Redemption Hill Church

Now that we have established a theology of Place and Vocation, both looking at the practical side of living in the DMV, we get to turn our attention to God’s work in transforming hearts and renewing and restoring people by the work of the Spirit calling people to repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. I hope to explore a brief history of revivals, how that language has been used, and what the characteristics are that we can see across church history. We will turn to God’s Word to try to discern and determine what God’s work is in revival and distinguish it carefully from what we are called to. This is the deepest longing of my heart – to see revival in our city. The vision of RHC is that it will be “In DC as it is in Heaven.” We will work from the foundation of Jeremiah 29:11-14 as we see the good plans God has for us, His people, as sojourners and exiles here. 

Work is a major aspect of our lives. For most of us, more time is spent working than anywhere else, or very nearly. Continuing with a foundation in Jeremiah 29:4-7 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, we will survey Scripture to try to grasp an understanding of God’s design for work, what makes it difficult, and what it means to work to the glory of God and the common good. DC is always a vocation-focused city and that has intensified in our current moment. So, we will take a look at why work is important, how we can approach it, and whether it’s all worth it in the end. 

After spending the past two months in Esther, which proved to be timely encouragement for us as we live as sojourners and exiles, we will begin a new series this Sunday. March brings us to the completion of the two-year discipleship initiative, Dwell: An Enduring & Faithful Presence. 
The call to Dwell has had two main components: a call to 100% engagement for those who call RHC home, and a call to help us financially prepare for the future by saving toward a more permanent home for the church. We have seen God move powerfully over the past two years. The intentionality and generosity of our members has been massively encouraging. I believe that God has used this initiative to shape our hearts and to clarify the mission and vision for Redemption Hill. 
The shaping impact of the Dwell initiative is not just going to be discarded once we get to April 2025 and the two years are complete. Instead, the call to Dwell: An Enduring & Faithful Presence will become a Core Value of the church, that will continue to shape us as a people looking forward. I’m excited to preach over the next month on how that value will shape us as a church: 
    Week 1 – Dwell: Theology of Place
    Week 2 – Enduring: Theology of Vocation
    Week 3 – Faithful: Theology of Revival
    Week 4 – Presence: Theology of Contextualization
In the spirit of God’s call to His people in exile to seek the welfare and good of their city in Jeremiah 29, we have been sent by God to DC and the DMV at this time. My faith has been encouraged to see the faith that so many of you are showing right now. We hope to finish our two year commitments strong. We also recognized that some of you are facing job loss and uncertainty right now. While some may not be able to give anything financially, there are other ways to be part of God’s work that are just as valuable. For others who are able to give, or even consider giving more in a time of need, I hope you will prayerfully consider doing so. For all of us, my hope is that the next month will help us clarify what it means that God has put us here “for such a time as this.”

Today we come to the conclusion in our study in the book of Esther. This series was planned months ago and I have to admit that it has been more timely than I could have imagined. God’s Word has a way of doing that – meeting us right where we are, living and active in reaching our hearts. Throughout this series we've seen how God is Sovereignty in the Silence, explored the difference between human justice and God's justice, and been reminded that we can celebrate deliverance even while still in exile.

When we left off the most unlikely of reversals had happened. Haman, who had shamed Mordecai and manipulated the king, using the royal signet ring to issue an edict to kill, to destroy, and to annihilate Mordecai’s people, the Jews throughout the empire; that same Haman had to lead Mordecai through the city proclaiming his honor, and then his plot was exposed and Haman was hanged on the 75-foot-high gallows he had built. 
We will pick it up with Esther 8:1-9:16. In this section the reversal theme becomes even greater as we see a second edict issued using the signet ring of the king. The passage raises some important questions about the nature of justice, the differences between human justice and God’s justice, and the ways that we are part of God’s work of bringing justice to our city and our world. There are some difficult questions as well as we see what might look like retribution. Through it all we will see that even in the darkest of circumstance we can trust that true justice will triumph in the end, God’s justice will be brought to bear in its fullness. 
The overarching theme of God’s Sovereignty in the Silence continues in powerful ways this week. In that, God’s Word meets us in perfect timing for the week we are walking through. God sees. God knows. God hears us. Even when it seems like God is silent, His sovereign hand is moving in powerful ways. 

First, hello. I'm Nathan, the new Associate. Some may wonder what an associate does. I will mainly be responsible for associating with you.
Second, Bill is out this Sunday. Please pray for his safe travels. With his temporary absence, I have the distinct privilege of sharing the Bible message whether you attend the 9am service or the 5pm or both. Our message title, "For the Joy Set Before Him", comes from Hebrews 12:2, but in a shocking twist, we will be looking at Psalm 16. Just come, and I will explain more when you get here.
Third, my family and I are very grateful for the outpouring of generous hospitality we have received. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better and better in the days ahead. It's been a whirlwind for us over the past few months, and I think we may share that sentiment in common. Maybe you too have been living through unsettling circumstances, or perhaps the anxious anticipation of potential unsettling circumstances has been unsettling enough. Either way, I can relate. Psalm 16 has been a tremendous help to me, and I think it will be for you as well.

When we left off, the King had a sleepless night that became a major crux of the entire storyline. He was trying to fall asleep by reading the chronicles of the palace when he remembered Mordecai, who had saved his life. In a delicious twist, Haman was called in to go and get Mordecai, escort him through the city, and proclaim that Mordecai is the one the King delights to honor. Now we see the aftermath. At Esther’s second feast, the depth of Haman’s plot is revealed and justice finally comes. 

When we left off, Esther had decided that God had put her in the position she held, Queen over the empire, “for such a time as this.” She took a tremendous risk to approach the King without having been called and had the opportunity to host the King and Haman for a banquet. She showed wisdom in inviting the pair to a second banquet the following day. The entire story and trajectory changed overnight. Literally. The King couldn’t sleep and his restless night led him to a complete change of heart and perspective, without even realizing all of the pieces at play in the grand drama that was unfolding in Susa. 

In the darkest moments, when things are most bleak, and we are wrecked with the question of whether God sees, knows, or hears our prayers as we cry out to Him, what is it that we can cling to? In a world where chaos reigns in the halls of power and human life is at stake, how do we make sense of God’s sovereignty? Our passage this Sunday will help us.  

We left off last week with Haman and King Ahasuerus toasting their brilliance in anticipation of the orders they had just sent out for the destruction of the Jewish people across the empire, while the city of Susa was thrown into confusion and fear. Those in power were completely out of touch with the implications for their people, or the confusion it would cause. Maybe there is no more timely week for that message for us!

This week the story continues. When the edict went out from the palace, Mordecai fell into mourning. We will take time to see his reaction and responses, the amazing reality that he never lost hope, and the response from Queen Esther as news of the truth reached her. This passage will help us to gain clarity on what it looks like to take action in desperate times, and how to respond and position ourselves to be used by God for good. 

The first two chapters of Esther are the prelude to set the scene for us. In chapter 3, the drama begins. We are finally introduced to our main antagonist, Haman, and the lens of the story shifts to the brewing conflict between Haman and Mordecai. This passage raises important questions about what it means to honor governing authorities while not violating our own faith or conscience.