A King's Delight

A King's Delight Esther 1: 10 - 11 by Pastor Kevin Hartley On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. Esther 1: 10, 11 This text introduces the seven-day feast that followed the one hundred and eighty-day pompous festival of King Ahasuerus. This festival serves as a climactic display of the king's vanity and demonstrates the great liberty God had given the man in his boasting. Here at the end of that festival Ahasuerus sought to parade his greatest treasure before his noble guests. Thus he beckoned his servants to fetch his queen that she might be brought and paraded before all to see. Ahasuerus sought to enamor his guests with displays of earthly splendor. His heart made merry with wine revealed the foulness of his soul, as he sought to display his earthly stores before great and small, gathered for seven days to herald his glory. The fitting climax then of Ahasuerus' proud display is found then in the fetching of Vashti his beautiful bride. He sought her to come forth in full adornment and view of his guests, crowned with regality and beauty, so that he might finish the feast in the height of earthly glory. From this event we draw the following observations, Observations 1. What it was that Ahasuerus sought; recognition of his honor as indicated by the words to show the people and the princes her beauty. When men are wont to exalt themselves in the eyes of others they seek this through the visible parade of their worth in the eyes of those whose recognition they covet. 2. Where the king sought his recognition; in Vashti, his greatest earthly treasure as is indicated in the phrase her beauty and a royal crown. When men are eager to be known among other men their greatest means to that end is through the display of earthly wealth. The king that possessed the greatest might and splendor of all kings upon the earth up until his day continued to hoard and display his wealth, seeking renown and satisfaction in his regal displays. His greatest treasure was Vashti. 3. To what degree Ahasuerus obtained his desired recognition; his greatest earthly treasure was no more than this, an earthly treasure of fading beauty, as is indicated in the words for she was fair to look on. All the treasures of his kingdom paled in his opinion to his bride, who was but an emblem of fading glory. Prop. I. Earthly treasures have no true value. Earthly treasures are deceptive, in that they present themselves as truly possessing value. But under close scrutiny they are shown to be lacking lasting value. Thomas Watson wrote, "The world is blandus daemon, a flattering enemy. It is given to some as Michal was given to David - for a snare. The world shows its two breasts of pleasure and profit, and many fall asleep with the breast in their mouth. The world never kisses us except with an intent to betray us. The world in itself is not evil, it is the man's heart that uses it and values it worth more than anything else, even the soul itself. All of Ahasuerus' wealth and prized possessions amounted to nothing more than a trifling fortune. His love for his preeminence and his ignorance of his poverty was perhaps a greater curse than Nebuchadnezzar's madness or Belshazzars' hand writing on the wall. The heart of Ahasuerus was set upon the trinkets of this world. He coveted earthly treasure, glory, and renown, but in the end he was but a foul beggar, sitting upon the street corner. He was as an addict without reprieve from his addiction. He was as a man that wondered the streets looking through rubbish bins hoarding worthless refuge, which he thought to be of great worth. He prized this world and his pride over all the riches of heaven; in fact, he displayed a heart that believed heaven to be worthless." His actions demonstrate disdain for God, the wealth of eternal glory, and heavenly treasure. He loved this world and this life over the Almighty. Thus we declare that "Sin is not in using the world, but in loving it." How deceiving is this world and all it's wealth; the richest man that dies without heaven is the poorest of sorts. Watson says, "The world...It promises us Rachel, but puts us off with weak-eyed Leah; it promises to satisfy our desires, but only increases them; it gives poison pills, but wraps them in sugar." Thus we say that earthly treasures must be consider as nothing more than what they truly are, of no lasting value or no real benefit to the soul outside of the sustenance of this life. We in the examination of this worlds' treasure find, 1. First, they are not truly valuable in that their worth is lackluster. Lackluster means that an examination of earthly stores will prove their negligible worth. A man may look upon his kingdom, his life, and estimate himself a man of great worth, like Ahasuerus the most wealthy and powerful of his day. Yet if a reputable appraiser examined his treasure the true poverty of the man would be revealed. For this we note, (1) Earthly treasures have flaws. Vashti serves as a good example of what I speak. If his queen were to come forth and parade herself before the rulers and guests of Ahasuerus', she would upon appearance dazzle the crowd. Her beauty was remarkable, as was her regality. Yet she was no perfect queen. Upon examination of Vashti flaws surely could be found. Though Vashti was a woman of great wonder, surely there were more beautiful women to be observed. Vashti is indicative of every treasure in this life; upon examination they have flaws. Men search the world for diamonds and look for a perfect stone. Gold itself must be purified. Whatever you own in this world is not perfect. What do you own today be it wealth, a job, a name, or a place, that you believe is the greatest treasure of all. Surely it is flawed. An examination of the treasures of Ahasuerus would show that his trinkets had flaws. Vashti clearly had faults, as history records her to be a woman likened to Jezebel, and as her actions that follow prove. There is a simple way to prove what I say; does anyone believe that Ahasuerus was satisfied that he had the greatest treasures? What Ahasuerus owned was flawed as is proven by this, (2) Earthly treasures provide no lasting satisfaction. Could we say that Ahasuerus was a happy man? Any happiness was only in the moment; he had no sure satisfaction. In this life men pursue this world and its treasure with vehemence. Some will sell all to own a portion of the world's wealth, to parade themselves before others in their power, prestige, or renown. Yet it is proven time and again that those who do possess a portion of what they seek in this life never find lasting satisfaction. He who sets his sights on this world prepares himself to live a most miserable life. Today so many are paraded before us as having achieved what all the ungodly in this life are after. Yet when those achievers are examined they are the most unsatisfied, disconsolate, and impoverished of all those of the earth. There are exceptions for certain, but even then when a man is found that appears in such a state happy, he is simply inebriated by his pursuit. If he were to stop for a moment and reckon his estate, he would be compelled to turn again to his pursuit. I wonder, each of us here are spending a lifetime pursuing an estate, wealth, possessions, and yet, when will enough be enough? The wise man said, "Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith." Pr. 15. 16 All of your pursuits for earthly satisfaction are just trouble. A soul does well to live with little of this earth, because this world is damnable for the soul. "When men hoard up all that they can, though they have enough for the present, yet fearing want for the future, treasure up whatsoever they can get. In this respect covetousness is like a dropsy, which increaseth thirst by much drinking; and like a fire, which by addition of fuel is the more fierce. The desire of a covetous man ariseth from abundance, and in that respect is unnatural; for nature is satisfied with sufficiency. Hunger and thirst cease when a man hath eaten and drunk that which is sufficient. It is a galling sin; it works a continual vexation, and takes away all the comforts of this life. The apostle saith, that 'they which covet after money, pierce themselves through with many sorrows,' 1 Tim. vi. 10. There is a threefold woe that accompanieth covetousness-1. A woe of labour and toil in getting wealth; 2. A woe of care and trouble in keeping it; 3. A-woe of grief and anguish in parting with it. Nothing makes death more unwelcome than a covetous desire of the things of this world (William Gouge)." Consider an example of a man that had it all. He was not a man that could not appreciate would he had, as he was born the youngest of a large family. In the course of providence he was given opportunity to make a name for himself and he did; he excelled in battle and it was not long before songs were sung and written of his fame. He rose to lead an army and a nation and saw a day of peace and prosperity ushered in. He was given a crown and a throne and possessed the greatest of lands and wealth. He had several wives and had nothing to want. Yet there was a day, when bored with his fame, his kingdom, and his wealth, he fixed his eyes upon a woman. Her saw her and wanted her. Though he had those of his own and though he had nothing to want, yet, he saw one woman, surely no perfect woman, the wife of another, and thought her worth the barter of all his kingdom. With covetousness filling his heart and a certain dissatisfaction, his soul concluded that he had neither enough or the best and sought the treasure of another man's wife. This is the man whom the Lord, through the prophet Nathan, remarked, "I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; and I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight (2 Sam. 12: 7 - 9)." Earthly treasures are flawed and provide no lasting satisfaction. They are useful in the simple needs of this life, but they are not beneficial to the satisfaction of the soul. 2. Second, they are not truly valuable in that their worth is diminishing. There is no denying that King Ahasuerus had a remarkable estate. Nevertheless there is no doubt that his estate required great maintenance. It is the same with all earthly treasures in this life. What ever we gain in this world, declaring in a moment of time that it is new, near perfect, and unmatched, it is not long before it loses its value and splendor. Treasure tarnishes. Beauty fades. The best of stores are soon replaced by greater finds. A proper appraisal of all we own or could own in this life will reach this conclusion, (1) Earthly treasures lose their value. Ahasuerus' kingdom would not last. Other nations would rise and devour his wealth. The grave would soon grip the king. His beautiful queen would soon gray and wrinkle. Another of remark would rise up in his stead. It was only a matter of time until greater earthly treasures would be found. Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal...Mt. 6. 19" It is true to say that everything that for a moment in this life having the appearance of lasting value, soon grows old. Famous people are forgotten. The wealthy lose their wealth or are replaced by others. Pleasure is only for a moment. The wise are soon surpassed by younger and wiser men. Life is full of moments but everyone who has such moments are soon set aside for others. Solomon said, "For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool (Eccl. 2: 16)." The name of Ahasuerus and his glorious feast would soon go the way of the names of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, forgot in obscurity. Men's moments of glory in this life are fading. All the wealth of this life shall lose its worth in a moment, because, (2) Earthly treasures lose their luster. In some degree life is all about obtaining and then maintaining what is obtained. Once Ahasuerus had his kingdom he spent his life polishing, protecting, and hoarding it. Solomon called it "vanity and a striving after wind...(Ec. 2. 11)." What we find with Ahasuerus, with all the pursuers of this world and its wealth is that the more they gather and the wealthier they became, the poorer they are. It is a paradox that the most wealthy of men spend their life in pursuit of more wealth. Men look upon their treasure and it is not long before a poor man's lamb appears more valuable than a king's throne, army, and crown. Consider this example. In the days of the kingdom of Israel, a wicked king named Ahab ruled the people of God. He wed a woman from the north, a gentile, named Jezebel. She set the king's heart upon the hoarding of this life. There was Ahab, a mighty king, owner of all of the land and peoples, who soon valued a small plot of land over all his kingdom. Next to his palace in Samaria was a vineyard of a beggar, a poor man named Naboth. "And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money (1 Ki. 21: 2)." Naboth, refused to give up the land of his fathers, as the Lord had told him. Here was the mighty king of Israel, owner of all, thwarted by a beggar near his palace. So did the king say to himself, 'self, I own all the land, come, let me find a good place to plant my garden.' No, rather, the wealthy king became despondent, thinking himself a poor man. "And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread." Jezebel, finding the man groveling such, soon delivered Naboth and the vineyard into the hands of the king. Odd that no one would laugh to see a king weeping because he could not have a small acre of land that was surely not the best in Israel. What sense does this make? Yet, it is the same for every soul that seeks this life and this world's treasure, all earthly treasures soon lose their luster. It is not long before the rich man just for the sake of devouring all soon values one lamb, one vineyard, over all the gold and crowns of his kingdom. What good was Naboth's vineyard to Ahab, who owned a kingdom, when his blood streamed forth from his chariots, as dogs licked it? What good was the beauty of Jezebel, who painted her face, when she would be cast to the ground in her wickedness, where the dogs would devour her carcass. O what good are these earthly trinkets that a man like Ahasuerus loves and parades for the entire world, when they are but truly worthless trinkets that surely inflame and damn the soul. In all reality Ahasuerus did not mock God because the king was only a beggar at the gates of the greatest storehouse of all. He possesses no real wealth. He was fool that bartered a kingdom of lasting wealth and satisfaction for misery and damnation; such is the end of every soul that looks to have the preeminence here on earth. Prop. II. Heavenly treasure has true value. Consider how foolish this sounds: "the Gadarenes, for fear of losing more swine, prayed Christ to depart from their coast, and they who, for their farm and oxen's sake, refused to come to the Lord's supper (William Gouge)." When earthly wealth and renown are compared with the kingdom of heaven, men are proven to be fools. Why would anyone tell Christ to depart, so that a few swine would remain? Why would anyone stay away from a supper prepared by the Lord, simply to tend to a few oxen? Men do when they value this world more than the treasure of heaven. Yet, if men truly knew the value of heaven they would sell all for that place. Because, 1. Heavenly treasure is truly lustrous. The man that owns heaven owns a lustrous treasure. While earthly treasures are lackluster, heavenly treasures are eternally of unmatched value. There are so in that, (1) Heavenly treasures have no flaws. Any examination of heaven's glory displays no flaw. There is supreme perfection, beauty, and worth. No greater treasure can be found in heaven or on earth that excels in that which is found in heaven. When we speak of flawlessness we speak first of no inherent flaw, and second of no inferior quality. In other words, there is nothing in heaven that in itself is less than perfect. There is nothing in the glory of God that upon examination will prove inglorious. There is nothing of the Son of God that will prove of no worth. The wealth of heaven is inexhaustible. Ahasuerus may have had one hundred and eighty seven days of praise, but the Lord of heaven and earth has eternally had greater praise. He sets the treasures of his kingdom against the treasures of this world and there is no match. When Satan offered Christ the kingdoms of the earth, what a worthless trinket he offered the eternal Son of God. When Satan offered the Son of God the simple stores of this life, what was it to he that possessed heaven and earth? When Satan offered the Prince of life earth's glory, what was it but a fool speaking nonsense to the king of glory? There was no bartering with the Son of God that was not blind to the temptor's ways. Men may think that swine are of more value than righteousness, vineyards worth more than the splendor of heaven's golden streets, but he that dwells above cannot be so persuaded. When you travel in foreign countries you are soon made to realize the great wealth of this our nation. Every port I ever went to my vessel was met with scoundrels eager to get your money. They offered you souvenirs and items of supposed worth. They had watches, jewelry, porceline, and items that appeared of great worth. But these men were everywhere. You could haggle for their prized treasures and remarkably get away with paying very little. What they sold was of little real value. If they were not successful in convincing you that their fake pearls were worth a fortune then they would succeed in picking your pocket. These men remind me of the devil tempting the Son of God. How could the devil succeed with a man that could see? You may be able to convince a blind man that a one dollar bill is a hundred dollar bill, or a tourist that a timex is a rolex, but you cannot convince the omniscient Creator that there is wealth here upon this earth. He came only for those whom he sought and those he found in a wretched condition. He was the best appraised of what we see here below. He brought beauty, righteousness, and honor to a place where it cannot be found. He brought satisfaction and treasure to beggars. Christ is worth more than all the gold of earth, than all the fame of the most famous of men. He came from the place of perfection and a place of true satisfaction. Thus we say, (2)Heavenly treasures are satisfying. Thomas Brooks wrote, "The rattle without the breast will not satisfy the child; the house without the husband will not satisfy the wife; the cabinet without the jewel will not satisfy the virgin; the world without Christ will not satisfy the soul." There is not an angel that remains in heaven that has grown dissatisfied with the glory of God. They have not wearied in singing, they have not grown disinterested in our salvation. This is because they have a clear estimation of what they possess. When we get to glory we will have a full estimation of the worth of heaven and earth. We shall look to the feeble pursuits of men and marvel that they prefer swine over the Son of God. We shall watch as they wage war against one another to gain a plot of land and we shall marvel at their stupidity. We shall watch as men cheat one another, lie, and murder and marvel at their indolence. We shall see kings wage war against the Son of Man and scoff at their futility. We shall see a world full of Ahasuerus' from the gutters to the thrones parading all their glory before men to see, and shall know that all they own is worthless and trifling. And in all this we shall never trade the ownership of the righteousness from on high for an idle thought. We shall be fully satisfied with our inheritance. Even now faith knows this and thus clings to the invisible kingdom and we say, 2. It has true value in that it is eternally lustrous. In this we say that, while in this life it is inconceivable, since we have never owned or possessed something that has not grown old or tarnished, that unlike this life, (1) Heavenly treasures do not lose their value. "Christ is a most precious commodity, he is better than rubies or the most costly pearls; and we must part with our old gold, with our shining gold, our old sins, our most shining sins, or we must perish forever. Christ is to be sought and bought with any pains, at any price; we can not buy this gold too dear. He is a jewel more worth than a thousand worlds, as all know who have him. Get him, and get all; miss him and miss all (Thomas Brooks)." They will not lose their value by either the passage of time or the progress of time. In this life the passage of time usually uncovers a treasure of greater value. There are always new treasures to discover in this world. One years fad is another year's junk sold upon the back shelf. One years star is the next decades forgotten and enshrined relic. This year's hot investment will soon be replaced by the next vogue endeavor. Since in heaven there is the epitome of wealth, beauty, and satisfaction, and that is eternal and has never changed nor never shall, then we can be assured that the passage of time will not change our treasure. Heaven is no stock market, its index is always at its highest peak. We also say that the progress of time is not an issue in our inheritance. In this life progress outmodes much. What was wealthy one hundred years ago is no longer wealth. Progress in this life means improvement. In a perfect environment there can be no progress. Even the unfolding plan of redemption has not changed the worth and glory of heaven for a moment. We next say, (2) Heavenly treasures do not lose their luster. Jesus said, "...lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal... (Mt. 6. 20)" Luke records it thus, "Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth (Lk. 12: 33)." Ahasuerus' love affair with Vashti's beauty, as we shall learn in the weeks to come, was quickly subdued. Our love affair with Jesus and his beauty shall never fail. In heaven there is eternal value, wealth, satisfaction, beauty, and glory. Every earthly pompous display is nothing more than a beggar standing outside a king's palace claiming he has greater wealth. Every long celebration of earthly glory is nothing more than poor Ahab who owned a kingdom, but wept because he could not have a vineyard. This we say that in the days when God does conceal himself, are days when the pursuit of men for earthly wealth reaches its zenith. Is not this nation a great proof of this point? Travel the globe and it will not be long before you realize how well off in worldly possessions we here in this nation are. And yet, are we not known as consumers? Are we not the nation on earth that is most known for its indulgence, vehement hoarding of all the earth's wealth and resources? Yet is this not also a fact, that we are the most dissatisfied of all the people's of the earth. Happiness does not abound in our land. O pleasure may be our forte but we are not a satisfied people. The days when God is far off are days when the dissatisfaction of men reaches its highest point and we as a nation prove this point. We are the wealthiest, most adorned, and adored people on the face of the earth, perhaps over all nations ever to grace the face of this earth, and yet, we are the most miserable, dissatisfied, and selfish people to perhaps every grace this earth. Ahasuerus holds not a candle to us. Our land is choking out the life of the church. They encroach upon our family time, our church time, and our personal time. They convince us that we need more of what we have and some of what we do not have. We are bombarded on the roads, in our homes, in our offices, with the message that we are not satisfied. Much of Christianity has bought into this advertising and have wholesale set off to own the world. Christians today are more identifiable by their pursuit of this life and its wealth than they are of the kingdom of heaven. This is seen in their time, effort, and contemplation. When Christian schedules are found today they are more indicative of a love for this world then they are for a love for heaven. They prioritize earthly pursuits over heavenly pursuits. They care more for their bodies, their earthly homes, their earthly companions, and their earthly inheritance, then they do for the kingdom of heaven. There is little contemplation of heaven, little reading and meditation of God's word, and little time in prayer. Second, their expenditure of effort is equally as revealing. Christians today are more inclined to be attentive to a television show then they are an exposition of God's word. They are more inclined to be amused and entertained then they are to sing the praises of God. Effortless Christianity is most popular in our day. Numb me, entertain me, amuse, me, promise me, but do not for a moment exhort me to give an ounce of zeal towards the pursuit of heaven. Third, Christian contemplation is indicative of where the church's heart is to be found. Christians are more apt to dwell upon their plans for tomorrow, than they are to muse over the glories of the Son of God. Christians are more apt to covet and ponder earthly pleasure than they are the satisfaction that comes from the contemplation of heaven. Christians are more apt to look forward to their earthly retirement and ease then they are to look forward to the day of glorification. If this is indicative of Christians in our day, how much more woeful is it indicative of the great trouble of our day? When God is concealed in his glory as he is in Esther. When men like Ahasuerus are given free reign to display their glory and raise the envious pursuits of men, such days are days of great trouble. In such days the great treasure of heaven is hidden on earth, despair increases, poverty of soul abounds, and men are found to be the worst of all beggars. Ours is a day of wonton poverty, just as in the days of Ahasuerus' splendor. Uses 1. The first use of this text is in the way of warning; the earthly man is warned of his poverty the Christian man is warned of his bartering practice. First the earthly man, Proverbs declares, "In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble (Pr. 15. 6)." Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (Mt. 19: 23 - 24)." Here the dilemma and now the perplexity of it. Jesus told this parable, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Lk. 12: 16 - 21)." What then is a man to do? "Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver are rusted; and their rust shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. Ye have laid up your treasure in the last days." Jms 5: 1 - 3 Second to the professing Christian this text serves as a warning to those who by practice are bartering away their wealth. You are warned, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." This is no idle threat that is spoken in twelfth of Hebrews. It speaks to every soul that intrinsically values this world more than heaven. It is a great warning to every professor of Christ when he sees in this life how easy he is bartering away his riches and the pursuit of it for swine and worthless plots of land. O let it be a warning to the soul that resembles more Ahasuerus than our Lord. Let it be a warning to the man that says he loves heaven's treasure but treats it as though it were of no good value. 2. The second use of this text is in the way of examination; in what way does your soul value this earth's wares more than heaven's storehouses? Christian, learn these words and it will be well with your soul, "From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form (Ps. 17: 14, 15)." O let this be the text that you shall take with you today and spend this day and week asking yourself, are these words indicative of my life? Be honest with yourself and your soul. Reason not away these words but ask if they be true of you. 3. The third use of this text is in the way of exhortation; seek that treasure which is above. If any man examines himself or is duly warned by these words today there is but one course of action before you; repent of your ways, turn from your wicked pursuits, cast aside this world as the men upon the vessel with the apostle Paul in the midst of the storm cast aside all the ship's cargo, being told, "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss..." Thus Paul exhorted them of the safety that was to be found with him on the ship, saying, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." O listener, unless you abide in the ark of salvation, in the bosom of Christ, you cannot be saved. All your treasures, all your cargo, all your kingdom and glory, will drown in the bottom of the seas of sorrow, cast to the depths below, lost forever. Sit and sup with me this day as those soldiers sat and supped with Paul in the midst of the storm. Sup with Christ and feed richly upon these words. Look to him and estimate his value. And come and do as I implore you, as Paul implored the sailors, who cut off the lifeboat. Cut off the boat that you believe will be your lifeboat in this world. These men lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. All there worldly cargo and hopes of safe escape they cast into the depths and clung for life to the boat of God's promised salvation. O listener, you who are living like Ahasuerus 'tis time to see the handwriting on the wall before it is too late. 'Tis time to come forth from you madness and cast off this world. Repent all of you and flee the wrath to come. May God have mercy on us all that in this day are more pleased with his absence than his presence. That are more in love with this life than with his Christ. That are more zealous for the treasures of earth and prize them more than his glory. God have mercy on us all. Amen. "O Christian, never be proud of things that are so transient, injurious, and uncertain as the riches of this evil world! But set your heart on the true and durable riches of grace in Christ Jesus." ISAAC AMBROSE eMail Kevin Hartley Return to Kevin's Sermon Index Return to the Esther Series Index Go to the Sound of Grace Home Page Copyright 2000 Kevin Hartley