Sermon 4 - Transitioning from Trouble to Trust

Transitioning from Trouble to Trust - For Such a Time as This Sermon 4 - Trouble to Trust Transitioning from Trouble to Trust - For Such a Time as This Sermon 4 - Trouble to Trust Tony Cansler / General For Such a Time as This / Trust; Suffering / Esther 4 If you Trust God In Trouble you will Triumph Transitioning from Trouble to Trust Purpose for Trouble Sometimes Trouble is brought on by our Works, Sometimes Trouble is brought on by the Will of God. Why would God allow something like this, it is because He has something in mind that we may not be aware of, he has a plan at all times. We must always consider that we see one second of our life at a time, He sees our whole life at one time. He sees the big picture. Sometimes our trouble is severe and Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 1 sometimes it is just a struggle. Sometimes it is Major sometimes it is Minor, but we all have struggles. In this case Mordecai, Esther, and all of the Jews were facing the biggest struggle of their life. When something bad happens to us we are tempted to begin the Why me line of questioning but the reality the people of God are no stranger to struggles and suffering. You can look at Genesis and see the struggles of Joseph and God’s Children, Exodus you see the Children of Israel suffering and so forth. If we think for a second we will not suffer in this world we are deceived. We will suffer here, the question is do we have the Lord with us in our suffering. Some of our struggles we may never know why, some we may know now, some we may find out later. In this story, the people of God suffered because wicked Haman got made because someone would not bow down to him. He then not just took it out upon Mordecai but all Jews. They Suffered under Ungodly leadership, sometimes we suffer under ungodly leadership. Always remember the Lord if Faithful Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV 1900 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. Psalm 34:6 KJV 1900 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 2 Perception of Trouble Esther 4:1 KJV 1900 1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; Penitence (sorrow) over Trouble Esther 4:1 KJV 1900 1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; Put off the worries of this world “rent his clothes” There is certain things we need to put off We need to put off the worries of this world Put On the Whole Armor of God “put on sackcloth and ashes” There is certain things we need to put on • Whole Armor of God • Works of God • Word of God • Worship before God Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 3 Pull to the Words of Prayer “cried with a loud and bitter cry” Pining in Trouble Esther 4:1–4 KJV 1900 1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. Pined in the City “went out into the midst of the city” “came even before the king’s gate” Pined in the County “And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 4 great mourning among the Jews” Pined in the Castle “So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved” Prayer in Trouble leads to Trusting Esther 4:1 KJV 1900 1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; Esther 4:3–4 KJV 1900 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. I believe these phrases indicate that there would have been prayer occuring even though it is not directly said. Mordecai was a man that the Lord revealed things to and used so it is assumed that he would have been a man of prayer. Fasting Indicates Prayer, the two go hand in hand. I believe that Mordecai was a Godly man, and when Godly men mourn they pray, I must believe Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 5 that this is enough evidence to support his prayer. Esther sent him new clothes, but it was not clothes he was needing. He was deeply troubled ans when someone is deeply troubled the things or toys of this world will not console you. It takes Jesus. Psalm 55:22 KJV 1900 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 1 Peter 5:7 KJV 1900 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Matthew 11:28 KJV 1900 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Probing about the Trouble Investigation Esther 4:5 KJV 1900 5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. Inquisition Esther 4:6 KJV 1900 6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 6 Information Esther 4:7–8 KJV 1900 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. Declaration Documentation Instruction Esther 4:8–9 KJV 1900 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Interaction Esther 4:10 KJV 1900 10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; Indecision Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 7 Esther 4:11–12 KJV 1900 11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. Petition to Trust Esther 4:13–14 KJV 1900 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Command “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther” Consider “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time” Confidence “then shall there enlargement and deliverance Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 8 arise to the Jews from another place” Consequences “Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews” “but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed” Courageous “and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” God gave word to Azariah (Prophet) to give to Asa (King) in 2 Chr 15:1-7 that was specifically to Asa, but I feel we can also apply some of it to us today. There is 5 points that I feel applies to Christian Leaders today. I encourage you to go home and read this story in full context to get the entire picture. “The Lord is with you while ye be with him” – Child of God, know the Lord is with you “if ye seek him, he will be found of you” – Child of God, Seek the Lord and you will find him “Be ye strong” – Child of God, Stay Strong in the Lord and the power of His might “and let your hands not be weak” – Child of God, Don’t back down, Don’t get slack, Don’t Give up, Don’t Quit some other versions actually say Don’t give up. “you work shall be rewarded” – Child of God, You will have a reward, and Great is your reward. • When your Burden is hard to Bare, Don’t you Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 9 give up, Endure • When your Load is Long, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Road is Rough, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Saints Suffer, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Walk Makes you Weary, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Work Makes you Weak, Don’t you give up, Endure • When Prayer seems Powerless, Don’t you give up - Jesus is Listening, Endure • When the Disciples are Distressed, Don’t you give up, Endure • When Doubt and Depression is Drowning us, Don’t you give up, Endure • When Teaching has made you Tired, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Sanctuary is Silent, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Divine seems Distant, Don’t you give up, Endure • When Prayers seem Powerless, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Disciples are Disappearing, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Visitors seem to have Vanished, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the Children are Crying, Don’t you give Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 10 up, Endure • When Soul Winning has Stopped, Don’t you give up, Endure • When Progress has Perished, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the devil is deceiving, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the liar is lying, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the deceiver is deceiving, Don’t you give up, Endure • When satan is slaying, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the tempter is tempting, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the god of this world is going against you, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the adversary is attacking, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the wicked one is warring, Don’t you give up, Endure • When the war is wearing on you, Don’t you give up, Endure Endure Endure Trouble 2 Timothy 2:3 KJV 1900 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 11 Endure Tribulation 2 Thessalonians 1:4 KJV 1900 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Endure Temptation James 1:12 KJV 1900 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Endure Tragedy Philippians 4:13 KJV 1900 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Joshua 10:25 KJV 1900 25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. 1 Chronicles 28:20 KJV 1900 20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. Psalm 118:6 KJV 1900 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me? Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 12 Problem with Trusting Esther 4:15–16 KJV 1900 15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. When we have a lack a faith it leads to trusting, perhaps she had been too long with the King and her faith had weakened When you are hanging out in the world, listening to the world it wears on your faith The way to re mediate the Problem with trusting is in Prayer Response “Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer” Request “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day” Assembly “gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan” Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 13 Associate “for me” Assistance “and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day” “ I also and my maidens will fast likewise” She would have been asking for prayer as we do with this statement. Matthew 7:7 KJV 1900 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: James 5:15–16 KJV 1900 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV 1900 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Joel 2:12 KJV 1900 12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 14 Protection in the Trusting Esther 4:16 KJV 1900 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. Acceptance “so will I go unto the king” Significance “which is not according to the law” Assurance “if I perish, I perish” Participation in Trusting Esther 4:17 KJV 1900 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. Esther 5:1 KJV 1900 1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. Mordecai participated and trusted “Mordecai went his way, and did according to all Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 15 that Esther had commanded him” Esther participated and trusted “Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house” Creation will let you down Culture will let you down Children will let you down Crowds will let you down Churches will let you down Christians will let you down Christ will never let you down Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:15 PM March 20, 2020. 16