E-pistle for December 12, 2008
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation December 12, 2008
Up To Half The Kingdom
(Esther 5:1-14)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the events of this chapter
1. Esther put on her royal robes and entered the throne room, v. 1.
2. The king extended his scepter toward her (a gesture of acceptance)
and asked what she wanted . . . offering to give her anything, even
up to half the kingdom, vv. 2-3.
3. She merely invited him and Haman to a banquet, at which she invited
them both back to another feast the following day, vv. 4-8.
4. Haman, joyful over the queen's flattering invitations, passed by Mordecai,
who refused to bow, filled with hatred over Mordecai's disrespect, Haman
told his wife, who suggested that he build a tall gallows upon which to
hang Mordecai, vv. 9-14.
II. Meditation: on the words of King Ahasuerus to Queen Esther
1. "What is your wish? (desire; longing) . . . it shall be given to you," v. 3.
2. "What is your request? (formal asking) . . . it shall be granted you," v. 3.
3. "What is your petition? (earnest pleading) . . . it shall be done," v. 6.
4. The progression here is similar to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:7 . . . Ask and
receive; seek and find; knock and it shall be opened . . . even up to
"half the kingdom," vv. 3, 6.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual lessons in this chapter
1. Esther appeared before the king clothed in royal robes. We are welcome into
God's throne room only if we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ,
Hebrews 4:14-16.
2. For three days previously, Esther and others had prayed and fasted. The more
difficult the problem or issue, the more we need to fast and pray, Matthew 17:21.
3. The golden scepter symbolized the unlimited power and authority of the king of Persia.
The Lord Jesus Christ has all power and authority, which He makes available
to those who follow Him, Matthew 28:18-20.
4. The king held out his scepter to Esther; she went over and touched it. God offers
the power of the Holy Spirit to us, but we must personally draw near and
touch (experience) His anointing power in our lives, James 4:8.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be clothed in the righteousness of Christ as He exchanges my sinful garments with
His robes of holiness, II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:22-24.
2. Practice regularly the twin disciplines of prayer and fasting, I Corinthians 7:5.
3. Worship the Lord God Almighty, and obediently serve Him with reverence and fear,
Ecclesiastes 12:13.
4. Be continually being filled with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:18.
Walking In The Spirit
(Galatians 5:1-28)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught the Galatians to stand fast in their Christian faith. vv. 1-6.
2. Paul wrote that love fulfills the law, vv. 7-15.
3. Paul encouraged them to walk in the Spirit, vv. 16-18.
4. Paul contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. vv. 19-26.
II. Meditation: on walking in the Spirit
1. It means living a Spirit-filled life, not fulfilling the lust of the flesh,
vv. 16, 19-21, 24-25.
2. It means being led (guided, directed) by the Spirit, v. 18.
3. It means living in freedom from legalism (a yoke of bondage), vv. 1,3,18.
4. It means producing the fruit of the Spirit, vv. 22-23.
III. Observations: on the clusters of the Fruit of the Spirit (vv. 22-23)
1. Inwardly – love, joy, peace.
2. Outwardly – long-suffering, kindness, and goodness.
3. Upwardly – faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
4. These match the Beatitudes (#'s 4,5,6) in Matthew 5:6-8: (1) Those who
hunger and thirst after righteousness experience love, joy, and peace:
(2) Those who are merciful exhibit long-suffering (patience) kindness,
and goodness, (3) Those who are pure in heart exemplify faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control.
IV. Revelation: on these inward, outward, and upward dimensions
1. The fruit is "of the Spirit" . . .
(1) The Spirit originates the fruit.
(2) The fruit comes from Him exclusively.
(3) The fruit is varied in its nature, properties, and maturity-level.
(4) The fruit cannot be produced truly outside the work of the Spirit.
2. Fruit-bearing begins with a believer receiving the Spirit of Christ at
salvation (Romans 8:9) . . . resulting inwardly in love, joy, and peace.
3. Fruit-bearing produces a Godly relationship and fellowship with others . . .
as a believer exhibits the outward characteristics of long-suffering,
kindness, and goodness.
4. Fruit-bearing culminates in a proper relationship and fellowship with
God, evidenced by faith in God and faithfulness to Him, gentleness
(yieldedness, brokenness), and self-control (keeping the flesh in
subjection to the Holy Spirit) . . . the upward dimension.
V. Applications: as a Christian (one born of the Spirit), I need to . . .
1. Be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18.
2. Be led by the Spirit into freedom, not into bondage.
3. Be gifted and empowered by the Spirit for God-honoring service
and effective ministry.
4. Be continually producing the fruit of the Spirit.
__________________________________________
Christmas Is A Time
(Luke 2:18-20)
Christmas is a time to marvel,
Be astonished, stand in awe;
For the God of all creations
Lies a babe upon the straw.
Time to marvel, time to marvel,
Marvel at the newborn King.
Christmas is a time to treasure,
Cherish, value, measure worth;
Think about the Lord of glory
Leaving all to come to earth.
Time to treasure, time to treasure,
Treasure Christ the newborn King.
Christmas is a time to ponder,
Weigh in mind and meditate;
Jesus came to die as Savior,
Rose to open heaven's gate.
Time to ponder, time to ponder,
Ponder Christ the newborn King.
Christmas is a time to worship;
Shepherds praised his holy name;
Wise men knelt and paid him homage;
We today shall do the same.
Time to worship, time to worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King.
(Tune: Angels From The Realms of Glory)
© 1994, Dr. Curt Scarborough
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