Reformed & Expository Preaching

God's Glorious Projection (Esther 8:1-17)

Introduction The book of Esther shows that God’s word is the only word and decree that stands. His word cannot be overturned. This is true even when it appears that evil has seized the upper hand. Throughout Esther’s story, it seems as though Satan has declared “checkmate” against God’s people. Haman’s decree threatens the destruction of the Jews. If his decree stays in effect, then his decree overrules God’s decree. We see from Esther that God is sovereign over history. The book of Esther assures us that His B team is more powerful than Satan’s A Team. The Transfer of Power The first development in Esther 8 is the transfer of power from Haman to Esther and Mordecai. Haman has been executed. His estate and authority are given to Esther and Mordecai. This is deeply ironic. The man who sought to destroy the Jews loses everything, and his wealth and position are handed to the very people he tried to annihilate. This is done despite the decree that “no woman should rise above a man.” Esther’s rise in status shows us that the decrees may be uttered, but they are only as weak as the men who made them. This reversal reminds us that God’s promises will prevail. Though the enemy boasts victory, we see that God quietly overturns their victory. God demonstrates that He controls history and that the seed of the woman will triumph over the seed of the serpent. Esther and Mordecai are God’s chosen instruments that he uses to publish his victory. Transferring the Decree Despite Haman’s fall, a serious problem remains: the original Persian decree to destroy the Jews cannot be revoked. This is why the king cannot take Vashti back to the palace. Daniel confirms this truth by telling us that the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be overturned (Dan. 6:8). The Jews are to be exterminated, and the royal decree cannot be annulled. This means that one villain is removed from the story, but his villainy still stands. Esther pleads with the king for a solution. The king hears her plea. He gives the signet ring to Mordecai to issue a new decree. This new decree allows the Jews to defend themselves against those who would attack them. God works within the limitations of the Persian legal system to preserve His people. The danger is real, but God provides a means of deliverance. Even when circumstances seem impossible, God preserves His people and protects His people while working out His redemptive plan. God’s word and his decrees stand in him. The Truncated Reversal The first decree is never cancelled, repealed, or annulled. The Jews are allowed to fight against those who would attack them. The solution is not a true resolution. There are two opposing decrees existing side by side. This situation exposes the absurdity of human kingdoms that claim to bring a worldly utopia. The Persian Empire cannot resolve its own contradictions. It cannot create the perfect world it promises. This reminds us that true shalom or peace will not come in this age. Human kingdoms cannot establish the final utopia; only Christ’s consummated kingdom will bring lasting shalom. Conclusion The story of Esther reminds us that God’s decree will always stand above the decrees of earthly powers. When it seems that evil has won and God’s promises have failed, God is already working behind the scenes to build his eternal kingdom. For believers today, this story teaches us how to live in the present age. We do not expect this world to become our ultimate utopia. Instead, we live faithfully. We discern what is pleasing to our Lord, seeking to walk humbly before his face. No, we are not in glory, but we taste its power as we walk by the Holy Spirit. Just as God preserved His people in Esther’s day, He continues to do so today. Our hope rests in the Lord who has conquered sin, death, and hell in Christ. We do not walk humbly as a defeated people, but a people whose victory is secured in the king who was cut off. The king who passed through hell, and the king who has prevailed.

Chapter 7 - “In For the Kill”

Are you ready to fight sin with gospel hope? In this powerful message on sanctification, we explore Chapter 7 of Sinclair Ferguson's "Devoted to God" titled "In for the Kill"—learning how to actively put sin to death through the Spirit's power. Romans 8:13 declares: "If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Sanctification is a battle, but it's rooted in our union with Christ and fought with His strength, not ours.

Ironic Exaltation (Esther 7:1-10)

Introduction The moment has finally arrived. After weeks of tension, Esther and Mordecai find themselves trapped in a kingdom where royal decrees cannot be overturned. A decree looms over their heads: the jews are to be annihilated. The clock is ticking, and the 11-month timeframe continues to get closer. Esther is dragging her feet by engaging in two banquets. Is this another Marie Antoinette who has an attitude, let them eat cake? What is more, when she lists her requests, she speaks first of her inconvenience. What about the horror of ethnic cleansing? What about the horror of people trying to destroy God’s plan by slaughtering his promised people? Esther's Answer Esther has not been characterized as very wise. In fact, she has just been led around and told what to do. She does not seem self-willed or competent. We learn that Esther is very savvy. Rather than making her request at the first banquet, she waits, which tests the king's sincerity. When the moment comes, she begins with a personal appeal: let my life be spared, and the life of my people. We might think that she is selfish. Rather, she is starting with one that the king loves. Then, with one bold declaration, she identifies herself publicly as a Jew, aligning herself with God's covenant people at great personal risk. Her restraint, her timing, and her courage together expose Haman for exactly what he is: the enemy of God’s people. She is the queen of her people. Haman's Fall From the moment the king leaves the room in anger, Haman's fate is sealed. The man who boldly celebrated the annihilation of an entire people is now on his knees, begging for his life from a woman. The irony runs deep. This is a kingdom that ruled that no woman would have authority over a man. Now determines what happens to Haman’s fate. Saul caved, and Samuel finished the job. This man repeats the story only to find that history repeats itself. Haman does not cry out, but only begs for mercy. He wants to live again to tyrannize some more. He is not asking God for mercy, but begging the queen to extend his selfishly ambitious life. It is in his personal ambition he loses his life. The king walks in and sees him on the couch with Esther. His persistent clinging and begging for his life is what brings him down. The king is furious, and Haman leaves the scene. The king will not tolerate anyone attempting to assault the queen. Esther remains silent, allowing the king to make his hasty judgment. Tragically, the words ring true. You will fall (certainly fall in English), and he had fallen before Esther. Haman Exalted In a final twist of dark irony, Haman is "exalted.” He wanted to be exalted, and he got his wish. He is impaled on the pole that he built for Mordecai. Satan tried to triumph over God in Eden, but his fate was, is, and will be publicly declared. Haman is the reminder: God’s purpose stands. The towering structure, visible across the entire city of Susa, was meant to display Mordecai's shame. Instead, it displays Haman's. The deeper meaning is that anyone who is hung on a tree is a covenant breaker. (Dt. 21:21, Gaol 3:13). The Lord's decree that Amalek would not stand is fulfilled, and the king's wrath is appeased the moment it is done. Haman, who schemed to destroy God's gospel community, ends on a tree he never intended for himself. And in that picture, we see the shadow of Christ. One is hung on a tree, and the king’s wrath subsides. Christ did this not as a sinner, but as our Redeemer-Lord. Haman symbolizes the other side of this. The serpent seed will not rise and be victorious. Conclusion The book of Esther is a story about the "B team,” which is flawed, unlikely, and outmatched by smarter, more powerful people. However, God’s humor shines through in his sovereign purpose for his people. God does not take the easy way out, but God preserves his people so that they have life in the Lord. Esther could have stayed silent and saved herself. Mordecai could have bowed. Instead, God worked through their faithfulness to protect his people and establish his purpose. We must not grow too self-righteous. In fact, this story reminds us that Haman deserved what he received. We must remember that all of us are hamans. We all deserve to be hung upon a tree. The mercy of the gospel is that Christ went to that tree in our place, so that we don't have to. If God could protect his people through the B team in Persia, how much more can he do so in Christ? That is our hope, our confidence, and our motivation as we press forward in this age. Let us cling to our redeemer. Let us live for him. Let us live in him.

The New Rhythm of Grace: How Sanctification Transforms Your Christian Life | Colossians 3 (Chapter 6)

In chapter 6 of Sinclair Ferguson's "Devoted to God," we explore sanctification not as a burden of self-effort, but as learning a new rhythm. This is living in the rhythm of heaven itself. Like Russian dolls fitting perfectly together, the Christian life reveals layers that all point to the same truth: God's grace comes first, and our obedience flows from what He has already done. Through Colossians 3:1-17, Ferguson shows us that grace doesn't just rescue us from sin's penalty; it retrains our hearts. We're not merely forgiven. We need to see that we're being recreated from the inside out. This is the Spirit teaching us to dance to a new beat, transforming us through our union with Christ. The new rhythm involves both putting off and putting on. We shed the old wardrobe of anger, lust, greed, and pride. We are not doing this for moral improvement, but because those clothes no longer fit. We are new creatures in Christ. Instead, we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. These aren't abstract virtues; they are reflections of Jesus himself. Sanctification begins with a change of identity before it ever becomes a change of behavior. This rhythm isn't frantic or forced, but it's peaceful. The music of the gospel is not a mundane march, but more like a heartbeat.

Misery or Mercy? (Psalm 19:7-14; LD 2)

INTRODUCTION The Heidelberg Catechism teaches that the law of God reveals our sin and misery. This becomes even more disheartening when we see that by nature we hate God and our neighbor. This raises an honest and uncomfortable question: if God's law only exposes how badly we fall short, why would anyone want to study it? And how can Psalm 19 celebrate the law as life-giving when it seems to do nothing but condemn us? WHY CELEBRATE THE LAW? At first glance, the law of God seems like a setup for failure. The standard is total love for God and neighbor. This means we are not allowed a single distracting thought. There is a bar set that none of us consistently meet. Yet Psalm 19 describes the law as perfect, right, and pure, with benefits including a revived soul, wisdom for the simple, joy in the heart, and enlightened eyes. How do we hold both realities together? The key is understanding that the law here is not simply a list of commandments designed to expose our inadequacy. The Hebrew word Torah carries a broader meaning. Think of Torah as the Lord's instruction for life. When we study God's instruction, we are not just measuring ourselves against an impossible standard. Ironically, we are instructed in how to live. Life is not found in our obedience, but in Christ’s obedience. We live in the power and grace of God. The commands do reveal to us how we ought to live, but we must remember that we live in his promises rather than our perfect obedience. The celebration of the Torah is the celebration that we get to live for Christ, and in Christ. It is Christ who secures us. We have the joy of living as living sacrifices out of thanksgiving for him. WHY FEAR GOD? The phrase "fear of the Lord" can easily be misread as cowering before a tyrannical God who delights in punishing his people. But that misreads both the psalm and God’s character. The fear of the Lord is not a call to be terrified of God. Rather, it is honoring him, humbling oneself, and a right ordering of our relationship with God as Creator and Redeemer. God is not a distant sovereign looking for reasons to strike us down. Scripture consistently shows a God who warns before he acts. He is a God who is bigger than his people. His people cannot annul his purpose. He is not confined to a single land or place. We see this because He communes with his people and protects them even in exile. Christ weeps over Jerusalem. To fear God rightly is to recognize who he is and who we are: We are his creatures who have been redeemed. He is our God and redeemer. We revere his name accordingly. WHY DISCERN THE TRUTH? Psalm 19 closes not with confidence in our own faithfulness, but with a prayer of dependence. The Psalmist raises the question, “Who can discern his errors?" The question highlights the problem that we have. We are unable to clearly see all our sins. In fact, the prayer is the request that the Lord keep us back from willingly and joyfully rushing into sin. We do not want to be presumptuous and rush into sin. Discerning the truth means coming before God honestly. We are continually asking him to search us, convict us, and keep us from the sins that would have dominion over us. The psalm ends not with a pledge of personal grin-and-bear-it resolve, but with a cry: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Discernment flows from dependence. The goal is not moral self-improvement but a life continually oriented toward the God who has redeemed us. CONCLUSION The catechism is correct to say that the law shows us our sin and misery. But it does not leave us in misery. Psalm 19 invites us to see the law as a gift from a God who loves us enough to give us his instruction. He is gracious enough to keep us even when we fail to keep his law. We must remember our need for our redeemer. We must also remember we are called to live for our redeemer. It is by God’s grace, his power, and mercy that we will prevail in him.