This broadcaster has 2045 show archives available on-demand.
Keep up-to-date with this broadcaster on social media and their website.
June 9, 2022 3:00 am
Listen on harvest.org
---
Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org.
A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
Support the show: https://harvest.org/support
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We are glad you're joining us for a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast supported by harvest partners get more encouraging audio content. When you subscribe to pastor Greg Staley defenses learn more and sign up@harvest.org God gives gifts and talents to each of us that we need to you. God is uniquely equipped each one of certain types of service pastor Greg Laurie shares her strengths are given on one is a great visionary of the nuts and bolts of another is everybody and everyone of you is Collins and that are given to you by God. You must discover the use for his glory and treat every problem as words nail it's always best to have the right job.
Each of us is unique in the hands of God today on pastor Greg Laurie continues her studies and pastor will see how weekly equipment shows catastrophic annihilation. See how we may be serve God in a special way turned to Esther chapter 2 Esther chapter 2 the title of my messages. The plot's let's pray together now father were so thankful to be your children because of the blood of Jesus that was shed for us of the cross of Calvary.
We pray as we visit the story again.
The look of this heroic young girl that we will be inspired, both men and women to make our stand and speak up for what is right so helpless to see how this applies in our life. We commit this time a Bible study to you now in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Let's pick up are we last left off King Xerxes. The ruler of the mighty Persia get a lot of women that snap his fingers and a woman would be there, but but apparently the king wasn't satisfied with just sexual pleasure. You want to love you wanted a companion you wanted some of that actually cared about them. The king wanted a clean so the word went out at all these girls apply the ancient history of Josephus believe there was 400 contestants and these girls had to be virgins that go through an extensive makeover that a team of stylists there that would do their hair, makeup and help them to become as appealing as possible to the king and then the winner would be chosen to be the Queen and that's all we pick our story up Esther chapter 2 dropped on the verse five and let's read together. Note the fortress of Sue so there was a certain Jew named Laura KIA, son of Jared, he was from the tribe of Benjamin was a descendent of Kish and she may I his family had been exiled from Jerusalem by to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, along with King Jehoiada Kim of Judah and many others. This man had a beautiful and lovely young cousin named Hadassah who was also called Esther what her father or mother died more to KI adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter. There so standing out from all of these gorgeous Persian women is beautiful Jewish girl named Hadassah. She was an orphan adopted by Mordechai so he became a father figure to her.
Most likely your aspirations in life would have been to marry a nice Jewish boy a raise a family. Serve the Lord and live in relative obscurity, but God had another plan for Esther for such a time as this. Reminding us that there are no coincidences in our life. Only Providence so all of the beautiful women of Persia are paraded before King Xerxes and he chooses Esther to get Esther to verse 16 as there was taken.
The King Xerxes at the Royal Palace and early winter on the seventh year of his reign, and they King loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and cleared her queen instead of varsity. God was at work.
Now this was a fairytale. It would end right here. Poor little girl becomes the Queen and they lived happily ever after, but this is not a fairytale. This is a Bible story and Bible stories are true, their history and so here's what happened after that the plot thickened as Esther was made Queen. Her cousin Mordecai was made a counselor to the Queen and Mordechai mean Esther promised him that she would not reveal her national identity. In other words, she was. Not to say to the king or anybody else that she was a Jewish girl thought that was good or bad, will deal with in a couple of moments but the that's the way it was and she went by that and one day Mordechai uncovered a plot by two of the king's guards to kill him. He revealed it to the king.
The guards were arrested. They were executed and he was never rewarded for that right knowledge for that sin that happens in life sometimes is not, you know we do something for someone and we don't get the credit. Maybe it's your idea that someone else stole it and they got all the glory for it are at your workplace. You choose the path of honesty and integrity and you don't advance while the person who chose dishonesty and scheming in advance and you're saying this isn't fair, it's not right. Well Holland now buckaroo it's not over till it's over, as were going to see in the book of Esther, how things played out in the big picture because, among other things, the book of Esther is about reaping what you sow.
Both good and bad.
So not only was more like EI not recognize what a wicked man was elevated. Instead, enter the villain of the story he meant. Let's go to Esther chapter 3 verse one sometime later, King Xerxes promoted human son of Hadassah the agate guy over all the other nobles that would include Mordechai making him the most powerful official in the Empire all the king's officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, because the king had commanded, but more decay. I refuse to bow their home or show him respect. Now Haman probably fondant flattered his way to this position and die and the command is given by the king, you better bow down before this is a very insecure man. This is a very ambitious man because of your good leader.
People will fall you naturally yell at people all the time or for some to do what you want you're not a good leader.
So Haman, you better bow down before me and show me some respect to everyone's belly belly belly there sandal more decay. I the balance in human season is what warrant you been I will bow before you. They say why was this well it's interesting because there was sort of a blood feud between Haman's clan and people and more like EI's clan that goes back a long ways it's found in verse one, King Xerxes promoted human son of,� The egg gag.
I know we read. That doesn't mean a lot to us, but back in first Samuel is a story of King Saul. He was told by the prophet Samuel to kill the Amalekites. They were the lifelong enemies of the Jews and affect the Amalekites and attacked Israel after they left Egypt, so that's how far back dispute when so Saul partially obeyed the prophet he killed most of the Amalekites, but he allowed egg gag there King to survive in the egg gag.
I or the descendents of a gap so Haman was an eager guy and more decay. I was a Jew and so more like EI is so ticked off that human will bow before he decides. Not only is he gonna die, but all of his people are going to die. This is payback time.
It's sort of a precursor to Hitler's final solution. Anti-Semitism. Let's destroy the whole Jewish race and wipe them off the face of the year so Haman goes to the king with his wicked plot and amazingly, the king goes along with that said, okay, go ahead and wipe them out because Haman promise to king a bunch of money in return we get into that next time, but incredible turn of events and a lot more to discover in this book you will get to that later.
And so what we learn from what we've seen so far. Number one when God tells you to do something do it. God sold Saul to destroy the Amalekites, including their king, a gag he didn't do it now.
Haman is a descendent of that man more like EI is dealing with that. Years later, you know, sometimes the Lord will speak to our heart hotel is to break off a relationship with someone that's pulling this down spiritually. You know someone like that some of that whenever you're around and they just pull you down, or worse yet, you're the person pulling someone else down. I just saw wife nudge her husband.
I like to know what's going on right there but see I have eyes I can see you. I don't know if you know that I see everything I see it all. Yes, maybe it's giving up something that's taking over your life something you regarded as an innocent pleasure that's now becoming something of an addiction. It could be a substance alcohol drug, but it can be other things that you just become obsessed with in that thing or that person is becoming more important to you and God. Maybe it's the Lord speaking your heart and telling you to take a bold step of faith and do something you never done way out of your comfort zone so the little Bible study at work which is you in a couple of friends and see what the Lord will do. Go engage that person that seemed so hostile with the gospel. Whatever would be the Lord tells you to do it do it coming back to King Saul, the prophet Samuel said to him in first Samuel 15.
What is more pleasing the Lord your burnt offerings and sacrifices for your obedience to God he said, behold, to obey is better than sacrifice words also will offer these offerings it'll be okay. No, God told you to do something you needn't do it and so that those it will all go to church doing midweek service as we can give you know little more in the offering that all received communion. Whatever it is you think some little things some ritualistic thing is can it take the place of what God really want from you, which is your obedience.
When God tells you to do something do it, Esther, Greg Laurie will have more the insights we learned from the story of Esther in just a moment. Stay tuned. So many singers have commented on the help they received from these daily messages God's word ministers to them and often gets them through some of the darkest hours dear Pastor Greg, I wanted to let you know how much your daily radio ministry is meant to my wife and I at the beginning of the pandemic. My wife started chemotherapy for breast cancer. It was a difficult time for us both, but I was thankful that I was able to be home during this time to help many mornings I would make breakfast and we listen to a new beginning on the radio while we ate your messages and especially your kindness that you always express while preaching was so important to us to give us hope to face this difficult challenge. Looking back, with my wife now healed of her cancer.
They both have such happy memories of those morning spent listening to you. We will always be in your debt for your messages and your kindness. Thank you.
These daily studies minister to you and your family to let us know. Tell us your story by calling 1-866-871-1144 special number 866-871-1144 Pastor Greg is pointing out some practical lessons we can learn from the Old Testament story of Esther. Let's continue now. Point number two God gives gifts and talents to each of us that we need to use God gives gifts and talents to each of us that we need to use for Esther.
It was extraordinary beauty. Not everybody is extraordinarily beautiful or incredibly handsome.
I'm� Deal with reality summer. Given these abilities. Some are not. I've had the struggle with this my whole life we laughing she had to die method is maybe one of the downsides of being beautiful as a child or young lady and older lady, a young man so for this people always comment on your attractiveness.
She's so beautiful you're so handsome and you only hear that 10 some of these people sometimes can end up being rather shallow because they always come I got to the front of the line and had some advantages early on and that God wants us to develop the inner person to. I've never shared this before, but I because it sounds kind of prideful but I was offered a very nice modeling contract.
It was a hand modeling contract. Did you know there are hand models so I was contacted we could we use your hand on the cover of a magazine. I quickly agreed until I found out the name of the magazine old and decrepit.
That was very depressing to me that up okay so Esther had inner character to match her outward beauty and she had great courage, as we'll see soon, but maybe you have another gift given to you by God is not necessarily beauty but it's brain or musical talent or artistic talent. Then again you might be good at crunching numbers.
One is a great visionary, but never very good with the nuts and bolts. Another is a detail person. We can have all visionaries running around and we can have all nuts and bolts people right everybody plays a part. Everybody has a role to play in every one of US talents and gifts that are given to you by God, that you must discover, cultivate and use for his glory were told in verse Timothy 414.
Don't neglect the gift that is been given to you risen another translation puts it, keep it dusted off and then use that user get my civil Greg, how do you discover what your gift is or your gifts are, as I pointed out before, sometimes it's literally through a process of elimination.
Walt Disney probably heard him quite a visionary, himself, used to tell a story about a little boy and is a story when a circus came to town and there you have a parade so the bandmaster needed some of the play trombone so the little boy signed up. They had marched the block before the horrible rocket coming from his horn cause two old ladies to fade and a horse to run away. So the bandmaster went to the boy and said why didn't you tell me you couldn't play the trombone the little guy said. How did I know I never tried before. You know sometimes you know what your dad requires you finding out which are not good at so you volunteer volunteer for that job. Nobody else wants and still do that. Okay, maybe that's on my gift about another area develops trust me when I tell you I never aspired to be a public speaker.
Like most people I was afraid of speaking in front of crowds and die member class.
I had were had to get up and give an impromptu speech and I almost had a heart attack and I got an F in that class. By the way I like to work behind-the-scenes.
I was born to design and graphics and things like that. But when I became a Christian, God put a call on my life to speak publicly, I thought it. I didn't want to do it but it was something I was sure the Lord called me to do. Maybe it was because I finally had something to say no if God calls you to do that or something else we want to take these gifts and use them for his glory. But it might be something unexpected God will call you to do. Point number three in the last point, there is a time to speak up in a time do require of verse 10 Esther to Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background for more decay. I told her not to know is this right or wrong, it can be argued both ways. Some would say she should've identified herself as a Jew, and by not doing so, she was effectively compromising her faith.
There's some merit to that argument, but there are some flaws in it as well because sometimes, you should speak up and sometimes you should be quiet.
It seems sometimes.
Some people almost speak up too much, you might be surprised to hear me say that is pastored in events was that you speak of too much ivory. I've seen some Christians like it's overkill. Everybody they talk to they feel they have to give a complete gospel presentation do it, just constant drone you know and that is not the best way to do evangelism. Sometimes one of the best things to do to engage a nonbeliever just listen to them for a while and get to know them a little bit better but then when the Holy Spirit prompts you to speak up, but some people are always talking talking but the problem is they don't back it up with our lifestyle so you want to live a godly life. I'm telling you it's a huge plus for the church.
When Christian just go out there and there people to their spouses and they keep their marriages together and if there is a single person they don't have sex before marriage and they work with integrity and they work hard. That's a great testimony to that.
Be that with them when the moment comes speak and we have to give credit to Esther. She delivered when it was needed. She put her life on the line and spoke up for her people and as a result, save the nation. Yes she save the Jewish people and they needed to be saved because Haman hatched a plot where they would all be exterminated. What Haman wanted to kill all the Jewish people.
I think this is bigger than Haman. This is about the devil. The devil wanted to kill the wife because the devil knew that through the Jewish people, the Messiah would come out of the know that goes way back to the Garden of Eden. After our first parents ate of the forbidden fruit and God said to Satan, there is coming one will crush your head, but you will bruise his heel.
So the devil knew that Jesus was coming Messiah was coming, but he would come as a Jew, so he tried to stop Christ from coming. He inspired the king of Egypt the Pharaoh to kill all those Jewish baby boys. He inspired Haman to come up with this plot to eradicate the Jewish race and then later on he entered the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Christ into help orchestrate the crucifixion, but you know what result, according to God's plan because Messiah had come to this earth just to love us. Yes, to teach us, but ultimately, why did Jesus come. He came to this earth to die for our sins because we've all said Satan failed Christ, six needed he voluntarily laid his life down for us at the cross of Calvary and took the wrath of God on himself as he hung there in our place and then he rose again from the dead, these alive and now he stands at the door of each heart in the Knox nieces if you hear his voice and open the door he will come in if you would like Christ to come into your life. If you would like your sins forgiven if you would like to be a child of God is just a prayer away. So let's all bow our heads and pray father I pray now for any person here that does not yet know you, Lord Jesus, I pray that your Holy Spirit will convict and convince them of their need for you and help them become to you and believe in you. Now we would pray Greg Laurie important prayer and if you like to make a change in your relationship with the Lord today. Pastor Greg will help you do that in just a moment before today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes with Pastor Greg. You just released her new book, Lennon Dylan, Alice and Jesus and were making it available right now through a new beginning. Yes, let me ask you in researching and writing the book. What do you suppose rock stars and for that matter. Celebrities of all different stripes.
Why do they seem to self-destruct so often. I think a lot of these folks are our damaged goods. So many of them come from broken homes, so many of them come from horrible backgrounds or they come from horrible poverty or something else and and they want to be noticed. They want their life to matter. They want their life. They have meaning and and I think there's actually searching for fulfillment through fame and fortune their thinking. If I can one day be famous if I get one day live in a mansion if I could 1 Day Dr., Rolls-Royce or Ferrari or whatever it is that I one day had people chanting my name that would bring happiness and of course that's not true and they climbed to the top of the mountain and they find out there's nothing there so I think many of them are really just on a search for the meaning of life, but they are born with the talent as a singer as an actor as a performer of some kind and so many of them rocket quickly to the top and then is like the worst thing that can happen when you don't have a support structure to help you deal with all that adulation, fame and success in all that money you make. I mean, I know it's a clich� when we read the stories of these folks said just spend money like crazy and they find themselves bankrupt and then trouble will be there not prepared for that kind of a life they just like to sing or are they like the performer they like to do something else and then they have this incredible success that can be absolutely. In many cases devastating to them but I think a lot of these guys are searching for peace and meaning.
Why are they here on this earth. It just about this. Don't take the wrong course in life don't think that things will fill that void in your life or a career will do it, or success will do it, or sex will do it, or any other thing.
What you really want what you really need is a relationship with Jesus Christ and discover his plan for your life and get to know him and then you'll have that happiness and that keys that you've longed for throughout your entire life is right is such a strong evangelism tool and a fascinating group of many biographies of so many of the names we know well the subtitle is the spiritual biography of rock 'n' roll and would like to send you Pastor Greg's new book, Lennon Dylan, Alice, and Jesus is our way of saying thank you for your investment in these daily studies were completely listener supported. We couldn't be here each day without the generosity of listeners like you. So thank you for your partnership and when you send your donation be sure to ask for Lennon Dylan, Alice and Jesus call us at 1-800-821-3300. We are here around the clock to take your call 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning.
Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org Pastor Greg. You mentioned how someone can become a Christian.
With just a simple prayer.
Yes, maybe somebody would like to do that right now. Could you help them with that. Sure, I'd love to a simple prayers right. In fact, I would like to just pray a prayer and I would ask you to pray it after me. You might even print out loud. This is a prayer I've let a lot of people in over the years and I've seen God change lives. There's no magic in this prayer. It's the God you're speaking to who will hear this prayer and answer this prayer so if you want Christ to come in your life if you want to be sure your sin is forgiven. If you want to be confident that you will go to heaven when you die. Just pray this prayer even out loud after me right now. Pray these words Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner but I also know that you are the Savior because you died on the cross for my sin and he rose again from the dead. Jesus come into my life and forgive me of every sin I've ever committed.
I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
Thank you for hearing this prayer. Thank you for answering this prayer Lord, and I pray all of this in Jesus name, amen. If you just pray that prayer and meant to a once to the know on the authority of Scripture God Almighty has heard your prayer, and he will answer this prayer. You are now a newly minted child of God. So congratulations, you've made the right decision and welcome to the family of God.
I want to send you a special gift because of that prayer. You've just pray it's called the new believers growth packet and then it is a copy of the New Testament in a very understandable translation called the new living translation.
It also is filled with hundreds of notes that I wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you made to follow Christ and there's some other outstanding materials in this little packet. I'll send you as well so order your copy today and let me be the first to see the you congratulations and welcome to the family of God and to get that new believers growth packages get in touch and will be glad to send it right out.
You can call us anytime at 1-800-821-3300 call right now. 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online harvest not for the words know God will next time or from our studies in the dramatic book of Esther.
Join your new beginning with pastors and Bible teachers regularly and everybody thinks her list.
Beginning this is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. So for more content can help you know God and equip you to make him known to others or to learn more about how you can become a harvest partner. Just go to harvest.org