Sermon Central
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Studies In Esther
Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 21, 2021 (message contributor)
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1. Providence In The World
Contributed on Mar 21, 2021
We see it so clearly in Esther, how God used pagans for His purpose, but it was not new. God has always worked outside of Israel, for His providence is universal.
Time magazine covered the extravagance of the Shaw Of Iran back in 1971. It was the 2500th year anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire by Cyrus the Great. Nine kings and five queens were there, along with princes and princesses, and 16 presidents. It was a high class elegant affair ...read more
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2. Providence Through Women
Contributed on Mar 21, 2021
The surprising thing is you have what you have because of the providence of God in the lives of women like Vashti. She was used to save Judaism, and this is our heritage as Christians.
Paul Aurandt tells this fascinating true story that deals with the paradox of positive rebellion. In April of 1847 it looked as if Mexico was ready to make peace with the United States. President James Polk chose Nicholas Trist to go as a peace commissioner. On his way Trist spoke to reporters ...read more
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3. The Paradox Of Pleasure
Contributed on Mar 21, 2021
The paradox of pleasure is that the pursuit of pleasure can lead you to the pit of hell, or to the pinnacle of heaven. It is life's most dangerous or delightful path to travel.
Alexander Selkirk was one of those men who always had to learn the hard way. The records of his church in Scotland show that he was disciplined several times for causing trouble in the church. In May of 1703 he said good-bye to all that, and at age 27 went off to sea. He tried to run things on ...read more
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4. Father And Daughter
Contributed on Mar 21, 2021
Most all of the Bible accounts of fathers are those who deal with fathers and sons. Here we have a rare case of a father and daughter combination. And what a combination they were!
George Barnell, a Jew living in North Carolina, back in 1871 fathered one of the most unusual daughters in Americans history. Jane Barnell grew up to become the famous Lady Olga, the bearded lady of the circus. She had a thick beard hanging 13 and a half inches, and also a large mustache. The ...read more
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5. The Power Of Beauty
Contributed on Mar 21, 2021
It was Esther's beauty that got her into the palace, and into a position of power where she could be used to save her people. No other quality but beauty could have gotten her there.
In its 4,000 years of history only one woman became Emperor of China with absolute power. She was Wu tes-t'ien. She got to the throne of China for the same reason Esther got to the throne of Persia. She was a startling beauty. As a young girl she was renowned for her beauty, and the Emperor ...read more
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6. Everybody Touches Somebody
Contributed on Mar 21, 2021
The beauty of being may be limited to the few, but the beauty of doing is open to all. Everyone of us can do beautiful things that aid the fulfillment of God's plan.
Harriet Beecher Stowe was a preacher's daughter who was born in 1811. She certainly didn't look like she would ever amount to much. She was shy and had a large nose and a hunched back. She considered herself to be quite homely. Calvin Stowe, professor of Biblical Lit. in Lane Theological ...read more
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7. The Paradox Of Patriotism
Contributed on Mar 21, 2021
The paradox is, inconsistency in relationship to man is the only way you can be consistent in your relationship to God. Let's focus first on the positive side.
Newscaster Paul Harvey, some years ago, told his radio listeners this remarkable story from World War II. From the Island of Guam one of our mighty B-29 bombers took off for Kokura, Japan. It was carrying deadly cargo as it circled high above the city. A cloud covered the city, so the plane kept ...read more
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8. Coincidence Or Providence?
Contributed on Mar 22, 2021
Providence is coincidence with a purpose-God's purpose. It is no longer a mere matter of chance, but is the fulfilling of God's plan in history.
Everyone experiences coincidence somewhere in life. Two people say the same thing at the same time. You go to call someone and the phone rings, and it is the person you were going to call. You flip open the hymnal, and it opens right to the number you were looking for. On and on we could go until ...read more
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9. The Humor Of History
Contributed on Mar 22, 2021
One of the greatest paradoxes of history is that the Jews, who have suffered so incredibly, have also been the source of incredible laughter.
It was one of the greatest celebrations in the history of the American people. The bells rang in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. There was a hundred gun salute in City Hall Park of New York. In Chicago there was a volunteer possession of people seven miles long. In California they celebrated ...read more
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10. Providence In American History
Contributed on Mar 22, 2021
We celebrate the 4th of July for the same reason the Jews celebrate Purim. It is a day to look back and see the providence of God in our history.
Great leaders are often providentially preserved from what ought to have been certain death. This happens before they rise to a level where they are a blessing to many people. In the history of the Jews, Mordecai is one of these leaders. He came within minutes of being hung on a gallows, and ...read more