed and put his seal on the letter.
Esther was Jewish. Mordecai told her, though, that just because she was queen, it didn’t mean she would be saved from death. Esther had agreed to go to the king to ask him to change it. But there was a law that said if you went to the king without being called and he didn’t want to see you, you would be killed. If he did want to see you, he would hold out his royal sceptre. Before going to see the king, Esther and Mordecai, along with others, had fasted for three days. Esther had not been called to see the king for thirty days.
Esther 5
After three days, Esther got ready to see King Ahasuerus. She was probably nervous, but she put on her best apparel. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house. Esther stepped in and waited for him to notice her. When he did he held out his royal sceptre. She walked forward and touched the top of it. She was probably greatly relieved.
By the law, if Esther had not been accepted, she would die. The High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies was only allowed to enter with the blood of an animal, and only once a year, otherwise he would die. But with the work our High Priest Jesus has done, we can come into the presence of God without fear.
King Ahasuerus asked Esther what it was she wanted. Esther invited the King and Haman to a banquet that very day. A banquet is like a large fancy dinner.
Well, King Ahasuerus and Haman came to the banquet. After the banquet was over, the king again asked Esther what it was that she wanted. He seemed to realize that she wouldn’t risk her life just to ask him and Haman to dinner. You usually don’t risk your life for something that small. Esther requested that they both come to another banquet the next day. This would make a difference in the outcome of this story. God was ordering everything.
Haman had a high place in the palace, but Mordecai really angered him. He got home and called his wife and friends and told them of all his blessings: his riches, his children, his promotion, and the fact that Esther had only invited him besides the king to the banquets. He really had a lot to be thankful for. But he said these things were nothing to him as long as Mordecai was around.
This can be a lesson on the importance of contentment: being thankful for what we have been given. We need to count our blessings and thank God for them.
Haman was not counting his blessings. They were nothing to him. His wife and friends suggested that he build a gallows and have Mordecai hanged. Haman thought this was a great idea. He built the gallows fifty cubits high. He really wanted to hang Mordecai.
His friends didn’t try to help him to be thankful. We must make sure our friends are the right kind of friends, ones that encourage us in the Lord, and to obey Him.
So, Haman was going to go to see King Ahasuerus before the banquet to get permission to hang Mordecai. Next time we will see how everything works out.
Ephesians 4:11-19
We’ve all been given grace—grace upon grace—according to the measure of the gift of Christ; and that grace is much needed for our walk down here. These other gifts, however, have only been given to certain people within the Body of Christ. Let’s look at them.
The apostles and prophets laid the foundation of the church, and that’s a work that is accomplished and done. The gifts listed in Romans 12:4-8 don’t include apostleship, because their work has been completed. For example, Paul has given us all that God gave him; we have it all in his writings.
The list in Romans is not exhaustive, either. We get a few more gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:28; including some others that have accomplished their work, like speaking in tongues. They—along with miracle working—were something given at the beginning of the church. They drew people’s attention, and demonstrated that God was working. Some today think they have these gifts, but they hardly use them to benefit others; more for their own pride and joy. There is no value to speaking in tongues if you don’t interpret! These gifts—like apostleship—had a purpose, but that purpose has been accomplished. However, we still have evangelism, pastors, and teachers.
We may not be specially gifted as an evangelist, pastor, or teacher; but if there are none around, we must seek to wear their hats. Verse 16 tells us that we can all supply something to the Body; what have you been given to supply? The Body is a unity, but we each have individual responsibility toward it.
One missionary used the example of a wooden tub, or barrel, to illustrate how we as a Body are “fitly joined together.” Each slat of wood and each piece of metal must be just the right shape and size, or the tub won’t hold water. That’s like us; when we’re fitly joined together, we’re close. We need to go on together; not in compromise, but seeing what each one of us can supply. We need to make sure our part is effective; not spurting water.
We do this for the perfecting of the saints; for their maturity. Did you know that that was part of your responsibility? We are to be like Christ, and help other saints to be like Him, too. Jesus will help bring this about as we minister with what He has given us.
Gifts are not always exercised in the context of the assembly. Evangelism, for instance, gathers people into the Body of Christ; while pastors and teachers work with the saints, helping them edify and grow. Their ministry starts with individuals and moves to the whole body of Christ. Some say that “pastor and teacher” is one gift. However, while it’s true that you can’t pastor without teaching, there have been those who are excellent teachers, but not very good pastors.
Verses 13 and 14 show us how important it is to understand and be established in the Faith and its cardinal truths: redemption, forgiveness, sanctification, etc. If we aren’t anchored in these, we will be carried about with every wind of doctrine. We have had folks like that in the meeting: they come and they go, but never seem to improve.
As we’ve already seen, Ephesians gives us important blessings to be grounded in. There are others out there that are very mixed up; it’s easy to get off track. May the Lord preserve us, and keep us from being deceived!
Hymn 164 - Have I an object, Lord, below
Prayer