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E-Pistle

FreeWay Foundation            September 27, 2013

 

 

Joseph, Daniel, Mordecai, and Jesus

(Esther 10:1-3)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

I.  Concentration:  on the greatness of Mordecai (vv. 1-3)

            1.  King Ahasuerus promoted Mordecai to second in command in the Persian

                 empire (prime minister).

            2.  He was great and well received by the multitude of his brethren, the Jews.

            3.  He continued to provide benefits to his people ("seeking the good").

            4.  He gave assurance and encouragement to them ("speaking peace to all his

                 countrymen").

II.  Meditation:  on Biblical characters who rose from slave to ruler

            1.  JOSEPH, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, rose to prime minister

                 of Egypt, Genesis 41:38-43.

            2.  DANIEL, who had been carried into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, rose to prime

                 minister of Babylon, Daniel 2:47-48.

            3.  MORDECAI, who began his life as the son of captives in exile, rose to prime

                 minister of Persia, Esther 10:2-3.

            4.  JESUS, Who took the form of a bond-servant, was highly exalted by God the

                 Father, Who gave Him the "name which is above every name, that at the name of

                 Jesus, every knee should bow . . . and that every tongue should confess that

                 Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, Philippians 2:7-11.

III.  Revelation:  on what these men all had in common

            1.  They lived blameless and holy lives before God.

            2.  They maintained their faith in God through times of extreme difficulty.

            3.  They faithfully persevered at the task assigned to them, in spite of opposition

                 and persecution.

            4.  Their lives brought glory and honor to God.

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

            1.  Live a life of righteousness and integrity before God, knowing that without holiness,

                 no one will see the Lord, Hebrews 12:14.

            2.  Live a life of faith, knowing that without faith, it is impossible to please God,

                 Hebrews 11:6.

            3.  Live a life of faithfulness, knowing that I will be judged by Christ on the basis of my

                 faithfulness, Matthew 25:21; Revelation 2:10.

            4.  Live a life of humble service which will bring glory and honor to God the Father,

                 Matthew 5:16; I Peter 4:16.

 

 

 

How to be a good minister

(I Timothy 4:1-16)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

            1.  Paul warned of a great apostasy coming in the latter times, characterized by deceiving

                 spirits, demonic teachers, and hypocritical liars who will forbid people to marry, and

                 order them to abstain from eating certain foods, vv. 1-5.

            2.  Paul urged Timothy to practice specific spiritual disciplines, vv. 6-8.

            3.  Paul taught that the Savior (Jesus) is the living God, vv. 9-11.

            4.  Paul told Timothy to take heed to his ministry, vv. 12-16.

II.  Meditation:  on a good minister's personal actions

            1.  Be nourished in the words of life, v. 6.

            2.  Carefully follow the good (true) doctrine, v. 6.

            3.  Reject irreverent falsehoods (such as those listed above), v. 7.

            4.  Engage in regular spiritual exercises, striving toward godliness, vv. 7-8.

III.  Meditation:  on setting a good example (v. 12)

            1.  In speech (guarding what you say).

            2.  In life (watching your conduct).

            3.  In love (relating to people through love).

            4.  In spirit (being Spirit-filled).

            5.  In faith (believing God's words).

            6.  In purity (having holy hands and heart).

IV.  Meditation:  on being a good minister

            1.  Lead in the public reading of scripture, v. 13.

            2.  Preach faithfully the gospel of Christ, v. 13.

            3.  Teach believers to live growing, fruit-bearing lives, v. 13.

            4.  Cultivate your spiritual gift, conferred by the Holy Spirit, v. 14.

V.  Revelation:  on some visible indication of spiritual progress

            1.  Meditating on the things of God, v. 15.

            2.  Giving yourself entirely to things of the Spirit, v. 15.

            3.  Taking heed to yourself and to the doctrine you teach, v. 16.

            4.  Persevering in all these activities, v. 16.

VI.  Applications:  as a Christian minister (all believers are ministers), I need to . . .

            1.  Focus my attention on the truth of the Word of God.

            2.  Set an example of godly living for other believers.

            3.  Exhibit spiritual maturity beyond (and not related to) my age, v. 12.

            4.  Persevere faithfully in right living and in right teaching.

 

"Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go instead

where there is no path and leave a trail."

--Muriel Strode

 

 

 

 

 

 

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