Ablaze Church Sermon Podcast (Audio)

The book of Esther is a beautiful portrayal of courage in the face of danger and the triumph of good in the face of powerful sinister forces. This weekend we follow a beautiful young Jewish virgin who becomes the queen of a pagan Persian empire. God has a plan and Esther will play an important role in saving her Judean people from destruction.

God used Esther, a Jewish exile, as His instrument in setting her people free from annihilation and fromthe hatred of others in the land of Persia. The book of Esther never mentions God’s name, yet God clearly orchestrates every event in the book. We find Him in the faith of Mordecai, in thedetermination of Esther, and in the One to whom the Israelites earnestly turn to in prayer andfasting for three days.

Paul is facing death so he impresses upon young Timothy the importance of carrying on where Paul will leave off, preaching the Word of God faithfully. Paul talks about how people with itching ears will want their leaders to talk about only what they want to hear. Paul encourages Timothy to be sober-minded, to endure suffering, to do the work of an evangelist, thus fulfilling his ministry to teach sound doctrine.

Paul writes about temptation that specifically attacks the leaders of a church. The temptation clearly also applies to all Christians. Paul mentions two men of the Old Testament who were corrupt and opposed God’s Word. Today we must be very careful because there are those who oppose the truth found in the Bible. That is why Paul clearly states that, “All of Scripture is breathed out by God.”

Using many comparisons like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer, Paul encourages Timothy to find faithful men who are willing to share in the work of serving the Lord by teaching others the Word of God. He warns them not to get bogged down in quarrels or to give into temptations of the flesh, but to be generous and kind to all

Paul’s last letter that he ever wrote was to young Timothy who was Paul’s replacement and representative to the churches of Asia Minor. Despite that Paul was facing the end of his ministry because of his imprisonment and persecution, he managed to send a letter that encouraged Timothy in his ministry and Christian hurches to show boldness, endurance, and faithfulness in the face of false teachings.

Paul describes fighting the good fight as an act of faith. A Christian is always engaged in an ongoing contest in which sound doctrine advances against the forces of darkness and evil in our world. This fight of faith does not earn us salvation, but because we know the prize earned by Jesus for us, we fight on in good faith taking hold of eternal life.

Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday. We confess and believe in our God who is three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. On this Sunday, as on all Sundays, we confess the great mystery of the Holy Trinity. We will also take a close look at Paul’s instructions for the Church of Ephesus.

God daily and richly provides us with all that we need. Paul teaches to reject God’s good gifts or to receive them without thanksgiving is a sin against God’s graciousness. Paul prepares his listeners to contend against false teachers and silly myths. Paul shares that the reading of Scripture is the key to combat falsehoods and disinformation.

Paul offers a summary of prayer in the life of the worshipping community. Prayer is strongly encouraged for all people, emphasizing especially prayer for those who exercise authority over us. Along with emphasis on prayer, Paul gives proper qualifications for service within the Christian church and spiritual leadership.