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Teaching podcast from the Eagle Community Church of Christ in Mont Belvieu, TX.
Well, good morning. Glad to see you all out. Want to echo what has already been said. Great crowd today. I'm excited to start a new series, and of course, it's on the screen there, Tell Me the Life Lessons from Scripture's Greatest Moments.
John Gunter:Now, this was done with AI. This is something that I think AI does a really good job of, and John Guenter does not. So, one of my things I've always said is I'm not that creative. I'm one of those people, I'll tell you if I like it, but I couldn't come up with it, and if I could, it would take me all week to do it, and then once I was proud of it, one of my kids would walk by and says, that looks cringe, bro, and we would start over. Well, I can't really dismiss my kids anymore because Logan is really into fashion.
John Gunter:He wants the latest thing. If you'll notice today, he has on some pink Lionel Messi shoes. Messi is the best soccer player in the world, and so when you see him in a little while, notice his pink shoes. Okay? Not only does he have pink shoes, but he has crease protectors for the shoes.
John Gunter:Did you all know that was a thing? I learned that last week. Dad, you have to have crease protectors. What? Okay.
John Gunter:So dad's getting old. You know what a crease protector? You're looking at him. Okay. Crease protectors are a plastic hard thing that go in your shoe, so your shoe can't come up at the toe and get that crease across it.
John Gunter:So, I mean, I guess the kids are looking at all of y'all with creases in your shoes going, Man, they just didn't have it. And they're cheap too, by the way, so we can go ahead and get you some, I guess. Today, we're talking about the hidden queen. Now, this is the story of Esther. This is also done with AI, and I was very excited to see it.
John Gunter:Logan walked by, and again, I told you, he's into fashion. He also he designed we're coming up with different soccer jerseys for our our competitive soccer team, and he designed one he wanted to make sure was out there in the voting, and I was like, I tried to temper expectations, you know, we might not pick yours. He's got the most votes. So, he's good at it too, I guess. But he walked by and he saw this, he said, dad, I don't like this.
John Gunter:It looks kinda dark, and she looks scared. And I said, that's exactly right, son. That's how I know this is a good image for Esther. And so, as we talk about Esther this morning, we're mainly gonna talk about chapter four, but the story of Esther begins in Persia where God's people are living in exile. There's no temple, no king in Jerusalem, and no mention of God's name anywhere in the entire book.
John Gunter:In fact, over the course of history, some people have thought this doesn't really belong within scripture because there's no mention of God, there's no mention of even prayer. And so, thought, well, does this even belong? But Esther is a young Jewish woman raised by her cousin Mordecai after being orphaned. She's taken in taken into the king's court, likely even against her will, and eventually becomes queen after king Xerxes banishes his former wife, but she keeps her identity hidden, and so that's why we call her the hidden queen today. But meanwhile, a powerful official named Haman is promoted by the king.
John Gunter:Haman expects everyone to bow down to him, but Mordecai refuses. So in response, Haman doesn't just seek revenge on Mordecai, he manipulates the king into issuing this royal decree to annihilate all the Jews throughout the Persian Empire, every man, woman, and child wiped out on a single day, and what would have happened had this gone through is a genocide. And so, what do you do in a situation like this? You look kinda scared. Esther chapter three verse 13, letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.
John Gunter:Now, we often pray, thank you, Lord, that we are able to worship in a way that we don't feel like pressure from the outside. We don't feel like somebody's gonna say, hey, quit worshiping God. Can you imagine a day where you woke up, and the decree from the government is to have you and your family killed, women, children, all of them, and we're going to plunder all of your goods. This is the kind of evil and hatred that was going on within this situation. And so, by chapter four in Esther, this decree had gone out, the date had been set.
John Gunter:Mordecai is mourning in sackcloth and being seen by everyone doing so, and Esther was tucked away in the palace at this point. But she is about to be called in the moment for which she may have been placed there by God. Do you remember the scripture there? Yes. She can stay hidden, or she can risk everything to intercede for her people.
John Gunter:And so, ask you this morning, what would you do? Stay hidden and be safe, or put yourself out there? And so, what I want you to know is that the absence of the word God, or the name of God in this book doesn't mean that God is absent. Right? Sometimes, we operate in the world wanting to hear a very audible word from God, or we want our road to Damascus moment when I think God may work in the subtleties, and so I think this is a really good book for us.
John Gunter:Though you may desire something loud and flashy, now I'm hard headed, how about you? And sometimes I need God to hit me upside the head with something. Right? And so, think with this book, what you see is people trying to discern the will of God and going about everyday life just like we do. And so, we're gonna be here in Esther four verses thirteen and fourteen.
John Gunter:And Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, do not do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. And so, this is kind of a warning. Right? So if you, as I've asked you the question, what would you do this morning? Mordecai starts with a warning that, listen, you're Jewish too.
John Gunter:And so, if your thought is, what I'll do is I'll stay hidden, and I'll stay safe, he says, well, that's probably not going to happen. But then he in verse 14 says this, for if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish, and who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. What we see in these couple of verses is a theology about what God is going to have happen here. Now, God is not mentioned, he doesn't say God will make happen, but when he's talking to Esther, he says, if you don't act, someone else will. Now, what you shouldn't take from that is, okay, I'm not doing a thing.
John Gunter:Right? That's a that's a certain heart issue there. Okay. Yeah, I could serve at church, but you know what? John said on Sunday, if I don't do it, somebody else will.
John Gunter:And I like that. I'm gonna put that above my door as I go out in the morning. Right? No. What he's saying is is that God is going to take care of his people, but you have an opportunity right now to be that person to step out there, because you're not gonna be saved if you keep quiet.
John Gunter:Right? Something's gonna happen, you're gonna be found out, and then, guess what? He he doesn't say this, but guess what's gonna happen in the future? Xerxes is going to find out that you didn't say a word, you didn't get out in front of this, now you've hidden, you've lied to him, guess what's going to happen? It's not going to be good.
John Gunter:And so, Mordecai is urging Esther consider this position, that maybe it's not a coincidence that you are in this position right now. Have you ever come to a place in your life where you go, oh. Have you ever had someone put in your life that maybe not initially, but later on down the road you say, oh, thank you God. Thank you Lord that they came into my life. I didn't I didn't maybe even want it, I didn't see it, I didn't know it, but okay, God is working.
John Gunter:There is a not a coincidence, but God is working behind the scenes to put us together. We talk often about you being the body of Christ, that we all have our gifts. I don't think God put together a whole bunch of big toes in one room. Right? He didn't know what he was doing.
John Gunter:I think God, when he places his church together, places people with different gifts, different abilities, different people you can reach. You've experienced that, haven't you? People who can teach the young kids, people who can teach the older kids, I love to teach and preach. I don't want to go teach some of your kids. Not because I don't love them, not because I don't love you, but I don't feel I'm the best at that.
John Gunter:I I'm I'm you know, if I raise my voice at all, just to even get attention, I feel bad. You know, I'm not I'm not the school teacher that some of you have been, where you can get that level and they snap to attention. I tend to scare kids when I do that. But God places us in life within different situations, I believe, very strategically. Now, if you don't believe that, that will put you in a frame of mind that I don't need to do anything, and I might not belong here, and I, you know, I don't fit.
John Gunter:If you do believe that God puts people in different places strategically, you should be asking the question, alright. What what do I do here? How do I belong? How do I fit? How can I fit?
John Gunter:How can I use the things God has blessed me with? You see what I'm saying? That's a different heart, that's a different mindset, and that's what Mordecai is kind of going into here with Esther because he's saying, this is what this is what without saying God, he's like, this is what happens. Who's to say, who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? We talked this morning in class about kind of leaving open the the maybe.
John Gunter:And what we talked about was sometimes in life, things happen, and and can I say that that God did this for certain, and I can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that that's what happened? Maybe not, but maybe. And that's exactly what Mordecai does. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. He's saying, leave that open.
John Gunter:Consider for a moment that maybe God has placed you here with your ability, with your position for a reason. Now, find that reason, find what I can do. In Acts 17 verses twenty six and twenty seven, and he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him, yet he is actually not far from each one of us. And so, this kind of talks about God placing people in certain times and certain areas. Okay?
John Gunter:And I like this. What what I like about history I'm I'm I think I'm absolutely a stereotypical 42 year old at this point. I'm getting getting into different biographies quit shaking your head, yes? I'm getting into different biographies, I don't own white New Balance yet, you know, grass stained, but I'm just following all the things, but I I like history now. And so, I like about history is how every single civilization is trying to find God.
John Gunter:And they look different, but they are trying to see God. They know instinctually that something has happened here. Something great has happened here. And and what is it? How do I become a part of it?
John Gunter:And so that that question should go with us, and so your current placement, consider this, your current placement right here, may be the answer to someone else's prayer. Now, if you came this morning just with the idea of what I'm gonna get out of this today, you might miss this. Because if it's all about me, and what I want, and what I get, we're gonna miss the rest of God's plan. So, that your current placement may be the answer to someone else's prayer, that you are here to encourage and uplift, and just by being here, you could be helping someone else. I don't believe God's placement is random, and if you're breathing, if you're drawing breath this morning, I think you are here for something greater than yourself.
John Gunter:Something greater than, oh, this is what I want, or what I desire, and all the things of life, but something God has had a hand in. Now, back in Esther four verse 15, then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, go gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish. And so, this is why I say God is just on the fringes, because every time we talk about fasting within Scripture, you're talking about fasting and prayer. Right?
John Gunter:We just had a few sermons in May about fasting and prayer. And so when he says, okay, fast on my behalf, that's the idea that we are doing this for a reason, not just to withhold food, but we are gonna focus, we are gonna show God that we are serious, and we need Him, so fast on my behalf, and it's not, you do this for me, it is, we're all going to be joined in this. That we are going to fast and pray, and you see that she has chosen this route that even if it cost her her life, she has chosen to do it. So I ask you again, what would you have chosen? Would you have chosen this route, or would you have said, I think I can stay safe and stay hidden for a while?
John Gunter:God commands us in these these moments in our life, and you see in Joshua one nine, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. We even make songs about that, don't we? Be strong and courageous, and do not be afraid. Because frightened wouldn't fit there.
John Gunter:Okay. You got that? Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous? Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Now, what this scripture does not say is that as you go, and as you trust in God, what you will experience is just an easy passage, no trouble along the way.
John Gunter:Right? How many of you have lived what you consider to be a long Christian life, and you've experienced some of life? Yes? Have you felt like it's just been a smooth, easy sailing, no problems? Lord, because I trust in you, all my paths will be made clear.
John Gunter:No. He doesn't say that. He doesn't promise that. What he does promise is that wherever you go, wherever you find yourself, he will be with you. Amen?
John Gunter:That's what I need. That's the reminder I need. Right? That as I go, God is with me. There's another place in scripture that that talks about God being your rear guard.
John Gunter:God has got your back. And so, as you go, even in like Esther is facing here, a decision that might end up costing her life, it doesn't mean it won't. But wherever you go, God is with you. Fear is not an excuse for disobedience. You hear that?
John Gunter:Fear is not an excuse for disobedience. We should not be afraid, and I believe God knows, we'll we'll have fear. We'll have anxiety. But what I think what God is trying to tell us is you really have fear and anxiety if all you're doing is leaning on all that you can do. Because when you give it to God Have ever been in that situation where you finally gave it to God, you didn't do it, you worried about it, you fought about it, worked yourself up into a tizzy, and realized I haven't even given this to God, and then when you finally did, you felt everything lift from you.
John Gunter:You've been there, haven't you? Because I have. Okay. He can handle it. He can help you walk through the fire if you will give it to him.
John Gunter:But sometimes, we hold on to it. We are so consumed with controlling the situation that we hold on to the burden. We won't even let that go. And so, well, that's the way you'll feel, weighed down, burdened, anxiety, fear, because we won't even give it to him. He says, give it to me, I am with you wherever you go.
John Gunter:And so, let me ask you this, what if Esther had chosen to say no? What would her disobedience to her calling have meant? Alright. Let's turn this around for just a second. What is it that you have said no to?
John Gunter:What has that meant for you or someone else that you said no, I won't help, or I won't do, or I won't get involved? I don't like that part as much, do you? Let's talk about Esther again. Right? Because that's a direct comparison, isn't it?
John Gunter:Because how many times do we have an opportunity to do something and get involved and help out to make a situation better, and we go, you know what? It would be a lot safer for me if I just sit in the background. Right? That's that's what she had to face. I can stay hidden, I can blend into the furniture, or I can get involved.
John Gunter:We faced that when we went to moved to Texarkana, because I had always been a part of very small churches. The church I grew up in was about a 120 or so. And so, I'll give you an example. We moved to Texarkana, we were involved in a church of about 500. And so, we had a very clear choice of blending into all the aesthetics in there, or getting involved.
John Gunter:And I'll tell you, blending into the aesthetics, a lot of times, is safer. You don't come in the direct path of people who are upset. Right? You don't get into some of those conversations. But when you know God has called you to something, and you say no, do you really want to live with that?
John Gunter:Do you really think you can? Just for what you think is your safety, I don't want to come to the end of my life and say, what I lived, Lord, was a very safe life. I feel good about that. How about you? You ever heard someone get up and give a eulogy talking about how safe a life they lived and how we all respected that for their safety?
John Gunter:No. It's all the things they did. Right? All the things they got involved with. Not all the ways they said no.
John Gunter:I'd like to talk about this eulogy from brother Smith. Want to acknowledge that he always said no to teaching bible class in our church. What would we do if somebody said that? We go, oh. Right?
John Gunter:They always, when they had an opportunity to get involved, they made sure they were safe and out of the way. Thank you, Lord, for their non contribution. No, sometimes we have to get involved, and sometimes that means we don't walk an easy path because that's the thing Esther had to to see here. And so, if we go back to Esther two verse 17, the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. And so, we ask the question, okay, well, how did she get in this position?
John Gunter:Was it God? Now, if you're skeptical of those things, you say, well, is that a coincidence? She was just born beautiful more than any of these other women. But Mordecai says, well, let's let's open up to the maybe. Maybe it is that God has put her in this place at this time for this purpose.
John Gunter:We see something similar in Romans eight twenty eight, and we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. Now, again, that doesn't mean that everything in your life will be good, and you'll say at the end of the day, boy, I had peace and tranquility, and all I got was blessing. Didn't have a heartache won. Right? Music has taught us, mo money, mo problems.
John Gunter:Is that not right? That's right. Okay. It doesn't mean you had an easy life, but it will work out. That you plug into your purpose, God will make it work out.
John Gunter:So look for God's fingerprints in your life. Look for God working, maybe not on the in the flashing light on the road to Damascus, but look in the fringe moments. Look at the here and now, and and how did I come into contact with these people? How did I make it here? I'll tell you, when we went into ministry, I've told you this story, know you're tired of hearing it, but Katie wasn't ready because she had married an IT guy.
John Gunter:And I told her I wanted to go into ministry because I was getting opportunities, I was teaching class, preaching, and she said, what? And it took another probably two years before she was ready. But the scariest thing we did was go, okay, I could be I'm very comfortable here, but now I have to leave here. And I I'm not telling you this is a story that you need to come pat me on the back because I was scared, my wife was scared, but I will tell you that God has blessed us exponentially because of just saying yes. Yes, we have had hardships.
John Gunter:Yes, we have come into conflict. Some of was our fault, some of we had nothing to do with because we said yes, and because we got involved. But let me tell you, at the end of the day, when I pass away, that's what I want to have said is that I said yes. That's what I want to have said for you. If you go before me, and you ask me to to give your eulogy, what I want to be able to say the end of the day is, my goodness, did they say yes, and they made our church great because of their blessings that they shared with us.
John Gunter:Let's not get in the habit of saying someone else will do this. We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose, and as I sit here this morning, talking about my story, you all are a part of that right now. I never would have known you had I said no. And I never would have known the blessings I missed out on, you know that. And as I sit here this morning, I thank God that he gave me the courage to do it.
John Gunter:That he gave Katie, though it took her two years, after that time, to say, yes, we can we can do this scary thing. And so, say yes. Step into the scary moment because it's all gonna work out. God has your back, be looking for the ways in which God is working in your life. And so, I believe that every single believer is called into these moments.
John Gunter:These moments where you choose, and you know which choice means obedience to God, don't you? A lot of times, it's the one that does, like I said, bring fear. I'm in my comfort zone right now, I don't want to step outside of that, but I think every one of us is given these moments to choose obedience or disobedience, and to follow God. Ephesians five says, we are called to walk wisely. Listen to this, look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best of the time because the days are evil.
John Gunter:Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And so, as we search for God's purpose, we should be looking at this time, how can I help? How can I be of service here in this place? And so, I think God's purpose often is disguised as personal responsibility. The things I know I need to take part in, that God's will is playing out through that, and that's why I like Esther.
John Gunter:Mordecai didn't say, God said, you need to do this. All he said was, maybe consider. You might consider that you're in this place for a particular purpose, And that was all it took, and fasting, and I'm going to assume that it is implied prayer there, but after this moment, they decide or she decides, okay, I'm going to do the right thing. And so, you are made for more than just surviving or living peacefully. You are made for a life or a time such as this.
John Gunter:Right now, at this moment, you were made for a time such as this. James four seventeen says this, so whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. And so, we consider something like this, it's not the, okay, nothing is hurt when I say no. Because we often consider that. Okay, well, someone else take care of it, nothing's actually hurt, And I believe God's gonna take care of us.
John Gunter:Right? That my no, my time of weakness, my time where I do say no, I think God's still gonna have it. He I'm not gonna derail God's plan where he goes, oh, I don't know what to do. John said no this week. But for those of us who know the right thing to do and fail to do it, for us it is sin, and so we should consider that.
John Gunter:And second Corinthians six two says, in in a favorable time I listened to you and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. Today is a day of salvation. Not tomorrow, not when you get everything lined up at home, today is the day of salvation.
John Gunter:And so, Esther didn't get a big bright shining sign from heaven. What Esther was given was a choice. Will you be obedient or will you not? And so now is your time to step forward, to be encouraged. If you have any need this morning, would you come as we stand and as we sing?