Outraged by Queen Vashti's refusal to attend his party, King Xerxes embarks on a quest to find a new queen to sit on the throne alongside him. This is where we meet Esther. As a beautiful young woman, she quickly catches the attention of the king and a royal crown is placed on her head. Being a queen sounds like a young girl's dream, but the reality was probably far from what we imagine. This talk looks at how we deal with disappointment when our expectations are not met, and how God can use our whole story - lowlights and all - to build His Kingdom. 

Ness begins this series by introducing us to the book of Esther as a whole, before delving deeper into the first chapter and explaining the radical actions of its characters. 

Over the past 12 weeks we have dived deep into the book of Acts and the story of the Early Church. We’ve been reminded of the roots of the movement of Jesus followers that we’re caught up in, we’ve been re-envisioned for mission and now recommissioned to bring our own individual contribution. 

Salvation is to be expected. The book of Acts show us 'normal' Christianity. A Christianity in which faith is found on a daily basis, and the church grows exponentially. As we as a church develop a new confidence in the gospel message of Jesus, we can expect to step out of a spiritual winter and into a new season of salvation. Within Luke's gospel we read of countless parables about growth - a mustard seed that turns into a large tree, yeast which expands in dough. The Kingdom of God is built to grow.

Acts is a book of opposition. Wherever the apostles went there was a threat to their lives and wellbeing. Matthew 10:22 shows us that Jesus understood the severity of the situation the Early Church would find themselves in: "You will be hated by everyone because of me." As we read through the letters of the New Testament, words written by the likes of Paul, Peter, John and James - leaders of the Early Church - we uncover their approach to opposition. Romans 5:3-5 couldn't be any clearer: 'we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.'

Currently Iran is the nation with the fastest growing population of Christians. It is also ranked 9th in the world for volume of persecution to the church. Then and now, mission is a byproduct of persecution. In the UK opposition looks different, but we still need to learn to suffer well. 

'The Spirit of God began to take hold of him' Judges 13:5. Through out the library of scripture we are presented with stories that depict the wild and reckless love of God. Noah, and a wild request to build a boat. Abraham and Sarah, and a wild announcement from angels about impossible babies. Ezekiel, and wild and impossible questions from God about dead bones coming back to life. In Jesus we see the wildness of God revealed in human flesh. 

In the book of Acts we can become confused, or even offended by the outrageous acts of a wild God. As we come close to the Bible, the living Word of God, we choose to resist or choose to submit. Ultimately we know that submission to the wild ways of God brings peace and contentment. At the time, however, it can feel like stepping out into the unknown. 

To preach; to utter a serious or earnest exhortation. Now usually derogatory: to give moral or religious advice in a self-righteous, condescending or obstructive way. Acts 1:8 lays down the gauntlet - will you be a witness. On Sunday we unpacked the myths around our commission to preach: You need to be a church leader. You need to know the Bible inside out. You need to have been a Christian for a significant length of time. You must be holy, perfect. Our lives must be overflowing with blessing. All these things simply aren't true.

Time and time again in the book of Acts, we see that before salvation and miracles comes preaching. As a result the apostles stand out. The same is true of ourselves today. The early church faced opposition. But what use today are stonings, shipwrecks and jail sentences when likes and the opinions of others have so much power over us. Once again the same was true then and now. We need boldness. Nearly 2,000 years ago a match was struck in Palestine that would eventually ignite the whole world. When we share the Good News, we open a door for people to meet with the risen Jesus.

All our lessons so far lead us to prayer. Once again, what we see in Acts may jar with what we see of our own communities. Acts 1:14 says 'They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers.' Prayer is a gift, a direct line to God. It is relational, not a means to pressurise God. It is an ever present resource, a direct petition to the heart of the Father which underpins our faith. Our prayer life must intertwine with mission and community, acting as a gateway into these two practices. In Acts 4 we read of the early church raising their voices together in prayer, as a result they spoke the word of God boldly. In Acts 2 we read that the apostles devoted themselves to prayer, a glue holding the community together. The Book of Acts gives us perhaps the clearest example of what a praying community looks like.

As a church 'Community' is one of our five values. In Acts 2:42-47 we are presented with a church with commonality, an exceptionally fruitful community of believers who were one in heart and mind. Looking at the book of Acts we can often feel intimated rather than inspired. We live between the ideal and reality of what community actually looks and feels like - where discipleship happens. In Matthew 10:2-4 we are introduced to Jesus's twelve disciples, the dirty dozen. A complex mix of introvert, extrovert, liberal, conservative. James and John, two of Jesus's closest friends, could be described as sons of thunder, mummy's boys. 

In todays culture of choice, what binds us together now, as it did then, is commitment. In the monastic tradition, individuals make a lifelong commitment to their monastery - choosing to stay put in order to get somewhere. 

 

Acts is a book filled with stories about the Holy Spirit - there are 57 references to the Spirit across 28 chapters, making up over a quarter of the references within the New Testament. In chapter 1, Jesus insists that the apostles must do nothing without the Holy Spirit: 'Wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.'

Not only must we wait on the Spirit, we must go on being filled by the Spirit. Only two chapters after the iconic filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost the apostles are filled once again in Acts 4:31 'After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.'