Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 19 February 2023
Gathering
Scripture References: Matthew 28:16-20, Psalms 8:1-9, Ephesians 2:17-22
Gathering Growing Going
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CloseThe command to ‘make disciples of all nations’ has three parts to it… and this week we are looking at ‘gathering’ – disciples are part of a new community that gathers together. In the first instance, we are ‘gathered’ into a community with God Himself (and ‘baptism’ points to how God makes this possible). In the second instance, this community with God means we are gathered into a community with others in community with God. And the imagery in the Bible of this – body, building, bride, vine – are all images that only work when they are ‘gathered’ – in one place, at one time. If you are a disciple of Jesus, you gather!
Scripture References: Matthew 28:16-20, Psalms 8:1-9, Ephesians 2:17-22
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The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
We love a turning point. Whether it is a story or a football game. Hope dawning at the darkest time. Where is the great turning point in Esther? It could be our memory verse, when Esther is persuaded by Mordecai to act to save her people. It could be when the king looks with favour upon Esther and holds out the golden scepter to her. It could be when Haman is forced to lead Mordecai through the city mounted on the king’s horse and proclaims that he is the man the king delights to honour. They are major events in the story of Esther. They are turning points of a sort. But the writer of Esther points us to another event. That looks so trivial.
Esther is such an exciting story! There are evil plots. There are interesting yet flawed characters. There is risk and sacrifice. There is heroism and villainy. Today, we are introduced to the villain of the plot, and what an evil scheming villain he is! He spins lies and concocts murderous plans to do away with the Jews, God’s covenant people. How will the people respond? Will he get away with his evil plan? Will God, who is not mentioned at all, intervene to protect His people, to live up to the promises He made to Abraham, the people at Mt Sinai, and to David?
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