Fusion Youth Service - 13.08.2023

We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, completing chapter 9. We explore a possible reason why the Jewish people refused to confiscate their enemies' property. We look at the significance of the name Purim for this Jewish holiday, and the reality that the enemies of Israel are really the enemies of God. Finally, we discuss the ways that this story are remembered today through the holiday of Purim.

---- Quick links ----

0:00:00 - Recap

0:04:00 - Esther 9:13-15

0:04:31 -- Another day

0:07:01 - Esther 9:16

0:07:28 -- That's a lot

0:14:29 -- Again with the property…

0:24:47 - Esther 9:17-19

0:25:26 -- A day of rest

0:28:41 - Esther 9:20-22

0:29:12 -- A memorial

0:33:12 - Esther 9:23-25

0:34:01 -- Remember…

0:36:07 -- The pur

0:39:41 - Esther 9:26-28

0:41:25 -- Purim

0:46:20 -- Whose enemy?

0:57:05 -- A binding covenant

0:59:19 -- Remember, how?

1:07:42 - Esther 9:29-32

1:08:51 -- Words of peace

Fusion Youth Service - 30.07.2023

We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther with chapter 9. We look at other times that Israel's enemies "supposed that they would gain power over" the Jews, but "contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies." We discuss the reason why: Israel has a protector, who does not sleep or slumber. And we explore some interesting features in the Hebrew text of this chapter.

---- Quick links ----

00:00 - Recap

03:39 - Esther 9:1

03:59 -- D-day

05:00 -- History repeats - 1948

11:00 -- History repeats - 1967

18:15 -- History repeats, again

31:29 - Esther 8:2-4

32:05 -- Who can stand against?

34:11 - Esther 8:5-10

35:05 -- Uncomfortable...

37:05 -- Killed and destroyed

41:07 -- What about their property?

43:37 -- Haman's sons

47:22 -- Gematria?

54:23 - Esther 8:11-12

54:51 -- For good or bad?

Fusion Youth Service - 16.07.2023

We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, finishing chapter 8. We spend a lot of time exploring questions of justice, vengeance and mercy. In particular, we discuss why Christians are told not to seek revenge.

---- Quick links ----

00:00:00 - From the start...

00:06:37 - Recap

00:10:35 - Esther 8:9-10

00:11:22 -- Symmetry

00:12:27 -- A second degree

00:13:14 -- Swift horses

00:17:15 - Esther 8:11-14

00:18:00 -- A right to self-defense

00:22:51 -- And vengeance?

00:37:00 -- Why is vengeance not ours?

00:49:18 -- So...no prisons?

00:51:14 - Esther 8:15-17

00:51:47 -- The city rejoiced

00:54:06 -- Hints of the future?

Fusion Youth Service - 02.07.2023

We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther 8 and explore an interesting parallel to our own lives. Like us, Esther and Mordecai had two problems. They had an enemy, Haman, who wanted to destroy them. But even with that problem solved, there remained a second problem - that Law...

---- Quick links ----

00:00:00 - Recap

00:04:23 - Esther 8:3-4

00:04:46 -- Esther speaks again

00:05:47 -- Our enemy

00:23:18 -- The problem of the Law

00:31:01 - Esther 8:5-6

00:31:42 -- Just undo it

00:33:00 -- The Agagite

00:37:21 - Esther 8:7-8

00:37:56 -- It's not so easy...

00:39:00 -- A parallel in Daniel

Fusion Youth Service - 25.06.2023

We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, finishing Chapter 7 and starting Chapter 8. We see that God is in control, even in those problems we don't know exist. And God promises that, however things appear to us now, justice will prevail, and it will all be worth it in the end.

---- Quick links ----

00:00:00 - Recap

00:10:28 -- Further thought

00:16:49 - Esther 7:5-6

00:17:10 -- Evil Haman

00:20:36 -- Terrified of a queen?

00:22:08 - Esther 7:7

00:22:22 -- In a rage

00:23:26 -- What about mercy?

00:28:51 - Esther 7:8

00:29:06 -- Awkward...

00:29:48 - Esther 7:9-10

00:30:17 -- Irony on irony

00:31:16 -- God is in control

00:34:44 -- Reap what you sow

00:39:30 - Esther 8:1-2

00:40:40 -- Family secrets

00:41:37 -- Blessed are the sad

Fusion Youth Service - 11.06.2023

We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, finishing Chapter 6 and starting Chapter 7. We explore the curious priestly class of magi - the wise men from the East - who ultimately arrive in Jerusalem to enthrone a king.

We also discuss the importance and power of words - they have the power of life and death. We get a bit distracted with salt, and then look at how Esther, in her intercession, foreshadows Jesus' intercession for us.

---- Quick links ----

00:00:00 - Recap

00:06:21 - Esther 6:13

00:08:31 -- Wise men?

00:13:58 -- Magi...

00:18:21 - Esther 6:14

00:18:54 -- Hidden providence

00:22:16 - Esther 7:1-2

00:23:46 - Esther 7:3-4

00:24:10 -- Grant me my life

00:25:16 -- The power of words

00:43:26 -- All-in intercession

Fusion Youth Service - 21.05.2023 - We look at an ancient Babylonian Chronicle about Nebuchadnezzar, discuss the need to do the right thing even when nobody seems to care, and look at God's answer to any jealousy we might feel towards those who don't.

---- Quick links ----

00:00:00 - Recap

00:05:05 - Esther 6:1-2

00:05:36 -- Coincidence #1

00:08:40 -- Coincidence #2

00:09:11 -- Chronicles (Persia Ed.)

00:15:35 -- Coincidence #3

00:17:09 - Esther 6:3

00:17:20 -- Not a thing...

00:18:40 -- Coincidence #4

00:20:17 -- When no-one cares

00:27:15 - Esther 6:4-5

00:27:32 -- Coincidence #5

00:28:13 -- Don't be hasty

00:32:02 - Esther 6:6

00:32:18 -- smh

00:34:47 - Esther 6:7-9

00:35:16 -- When you have everything

00:39:28 - Esther 6:10-11

00:40:00 -- Plot twist!

00:43:44 -- Jealous of the wicked

00:49:32 - Esther 6:12-13

00:49:58 -- The aftermath

00:51:31 -- Shall not prevail

Fusion Youth Service - 14.05.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, both starting and finishing Chapter 5. There is so much in here! We talk about boldly approaching the throne of grace, presenting ourself in a way that allows God to shine through us, finding our value and worth in God's opinion, not mans, being humble, not prideful, and a lot more. There is something in there for each of us.

---- Quick links ----

00:00:00 - Recap

00:09:31 - Esther 5:1-2

00:10:02 -- Approaching boldy

00:21:45 -- Royal attire

00:29:38 - Esther 5:3-5

00:30:09 -- Grace in time of need

00:31:46 -- What is your request?

00:34:55 - Esther 5:6

00:35:09 -- A banquet of wine?

00:37:37 -- What is your request?

00:39:24 - Esther 5:7-8

00:39:44 -- A beautiful let down

00:41:54 - Esther 5:9-10

00:42:16 -- Filled with rage

00:42:52 -- Mordecai's integrity

00:43:47 -- Haman's insecurity

00:48:53 -- Power in weakness

00:55:38 - Esther 5:11-13

00:56:08 -- Pride...

00:57:48 -- Humility

01:01:42 -- Wisdom vs Destruction

01:04:03 - Esther 5:14

01:04:25 -- High stakes

01:05:13 -- Literally...

Fusion Youth Service - 30.04.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, finishing Chapter 4. In this session, we look at the relationship between God's sovereignty and our autonomy, and ask whether we are predestined to do the good works that God has prepared beforehand for us to do. We also explore the relationship between prayer and the peace of God (that surpasses all understanding).

---- Quick links ----

00:00:00 - Recap

00:06:11 - Esther 4:12-14

00:06:56 -- Relief and deliverance

00:18:12 -- Sovereignty and autonomy

00:26:08 -- A price, either way

00:43:28 - Esther 4:15-14

00:43:56 -- Pay the right price

00:44:48 -- Where peace is found

00:57:51 -- How to save a life

00:59:35 -- Pivot!

01:01:10 -- More fasting

Fusion Youth Service - 23.04.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, looking at Chapter 4. We spend a while exploring the way fasting is presented in the Bible, and in particular the way that it is used together with prayer to demonstrate our desperation and sincerity when we're seeking God.

---- Quick links ----

00:00:00 - Recap

00:07:09 - Esther 4:1-3

00:07:40 -- Aware of what?

00:09:28 -- Sackloth + Ashes

00:15:22 -- Why fast?

00:32:37 -- Back to Persia...

00:34:30 -- Blissful ignorance

00:37:04 - Esther 4:4

00:37:25 -- Eshter doesn't know

00:40:14 - Esther 4:5-6

00:40:37 -- What is this?

00:42:11 - Esther 4:7-9

00:42:47 -- Go and plead

00:44:26 - Esther 4:10-11

00:44:56 -- Are you mad?