And now, the rest of the story. Were they really plotting to assassinate the President of the United States? All the evidence we have says yes. On June 15, two men were jailed in New York City on charges of counterfeiting. Two days later, June 17th, one of the prisoners in the cell next to them calls out to the guard and says he’s, he’s got to be released to go speak to the authorities. And in the safety of the court chambers, this prisoner confided that he had overheard these two guys next to him, these two conspirators in the cell next door. They were talking about treason and it turns out they’d recruited seven others, uh, who are now still at large as a part of this plot. An investigation was launched on these two men. Hickey and Lynch confessed they had recruited these other conspirators to aid in a plot to assassinate the Commander in Chief of the United States. From this testimony, aides to the Commander in Chief indeed rushed to his side, greatly concerned for his safety, and rumors circulated that he had narrowly escaped eating poison in his food. Now, the full dimension of this conspiracy may never be known, because Hickey was tried, found guilty, and then executed, and all the other conspirators had nothing more to say about it. But you see, the mysterious, treasonous plot of which you just learned was uncovered in June of 1776, just days before the document by which we declared our independence was to be signed. And it involved our first president before he was president, General George Washington. And now you know, as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story. Good day? I know I don’t have a Paul Harvey voice. I wish I did. But today, welcome to the Bible’s version of the rest of the story. Today we dive into the mysterious yet magnetic first chapter of Esther. And although God’s name is never mentioned in the entire book of Esther, his fingerprints are all over the story. And his presence and purpose are unmistakably woven through the events and the decisions of its characters. God is moving pieces on the board, setting the stage for an epic saga. And as we explore this story, remember those powerful words from Isaiah 46, where God declares His intention to accomplish His purposes. And my prayer for you, for you all of us online, for all of us, is that you might have new insight to see how the, even the unseen hand of God is often One of the most powerful influences in the story of your life. Chapter one, it has a bit of length to it. So let me read the verses that convey the essence of the story.

It’s fascinating. This is what happened during the time of Xerxes. The Xerxes, who ruled over 127 provinces, stretching from India to Kush. At that time, King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials for a full 180 days. Do the math. For a full 180 days, he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. When these days are over, the king gave a banquet lasting seven days. In the enclosed garden of the king’s palace for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes On the seventh day when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine Go figure a whole week of hard drinking He commanded the seven eunuchs who served him to bring before him Queen Vashti wearing her royal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger. Then Memucon replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king, but also against all the nobles and all the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the Queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come. This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the Queen’s conduct will respond to all the King’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. Therefore, if it pleases the King, let him issue a decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and media that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also, let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. Dun dun dun! The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God. Let’s pray. Father in heaven, as we dive into this curious book of Esther, by your Holy Spirit, through your Word. May we have eyes of faith to see you at work, even behind these strange scenes. And may our hearts be encouraged that you are also at work in our own lives. I ask in Jesus name, Amen. Well dear friends, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. In today’s sermon, Summoned to Start, we dive into this captivating narrative of Esther chapter 1. I don’t know if you’ve read the book. Isn’t that something? And in this we see how God orchestrates beginnings and circumstances even when his presence seems hidden. And as the story unfolds, my prayer is that you will discover the subtle yet powerful work of God through human imperfections and adversities, even in your life. In fact, throughout this entire sermon series, we will explore the story of Esther against this backdrop of corruption and even hatred. And in that setting, we will discover that God’s sovereign plan prevails, no matter what is happening, so that we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who’ve been called according to his purpose. So while this book of Esther, I mean it, it would be a great Netflix limited TV series.

In this, God’s hand is still at work, hidden behind the scenes, setting the stage for the purpose of his will and plan. So my first point this morning is that the stage is set by sovereignty. The book begins with King Xerxes throwing this lavish banquet, displaying his wealth and power. Half a year. I mean, we think that the world’s fair is a big deal. This is really something else. And this seemingly secular event is actually a divine setup. Here God is preparing the stage for Esther’s rise, though it is hidden under this guise of the royal feast. It’s like a chessboard, where each piece is moved precisely, to achieve a specific outcome, and the Grandmasters are working moves way ahead of what’s actually going on in real time. And from this, we can see that even in our own lives, seemingly ordinary events and decisions might be the groundwork for God’s extraordinary plans for you. We are called to trust in God, in His sovereignty and His timing and preparation for the future. And it takes faith, especially when we cannot see his hand directly. And though God’s hand may be hidden from your eyes now, ask God for the eyes of faith to see his fingerprints in your circumstances and your story. The stage is set by sovereignty. Second, see opposition as opportunity. Queen Vashti’s refusal to appear at the king’s banquet, it leads to the men getting all, you know, worked up, and it leads to her dismissal. And this act of defiance, though it appears as a scandal, it’s used by God to open the door for Esther, whose name has not yet been mentioned even 1. And what seems like a moment of crisis. is actually an opportunity being orchestrated by God to accomplish His purposes and plan. Have you ever seen a river where there’s some obstacle that kind of fell in it big enough and doesn’t stop the river up?

No, eventually it finds another alternate way to get around that, but eventually it still goes on a path of its destination. I think God’s working can be similar to that. God’s purposes are not thwarted. By human actions, but are rather channeled in perhaps new directions still to accomplish his purpose. I mean, in your own life, all of you, you encounter obstacles and adversities that seem to threaten your well being. And what we learn in this book of Esther is that these moments, yes, challenging as they are, There are also opportunities for God to work His will in your life and through it. One lesson from the book of Esther is that you are invited to see opposition and adversity through the lens of divine opportunity. Third, we are called according to God’s purpose. So, the stage is set. The search for a new queen sets Esther on a path she had never envisioned for herself. And we’re going to see this in the weeks ahead. We will see the unseen hand of God moving subtly, but certainly, toward the fulfillment of His promises. Have you, I mean, have you figured out that God’s call on your life often comes disguised in unexpected events? which are actually invitations, a turn of events, which is still part of God’s plan. Through faith we are invited to discover that that you are part of a larger divine plan and you are summoned to embrace your role, perhaps even to start anew, trusting that you are exactly where God intends you to be.

You know, this chapter, and in many ways, this book, is essentially about what theologians call the hiddenness of God. I don’t know if you’ve ever really thought about it as a category. I’ll bet you you’ve had questions when things happen, like, God, what’s going on? Or, how about this? God, where are you? Times when your prayers seem to hit the ceiling, you wonder, where is God in all of this? The hiddenness of God. He is so far greater than we are, we can’t comprehend all that he has. He says his thoughts and his ways are higher than ours. And so in this book we see God’s hand at work, even in the realm of human events and intrigue. And as we’ll see later in this series, God is able even to use abominable acts and murderous plots for his own purposes and to save his own people. I love the Olympics. It’s the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. But I know that many of us were shocked and appalled during the opening ceremonies in what I’d call the Drag Queen Lord’s Supper. Anger stirred in our hearts, in the hearts of Christians throughout the world. And we were grieved by what we saw. And the reality is this is not the first time that someone publicly and through media channels has blasphemously parodied the Lord’s Supper. And I suppose we also shouldn’t be surprised when the world acts like, well, the world. And yet I posit to you today that God is able to use even what wicked people do to accomplish his will. Remember that passage in Isaiah 46? From the east I summon a bird of prey from a far off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said that I will bring about, what I have planned that will I do. That man, so this is written by Isaiah, this is for the exile of God’s people, that man is Nebuchadnezzar who would defeat and then exile Israel, God’s people, and God did this using someone like Nebuchadnezzar to accomplish his plan. How could God use someone’s wicked? Well, it’s even elsewhere in Isaiah 46. I am God, there is no other. I am God and there’s none like me. I’ve made known the end from the beginning. From ancient times what is still to come. I say my purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.

So, yes, the drag queen. Lord’s Supper parody was abominable. But did you also learn about the worldwide response of Christians? Around the globe, there was a call for prayer and fasting in response to this. And Christians around the world, we’ve been encouraged to renew our faith in God and, and, and strengthen our devotion to Him. And even to pray for our enemies. Hmm. Sounds familiar? Something that I think Jesus would say. So yes, that incident at the opening ceremonies was abominable. But look at what God did because of it. But I want to press this further. Consider the greatest abominable act the world has ever foisted upon God. The crucifixion of God’s one and only Son. What the world, the religious leaders, the might of Rome, the legion of demons thought was a crushing victory over God and over his chosen one became the accomplishment of the heart of God’s will and purpose. The salvation of his people purchased with the blood of his only son Jesus Christ. Now today we have the benefit of hindsight. We know how the story ends. We know that, yes, Jesus was crucified, and we so quickly run on to, and he was raised again, and understandably so. But for the Christ followers going through that in real time, it was far worse than what we saw in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. And yet, in this greatest of all tragedies, seemingly, Jesus Christ himself disarmed the powers and authorities. He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Friends, God’s will prevails. We pray this at every worship gathering. We’re going to be praying it soon. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

So my dear friend, today’s message is Summoned to the start. It’s not just about the beginning of Esther’s story. It’s about our response to God’s sovereign call on our lives. So as we reflect on how God worked throughout the events of this entire book of Esther, may we, in faith, see God’s work through the events in our own time and in our own lives and be encouraged that he is working in our lives, preparing us for the role he is destined for God’s people. Join me in prayer. Heavenly Father, we are awed by your mysterious ways and the unseen movements of your hand throughout history and then in our own lives. So through your word and by the Holy Spirit, grant us the faith to rest in the promise that you are at work no matter what is happening, knowing you are sovereign over all events, both seen and unseen in the world and in our lives. I ask in Jesus’ name, amen.