Esther's Story Series

Esther’s Story

Opening thoughts to the series - “BC justice league” – God’s biblical super heroes before Christ.

Over the last few weeks we have been sharing the power of the story! We have been looking at how a person’s life can make a difference in the eternal realm of God.

http://www.whatsyourstoryonline.com/: Quote: Stories are powerful. Stories give meaning to who we are and how we became who we are. Stories help us understand how life happens, and they give value to our experiences. Some of the most powerful testimonies to Christian faith come not from lists of accepted doctrinal beliefs (though they’re important) nor from recitations of biblical principles (also important), but from the enlivened re-telling of how God has acted, overtly or covertly, in each of our lives.

We have learned about Hannah, Samuel, David, about Easy Eddie and Ace Butch O’hare. We have seen and learned that God can use us to make a difference for eternity. Today we are going to look at a couple of women, one you may have heard about from the Bible her name is Esther. We will learn more of Esther’s story in moment. But there is another Biblical hero whose name is Bethany Hamilton (a soul surfer) who I would like to introduce you to today. She is a current day biblical hero of the faith.

Soul Surfer is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton. Bethany lost her left arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

Bethany was born to surf. A natural talent who took to the waves at a young age, she was leading an idyllic life on Kauai, participating in national surf competitions with her best friend Alana, when everything changed. On Halloween morning 2003, a 14-foot tiger shark came out of nowhere and seemed to shatter all her dreams.

Soul Surfer reveals Bethany's fight to recover from her ordeal and how she grappled with the question of her future. Strengthened by the love of her parents, Tom and Cheri, and supported by her church youth group leader Sara, Bethany refuses to give in or give up, and begins a bold return to the water.

Her story will inspire you and challenge you in your own faith in God.

Video Clips: Soul surfer.

1st clip: Trailer for movie: wingclips.com

2nd clip: I can do all things through him who gives me strength: wingclips.com

There is also a book out about her life called “Soul Surfer” and also her own movie documentary called “The Heart of a Soul Surfer.” See http://bethanyhamilton.com/

In her documentary her mom shares how at age 15 which was 3 years after the shark attack they started praying for the Lord to show Bethany what the will of God was for her life. She has now been featured on prime time TV shows, talk shows and she has spoke at a host of Christian events. She states in her documentary that her divine calling is “to share her faith, tell her story” and to help others with disabilities by inspiring them that with God all things are possible.

The movie “Soul Surfer” much like the story of Esther from the Bible inspires us to fulfill God’s divine destiny for our life.

So can I ask you a few questions today based on our subject today:

• “Do you know what the divine will of God is for your life?”

• “Are you fulfilling your divine purpose for God?”

• “Are you making a difference in such a time as this with your life?”

We need to remember that for our own stories to make a difference for eternity it requires us to know our divine purpose and then to fulfill our divine purpose for the Lord.

Bethany is doing this and Esther as well did this as role models for us to follow.

Thesis: Esther became a hero because she responded to the call on her life to become an intermediary for the people of Israel. She is a Bible super hero because she was teachable, she knew when to call on God for His help, she became courageous in the face of death and she became obedient to fulfill the call of God on her life.

Can I say and remind you that Esther was normal person just like you and me yet because of her faith in God and her willingness to follow His purpose and plan for her life she saved 10,000’s of her people’s lives.

T.S. - Let’s look at the historical background of the book of Esther:

The most important words of the Bible are missing in this book, “The name of the Lord!” God is never mentioned in the text. He is inferred but never mentioned by name!