When God Turns the Tables

Text: Esther 6:1–14

Read the story carefully. 

God can reverse impossible situations in a single day for those who trust Him.

1. God Works While We Sleep (vv. 1–3)

"That night the king could not sleep."

A sleepless night changed the destiny of a nation. What appeared to be insomnia for the king was God's providence. God is working even when we see nothing happening. Your unanswered prayers do not mean God is inactive.

•            Psalms 121:4 – "He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps."

•             Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those                             who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2. God Remembers Faithfulness (vv. 2–3)

Mordecai had exposed a plot years earlier and received no reward at the time. But God had not forgotten. Faithfulness is never wasted. God's timing may be delayed, but it is never late.

•             Hebrews 6:10-“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown                     him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

•             Galatians 6:9 - “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap                     a harvest if we do not give up.”

3. Pride Designs Its Own Humiliation (vv. 6–11)

Haman assumed he was the man the king wanted to honor. Pride blinded him. Instead, he was forced to honor the very man he hated.  Pride precedes destruction, but humility receives God's favor.

•             Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

•             James 4:6 “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud                     but shows favor to the humble.’”

4. God Can Reverse the Enemy's Plans (vv. 10–14)

Only hours earlier Haman planned to execute Mordecai. By the end of the day, he was leading Mordecai through the city proclaiming his honor. What the enemy prepared for destruction became the platform for exaltation.

•             Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what                        is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

•             Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue                         that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their                                     vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

This event comes immediately after Esther and the Jews had fasted for three days (Esther 4). Before the visible breakthrough came:

•            Esther fasted.

•            Mordecai mourned.

•            The Jews sought God together.

Then God began moving through what seemed like ordinary events: a sleepless king, an old record, Haman's arrival at the perfect moment, and the king's unexpected command.

This shows that fasting did not manipulate God; it prepared God's people to depend on Him while He worked behind the scenes.

God often answers prayer and fasting not with dramatic miracles but by arranging ordinary events in extraordinary ways. He can:

•            Make the right person remember you.

•            Open a door at the right moment.

•            Turn an enemy's scheme into your testimony.

•            Honor you in front of those who sought your downfall.

 Psalms 30:5: says "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Just as one night separated Mordecai from execution and public honor, God can change the course of a life in ways no one could have anticipated.

Perhaps you identify with Mordecai. You have been overlooked, opposed, or treated unjustly. Esther 6 reminds us that God sees, remembers, and can change a situation in a moment. But there is an even greater truth.

Our greatest enemy is not Haman. It is sin, which separates us from God. Our greatest need is not merely for our circumstances to change, but for our hearts to be changed.

Jesus Christ came to do what no one else could. He humbled Himself, even to death on a cross, so that sinners could be forgiven and reconciled to God. The One who deserved the highest honor first accepted the deepest humiliation. Then God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him above every name (see Letter to the Philippians 2:5–11).

When we place our faith in Christ, God gives us the greatest reversal of all:

guilt is replaced with forgiveness,

condemnation with acceptance,

spiritual death with eternal life,

and separation from God with adoption into His family.

The question today is not only, 'Will God turn my situation around?' The greater question is, 'Have I turned to Christ?'

 If God changed the destiny of an entire nation through His providence in Esther, imagine what He can do with a life that is surrendered to His Son."

If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is the day to come to Him. Turn from your sin, believe that He died for you and rose again, and receive the new life that only He can give. He is not only the God who changes circumstances—He is the Savior who changes people. Just close your eyes and tell him how you feel and ask him to come into your life and make you a new person in Him.

Don’t Leave the Upper Room Too Early

Text: Acts 1:12–14

The Mount of Olives was the place of ascension prophesied by Book of Zechariah. From the Mount of Olives ascended the Good Olive Tree, from whom we receive the anointing and unction of the Spirit (Zechariah 4:12).

After Jesus ascended, the disciples returned to Jerusalem. They went into an upper room where they gathered daily in prayer, waiting expectantly for the descent of the Holy Spirit. It has been 10 days since they were praying and expecting the promise.

The disciples remained in prayerful expectation until Pentecost power came. Many believers today want Pentecost power without Upper Room persistence.

The eleven apostles were present there, along with the women and other followers. This is also the last time Mary, the mother of our Lord, is mentioned in Scripture. About 120 believers were gathered in that upper room (Acts 1:15).

So what should we be doing in the upper room?

1. They Returned Together

They were returning with joy (Luke 24:50-53) and I’m sure their minds were filled with the charge that Jesus gave them before ascending into heaven. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). These were ordinary men who had received an extraordinary privilege, and the weight of the responsibility that rested upon them hasn’t even had time to settle. They didn’t know how long that they would have to wait in Jerusalem. Yet, they believed it, so they were expectant.

After the Ascension, the disciples did not scatter. Revival begins when God’s people gather again in unity.

“They all joined together constantly in prayer…”

• Unity comes before powercan come

Illustration:

A single coal removed from a fire quickly loses its heat. But when the coal remains with the others, the fire continues to burn brightly.

Many believers grow cold because they isolate themselves from fellowship and prayer. The disciples understood that if they wanted heaven’s fire, they had to stay together in the upper room.

The fire of God often falls where believers are united.

They continued together in corporate prayer before revival broke out.

Illustration:

Before heavy rain falls, dark clouds gather first. In the same way, before spiritual revival comes, prayer always gathers first.

Every major move of God in history was preceded by praying people:

• The disciples before Pentecost
• The early church before miracles
• Revival movements before awakening

Prayer is the cloud before the rain.

God’s people are praying people. They give themselves to prayer.

This was a dangerous and uncertain time for the disciples of Christ. They were like sheep among wolves. A great assignment was before them, and they understood that they needed God more than ever.

Before Jesus sent them out, He prayed for them. Now they were praying for themselves.

The Gospel of Luke 3:21 tells us that the Spirit descended upon our Savior while He was praying. People who are best positioned to receive spiritual blessings are people who remain in a praying posture.

The disciples were hungry before the outpouring came. They did not miss the hour of prayer. They were determined to persevere until the Holy Spirit came according to the promise — to pray and not faint.

They continued in one accord:

• No division
• No bitterness
• No discord
• No competition

They were together in holy love. Luke uses a particular Greek word to stress the harmony of their prayers. The word is homothumadon, which the King James translates with the lovely phrase “in one accord.” It’s a musical term that means to strike the same notes together. When the early church prayed, there were no “wrong notes”–no ugly attitudes, no pointing fingers, no pity parties, no gossipy stories, no secrets told behind closed doors. When people don’t like each other, they can’t pray together very long. Either you’ll stop criticizing or you’ll stop praying because you can’t do both at the same time. Remember this:

• Unity comes before power
• Corporate prayer comes before revival
• Hunger comes before outpouring

2. They Waited for the Promise

Jesus instructed them not to leave Jerusalem. Christian church was born not in a preaching service but in a prayer meeting. Whenever God wants to do something great in the world, he first stirs his people to pray. When God wants to touch a family, a church, a city or a nation, he begins by moving his people to pray. Prayer is always the first stage in God’s plan to change to the world. When the church is on its knees, heaven stands at attention. We are what we are by the grace of God, and without him, we are nothing at all. Sometimes God says:

• Wait
• Prepare
• Pray
• Stay positioned

Delay is not denial. Sometimes delay is divine preparation.

Illustration:

A farmer does not dig up the seed every morning to check if it is growing. He trusts the process.

Some believers pray once and become discouraged because they do not see immediate results. But God develops roots before He reveals fruit.

The disciples waited ten days in the upper room before Pentecost came. Waiting seasons are often preparation seasons.

The disciples did not rush ahead of God. They stayed where the promise would fall. Some are running from church to church these days thinking things will change. Have you been expectant ? Have you been truely waiting on the Lord ? Or have you abandoned the upper room ?

Many people leave the upper room too early. They stop praying too soon. They stop seeking too soon. They stop believing too soon.

But those who wait upon God will never wait in vain.

Illustration:

Imagine boiling water on a stove. If you keep turning the fire off every few minutes, the water will never boil.

Some people pray for two days, stop for three days, worship one Sunday, disappear the next, and wonder why spiritual fire never comes.

Consistency matters in the kingdom.

The disciples stayed until the promise came.

3. They Were Preparing for Something They Had Never Seen Before

The disciples did not fully understand Pentecost, yet they obeyed anyway.

Illustration:

When a child gets on an airplane for the first time, they may not understand aerodynamics, engines, or turbulence — but they trust the pilot.

The disciples did not fully understand Pentecost, but they trusted Jesus enough to obey Him.

Sometimes faith means obeying God before understanding everything He is doing.

Next week, we are not gathering for routine church service. We are coming expecting:

• Fresh fire
• Fresh boldness
• Fresh filling
• Fresh encounters with the Holy Spirit

But if we leave the upper room too early, can we truly say we are ready?

Some people have never tasted the atmosphere of the upper room because they have no relationship with the God of the upper room.

If you cannot remember surrendering your life to Christ, then you need to begin there first. It is difficult to expect spiritual power without first experiencing spiritual surrender.

Pentecost power was never only about miracles. It was about transformed lives and salvation.

The pattern was clear:

• Jesus ascended
• The disciples waited
• The Holy Spirit came
• Peter preached
• Hearts were convicted
• Souls were saved

That was the ultimate goal of Pentecost.

The fire of Pentecost was never meant to entertain people. It was meant to transform people.

Illustration:

A caterpillar cannot become a butterfly while clinging to the old branch forever. Transformation requires surrender to the process.

Some people want change without surrender. They want new life while holding onto the old one.

But when Jesus changes a life, He does not improve the old person — He makes them new.

The disciples entered the upper room fearful and uncertain, but they left bold, empowered, and transformed.

Jesus still changes lives today.

Conclusion

We are expecting a fresh outpouring next week. But before God fills a person, He first saves the person.

It begins with a surrendered heart.

Tomorrow is not promised. Today is the day of salvation.

I do not want to manipulate anyone into making a decision. But if you desire forgiveness, a new beginning, and a real relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to come forward.

This is a preparatory Sunday.

The disciples entered the upper room one way and came out another way.

Jesus is still changing lives today.

And your story can change today.

Don’t Walk Away Before the Miracle

Illustration:

Imagine leaving the airport five minutes before your loved one walks through the arrival gate.

That is what many people spiritually do. They stop praying too soon. They leave church too soon. They give up too soon. They walk out of the upper room too early.

But those who remain in God’s presence eventually experience God’s promise.

Don’t leave the upper room too early.  Shalom

Lord, Command Me to Come

Text: Matthew 14:22–33

Introduction
Life often brings us into storms. We face uncertainty, fear, financial pressure, sickness, family problems, and ministry challenges. The disciples found themselves in such a storm. Their boat was battered by the waves, and they struggled through the night. Then Jesus came walking on the water.
Peter made an unusual request: "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." This passage teaches us what genuine faith looks like.
1. Faith Begins by Recognizing Jesus
The disciples were terrified because they thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
Faith starts when we recognize the voice and presence of Christ in the middle of our storms. Fear grows when we focus on circumstances; faith grows when we focus on Jesus.

 Before making important decisions, ask, "Is Jesus leading me?"
2. Faith Responds to Christ's Command
Peter did not jump into the water on his own. He first said, "Lord...command me to come."
Peter understood that Christ's command carries Christ's power. We should never act merely on impulse or emotion. We move when Christ calls.

Whether in ministry, family, or work, seek God's direction before taking action.
3. Faith Requires Stepping Out of the Boat
After Jesus said, "Come," Peter climbed out of the boat.
The boat represented safety and comfort. Walking on the water required trust.
Many believers never experience God's power because they refuse to leave their comfort zone. Obedience often requires taking a step of faith.

What "boat" is God asking you to leave behind? Fear? Comfort? Sin? Unbelief?
4. Faith Fails When It Looks Away from Jesus
Peter walked on water while looking at Jesus. But when he noticed the wind and waves, he became afraid and began to sink.
Circumstances did not change—the storm was already there. What changed was Peter's focus.
Many Christians begin well but become discouraged because they focus more on problems than on Christ.

 Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, not on your difficulties.
5. Jesus Is Ready to Save Those Who Call on Him
As Peter sank, he cried, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.
What a picture of God's grace! Jesus did not abandon Peter because of his weak faith. He rescued him and taught him.
No matter how far we have fallen, Christ is ready to lift us when we cry out to Him.

Conclusion

Every believer must answer one question:
Am I willing to obey when Jesus says, "Come"?
The greatest miracle in this story was not that Peter walked on water. The greatest miracle was that he trusted Jesus enough to leave the boat.
Today Jesus is still calling people to trust Him, obey Him, and follow Him through every storm.

Invitation

If you have been living in fear, hear Jesus' words today: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
If Jesus is calling you, do not remain in the boat. Step out in faith, keep your eyes on Him, and trust Him to carry you through every storm.
Amen.

Do not leave the upper room too early

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Blowing the Trumpet

 

What do you say about the song?

I Have Seen The Light John 8:12-18

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world…” and automatically, the Pharisees jump down His throat.

What is the deal? Why are these men so upset?

Well… they’re upset because Jesus has been consistently poking holes in their fairly obvious hypocrisy. They wanted to look righteous but not be righteous – and Jesus called them on it. He has challenged their hypocrisy in their fasting and praying and tithing. He has pointed out the emptiness of their fancy rules and regulations. He has exposed all their pretense and haughtiness.

Jesus exposed them as light should expose darkness…

Why would Jesus do that? Because He was light and they were darkness - and they couldn’t stand it.

John 3:19-20 says "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed”

Today when it’s dark out we simply flip a switch and instantly the darkness is gone. But in the 1st Century it wasn’t so simple. In Jesus’ day when it got dark, it was DARK. So when Jesus calls himself the light it’s a big deal. 

What makes this statement even more significant is that Jesus said it at the Feast Of Tabernacles. During this feast the Israelites would light a huge candelabra as a reminder of God guiding their ancestors through the wildness. Jesus is showing them that he is their light, their guiding force through this world. 

Jesus here is declaring that the light has come into the world. God is here. Don’t miss the claim that Jesus is making. He’s pulling from their history to show that just as God was the light to their ancestors, he’s their light today. He’s here to light the way, to lead us from the darkness we are stuck in.

II. Look at the Context in  John 8:2-6

Here the Pharisess brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. And it’s clear that this is a trap. They didn’t like how Jesus was exposing their hypocrisy. So they wanted to tarnish so that they can get to their business without Jesus calling them to repent.

Their theology was: If you don’t like the intensity of the light - change it… remove it…destroy it… do whatever’s necessary - BUT GET THAT LIGHT CHANGED!

III. But you don’t mess with someone like Jesus.

  When they tried to dim His light… He just turned up the wattage. Look at what He did from John 8:6-8 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ’Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’

They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ’If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there."

Some think what Jesus was writing in the dirt was the sins of each man present. I suspect Jesus was writing down not only their sins... but the things of which they were ashamed. Matters they thought they’d hidden well out of the sight of interfering eyes.

* I can visualize Bopda  watching from the edge of the crowd, and seeing his name written in the dirt… and then beside his name Jesus was writing the names of the women he sexually harassed at gun point.

* Then I can see a man, in the front of the mob watching as his name was written down… and then saw as Jesus wrote down beside his name, the name of the people in the bushes whom he has been working with to kidnap others for ransom. Others their names were written in front of women they have been lusting with but they were standing in the temple of God to stone others.

Then Jesus stood & said: let him who is without sin cast the 1st stone. The mob that day should have known what Daniel knew when he declared:

"(God) reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:22

IV. Jesus now declares to them who He is after exposing them ;John 8:12

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

There’s a lot of people who won’t come to church - who won’t come to God - because they’re afraid of what God will expose in their lives. What they don’t realize is that God will expose all of their sins–sooner or later. And if it happens later… it will be a time of judgment. But, if it happens sooner - then there is hope, because then it will be just between you and Him.

ILLUS: It’s like a person that goes to Doctor. and discovers he has cancer. The Doctor says if we act now, we can remove all of the cancer and you will live a full life… but if you wait, there’s a chance that it will destroy you.

It is not God’s intention to expose our darkness to everyone around us and thus force us to hide from His presence in our shame & disgrace. Rather, it’s His intention to convince us that darkness isn’t the best place to live.

ILLUS: Children know this. I’ve learned (as every parent does) that kids hate being alone in the dark. They know that darkness is a scary place to be. There’s only 2 things that will help them overcome their fear of the dark. One is light… the other is to have someone bigger than they are in the room with them… to protect them.

Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Jesus said: I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Scripture tells us: Cast all your cares on Him… for He cares for you”

Light does expose the imperfections of life… but it also creates trust, confidence and a hope for tomorrow. When the accusing crowd left Jesus and the adulterous woman Jesus didn’t condemn her.

He was the light but He didn’t expose all the ugly corners of her soul. NO, instead He offered her hope and said: “Go and sin no more.” Leave that old lifestyle, change who you’ve been & let the light in.

The greatest tragedy of your life would be to live in darkness when you could live in the light.  Don’t be like someone who is living blind because he didn’t know that science has evolved enough to solve his eye problem. Many people just think their own is too much that the light of god cannot make a change in them or they are ashame of the light. I invite you to stand on your feet if you don’t remember when you received Jesus Christ the light of the world into your life.

 

 

Good Or Evil, Light or Darkness-The Choice Is Yours Psalms 37:1-2, Psalms 73:18-19

 

Do not troubled because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Psalm 37:1-2, NIV

“God will repay each person according to what they have done. 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:6-11).

We all have a choice to make every single day of our lives:

“To do Good or to do Evil” To walk in the Light or to walk in darkness

Looking at our present-day world, it appears as if evil is more prevalent than ever. We hear of conspiracies against innocent persons to frame them for crimes they have not committed, while the real criminals engage in robberies, murders, stealing, etc. Justice is perverted and bought by the highest bidder. People are silenced for their faith and belief in God. Malice, hatred, envy, wrath, strife, and anger abound everywhere. Those that do good are oppressed and suppressed while evil walks with a swagger on our streets. Genuine children of God are alarmed and live in fear. It appears that a lot of Christians are asking this important question, found in Malachi 2:17:

“Where is the God of justice?”

So, why do people do evil?

Well, for one thing, most people find it easier to do evil than to do good! Also, the wrong notion or perception that they will get away with evil is enough motivation for people to persist in doing wrong. Again, the ability to pay for crimes to be swept under the carpet by criminals, through giving and taking of bribes and all forms of corruption in high places, allows evil to flourish unhindered. The ability of the stronger man to oppress the weaker ones, and the inability of the person being oppressed to cry out for justice, allows evil to thrive and abound everywhere.

Yet, God warns in Deuteronomy 16:19:

“Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”

Finally, this is the most important reason why people prefer darkness:

People no longer fear God.

In Biblical times, the judgment of God was swift and instant. We read the accounts of Haman being hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai, David’s stone lodging in Goliath’s forehead, and Pharaoh and his armies drowning in the Red Sea.

So, we may ask:

“Is God now more lenient?” “Does God still punish evil?” Can one get justice from God, especially when he says in Hebrews 10:30 (NKJV):

“‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The LORD will judge His people’.”

God is definitely still a just, righteous, and holy God! He has not lost his power or ability to punish evil. But he is also calling the evil man to turn from his ways.

In Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV):

“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’”

In Galatians 6:9:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Also, in Isaiah 30:18:

“For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

So, what punishment can the evil man expect from God?

There are many, but let’s look at a few.

In Psalm 37:20:

“But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.”

Psalm 37:38:

“But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.”

Psalm 73:18-19 (Good News Bible):

“You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction! They are instantly destroyed; they go down to a horrible end.”

In Psalm 28:3-4 (NIV):

“Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.”

So, what is the way out for those who have done evil, but want to return to God?

In Isaiah 55:7:

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Ephesians 4:28:

“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Do you even know the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus is the Son of God, who was sent from Heaven to declare the gospel—the good news of how we can be forgiven of all our sins and brought into God's family. He shared the words of God and then laid down His life as a sacrifice. He died the death we deserve, and suffered at the hands of God for your sins and mine. He then rose from the dead and ascended back to Heaven.

Jesus is calling you today from evil to good, from darkness to light. He says in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If you have never given your life to Christ, please say a simple prayer like this:

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I confess my sins before you today. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I want to know you personally. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in and be my Lord and personal Savior. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. In Jesus name I have prayed. Amen.”