July 13, 2014
Passage:  Esther 1:1 – 2:18
Speaker:  Josh Holland
Main Point:  God provides King Jesus to be “Law-fulfiller” and “Heart-changer.

I. Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
            A. Xerxes used money, power and pleasure to control others.
            B. Worldly pleasure dulls the senses.
            C. Xerxes is not in control of himself  (cf. Pr. 16:32, 25:28).

II. Laws and rules can’t change your heart.
            A. Finger-pointing solves nothing.
            B. Unbending laws can’t bend behavior.
            C. The law points to your need  (Est. 2:1; cf. Gal. 3:24).

III. God provides what is needed to fulfill the law.
            A. Failure to follow means getting lost.
            B. Esther did not try to manipulate her circumstances.
            C. Humble faith listens and obeys.
            D. Praise God for the timing of his spectacular provision.