Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. - Daniel 2:1

Each year the Jewish people remember and commemorate the courageous actions of Queen Esther during a holiday called Purim. This year, in 2026, Purim will be observed beginning at sunset on Monday, March 2 and ending at sunset on Tuesday, March 3… tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. The story of Esther is more than a fascinating tale, but rather is an historic event that continues to shape and distinguish the Jewish culture.

This morning we will begin the second half of our series through the book of Esther. At this point, Haman has tricked King Ahasuerus into passing a law calling for the extermination of the Jewish people. Mordecai has urged Esther to make an appeal to the king pleading that the Jews be spared, but Esther hasn’t yet done so. Now Haman wants to go ahead and kill Mordecai early, not content to wait until the law kicks in. Things are looking pretty bleak, but in today’s message the tide will begin to shift…

I. THE KING’S INSOMNIA (v1-3)

That night, following Esther’’s feast, King Ahasuerus could not sleep. He ordered a servant to read to him from the book of the king’s chronicles, hoping that this would make him drowsy. As it happened, the servant read about the incident during which Mordecai reported to the king that 2 of his doorkeepers were planning to harm him. King Ahasuerus asked if any honor or dignity had ever been bestowed upon Mordecai for this and they answered that none had.

The king’s insomnia that night wasn’t accidental. Neither was the servant’s reading about how Mordecai had saved the king from harm. God providentially caused these things to happen, so as to steer King Ahasuerus’ favor toward Mordecai. Once again, we see God sovereignly orchestrating events so as to bring about His desired outcomes.

II. THE KING’S DESIRE (v4-6a)

The next morning, Haman made his way to the king’s palace in order to request that Mordecai be executed. The king asked his servants to bring Haman in from the outer courtyard. Before Haman could speak, King Ahasuerus asked, “What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?”

The king wanted to bestow honor upon Mordecai for what he had done. In the same way, God sees a believer’s good works and promises to reward them accordingly (Ephesians 6:8). God does not forget or overlook the good things that we do or the love that we show Him (Hebrews 6:10). We shouldn’t do good works simply to receive recognition, but we can be confident that God sees and will reward our good works.   

III. HAMAN’S PRESUMPUOUS PRIDE (v6b-9)

Filled with pride, Haman presumed that he was the man who the king wished to honor. Believing this, Haman suggested that the man receiving the honor be clothed with a robe that the king himself had worn, have a turban the king had worn placed on his head, and be seated on a horse upon which the king had ridden. Then he would be led on horseback by a royal official throughout the city square who would proclaim before him, “So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”

Haman thought very highly of himself. He was filled with arrogance and pride. He wanted to wear the king’s robe and turban. He wanted to ride the king’s horse. Why? He believed that he should be the king! This is the same sin that Satan had exhibited. Satan exalted himself, desiring to be like God, and was cast down for it (Isaiah 14:12-15). Pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

IV. MORDECAI’S RECOGNITION (v10-11)

The king liked Haman’s suggestion and ordered him to immediately do all of these things for Mordecai, who was sitting in the king's gate. Therefore, in obedience to the king, Haman dressed Mordecai in the king’s robe and turban. He seated him on the king’s horse and led him through the city square proclaiming, “So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”

Mordecai’s recognition was somewhat similar to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Mordecai was led throughout the city on horseback, taking on the role of a conquering king. The honor that he received was being compared with and likened to the king. Of course, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey just days before His crucifixion He was lauded upon and received by the people as the king of the Jews. There is no greater honor for a believer than bearing the image of our King, Jesus Christ.

V. HAMAN’S HUMILIATION (v12-14)

After Mordecai had been honored for saving the king’s life, he returned to the king’s gate while Haman rushed home in mourning and shame. Haman told his wife and friends all that had happened. They responded that if Mordecai was of Jewish origin, Haman would not prevail against him. While they were still talking, the king’s eunuchs arrived and took Haman to the 2nd banquet which Esther had prepared.

Can you imagine the humiliation that Haman must have felt? Not only was Mordecai (the man he intensely hated) honored, but he himself was the person who gave him the honor. The Bible teaches that God will not only exalt the righteous, but will also put his enemies to shame (Psalm 6:10). This shaming of the wicked is a component of their condemnation.

CONCLUSION

In today’s message we have made several connections and applications. Let's review them quickly before we close. First, as we’ve discussed throughout this series, God is sovereign over the events of our lives and works them together in accordance with His will. Things don’t just happen by chance. Second, God sees a believer’s good works and He will reward them in due time. Don’t think that God has forgotten you. Third, the sin of pride will ultimately lead to a person’s downfall. Fourth, there is no greater honor or recognition than being likened to Jesus. We aren’t Jesus, and never will be, but we can and should aspire to be Christlike. Fifth, the enemies of the righteous will be put to shame.

Let me close by asking a final question. Are you someone whom the king would desire to honor? In other words, are you living a life that is pleasing and acceptable to God? Are you faithful to Him in all things, obedient to Him in every way, and wholeheartedly devoted to Him every moment? When you stand before Jesus, will you hear Him say “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)?

Next Sunday we will read about Queen Esther’s second feast. Will she finally make her request to the king? If so, how will the king respond? Will the Jews be saved? Will the king side with Haman or Esther? Oh… what suspense! I can’t wait to see what will happen next.

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He pleases. - Proverbs 21:1

When we finished last Sunday’s sermon, Mordecai and the Jews living in Susa had gathered to fast and pray for Esther. In addition to them, Esther and her attendants were also fasting and praying. They were asking the LORD to give Esther the courage to appear unsummoned before the king, which was a risky proposition. They were praying that she would present her petition convincingly and that the king would grant her request. Finally, they were seeking the LORD’s favor and deliverance from Haman’s sinister plan.

This morning’s sermon covers Esther chapter 5. We will discuss if the Jews’ fasting and prayers were successful and whether or not Esther dared to appear before the king. If so, what happened? Would she be killed for breaking the law? Would King Ahasuerus be searching for yet another queen? Let’s find out together…

 I. NOT HERE  (v1-4)

On the 3rd day of the fasting and prayers, Esther put on her royal robes and went into the king’s inner court opposite the throne room. When King Ahasuerus saw her, he extended his golden scepter to her signaling that she could approach. Esther came forward and touched the top of his scepter. The king asked Esther what was troubling her and to state her request, to which she responded by inviting him to a feast that she’d prepared especially for him. She told him that he could bring Haman if he wanted to.  

Esther touched the king’s scepter to indicate her thankfulness to him for allowing her to address him despite not being summoned. Furthermore, it expressed recognition of and submission to his royal authority. Esther was acting with gentleness, humility, and deference, rather than being brash or presumptuous. Knowing that he enjoyed feasts, Esther invited the king to a feast she’d already prepared for him in advance.

Esther didn’t want to make her petition to the king there in the throne room. Although he had just granted her permission to approach him and was speaking very kindly to her, she didn’t feel like this was the right place to ask. She wanted to ingratiate herself to him a bit more and “move the playing field” so to speak, perhaps to increase her chances of success. Esther had clearly thought this over for the past few days and was acting with cunning and intentionality.

II. NOT NOW (v5-8)

The king sent word to Haman and the 2 men went together to Esther’s feast. As they drank their wine, King Ahasuerus asked Esther again to share her request. He said that it would be given to her, up to half the kingdom. However, Esther still chose not to make her appeal for the deliverance of the Jews. Instead, she invited them to join her for yet another feast that she’d prepare for them the next day.

The Bible does not say why Esther waited to make her request until the 2nd feast. As such, many different theories have been proposed. Here are 3 of the most common I’ve read and 1 that troubles me somewhat.

1. She lost her nerve. Perhaps she was afraid of what the king, Haman, or both of them might do or say. So she put it off until tomorrow to buy a little more time to work up her courage.

2. She wanted to create division between the king and Haman, seeing that this law was Haman’s idea. She had prepared the 1st feast “for the king” and Haman was his guest. She would prepare the 2nd feast “for them both”, suggesting an equal status. Perhaps this was a subtle, but strategic move to foster the king’s jealousy and stoke Haman’s pride.  She needed the king to side with her.
 
3. She sensed God directing her to wait. Although she couldn’t have known what would happen between the 2 feasts, God knew. Perhaps the intervening events (which we will discuss in our next sermon) factored in the outcome.

Some state that the 2nd feast was simply a literary device used to make the story more dramatic and/or engaging. This troubles me because it implies that the author was more concerned about achieving a certain effect than recording a faithful account of what actually happened. I reject this line of thinking as it undermines the truthfulness of scripture. Unless the context gives clear and compelling reason to think otherwise, every word of the Bible should be regarded as factually true. (Yes, Jonah was swallowed by a big fish!)

III. NOT HAPPY (v9-14)

Haman left Esther’s feast feeling upbeat and in good spirits. On his way home, however, he encountered Mordecai who didn’t stand, tremble or pay him any type of tribute. This made Haman furious, but he kept his composure until he got to his house. When he arrived, he sent for his wife Zeresh and his friends. Haman boasted to them of his wealth, his many sons, and how the king had promoted him to a place of prestige and power. He went on to say that no one other than he and the king were invited to Esther’s feasts. Yet, none of these things could pacify his hatred of Mordecai. His wife and friends advised him to have gallows made and to ask the king for permission to hang Mordecai on it. Haman liked their idea and had the gallows made.

Haman had achieved great success in life. He effectively controlled the affairs of the entire Persian Empire, subject only to the king. He had acquired great riches and had fathered many sons, which was a cultural sign of prosperity. Yet, despite having all these reasons to be cheerful and content, Haman wasn’t happy. He was narrowly focused on the 1 bad thing in his life… his nemesis, Mordecai. Can you identify with this discontent? All too often, rather than counting our abundant blessings and living with joyful satisfaction, we grumble about and fixate on the handful of negatives. This shouldn’t be.

CONCLUSION

The chapter we’ve read this morning provides a stark contrast between Esther and Haman. She was patiently waiting and seeking the opportune moment to make her petition on behalf of the Jews. Not here she thought, not now she thought… I will wait until the time is right. He, on the other hand, was impatiently preparing to kill Mordecai as soon as possible because he simply couldn't stand to wait just a few more months until his murderous law took effect.

In last week’s message, we highlighted God’s sovereignty over time and events. As we close today, let’s consider a different, but related question. Are we patient enough to wait on God’s timing or do we tend to impatiently move forward on our own? Do we tend to get ahead of God, rather than following Him? Beyond that, are we patient with one another? Beloved, aren’t you grateful that Jesus is patient with us (2 Peter 3:9)?

So… when will Esther make her appeal? Will the king permit Haman to hang Mordecai on the gallows? Join us next Sunday as we continue this exciting study.

The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. - Proverbs 16:9

Esther was the queen of Persia. She replaced Vashti, who was banished for disobeying the king’s declaration. Esther’s cousin Mordecai, the man who raised her, was a royal servant. Both he and Esther were Jewish, descendants of the tribe of Benjamin. Everyone knew that Mordecai was a Jew, but no one knew that Esther was also.

Ahasuerus was the king of Persia. Haman served as his prime minister, second in command. Haman was an Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekites. He hated Mordecai and all of the Jewish people. Haman drafted a law, in the king’s name, to kill all of the Jews living in Persia. The target date for this massacre was less than a year away.

This morning, we will continue our journey through the book of Esther. We will be in chapter 4. What will happen to the Jews living in the Persian Empire? Can anything be done to save them before it's too late? I’ve titled the following message “Mordecai Urges Esther to Act”.

 I. THE JEWS’ ANGUISH (v1-4)

When Mordecai learned about the new law calling for the eradication of the Jewish people, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, left the citadel, went into the city, and mourned bitterly. Such behavior was not permitted within the king’s gate. As word spread throughout the provinces, Jews throughout Persia responded with the same anguish. There was weeping, wailing, and fasting, and many made their beds in sackcloth and ashes. When Esther heard that Mordecai was mourning, she also became sad and sent him some clothes to change into which he refused to accept.

Sackcloth was a type of coarse fabric made from black goat’s or camel’s hair. It was quite uncomfortable. It symbolized intense sorrow and pain. Ashes would be rubbed on the body to represent desolation and ruin. The Persian Jews were in misery because their destruction was imminent. However, they didn’t flee, perhaps because travel in those days was difficult and impractical or they weren’t allowed to.   

II. MORDECAI’S APPEAL (v5-8)

Esther sent Hathach, 1 of her attendants, to Mordecai to ask him why he was grieving. Hathach found Mordecai in the city square. Mordecai described Haman’s hatred for him and the Jews, the law that had been passed, and how it would be funded. He even gave Hathach a copy of the king’s edict that had been dispersed throughout Susa for Queen Esther to read. Mordecai urged Esther to go to the king and make an appeal to him on behalf of the Jews.

Esther did not immediately know about the new law. She was sad because Mordecai was sad, though she didn’t understand the reason and wanted to find out. This says something about her character.  The Bible teaches us as Christians to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). Esther was a sympathetic person. When Mordecai explained what was going on, Esther must have realized the sweeping gravity of the situation. This was a much bigger issue than she had originally anticipated.    

III. ESTHER’S APPREHESION (v9-12)

Hathach returned to Esther and told her all that Mordcai had said. Esther sent word back to him stating that she couldn’t simply approach the king and make an appeal to him. The law stated that no one - including the queen - could enter the king’s inner court to converse with him unless they were summoned to do so. Those who attempted to would be put to death, unless he held out his golden scepter to spare their life. Furthermore, Esther had not been summoned to see the king for 30 days.

Esther’s first response to Mordecai was apprehensive. She knew that if she did what he asked, her life would be at risk. She explained that people just didn’t go see the king uninvited and stated that even she hadn’t seen him for a month. Perhaps Mordecai thought that Esther spoke with him everyday, but she didn’t. This was going to be more difficult than he expected.  

IV. MORDECAI’S ADMONITION (v13-14)

When Hathach came to Mordecai and expressed Esther’s concerns, he answered that inevitably she’d been found out to be Jewish and would be killed just like the rest. He warned her not to be naive in thinking she’d escape just because she was the queen. Mordecai was confident that deliverance would come for the Jews, even if Esther remained silent, but he warned her that if she didn’t act, she and her father’s house would surely perish. Mordecai challenged Esther to consider if, perhaps, she had become queen for this very reason.

Mordecai’s response was, in essence, “True, if you intervene you’ll be risking your life, but if you don’t at least try you’ll lose it for sure.” At some point the king would find out that she was Jewish - she couldn’t hide it forever. I am struck by Mordecai's faith that God would save His people somehow, even if not through Esther. It reminds me of Abraham’s faith that God would provide, even as he prepared to sacrifice his own son Isaac (Genesis 22:8). Even still, he urged Esther to act. She was in a unique position to make a difference.   

V. ESTHER’S ACCEPTANCE (v15-17)

So Hathach came back to Esther again and told her what Mordecai had said. She considered his wisdom and sent instructions for Mordecai to gather up all the Jews living in Susa. She asked them to fast (and pray) on her behalf for 3 days. Esther and her young maidens would do likewise. Afterward she resolved to go speak to the king, even if not summoned to do so, and if she were to be killed for breaking the law, so be it. Upon receiving Esther’s request, Mordecai did just as she’d instructed.   

Upon reflection, Esther knew what she had to do. God had raised her up to be queen. This was her moment to stand, but the task wouldn’t be easy. She was nervous and afraid. So she asked for prayer. She needed courage and strength to approach the king. Beloved, when we are faced with daunting challenges and obstacles in our lives, we should ask others to pray for us as we also pray for them (1 Thessalonians 5:25). Praying for one another is an important part of the Christian life.   

CONCLUSION

Mordecai’s question in Esther 4:14 is perhaps the most well-known sentence in this entire book. “Who knows whether you have reached royalty for such a time as this?” He believed that God had placed Esther there to intervene on behalf of the Jews, and wanted her to believe it too.

Beloved, God is sovereign over the events of history. He works all things together for good so that His will is accomplished. He orchestrates the days of our lives so as to achieve His divine purposes. He weaves it all together in a grand tapestry. Friends, Esther did not come to be queen by chance. It was all in accordance with God’s design. He placed her there to be the deliverer of her kinsmen - His people, the Jewish people. But would she do it? Would she be brave enough to answer the calling that God had given to her?

What about you and I? God’s sovereign and perfect will has brought us to this place. We are not in Seymour by accident. The people in our lives are not there randomly. And, similar to ancient Persia, there are lives and souls in danger all around us. Judgment day is coming soon. Will we have the courage to risk rejection, or perhaps even persecution, by boldly sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost? Will we seize our moment?

They [the enemies of God] have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.” - Psalm 83:4

I hope you have been enjoying our latest sermon series through the book of Esther. In last week’s message, Esther was chosen to replace Vashti and was crowned the new queen of Persia. However, she had a secret that only she and her cousin Mordecai (the man who was raising her as his own daughter) knew… they were Jewish.

Before we launch into the main portion of today’s message, I want to quickly touch on a few verses at the end of chapter 2 which we didn’t cover last Sunday (v21-23). In these 3 verses, a seemingly insignificant incident occurs that comes into play later in the story. We usually don’t get into the Biblical text during the introduction of the message, but today we are going to make an exception.
  
Not long after Esther took office, Mordecai, who was a servant of the king, discovered that 2 of the royal doorkeepers had become furious with the king and were planning to harm him. Mordecai hurriedly reported the news to Queen Esther, who relayed the warning to King Ahasuerus in Mordecai’s name. A brief investigation followed which found the plot to be true. The 2 doorkeepers were hanged for their evil intentions and the incident was recorded in the book of the king’s chronicles.

This morning’s message covers Esther chapter 3. In this chapter we will meet Haman, the villain of this story. We will read of his evil, murderous plans and how they brought fear and confusion throughout the Persian empire. I’ve titled this message, the 3rd of this series, “Haman’s Plot Against the Jews”.

 I. HAMAN DEVISES A PLAN (v1-6)

King Ahasuerus promoted a man named Haman to be his chief or prime minister, setting him above all of the princes and others in his administration. Haman was 2nd in command, answering only to the king. Ahasuerus commanded all of his servants to bow down before Haman, but Mordecai refused to do so, even though his fellow servants urged him to obey the king’s order. Now Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew, and apparently they told Haman. Haman became furious not only because Mordecai refused to bow down to him, but also because of his deep seeded hatred for the Jewish people. Haman began to formulate a plan to not only destroy Mordecai but all of the Jews living throughout the Persian empire.

Why did Haman hate the Jews so bitterly? Notice that Haman was an Agagite… that is a descendant of Agag, who had once served as a king of the Amalekites. Agag was a descendant of Amalek, who was a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12). Last week we read that Mordecai was a Jew, from the tribe of Benjamin, the son of Jacob. The animosity between Esau and Jacob had lasted for centuries… in fact, it still exists today. But why?        

During the exodus, the Amalekites ambushed the Hebrew children with a seemingly unprovoked attack that was fueled simply by hatred (Exodus 17:8-13). Under the leadership of Moses and Joshua the children of Israel prevailed in the battle, but God was so angered with the Amalekites that, centuries later, he commanded King Saul, who was a Benjaminite (1 Samuel 9:21), to completely annihilate them. While King Saul and the armies of Israel struck King Agag and Amalekites extensively, they did not completely destroy them as God had commanded (1 Samuel 15:1-9). Because of Saul’s disobedience, a remnant of the Amalekites (ie, the Agagites) survived. Later, King Hezekiah of Judah struck the Amalekites again (1 Chronicles 4:41-43) yet some still persisted… eventually leading to Haman.

The Bible describes a long, bitter relationship between the descendants of Jacob and Esau. Haman’s hatred of Mordecai and the Jewish people as a whole was rooted in this history. Many Bible scholars view the animosity between Haman and Mordecai as an extension of that between Agag and Saul. The book of Esther details another chapter in this ongoing family feud.

II. THE KING APPROVES (v7-11)

In the first month of the year, Nissan, during the 12th year of King Ahasuerus’ reign (some 4-5 years after Esther became queen), Haman cast Pur (or the lot) to determine the exact day and month that the Jews would be massacred. Based on the results, a target date was set in Adar, the 12th month of the year - about 11 months away. Then Haman approached the king and told him that “there was a certain people” who were scattered throughout the Persian empire who were rebellious and needed to be destroyed. Haman requested that a law be written and stamped with the king’s signet ring that provided for their extermination. This task would be funded with 10,000 talents of silver that would be used to pay those who carried it out. Not fully realizing the consequences of what he was agreeing to, King Ahasuerus approved Haman’s murderous plan.

Haman used Pur, which are like dice, in hopes of determining a “lucky day” upon which his evil scheme would most likely be successful. He believed that his pagan gods would guide the Pur to reveal this day. It is noteworthy that they landed on the 12th month of the year, which was still 11 months out. This long gap gave Haman plenty of time to prepare, but more importantly, it also provided ample time for Mordecai and Esther to intervene. Perhaps Someone was guiding the Pur after all?

Did you notice that Haman never specifically named the Jews in his conversation with the king? He was being intentionally deceptive and manipulative. Although Ahasuerus was a vile, disgusting man in many ways, he didn’t hate the Jews like Haman did nor did he desire their total destruction. Most commentators believe that if King Ahasuerus had known that Haman was targeting the Jews he wouldn’t have given his approval, yet he never even asked. In other words, Haman is the real villain while the king is just his useful idiot. 

III. THE DECREE GOES FORTH (v12-15)

The king delegated the process of writing and implementing this new law to Haman, who then  summoned the scribes and directed them to draft letters to each of the provinces throughout Persia. These letters were written in the native language of each province and sent by courier to the various governors. They stated by the king’s decree that all of the Jews were to be killed, both young and old, on the 13th day of Adar. In the meantime, the provinces were to make all necessary preparations to ensure that this law could be fully carried on that single day. As you can imagine, this created a great sense of uneasiness and confusion in the city of Susa and throughout the kingdom. However, Ahasuerus remained oblivious to it all.

There are a couple of practical lessons I would like to point out from this passage. First, be careful who you trust. Haman took advantage of King Ahasuerus. Second, before you put your name on something, be sure you know what it says. Don’t sign anything blindly or allow someone else to sign it for you. It could lead to trouble…    

CONCLUSION

Let’s close by reviewing the main point. Haman hated Mordecai. More broadly speaking, the Amalekites hated the Jews. While the Amalekites no longer exist today as a distinguishable people group, the Amalekite sentiment remains. The hatred of the Jewish people (and Christians) is alive and well. Although many reasons are given to explain this contempt, scripture gets down to the root of the matter. Ultimately this world hates the people of God (those they associate with Him, not necessarily believers) because they hate God Himself (John 15:18).

Here’s the amazing thing… even though the world hates God, God loves the world… so much so that He sent His only begotten Son to make redemption possible for all who would believe in Him. If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, would you do so today?

Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go, and from now on sin no more.” - John 8:10-11

2 Sundays ago we began a new sermon series titled “Esther’s Story: How Purim Began”. We read that Queen Vashti was removed from her royal position after refusing to comply with King Ahasuerus’ shameful declaration to “display” herself before the guests at his banquet. After her dismissal, the Persian king began searching for a new queen to take her place.

This morning, in the 2nd message of this series, we will discuss the procedure used to replace Vashti and find out who was ultimately chosen. We will also discover some interesting things about the new queen, including a secret that will come into play later in the story. The name of today’s sermon is, “Esther Becomes Queen”.

 I. A PLAN TO REPLACE THE QUEEN (v1-4)

Some time later (perhaps a year or more), after King Ahasuerus had sobered up and calmed down, he remembered what Vashti had done and how he’d banished her. His young advisors suggested that he begin a search for a new queen. They recommended that young, beautiful virgins be gathered from provinces throughout the empire and sent to Susa. Hegai, the king’s eunuch, would keep charge of this harem and give cosmetics to those who’d been selected. The king would choose from among them a young lady to replace Vashti. King Ahasuerus liked this plan and gave his approval.

Do you like to watch reality TV? Have you ever seen “The Bachelor” or its counterpart “The Bachelorette”? Did you know that both of these shows have been around for over 20 years, have been wildly successful, and have led to numerous spin-offs. Perhaps they were inspired by King Ahasuerus? Along with social media, these shows have greatly influenced the way young people date today. Rather than following Biblical principles in seeking a life-long spouse, many approach dating as a competition and prioritize beauty, sexual chemistry, and other such attractions. This approach isn’t very affirming or successful, as only 25% of the couples from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” are still married today.

II. INTRODUCING MORDECAI AND ESTHER (v5-7)

Mordecai was a servant of King Ahasuerus in the citadel at Susa. He was of Jewish descent, from the tribe of Benjamin. His great grandfather Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, taken into Babylonian exile in 597 BC during the same deportation as Judah’s King Jeconiah and many others (2 Chronicles 36:10). Mordecai was the 4th generation of his family to live outside of Israel.

Mordecai was raising Esther, whose Hebrew name was Haddassah. She was his first cousin, the daughter of his uncle. Both of her parents were deceased, so Mordecai (who was older than Esther) took her in as his own daughter. Esther was a young woman who was beautiful in form and appearance, just the type of woman that the king was looking for.

III. ESTHER IS TAKEN (v8-11)

In accordance with the king’s plan, many young women were gathered from the various Persian provinces and sent to Susa. Among them was Esther.  They were taken to the king’s house and placed under the charge of Hegai. Esther was kind and thoughtful. Hegai liked her, gave her preferential treatment, and transferred her to the best place in the harem. All the while, Esther did not tell anyone that she was a Jew. Her cousin Mordecai had commanded her not to divulge her ethnicity. Mordecai was concerned for her and came to the court of the harem every day to see how Esther was doing.

IV. ESTHER APPEARS BEFORE THE KING (v12-16)

The young women were prepared with cosmetic treatments for 12 months before being brought to the king. When their turn arrived, each was taken 1 by 1 to the king’s house. They were allowed to bring and wear whatever they wished from the harem, were taken to the king in the evening, and returned to a second harem overseen by Shaashgaz in the morning. This strongly implies that they were required to sleep with the king overnight - not surprising given the king’s lustful reputation. The women did not return unless he specifically requested to see them again.

When it was Esther’s turn to appear before the king she followed the wise advice that Hegai had given to her about the king’s preferences in order to make a good impression. By this point, she had gained favor with everyone who’d seen her. Esther was brought to King Ahasuerus during the 7th year of his reign, somewhere between 3 and 4 years after Queen Vashti’s removal.

Throughout this entire process, which lasted over a year, Esther had conducted herself with tremendous grace and humble character. She could have easily been bitter and upset, yet she trusted in God’s presence and plan. She chose to make the best of her less than ideal circumstances, much like Joseph had done during his imprisonment in the days of the patriarchs (Genesis 39:20-23).  

V. ESTHER IS CHOSEN (v17-20)

After the lengthy competition was complete, King Ahasuerus chose Esther to be his new queen. He delighted in her more than all of the other women who’d been brought to him. He placed the royal crown upon her head and held a great feast to celebrate the occasion. In addition, he also implemented a remission of taxes throughout the empire and gave out gifts.

Esther had not revealed that she was a Jew to any of the virgins she’d met (nor anyone else for that matter). She kept it a secret, just as Mordecai had directed her. Not even King Ahasuerus knew her heritage.  As Christians, we are not supposed to hide our faith, but rather to let our light shine so that others may see it and be pointed to Jesus. However, Esther’s situation was unique and her silence likely contributed to selection as queen. 

CONCLUSION

Most theologians agree that Esther had sex with King Ahasuerus before they were married. She may have felt like she had no other choice. Nevertheless, if she consented her actions were sinful. Still, before we throw stones or cast judgment on her, let’s ask ourselves what we would have done in the same position? Remember that God used Rahab the harlot to hide the Hebrew spies. In fact, Rahab is listed in the genealogy of Jesus and is heralded by the writer of Hebrews for her courageous faith. Rahab’s occupation was having sex with men outside of marriage… voluntarily. In comparison, Esther’s behavior seems fairly benign. Here’s the bottom line… God uses imperfect people to accomplish His purposes. He can forgive and redeem anyone.

I am not a counselor and don’t pretend to be one. That said, if you’ve been placed in an impossible situation like Esther was, don't blame yourself. You did what you felt you had to do, despite not wanting to do it. Ask the LORD for forgiveness, forgive yourself, and move on in His strength. You are beautiful in God’s eyes and He loves you unconditionally. Place your faith in Jesus and receive the salvation He freely offers… then walk in it.

In next week’s message, we will meet Haman, the king’s chief minister. We will read about his evil, sinister plot against the people of God. This story is about to heat up! Until then, may the LORD bless and keep you.

You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery”; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. - Matthew 5:27-28

This week we are launching a new sermon series on the book of Esther titled “Esther’s Story: How Purim Began”. Over the next 3 months leading up to Easter we are going to study this amazing story of courage and faith. Before we begin, here are a few fun facts about this book.

The author (or co-authors) of Esther are unknown. Some of the most likely candidates are Nehemiah, Ezra, Mordecai, and/or Esther herself.

The book of Esther never uses the word “God”. However, the absence of His name beautifully demonstrates how He works invisibly behind the scenes to providentially orchestrate events. Though not mentioned directly, God’s presence is clearly seen throughout the story.

The book of Esther is different in Protestant and Catholic Bibles. Catholic Bibles include additional chapters taken from the Apocrypha that provide more details to the story.

The book of Esther is widely regarded as the last book to be canonized or accepted as a part of the Old Testament. It was likely written during the Intertestamental Period.

I. THE STORY’S SETTING (v1-4)

The Medo-Persian Empire, ruled by Cyrus the Great, defeated the Babylonians in 539 BC and subsequently freed the Jewish exiles who had been living in Babylonian captivity for around 70 years. A group of Jews led by Zerubbabel returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the Jewish temple. However, most of the Jewish exiles remained in Babylon and the surrounding areas, which were now part of the Persian Empire, as they had never lived in or even been to Israel, their ancestral homeland. The story of Esther took place some 60 years after the rise of the Persian Empire.

King Ahasuerus is widely identified by historians as Xerxes I, who reigned over Persia from 486-465 BC. He is remembered for his lavish lifestyle and impulsive decision making. During his reign, the Persian Empire was divided into 127 provinces stretching from India in the east to Ethiopia in the west. The events detailed in the book of Esther took place in Susa where there was a citadel that served as the winter residence of the kings of Persia. Susa is located in modern-day Iran, about 150 north of the Persian Gulf and west of the Tigris River.  

During the 3rd year of his reign, in a grand show of pomp and pageantry, King Ahasuerus displayed all of “the riches of his glory and splendor of his majesty” for 180 days (6 months). He concluded this magnificent spectacle with a great feast. Among those who were invited to this feast were his own royal princes and servants, the military officers of Persia and Media, and the nobles and princes of the numerous provinces within the Empire. It is rather obvious that King Ahasuerus was a prideful, boastful man who revelled in his power and abundance.

II. THE ROYAL FEASTS (v5-9)

King Ahasuerus hosted a feast lasting 7 days in the court of the garden in the royal palace. Many people were present. There were fine linen hangings hung on silver rings from marble pillars. There were golden and silver couches on mosaic pavement made from precious stones. These furnishings were meant to highlight the king’s immense wealth and splendor. Drinks were served in golden vessels and the wine was plentiful. The king did not compel anyone to drink, however he also placed no limitation of the amount each person could drink. Thus, those in attendance could have as much wine as they wished.

Queen Vashti also hosted a feast especially suited for the women. It took place concurrently with the king’s feast, which was primarily intended for the men. Her feast was held inside the royal house.

III. THE QUEEN’S REFUSAL (v10-12)

On the final day of the feast, while heavily intoxicated, King Ahasuerus ordered his eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti before the people - primarily the princes, officers, nobles, and other men who were in attendance. By this point, they too would have been quite inebriated, making the whole group a drunken hoard. She was to wear her royal crown and display her beauty before them. However, the queen refused to go with the eunuchs or to comply with the king’s order. He became furious.

While the text doesn’t say it, Jewish tradition holds that King Ahasuerus ordered Vashti to appear before the people nude, wearing nothing but her crown. At the very least, the context implies that she was summoned to entertain the lewd men by putting her beauty on display. To her credit, Vashti refused to be objectified and humiliated in this way. She was not a believer or follower of God, but at least she had the modesty, dignity, and courage not to be mistreated like this. Her sense of self-respect is an example to women everywhere.

IV. THE ADVISORS’ RECOMMENDATION (v13-20)

King Ahasuerus asked his legal advisers what should be done with Queen Vashti for refusing to comply with his declaration. One of them, Memucan, commented that her disobedience was not just a violation against the king, but against the whole empire. He feared that reports of the queen’s defiance would inspire other Persian women to disrespect their own husbands and to exhibit disdain toward the king, his princes, and administration. In light of these concerns, Memucan advised Ahasuerus to ban Vashti from his presence, remove her as queen, and replace her with someone “better”. He suggested that these actions not only be made by royal decree, but also codified in the law so they could not be repealed. He reasoned that this sentence would send a strong and clear message to women throughout the empire to obey and respect their husbands.

V. THE KING’S DECREE (v21-22)

King Ahasuerus agreed with and followed the recommendation of Memucan and his legal advisors. He removed Queen Vashti from her royal position and sent a letter throughout the empire which was written in the appropriate language of each province. It stated that “every man shall be the ruler in his own house and the one who speaks in the tongue of his own people”. This decree intended to mute women’s voices and to quell any disobedience or disrespect wives might have for their husbands.

The Bible teaches that God has, by design, established a proper order for the home. Husbands are to be the leaders and wives are to submit to their leadership. That said, husbands are commanded to exhibit selfless, Christlike love for their wives. They are not to domineer over them, abuse them, or devalue them in any way. Just as Jesus cherished the church and gave Himself sacrificially for her, so also husbands are to love their wives. King Ahasuerus’ behavior toward Vashti was not and is not a proper expression of God’s design. A Christian husband should never treat his wife this way, and if he does, she should not comply with his illegitimate and sinful command.

The secular culture frequently smears Christianity for advocating “male authority”. It accuses Christians of viewing women as inferior to men. While it is foolish to deny obvious physical and emotional differences between the 2 sexes, the fact is that both men and women are created in the image of God and have equal value in His eyes. Both have particular strengths and weaknesses. The Bible encourages husbands and wives to joyfully accept and fulfill the roles to which they have been assigned in order that the family, church, and society at large might function as the LORD intends. It has nothing to do with superiority.

CONCLUSION

Queen Vashti’s removal left a vacancy in the royal palace. In next week’s message, we will read about the search for a new queen and the unlikely candidate who was chosen to fill the void. Until then, husbands, love and cherish your wives, and wives, love and respect your husbands. Above all, remember that both men and women are precious to God, and neither should be devalued, abused, or shamed (either by themselves or others).

This morning I delivered our annual "State of the Church Address".  We went over a financial report with the cumulative numbers from 2025 and talked about where we stand as we enter the new year.  We reviewed several of the highlights from last year, celebrating the Lord's faithfulness to us during the past 12 months.  We also briefly looked forward to the year before us and talked about some of the plans we already have in place.  God is present and working at Calvary Baptist Church and we are excited to see what He will do through us in 2026.  Beginning next week, we will start a study through the book of Esther.  See you then.

9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] - Matthew 6:9-13

2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught many lessons on a variety of topics. Among them, He taught His disciples how to pray. Jesus instructed them to pray privately, in their inner rooms, rather than publicly “in order to be seen by men”. He wasn’t forbidding public prayer, but rather emphasizing that the motivation of our prayers isn’t to attain personal acclaim. The foundation of our prayers lives is private prayer, the time we spend alone with the LORD.

Jesus further taught them not to use meaningless repetitions in their prayers, because prayers don’t need many words in order to be heard. In fact, the Lord already knows what those who pray are going to say before they say it. Simple, brief, sincere prayers are perfectly acceptable and perhaps even preferable to God. To that end, Jesus gave the disciples an example, which has become known to Christians as The Lord’s Prayer or The Model Prayer.

There are 2 variations of this prayer recorded in the gospels. Both are very similar to one another. The first is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and is part of “The Sermon on the Mount”. The second is in Luke 11:2-4 and is spoken just after Jesus finished praying. Many Biblical translations of Matthew include the phrase, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” However, this sentence is not found in the earliest manuscripts of Scripture, nor is it included in Luke’s version of the prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer was not given to replace all other prayers, or to be mindlessly repeated by worshipers, but rather to illustrate the basic components of what prayer should be. It teaches us who to pray to, why to pray, what to pray for, and who is responsible for the answers we receive.

1. PRAY TO THE FATHER (Matthew 6:9a; Luke 11:2a)

While it is not a sin to pray to Jesus or even to the Holy Spirit, Jesus taught us to direct our prayers to God the Father. This is the way Jesus Himself prayed. We are to ask of the Father in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-24).

2. PRAY THIS WILL HAPPEN (Matthew 6:9b-10; Luke 11:2b)

We are to hallow the LORD’s name.  He is holy, and as His people should regard Him as such (Leviticus 19:2). We were created, first and foremost, to worship and glorify Him.

We are to look forward to Christ’s coming and the culmination of God’s Kingdom. In the meantime, we should work to advance the LORD’s kingdom on earth (Colossians 1:13).

We are to pray that God’s will be done in heaven and on earth. This begins with us, as we commit ourselves to live in obedience to His commands and calling upon our lives. (John 14:15)

3. ASK FOR THESE THINGS (Matthew 6:11-13a; Luke 11:3-4)

Pray for God’s provision - our daily bread. This is a reference to the manna God gave the Hebrew children during the exodus. We don’t need an abundant supply, just a sufficient one. (Philippians 4:19)

Pray for God’s forgiveness, as we forgive others. Seeking forgiveness regularly is like taking a bath and is critical to maintaining a close fellowship with God and an effective witness for Him. (1 John 1:9)

Pray for God’s direction and leading, especially to avoid temptation and sin (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Pray for God’s protection and deliverance (Psalm 121:7-8).

4. GIVE GOD THE PRAISE (Matthew 6:13b)

We should ascribe all of the glory, the blessings, the honor, the credit, and praise to God alone because He is worthy (Revelation 4:11)!

CONCLUSION

Many people view prayer as a way to get the things they want from God. This is completely backwards. Jesus taught that prayer is seeking God’s enabling in order to do the things He wants from us. We are to pray for His provision, His forgiveness, His direction, and His protection as we seek to hallow His Name, advance His kingdom, and accomplish His will. When we begin to pray this way, it will transform our lives.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

There are 4 gospels in the Bible… Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each of them is unique, yet they are harmonious with each other. Together they provide readers with a comprehensive picture of the life, ministry, work, and mission of Jesus Christ. When it comes to the story of Christmas, what do they say?

The gospel of Mark opens with the preaching of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and then describes the baptism of Jesus. It doesn’t even mention the Lord’s birth or anything to do with His childhood. Therefore, we rarely (if ever) reference Mark in Christmas sermons.

The most familiar accounts of the birth of Christ are recorded in Matthew and Luke. Matthew focuses on the angel’s appearance to Joseph and the visit of the wise men after Jesus was born. Luke’s account is the longest and most detailed. It focuses on Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, her pregnancy, the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, the angelic hosts, and the lowly shepherds. The traditional nativity story combines details from both of these beautiful accounts. Most Christmas messages, pageants, and so forth are based on the passages found in Matthew and/or Luke.

While Matthew and Luke emphasize the humanity of Christ and describe the physical details surrounding His birth, John takes a very different approach. He emphasizes the Lord’s divine nature, presenting a deeply theological explanation of the event. Unlike Matthew and Luke which begin in the days of King Herod some 2,000 years ago, just before Jesus is born, the gospel of John opens like the book of Genesis… in the very beginning.

This morning we are going to read and discuss the Christmas story from John’ perspective. This won’t be the typical Christmas message we’ve often heard and have become accustomed to each year, but it is the same story - just told in a different way. My prayer is that we will hear God’s voice this morning through the proclamation of Scripture.

I. HIS DEITY (John 1:1-5)

In the first verse of his gospel, John introduces his readers to “the Word”. He then gives several descriptions of “the Word” which provide clues about its identity. What is or who is “the Word”? Let’s take a moment to consider these clues.

First, the Word is pre-existent. In other words, it did not come into existence - it has always been. The Word existed before time began and already was (past tense) from the very beginning. (Genesis 1:1)

Second, the Word was with God in the beginning. They were together with another, in fellowship, yet distinct from one another. They have always been so.

Third, the Word was God in the beginning. The Word and God were one, completely and perfectly unified with one another. They have always been so.

Fourth, the Word is a Person. “He” was with God and was God. He is a member of the triune Godhead and is fully divine.

Baptists describe the Trinity like this: “The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.” I recently had a friend tell me that human beings are 1 person with 1 being, while God is 3 Persons with 1 being.

Fifth, the Word was present during and active in creation. All things came into being (were created) through Him. (Colossians 1:16)

Sixth, the Word is the source of life, both physically and spiritually. He shines as a Light illuminating and overtaking the darkness so that mankind might see and know God.   

II. HIS RECEPTION (John 1:9-13)

Skipping ahead to verse 9, John calls this divine Person “the Light”. He describes how mankind has responded to “the Light”, again providing more hints about His identity. Let’s make a few observations. 

First, the Word, who is the true Light, has come into the world and has enlightened everyone. The Light shines on and avails to every person without exception.

Second, though He was in the world that He created, by-and-large the world didn’t recognize or know Him.

Third, even His own people, His countrymen, God’s chosen nation, the children of Israel, did not recognize or receive Him.

Fourth, for those who did receive Him and believe in His name He gave the right to become children of God. These believers were not born of the will of man, but of God.

III. HIS INCARNATION (John 1:14, 16-18)

In these verses, John reveals plainly who “the Word” and “the Light” refer to. He describes how His incarnation enables mankind to see and know God. Consider these points:

First, “the Word” became a man who dwelt on the earth. This is the Christmas story told in a single sentence. He was seen by many people. He was the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Second, John and many others have believed in Him and received the fullness of His grace.

Third, the Law came through Moses, but grace and truth through Jesus Christ. The Word is Jesus. He has established a New Covenant.

Fourth,  Jesus is the visible manifestation or image of the unseen God. He makes God known to man.

CONCLUSION

Just as audible words express inaudible thoughts, so also “the Word” is the ultimate expression or revelation of the unseen God. Jesus makes God known to mankind.

Just as light dispels darkness allowing people to see that which would otherwise be hidden, so also “the Light” enables people to see God. Jesus makes God known to mankind.

Jesus, the divine Son of God, the only begotten of the Father, the second Person of the Trinity, has always been. His birth in Bethlehem was not His beginning. He has always existed. In the fullness of time, in accordance with the Father’s will, Jesus put on flesh, was born of a virgin, and became both fully divine and fully human simultaneously. He came to this earth to seek and save the lost - to redeem sinners and affect salvation for those who would receive Him.

As we approach Christmas this year, may we take time to consider not only the wonderful details of the nativity story, but also the identity of the One who came and the purpose for which He came. Beloved, the little baby who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger was the King of kings! He is God in the flesh, the Incarnate Word, the Redeemer of sinful men, and God’s greatest gift to this lost world. Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, - Matthew 5:44

This morning we will complete our sermon series on “The Miracles of Jesus”. Over the past several months we have read passages about and discussed 43 distinct occasions during which Jesus performed a miracle or miracles. In today’s message we will add 2 more, bringing the final total to 45. I have made an intentional effort to balance the primary texts we’ve used each week throughout this study evenly between the 4 gospels.

Today’s sermon is titled “The Severed Ear and Catching Many Fish”. It is the 31st and last message of this series. We will be reading from the books of Luke and John. As for the setting, Jesus and the apostles had just finished eating the Passover meal. It was just a few hours before His arrest. They went out to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It was late at night and the disciples were having a hard time staying awake and keeping watch.  

I. AN ALTERCATION IN THE GARDEN (Luke 22:47-53; Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-50; John 18:1-11)

While Jesus was speaking with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, urging them to stay awake, a crowd made up of Roman soldiers, officers from the chief priests, and Pharisees came to arrest Him. They were led by Judas Iscariot who greeted Jesus with a kiss. The disciples initially sought to prevent them from taking Jesus into custody. Peter drew his sword and struck the chief priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. Jesus said, “Stop! No more of this.” Then He touched the servant's ear and healed him. Jesus questioned the manner and timing of His arrest, but voluntarily and peacefully submitted to the authorities. The disciples fled in fear.

The betrayal and arrest of Jesus is recorded in all 4 gospels. Each of them states that 1 of the disciples cut off the high priest’s servant's ear. However, only Luke adds that Jesus lovingly healed the servant by replacing his ear. Think of it! Jesus healed 1 of the very men who had come to arrest Him as they were about to take Him away. Amazing. I sometimes wonder if that servant’s perspective about Jesus changed. The truth is, all of us were enemies of God at some point, and yet He still was willing to redeem us (Romans 5:8).

This was a healing miracle. There is no indication that the servant asked to be healed. Rather, Jesus acted out of kindness and compassion. He healed the man by touching him, presumably reattaching his severed ear. This was another demonstration of Jesus’ power, but also a lesson for the disciples that such violence was unnecessary and inappropriate. Jesus didn’t resist being arrested. This was the very reason for which He’d come.

II. APPEARANCES TO THE DISCIPLES (John 20:19-21; 24-28)

After Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, the risen Lord appeared to the disciples several times over a period of 40 days before ascending into Heaven. These are known as the post-resurrection appearances of Christ. On at least 2 of these occasions, Jesus appeared suddenly in a locked or closed room without ever entering through the door. This happened the night of Jesus’ resurrection in the upper room (with Thomas absent) and again a week later (with Thomas was present).

Without question, these sudden appearances were miraculous. However, I am not going to formally include them on our list of miracles. You may recall, earlier in this series we discussed Jesus’ ability to know what people were thinking or particular details about their lives that He shouldn’t have known. This, too, was miraculous. Jesus possessed supernatural abilities that were consistent with His divine character. That said, the miracles we are focusing on in this sermon series are those in which Jesus did something on behalf of someone else. 

III. BREAKFAST BY THE SEA (John 21:4-11)

Peter, John, James, and 4 of the other apostles went fishing on the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberias). They had already seen and spoken with the risen Lord Jesus a few times by this point. They fished all night long, but caught nothing. In the early morning light, an unknown figure called out from the shore telling them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. When they did so, their nets were filled with fish. John recognized that it was Jesus, and Peter excitedly dove into the water and swam to the shore. When the other disciples arrived in the boat, they cooked the fish over a fire and had breakfast together with Jesus on the beach.

This must have been a powerful moment for Peter, John, and James (and Andrew, if he was there). Jesus had performed this same type of miracle 3 years earlier when he called these men to be His disciples. On both occasions they caught nets full of fish after having caught nothing the night before. I am sure this experience brought back wonderful memories of that remarkable day.

John wrote that they caught 153 fish that morning. He actually counted them, which isn’t surprising for a commercial fisherman to do. He included the exact number in his gospel, perhaps so that his readers could appreciate this abundant miracle as much as he did.

During their breakfast by the sea, Jesus “restored” Peter. The Lord forgave him for betraying Him 3 times on the night of His arrest. Jesus repeatedly challenged Peter to “feed His sheep”. He was preparing him, and the other apostles, to continue spreading the gospel after His departure. Not long afterward, Jesus ascended into Heaven. Though He left, His work continued through His followers.   

This was a natural miracle. Jesus displayed His power over nature by causing the disciples to catch a great number of fish. He told them what to do and when they obeyed His command, He simply willed the miracle to occur. Jesus performed this miracle as an unmistakable way of revealing His identity to the disciples.

CONCLUSION

Well friends, we have come to the end of another sermon series. Over the past several months we have examined all of the miracles or “signs” recorded in the Bible which Jesus performed during His earthly ministry. He actually performed many more which are not mentioned or described in the gospel narratives besides those we’ve listed. Of those that we have discussed, there have been healing miracles, exorcisms, natural miracles, and physical resurrections. Jesus performed these miracles using a variety of different methods - spoken words or commands, physical touch (sometimes with spit), and/or simply willing them to happen as the result of the recipient’s obedience.

In some instances, Jesus performed a miracle because He was asked to do so. In other instances, He acted on His own initiative without being asked. In some instances, the recipient knew who Jesus was. In others, they did not. Some exhibited a degree of faith, while others didn’t show any. Many were Jewish, but not all of them were. The variations between each story testify to the authenticity of Jesus’ power. The miracles He did were not some type of elaborate hoax or gimmick. Jesus performed real, undeniable, and irrefutable miracles which proved beyond any doubt that He was (and is) the Son of God.

Sinner, what else does Jesus have to do in order to convince you that He is God?  Rise from the dead? Uhh, yeah, He did that too. If you are still unwilling to believe in Him in light of all of the miraculous things He’s done, you're not in doubt… you’re in denial. The evidence is overwhelming. The Christian faith is neither blind nor naive. Quit rejecting the only One who can forgive your sin and pardon your guilt! Repent and receive Jesus today, that you might experience the greatest miracle of them all - the salvation of your soul.