The Rock Church of Fenton Sermons

We all have moments in our lives where we walk through hard times. Psalm 124:1 tells us, “Had it not been for the Lord who was on our side… God is fighting for you in the midst of your battles and desires to deliver you. Sometimes we try to figure out HOW He will deliver us, taking things into our own hands, but we are meant to just BELIEVE that He will. He is faithful!

As Haman was on his way to request of the king that Mordecai be hanged, the king was already awake. Unable to sleep, the king reads of an old loyalty exhibited by Mordecai. As Haman arrives, he is shocked to discover that the king has decided to honor Mordecai. Arriving at the second banquet, Haman witnesses the king insist the queen tell him of her petition. She now reveals the real reason for the banquet. Soon after, Haman’s gallows would be occupied the true foe and enemy. The Lord is our defender and we must be encouraged to place our trust in Him.

After 3 days of fasting and seeking The Lord, Esther enters the throne room at risk of her life. The king extends the scepter and she invites him to a banquet with his most trusted man Haman. As the evening goes on, the king presses Esther as to what is on her mind. She makes another request to attend a second banquet the following day where she promises to reveal her real reason for the meeting. As we see Esther put her life on the line to save her people, we are reminded of the gospel message, where our Savior did the same.

Haman was a proud, entitled, power monger with a fragile ego. Many of us have a Haman in our lives. Even though we’d rather avoid such a person, it is a Haman that is often used to purify our faith and reveal who we really are. When Haman was insulted by Mordecai, he would declare a genocide of the Jews. This act of vengeance would place a beautiful, young woman with a wounded past in direct opposition to wicked Haman. Many of us are often placed in a trying circumstance, for such a time as this.

After the prophets of Baal could not call fire from heaven, Elijah took his turn. He soaked the altar of The Lord with water and prayed to God. The fire fell from the sky and consumed the altar, wood, rocks and water. The people proclaimed The Lord as God and the false prophets were slain. Many times God seems to soak our lives with the water of impossibility before He does a mighty work. The fire of Elijah stands a warning to all mankind, that in these last days God is speaking through His Son Jesus. Jesus will one judge the world in righteousness when fire again falls from the heavens and consumes those who deny the gospel.

As the people of God were lured in by the false prophets of Baal, Elijah the prophet proposed a challenge. They would build two altars and ask the true God to answer by fire. God’s people hesitated between two opinions as many do, but we are called to make a clear decision. As the false prophets shouted, leaped and bled around the altar of Baal, Elijah waited his turn. When Baal did not answer, Elijah repaired the altar of The Lord. Maybe some of us need to do the same.

God tells us in His Word that He will be our refuge, our shelter, and our comfort. He has created safe boundaries for us and asks us to stay close. Yet, many times, we see the temptations in this world and they seemingly promise us happiness, joy, and peace in our lives. Today we will look at the consequences of falling into the temptations of this world and how God gives us "The way of escape".

Some people feel that God will never love them or use them mightily because they have lived a life of sin. Many feel untouchable because they have hurt people through self-righteous judgment that was absent of grace. Others have defied God in their rebellion, anger, and immorality. Praise The Lord for His merciful grace, as He has always been saving and using, “The Sinners.”

Acts 26:12-15
James 1:19-20
Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-3
Luke 7:36-39, 47

Additional Scripture:
Acts 23:6
Proverbs 15:18
Proverbs 27:4
Exodus 32:19
Numbers 20:10-12
Isaiah 30:1