n this third message we see the changing EMOTIONS of the king, after the loss of his queen. His problem went from getting over his anger at Vashti, to missing her. The king's attendants proposed a four step approach to meet the king's need- -1- search out beautiful young virgins- -2- gather them to the harem in Susa- -3- give them their cosmetics- and -4- the one who pleases the king will be queen. This plan met the king's approval and was put into action. In the process of gathering beautiful young virgins, ESTHER is discovered. She is living with Mordecai, her fellow captive and cousin and she is an extremely pretty young lady, both in figure and face. Under Medo-Persian rule, the EXPECTATIONS were very clear - -1- submit to the custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch- -2- accept his charity in preparation for the king- -3- maintain control to not reveal her people or kindred- and -4- live with the concern that Mordecai had, as he paced in front of the court of the harem wanting to know about her welfare and destiny.

In this second message we see the powerful kingdom of Ahasuerus in a major crisis. The command of this great king was rejected by his own wife- Her REFUSAL to submit to the king's order brought great opposition. Queen Vashti's defiance put Ahasuerus into a state of delirium - he was consumed with rage. His furious RESPONSE to this unexpected treatment left him in shock, so he sought counsel from his wise advisors who were insightful, trusted and privileged, and their advice would be based on the law. Their REACTION to the dilemma was to show reprehension toward the rebellion. One of his wise men warned that all of the women would follow Vashti's lead and show contempt and anger toward their husbands, so he directed the king to issue a royal command and in turn written in law - that Vashti be banished from the king and a new queen sought, so that all women will give honor to their husbands. As a RESULT, the wise man's advice was approved by the king and announced to his entire kingdom - each man -male- was officially declared to be the lord of his own house and the supreme leader of the affairs of his family.

We begin this series on Esther looking at the height, wealth and glory of the Medo-Persian empire. King Ahasuerus, better known by his Greek name Xerxes, was a powerful king who reigned from India to Ethiopia. This passage describes three special banquets that took place in Susa, his capital- first, because of his widespread reign, Ahasuerus gave BANQUET -1 for all of his political leaders, and he did so while ruling from his royal throne- second, after an exposition to show off his royal riches - majestic splendor, -for 180 days-, Ahasuerus gave BANQUET -2 for everyone who was present in Susa - it lasted seven days with an extravagant display of his magnificent furnishings- third, Queen Vashti also was allowed to give BANQUET -3, a feast for the females of his palace, in a separate part of the King's enormous facility.

There are many books, videos, messages, and opinions about the Bible these days, so how can a person with no formal training know what is God's truth compared with man's opinion- How can one study the word and know if the results of their study are really God's truth or just their opinion- There are many folks who have been followers of Christ for many years, but don't know much about the Bible. This message addresses how the ordinary person can be like the Bereans mentioned in Acts 17-11 who eagerly searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were true. By starting with the authority of God's word, the ordinary person can use affordable, sometimes free, tools along with context, culture, history, grammar, and discerning whether something is a figure of speech to accurately observe what the Scripture is saying, appropriately interpret the passage, and apply what they have learned in a way that pleases God.

This final message in our six part series on parables challenges all who has been given responsibility by God, to take His business interests seriously and work hard at investing His resources in this world. Jesus used repetition by sharing another parable, giving an ACCOUNT of a nobleman who traveled to a distant country to receive a kingdom, and then returned. Before leaving, he gave financial responsibilities to ten slaves, entrusting a mina -100 days wages- to each of them, with the command to transact his business with each mina until he came back. Though his own citizens hated him, seeking to have him rejected as their ruler, he returned. He required his slaves to give an ACCOUNTING of their business gains. Three slaves reported their results with two doing well, but one had been lazy and made excuses. Two slaves were rewarded generously, but the third slave was rebuked because he had not obeyed. Finally, the nobleman made an ALLOCATION of his resources - the worthless slave lost his reward - the mina, but greater responsibilities were also taken away- the nobleman's enemies lost their lives - those who did not want him to reign over them were brought before their king and slain in his presence.

This fifth message in our six part series on parables compares the kingdom of heaven with a wedding feast. Jesus gives direction through parables. A king sends out an n INVITE through his slaves, to call those chosen to come to the feast. He describes the banquet and its readiness, but some of those invited were simply unwilling to come, others disregarded his offer, and the rest abused and killed his slaves. The king brings destruction upon those murderers, and because those invited were disapproved, he seeks others to attend the feast. Eventually, because his slaves departed to the highways and byways to gather new guests, an INFLUX of attendees arrived, filling the wedding hall. Upon INSPECTION, the king discovered a guest not dressed in wedding clothes, and had him cast into outer darkness. The point of the parable is that a clear division will be made between those who are summoned -called-invited- and those who are selected -chosen-dressed-.

This fourth message in our six part series on parables zeros in on the nation of Israel. Jesus begins with a PARABLE that describes a landowner with holdings who set up a vineyard to be rented out to vine-growers. At harvest he twice sent slaves to correct his profits, but when they were mistreated-killed he sent his son, the heir, expecting respect, but he too was killed. Jesus then asked for a decision on how the owner would respond to those evil vine-growers. Their answer demanded PARTITION of the vineyard, with the destruction of the vine-growers. So Jesus applied the parable, with Scripture, showing a division of Jews from the kingdom of God and a shattering of their nation. PARANOIA set in as the chief priests and Pharisees who were listening to the facts in the parables, realized that Jesus was talking about them. They really wanted to kill Him, but they feared the multitudes.

This third message in our six part series on parables exposes the hostile attitude that God's chosen leaders had toward their Messiah. This passage begins with a PARLEY between a certain Jewish lawyer and the Teacher, Jesus. The lawyer enters into combat by putting Jesus to the test about eternal life. Jesus causes commotion by answering the question with another question, requiring an answer from the Law. The lawyer, an expert in the Law, shows compliance by giving a clear and concise answer, and in turn, Jesus compliments his interrogator, saying he had answered correctly. The lawyer, now on the defense, pursues Jesus further by asking, -Who is my neighbor-- So Jesus takes the offense and shares a PARABLE that will make His point. In the story, a helpless man is neglected by both a holy priest and a heartless Levite, leaving only an outcast Samaritan to be the hero. Jesus turns the tables, making the interrogator answer his own question, bringing PARITY between the lawyer and the Law's fulfillment. The example of the -good- Samaritan reveals the evidence of a true neighbor, who shows real mercy. The expectation of Jesus was for the lawyer to -Go and do the same-, as a mark of eternal life in him.

This second message in our six part series on parables warns its readers against every form of greed. Jesus, while teaching the multitudes, was interrupted. A brother complained that His -older-- brother was not properly PARCELING the family inheritance. He demanded for Jesus to tell his brother to give him his share. Jesus then questioned this brother, asking who appointed Him as judge or arbiter to divide the inheritance- Jesus commanded the brother to defend himself against all forms of greed. To make His point, Jesus told a PARABLE about a certain rich man who was flourishing with a bumper crop. Possessing too much, he began fretting over what to do with the surplus. His decision was to begin fattening himself with bigger -barns- and hoarding God's generosity to him - selfishly relaxing, consuming and celebrating. God called him a fool since he was forfeiting everything of real value - that very night he would leave planet earth and all of his possessions. As a PARALLEL to the parable, Jesus applied the message to any selfish man who hoards his treasure, because that man is senseless who is not rich toward God.

This first message in a six part series on parables contrasts a self-righteous Pharisee named Simon and a very sinful woman who is not named. The passage begins with a PARADOX where events turned out contrary to expectations. Simon repeatedly requested for Jesus to come and dine with him, and He finally accepted. At the meal, a very sinful woman went out of her way to show great reverence to Jesus, by passionately caring for His feet, but Simon showed contempt for the Rabbi, by judging that Jesus was not the prophet. Jesus then tells a PARABLE about two debtors to demonstrate His authority as the prophet, His analysis of Simon's contempt and His approval of the one who loved Him more. Jesus then focuses on the PARDON granted as He shows special distinction for the sinful woman's love toward Him in contrast to the severe disregard of common hospitality on the part of Simon. A division has occurred - Jesus boldly states to all at the meal that the sinful woman's sins had been forgiven due to her faith, but He says nothing of Simon, implying that his sins still remained since he did not need much forgiveness.