Taking A Risk (Vision Night)
Standalone (Esther 4:14) • Sermon • Submitted
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Taking A Risk
Taking A Risk
Introduction:
Good Evening Refuge Youth It’s been a while:
A.) Education has flooded my time
Speech Class
Christian Spirituality
Berean School Of The Bible
B.) I am being stretched:
Worker
Leader
Servant
C.) I am back.
Tonight I will go through the reason why you are here: We will review the story of Esther.
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?”
We will connect certain portions of our Mission Statement as well.
We will go through our Identity as Refuge Youth tonight.
You guys are born for such a time as this!
Who is Esther:
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Esther as a Character
a feminist hero and wise courtier who seeks and listens to advice, risks her life for the salvation of her people, and defeats the wicked Haman
I will give you guys a preview of Esther life in a nutshell:
The Story of Esther
The Story of Esther
Long ago, in a country called Persia (Babylon), there was a king named Achashveyrosh (as known in Jewish... His Persian name was Xerxes) and a queen named Vashti. King Achashveyrosh ordered his wife the queen to appear before him at a party so he could show everyone how pretty she was. When she refused, the king was furious.
The King name Xerxes was having a part and he wanted his wife to show up so he could show how pretty she is, but she refused which caused the king to be mad.
To make matters worse, a rather nasty man named Haman was one of the King's advisors. Haman teased the king that if word got around, no one's wife would think she had to listen to her husband. At Haman's urging, King Achashveyrosh ordered that his wife be put to death.
One of the King’s advisors named Haman teased the King about the situation, to prevent this He had her wife be put to death
King Achashveyrosh wasn't happy for long without a queen, so he ordered a search through the kingdom for a beautiful girl to be his bride. It wasn't too long before the King's scouts happened upon Esther. Esther was beautiful, gracious and kind -- just what the king was looking for. In no time at all, Esther was married to the king.
The King wanted another mate so He send out people to look for a beautiful girl to be his bride to be, Eventually Esther was the chosen one, beautiful, gracious, kind. Esther married the King.
Now Esther was a Jew. The Jews had been driven out of Israel, their home, about 70 years before and exiled in Persia. Although they did there best to make a living in this strange land, they prayed that someday they would be able to return to their home. Esther's uncle Mordechai, was the leader of the Jews. Mordechai encouraged Esther to hide her faith from the King and his advisors, which she did.
At this time the Jews were driven out from their home, they prayed eagerly to return back. Because Esther herself was a Jew, Her uncle told her to hide her faith from the king and his advisors.
Haman had, by this time, become a powerful man in the kingdom - Prime Minister of Persia in fact. He decided that given his rise in power, it would be appropriate for everyone to bow down to him. But Mordechai refused to bow down to him. Haman was very angry and asked the King to authorize a royal decree to annihilate the Jews.
Haman became Prime Minister, He revived power that everyone should bow but Esther uncle decided not too. Because of Haman angry he decided to set a decree to annihilate the Jews.
Haman started to plan this event.
This is where our brave Queen Esther comes into the picture -- Mordechai, having found out about Haman's evil intentions, sent
Esther a message. He told her what Haman was plotting and asked her to go to the King on the Jews behalf.
Queen Esther finds out about the evil plan that Haman is trying to accomplish by her uncle. He asked her to go to the King on behalf of the Jews.
Esther was afraid. She hadn't been allowed to see the King for a month. In fact, no one could see him without being invited. But she fasted and prayed for three days, mustered up her courage and went to see the king. Although he was initially angry at her, King Achashveyrosh spared her life and offered "half my kingdom for your wishes,"
She had fear, but she fasted and prayed for three days, got the courage to go.
All she asked was that the King and Haman join her for dinner that night.
Finally Esther shared the secret of her faith. Begged for the freedom of the people.
Short Summary: Finally Esther shared the secret of her faith. Begged for the freedom of the people.
Haman was very pleased that he'd been asked to dine with Achashveyrosh and Esther two nights in a row and was filled with pride. But then he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and still Mordecai refused to bow to him. Haman was filled with rage. He decided that night to build a gallows with which to hang Mordechai and planned to speak to the king about it the very next morning. That way, he'd have the whole matter dealt with during the day and be able to enjoy the next evening's banquet in peace.
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?”
The next morning, just as Haman was arriving to ask that Mordecai be hanged the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" Haman, still filled with pride, mistakenly thought the king was referring to him. So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, `This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'"
I’m right here sitting at the table:
Imagine Haman's shock when the King commanded, "Go at once. Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate." Haman obeyed the king, of course, but not happily! He was very upset that Mordecai, his enemy, was being honored by the king. Immediately after leading Mordecai around the city proclaiming, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!", Haman had to go to the banquet with the King and Queen.
I want to ask you guys this question:
Who is sitting in your banquet table?
Finally Esther shared the secret of her faith and proclaimed herself a Jew. She begged the king to spare her people. Harbona, one of the king's attendants told the king of the gallows that Haman had built to have Mordecai hanged. The king was furious with Haman and ordered that he be hanged on those gallows. Haman's pride and cruelty had led to his own destruction and the brave, young Esther had saved her people.
There are specific things that will hinder you from God’s Will in your life, in this case God’s Will for this Youth Group.
Throughout the last few months you guys want to know what battles I’ve been going through with God?
My first conversation I started to talk to is: Fear
1.) Was I not ready for this?
2.) Am I even good enough to lead this Youth Group?
3.) What if this youth Group fails?
These are the questions I’ve struggled with talking with fear over here in this table.
I’ve been pleading with Jesus, Lord what do you want me to do with these questions!?
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians
for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
I was able to speak back to fear saying, You will not dictate my effectiveness for this Youth Group. Through Christ I am made strong because of his power you have no control over me.
And even if this does fail, I will not give up. I will never give up on you guys.
I will keep pushing and pushing until I have not strength left.
I will not let other opportunities sway me unless God has told me and has confirmed it through other people.
Fear has been sitting at my table trying to destroy what Refuge Youth as started as me as your Youth Pastor I will protect this Youth Group against anything that is trying to hinder the effectiveness of seeing people saved, people encountering God.
Who is sitting in your table?
What is the request you want to speak to our King Jesus?
Maybe you guys are going through:
Depression,
Opposition,
maybe your overwhelmed,
Discouraged
I want to let you guys know that God has placed you here for Refuge Youth for such a time as this.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Jesus is right here right now, willing to enjoy time to eat with me because I have opened the door while he was knocking.
Just like Esther wanted to saved her people from Haman’s plan.
We have an enemy of our own the devil trying to destroy God’s child.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
1.) The Enemy has a plan:
Just like Haman our enemy has a plan to steal, kill, and destroy.
He wants to steal your idenity
He wants to kill your purpose
He wants to destroy your density
2.) We have a choice to save our friends, family, and coworkers.
Just like Esther revealed her faith, I think it is time for you to reveal your faith to your friends.
You gotta keep this a secret anymore
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
A.) We do this by talking to people about Jesus.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
B.) Sharing our Testamony
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
C.) Living Spirit filled Lives:
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Ephesians
These are ways we could be effective to save our friends and family that Jesus has come to set them free, for them to be made knew, for them to start living the freedom that Jesus came to give us.
These are ways we could be effective to save our friends and family that Jesus has come to set them free, for them to be made knew, for them to start living the freedom that Jesus came to give us.
Instead of having these type of attitude come sit at our table.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
I don’t know who may be sitting at your table, who whatever it is you need to go to Jesus and make sure you know how to destroy the plan that the enemy has.
You guys were born as such a time as this:
You need to come and take a sit with Jesus and tell him: Hey this problem is going on, Hey this thought is in my head, Jesus this is the plan that is trying to destroy what you have planned for good.
Take authority on knowing who your God is
Know your authority that you have the ability to speak life and to avoid temptation.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
;
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Are you trying to battle by your own? Or are you willing to actually sit down with Jesus and discussion your plans so He will direct you.
Lately I’ve been talking to Jesus in this table about the mission and purpose for Refuge Youth.
I do not believe for a second that our Glory Days are over, I want to remind you guys that God is doing a new thing.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
I believe we been in the wilderness for too long, I believe that God is going to breakthrough this youth Group like never before.
You think our Glory Days have ended you guys do not want to know what God has planned for this Youth Group for the next 10 years.
As long as I am your Youth Pastor I will be progressing forward the purpose of Refuge Youth.
I want you guys to repeat after me:
Our Mission Statement is: X3
1.) Safe Atmosphere
2.) Make Disciples/Build Character
3.) Impact/Serve Community
We are born for such a time like this to accomplish what God has put into the heart of this group.
A.) Safe Atmosphere
I want this to be a safe place where your friends from any background is able to show up:
1.) They will become our VIP’s
They will be treated with great honor and respect
They should be the main focus throughout the night
Our purpose is to create a place where they could be themselves guiding them towards God’s Truth.
2.) They will see what Christianity is about.
They will be able to see how we worship
They will be able to see how we pray
They will be able to hear what I preach
It’s time for us to bring back Altar Call experience where we are able to pray over you to receive Christ or have God move in your life.
3.) They will encounter God.
It’s time for us to believe that God is actually going to move in this place.
It’s time for us to cultivate our love and passion to see your VIP’s experinece God.
If we are not willing to let God move throughout our services , we are missing our calling.
B.) Make Disciples/Build Character
My goal is to have our leaders train and equip our younger generation that’s coming up
They are our next Refuge Youth, without them our purpose will not be passed on
We want to train and equip you guys to go to the next level of what God wants in your life
1.) Spiritual Leadership Qualities:
Know Their Bible
Know How To Pray
Lead People To Jesus
Lead with Authority and Integrity
2.) Refuge Youth School of Ministry:
In this a process right now
I’m testing this out with our 2 potential leaders
The first 5 Courses for our Christian Life program help you grow all the qualities.
Not only will you learn more about these topics but you will grow with your friends in a spiritual way
3.) Leadership Counsel
- My goal for leaders is to prepare time for them to grow in how to be affective in this Youth Group
- Twice a month: Training/ Provide Feedback/ Equipping in leadership areas
- We will be starting this in July, Adult, Student, and Potential Leaders are welcomed.
C.) Impact/Serve Community:
1.) Have a Christian Club Campus/ Be involved in their Christian Club
I will be back on campus when school starts.
If we are not able to have a Christian Club through our group. Then I will equip you guys for Campus Ministry
My Mission Statement for Campus Ministry is simple but empowering:
Seek The Lost
Serve The Campus
Empower Believers
Leave A Legacy
I don’t care if I have to meet with you guys on a separate classroom in order for us to discussion Christian related topics.
I want to see a change on campus.
2.) Refuge Food Box Project:
Not only do we want to impact the campus but we also want to impact the students that are having:
- Tough situations
- Having trouble getting food
-
While we give from our resources we want to give back to those who are struggling, so they stomach could be full.
3.) Sunday Ministries
We want you to be apart of our Sunday Service Experience and be able to serve our church to impact our community.
John is not only doing slides here but he is being trained to do slides on Sunday’s
Amanda is now working at our coffee shop serving coffee for our Adults
Jessie and Savs are helping with the kids ministries to impact those little kids lives with the gospel
Not only do we want you but we need you.
My Goals for Youth Ministry for the next 6 months:
Reach 50 people with the gospel of Christ
Host affective Party Night’s so you could bring your friends.
Give more than 1,500 to Speed The Light like we did last year
Establish Refuge Youth School of Ministry; not only for ourselves but other students hungry to grow in their walk with God.