Let Esther Guide You To Your Purpose

 

~~.Watch the Video ~~

Agenda

• Finding Your Purpose in Life Series
• Biblical Context of the Book of Esther
• Esther Found Favor
• Purpose requires preparation
• Wise counsel accelerates purpose
• Enter Haman
• There will Be Pivotal Moments in Your Life

Scriptures:

• Esther 2:5-11
• Esther 2:10-13
• Esther 2:15-20
• Esther 4:10-14
• Ephesians 2:10

Finding Your Purpose in Life Series

The two greatest days in your life are:

1. the day you were born
2. the day you figure out why you were born

The Bible tells us that everything was created by God, the Designer, for a reason

If you want to find your purpose… You have to start with God

Your calling is the purpose that God created you for

• It's the end goal of your assignment on earth
• It is how you serve his purposes in the world

A Christian’s Callings

Christians have

• General callings
• A Unique calling

General Christian Assignments

All Christians are called to:

• To Love God
• Love your neighbor
• Make disciples
• Be conformed to the image of Christ – sanctification

Unique Calling

You were given unique

• Natural ability
• Acquired skills
• Spiritual Gifts
• Personality
• Desires and preferences
• Life experiences

All of this makes you uniquely qualified to serve others, and to glorify God

Don’t compare your calling to others

In this series we will discover:

• What a purpose is
• Why it matters
• What makes you unique
• How your life experiences have prepared you for your calling
• Methods to uncover your purpose
• How to overcome the barriers preventing you from pursuing your purpose

Throughout this next year, I will walk alongside you and help guide you to finding your purpose

Biblical Context of the Book of Esther

Esther is the second of two biblical books named after a woman. The other is the book of Ruth.

The Jews repeatedly disobeyed God so He allowed them to be captured by Assyria and Babylon

The Medes and in Persian together conquered the Babylonian empire

• Xerxes rules from India to Ethiopia

In the book of Nehemiah they were allowed to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem

The characters in the book of Esther are the people who stayed

• 1 million

While some Jews returned to rebuild Jerusalem, a large population remained dispersed across Persian cities like Susa.

After the queen disobeyed the king he went to search out a new queen

Esther Found Favor

Esther 2:5-11

5 There was a Jew at the citadel in Susa whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 who had been taken from Jerusalem with the exiles who had been deported with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had deported. 7 He was the guardian to Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had no father or mother. Now the young woman was beautiful of form and face, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. 8 So it came about, when the command and decree of the king were heard and many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king’s palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. 9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice female attendants from the king’s palace, and transferred her and her attendants to the best place in the harem.

Esther’s real name was Hadassah

• She was hiding her identity as a Jew

Esther found favor with Hegai

• 7 attendants
• Best place in the harem

Favor is when God causes people to see something in you that has nothing to do with your résumé

• you do not need everyone’s permission to walk into your position
• You do not need every credential that the world says you need

Discussion

Are there times that you look back on your life and see the favor of God?

Have you ever experienced an open door or opportunity that clearly came from God’s favor rather than your own qualifications?"

Purpose requires preparation

Esther 2:10-13

 10 Esther did not reveal her people or her kindred, because Mordecai had instructed her that she was not to reveal them. 11 And every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the courtyard of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

12Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beauty treatment were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with balsam oil and the cosmetics for women— 13the young woman would go in to the king in this way: anything that she [g]desired was given her to [h]take with her from the harem to the king’s palace.

12 Month Beauty Process

The long preparation served several purposes in the Persian royal court:

A Two-Phase Beauty Treatment:

First 6 Months (Oil of Myrrh)

Myrrh was known for its medicinal, anti-inflammatory, and skin-purifying properties. It helped cleanse, smooth, and heal the skin.

Final 6 Months (Spices & Perfumes)

Sweet-smelling ointments and rare spices were used to deeply scent the skin and hair, preparing the women for royalty.

Royal Protocol:

It ensured all women were accustomed to court etiquette and luxury before meeting the king.

Example: they knew which fork was the salad fork

Quarantine / Verification:

The year-long period guaranteed that none of the women were pregnant from a prior relationship.

Your Purpose is a Process not a Destination

Purpose is not just a task you achieve

• It is a person that you become

In the quiet seasons you are developing:

• Discipline
• Character
• skill
• emotional maturity

preparing you for the weight of what comes next.

It is a dangerous thing to have influence before you have integrity.

• It can be the difference between an amazing work of God or an amazing scandal

Skipping the Process

• Saul became king instantly
• David went through a wilderness period

Prepare in the Waiting Period

everyone wants the palace, but no one wants the preparation

The preparation is where your character matches your calling

Kobe Bryant 4AM practice

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Da-2SQePy6P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Jensen Huan, Jeff Bezos

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db1b_f8RDKZ/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Discussion Questions

Looking back, what past experience or skill did you acquire that felt routine at the time, but ended up serving a purpose later?

What skills are you learning in your current season that might be used later?

Wise counsel accelerates purpose

Esther Becomes Queen

Esther 2:15-20

15Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, [j]advised. And Esther was finding favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal turban on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. 18Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and his servants; he also made a holiday for the provinces and gave gifts in proportion to the king’s bounty.

19Now when the virgins were gathered together for the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20Esther still had not revealed her relatives or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her; for Esther did [k]what Mordecai told her just as she had when under his care.

• Esther only took what Hegai advised her to take
• Esther Mordecai‘s advice and didn’t reveal that she was a Jew

Wise Counsel Accelerates Purpose

Esther consistently heeded the advice of Mordecai and Hegai (the king’s keeper of the women).

Listening to trusted, wise advisors protected her and positioned her for favor.

The Principle

Unlocking your purpose requires

• Community
• Mentorship
• the humility to take wise counsel

Discussion Questions

Who are the "Mordecais" in your life—people who have permission to speak hard truths and spiritual wisdom to you?

Who has been a mentor to you in your life?

Why is it dangerous to try to discern or pursue your calling entirely on your own?

What are the pros and cons of more people turning to AI forward advice?

Enter Haman

Mordecai told Esther of a plot of two of the king’s officials who were going to kill him

• Esther told the king and they foiled the plan

Haman worked for the king and Mordecai refused to bow to him

Haman devised a plan to kill the Jews

Mordecai found out about it and asked Esther to speak to the king

There will Be Pivotal Moments in Your Life

For such a Time as this

Esther 4:10-14

10Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai: 11“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king in the inner courtyard, who is not summoned, he has only one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden scepter so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days.” 12And they reported Esther’s words to Mordecai.

13Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. 14For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Your Pivotal Moment

"For such a time as this" (Esther 4:14) 

Mordecai tells Esther that perhaps she had come to her royal position "for such a time as this."

This implies that her entire life up to that point, including her unique circumstances, had a culminating purpose in that one critical moment when she had to intercede for her people.

Your purpose is a lifelong journey of faith and growth, but you may have a profound  "singular moment" that has a strong bearing on your purpose.

There may be one crucial moment in your life

Some biblical examples:

• Paul's Conversion on the road to Damascus
• Moses and the Burning Bush
• Jesus' Crucifixion

Ephesians 2:10

10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

This verse suggests that God has specific "good works" (purposes) for each individual. While these might unfold over time, it's not unimaginable that some of these "good works" could be concentrated into a defining, singular moment of obedience, sacrifice, or revelation.

Singular Moment

While the general biblical understanding of life purpose is often seen as a continuous journey of glorifying God, growing in Christ-likeness, and serving others, the Bible supports the idea that a person's life purpose can be distilled into, or culminate in, a profoundly significant singular moment.

These moments are often divine appointments where God reveals a specific calling, or where an individual makes a decisive choice that defines their entire trajectory in fulfilling God's will. It's not necessarily that the entirety of their existence is only about one second, but that one second can be the catalyst or climax of their God-given purpose.

Discussion Questions

Can you think of a pivotal moment in your life that changed how you live for God?

Example: for me it was starting this Bible study

God Will Do It Without You

 14For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish.

God’s Ultimate Plan

God’s covenant promise was that the Jewish nation would survive to eventually bring forth the Messiah. If Esther said no, God’s *corporate* plan would still succeed.  He would simply raise another deliverer.

If God intends to bring help to a community or accomplish a work on Earth, human disobedience cannot derail Him. In that sense, God's overall purpose marches forward with or without any single individual.

God’s Plan For Your Life

God does not view humans as disposable instruments merely needed to execute a task.

Dating Like a Business Deal

https://youtube.com/shorts/3GlKd5DOJLE?si=erBncMaS-1A5ZdcN

God invites specific individuals into specific roles not because He *needs* their help, but because the assignment itself is the crucible for their character development.

You can miss your purpose

You *can* forfeit your personal participation and growth:

When someone refuses God's invitation, they forfeit

• the personal transformation
• blessing,
• spiritual maturation that come through obedience.

God’s Purpose is Character, Not Just Tasks

Saying “yes” to your assignment is a moment that can change or solidify your character and your identity.  You have to actually make the choice in order to transform into what God is calling you to.

If Esther said "No"  she would have remained trapped in fear, missing the faith, character, and legacy God was inviting her to step into.

Discussion Questions

Have you ever hesitated or said 'no' to a prompt from God? What did you learn from that experience?"

Instructor: Michael Leadon

References

Esther 6 - 10 God working out his purpose

Calvary Chapel Ontario

God hid you for this moment-esther’s anointing is up

Dr. Miles Monroe

Let Moses Lead You to Your Purpose

We will study Moses journey to guide you to your purpose.

~~ Watch the Video ~~

Outline:

• Introduction

• Finding Your Purpose in Life Series

• God’s Favor

• God Can Use Your Passion

• You May Have to Leave Your Comfort Zone

• Make the Most of the Your Waiting Period

• God Will Use What You Learned in Your Waiting Season

• The Burning Bush

Scriptures:

• Acts 7:22-36

• Exodus 2:7-9

• Acts 7:22

• Exodus 2:11-12 

• Hebrews 11:24-25 

• Exodus 2:16-22

• Jeremiah 29:4-13 P

• Exodus 3:1-3 

Introduction

Acts 7:22-36

22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one [of them] suffer wrong, he defended [him], and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. 26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? 29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons. 30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw [it], he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold [it], the voice of the Lord came unto him, 32 [Saying], I [am] the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. 35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. 36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 

Moses’ real Hebrew father was “from the house of Levi” and his mother was also a Levite

• The Levites were the priests in Jewish culture

• This means that Moses was born into the priestly class of Israel

So Moses went from

• Priesthood 

• Palace

• Pasteur

• To the front porch of the Promised Land

We will examine Mose’s journey to discovering his purpose, and see what it can teach us about our own journey.

Finding Your Purpose in Life Series

The two greatest days in your life are: 

1. the day you were born

2. the day you figure out why you were born

– – Mark twain

The Bible tells us that everything was created by God, the Designer, for a reason

If you want to find your purpose… You have to start with God

Your calling is the purpose that God created you for 

• It's the end goal of your assignment on earth

• It is how you serve his purposes in the world 

A Christian’s Callings

Christians have

1. General callings

2. A Unique calling

General Christian Assignments

All Christians are called to: 

1. To Love God 

2. Love your neighbor

3. Make disciples

4. Be conformed to the image of Christ – sanctification

Unique Calling

You were given unique 

• Natural ability

• Acquired skills

• Spiritual Gifts

• Personality

• Desires and preferences 

• Life experiences

All of this makes you uniquely qualified to serve others, and to glorify God

Don’t compare your calling to others

In this series we will discover:

• What a purpose is

• Why it matters

• What makes you unique

• How your life experiences have prepared you for your calling

• Methods to uncover your purpose

• How to overcome the barriers preventing you from pursuing your purpose

Throughout this next year, I will walk alongside you and help guide you to finding your purpose

God’s Favor

Exodus 2:7-9

7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a woman for you who is nursing from the Hebrew women, so that she may nurse the child for you?” 8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.

Moses‘s mother put him in a basket and set them down the river

• Pharaoh's daughter found him

• Pharaoh's daughter decided to keep him as her own

• Moses’s sister, knowing that it was Moses, asked if she wanted her to give her to one of the Hebrew women to nurse him

God gave Moses favor from the family that was trying to kill him

you don’t need favor with everyone… You only need favor with the right one

Moses’ mother got to raise him

• And she got paid to do it

Application  

When you look back over your life, can you remember a time when you received favor from God?

Often time we don’t see God‘s hand in our lives until we reflect back on it

Are there times when you think

• “I could’ve been killed doing that”

• “ I'm glad I didn’t marry them“

• “ I really dodged a bullet“

• “ I don’t know why they gave me that position“

Mose’s Life In the Palace

Acts 7:22

22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

So I was wondering:

How did pharaoh‘s daughter pop up with a son without having had a baby bump?

In ancient Egyptian royalty, high-ranking women adopting orphans, taking in the children of deceased relatives, or bringing in foreign noble children to be raised in the royal nursery was a recognized practice. Because she was the Pharaoh's daughter, she possessed the absolute authority to declare, "He became her son," and name him Moses, and the court would have had to accept her royal decree without question.

Moses was a royal prince

His lifestyle was one of the most privileged, luxurious, and powerful in the entire ancient world.

Egypt was a global superpower at the peak of its wealth and military dominance. Growing up as a "King's Son", Moses would have enjoyed absolute immunity from the hardships of ordinary life and access to elite institutions.  

Moses his life would’ve entailed:

Education at the Kap (The Royal Nursery)

an exclusive palace academy 

He would have been taught by royal tutors and high priests to master 

• hieroglyphics 

• hieratic script 

• foreign languages used in international diplomacy  

He would have studied 

• mathematics 

• civil law 

• astronomy 

• geography 

• military strategy 

•  state religion 

High-Ranking Leadership Paths

Moses would have been fast-tracked into one of three powerful careers:  

The Military

• martial arts 

• archery 

• advanced chariot warfare 

Royal princes often served as high-ranking generals or commanders of pharaonic divisions.  

The Priesthood 

High Priest to a major state deity (like Ra or Amun) 

giving him immense spiritual authority, custody over sacred texts, and control over massive temple wealth and lands.  

Civil Administration: 

He could have served as a supreme vizier or royal overseer, managing 

• the treasury, 

• agricultural distribution 

• monumental building projects  

Absolute Luxury

• Exemption from Labor

• The finest meats, fine wines, honey, and fresh fruits

• The best physicians

• Personal Servants 

• fan-bearers, scribes, and guards. 

• His own Estate 

• sprawling villa with lush gardens, pools, and agricultural 

He would have worn 

• the finest pleated linen, 

• heavy gold jewelry

• cosmetic enhancements reserved exclusively for the ruling class.

God-like Social Status

In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was viewed as a living god on earth. 

Commoners and even high-ranking officials would have been required to bow or prostrate themselves in his presence.  

God Can Use Your Passion

Moses Killed an Israelite

Exodus 2:11-12 

11 Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his fellow Hebrews and looked at their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his fellow Hebrews. 12 So he looked this way and that, and when he saw that there was no one around, he struck and killed the Egyptian, and hid his body in the sand.

perhaps your purpose will be related to your passion

Moses overtime, developed a burden for the Israelites

Have you ever seen someone hurting someone else?

What did you do about it?

Did you step in to stop them?

It doesn’t appear that Moses was trying to talk to the man.

It says Moses “looked around first“

• He wasn’t looking around to see who else could help

• He was looking around to make sure there were no witnesses

• … For what he was about to do

Moses knew what he was about to do before he even approached the man

Moses developed a passion 

Moses must’ve seen Israelites being mistreated his whole life

But at some point, it began to frustrate him

Moses’ unique frustration was for the plight of his people

I believe this is part of the reason that God chose Moses

Application

What group of people does your heart ache for?

Whose enemy do you want to protect them from?

Who’s pain do you feel?

Who’s tears make you cry?

You May Have to Leave Your Comfort Zone

Moses Left the Palace

Hebrews 11:24-25 

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin# for a season;

# The "sin" in Hebrews 11:25 is the temptation to choose worldly ease, wealth, and safety by deserting God and His community when following Him becomes costly.

— bible hub

Moses left the palace

Esther, Daniel and Joseph’s destiny required them to be in the palace

• Moses  and Nehemiah had to leave the palace

Moses had to leave the palace and become a shepherd  before he found his purpose

• Or before his purpose found him

You may have to leave the palace to fulfill your purpose

• You may have to leave the job that you prayed for

• Abraham had to leave from his parents house to go to a land he didn’t know

You have to exit one season to enter another

It’s easy to follow God’s plan when it brings you worldly success

• When it aligns with the desires of your heart

But will you follow God’s plan

• When it requires you to give up your worldly success?

Will you trust God when he asked you to sacrifice Isaac?

Sometimes, in order to find your purpose

• You have to leave the palace

• You have to leave… The comfort zone

The comfort zone is the place we settled for that’s less than your calling

The comfort zone… can be the failure zone

• Even though it feels like comfort

• The comfort zone was never the place you were meant to stay

if you are not working to become more than you are… You will resent the struggles of life

• If you are not growing… You will be complaining

• If You don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel

“There is no perfect time to leave

You have to take the time that is… And make it perfect”

You often have to leave one season to enter another

Application

Some of you have a good job and it is paying the bills

You don’t  love it, 

… but you don’t  hate it enough to do anything about it 

… other than complain

… Every day

It’s not your dream job

• You Took the first  job that you could get… And then just stayed there

• Year after year after year

It pays the bills

You know that it is not your calling

• … but it’s safer to keep doing what you know

• Than to risk failing at something else

Flower Quote

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

Surrender your worldly goals

Sometimes we have to set aside our own plans and make room for God’s

Many of us

• Have a five year plan

• new years resolutions

• Have goals on our refrigerators

Do those plans include God?

Questions to consider

Can you look back at your life and see some seasons that you stayed in too long?

• God was calling you to leave, but you were comfortable.

Do you have goals that you said that may be interfering with God‘s plan for your life?

Make the Most of the Your Waiting Period

Moses’ Life in the Wilderness

Exodus 2:16-22

16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock. 18When they came to their father Reuel, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?” 19They said, “An Egyptian saved us from [t]the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20So he said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him [u]to have something to eat.” 21And Moses was willing to live with the man. And he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses. 22Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him [v]Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”

Who Was Reuel/Jethro?

As the Priest of Midian, Jethro was not just a religious figure; he was the political and spiritual chieftain of a powerful nomadic clan. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through his second wife, Keturah. 

Jethro is consistently portrayed in the Bible as a man of deep wisdom.

We saw that Jethro was a wise leader who advised Moses on governance structure

In Exodus 18: 13-24

He advised Moses not to try every judicial case, but to appoint others

Moses immediately listened to his father-in-law, establishing Israel's first judicial system based entirely on Jethro's counsel.

What Life Was Like for Moses in Midian

He lived in tents woven from goat hair

ate 

•  milk, 

• cheese, 

• and dates, 

Spent his days under a blistering sun. 

He was tending Jethro's flocks, not his own. 

For forty years, Moses was financially and socially dependent on his father-in-law. 

Make the Most of the Season You Are In

Moses was used to living in a palace, but now he is in the dessert

We don’t see Moses 

• longing for the days of the palace

• Praying to God to make him privileged again

• Sowing seeds to become rich

He went on with his life

He got married, got a job, raised a family

• He wasn’t waiting in sorrow

We also don’t see Moses searching for his purpose

Moses wasn’t even looking for a wife!

• He was being a protector

• Jethro just gave him his daughter as a reward

He just accept it what LIFE offered him

“ I guess I’ll start a family now”

Probably doing the same routine day after day

• For 30 or 40 years

Moses accepted his current season and enjoyed it

Some of you need to learn to be content with what you have

• Just because your neighbor has a Tesla truck, doesn’t mean God wants you to have one

• Just because you have the desire in your heart, doesn’t mean that it’s from God

• Just because your pastor said you were gonna move into abundance, doesn’t mean that it is God‘s plan

Jeremiah 29:11

Who can recite Jeremiah 29:11?

This is one of the favorite verses of the prosperity preachers

It is used as evidence that God wants you to prosper

But let’s look at the context

Biblical Context 

The Jewish people had just been forcefully uprooted from their homeland and dragged into captivity in Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (around 597 BC).

The temple was compromised, their city was falling apart, and they were living as prisoners of war in a pagan empire. They were deeply traumatized, homesick, and wondering if God had abandoned them completely.

The Jewish prophets prophesied that they will be delivered from Babylon soon.

Jeremiah 29:4-13

4“This is what the LORD of armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their [a]produce. 6Take wives and father sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may give birth to sons and daughters; and grow in numbers there and do not decrease. 7Seek the [b]prosperity of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD in its behalf; for [c]in its [d]prosperity will be your [e]prosperity.’ 8For this is what the LORD of armies, the God of Israel says: ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst or your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to their interpretations of your dreams which you dream. 9For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD.

10“For this is what the LORD says: ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans that I [f]have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for [g]prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 

The prophets were telling the Israelites that the captivity  in Babylon would only last a year or two

• That God was about to prosper them

• That their freedom was near

• That God was going to deliver them

Jeremiah, in this passage, is actually revealing to them that those are false prophets

• And false prophecies

God said: “I know the plans I have for you”

• And that plan is for you to stay in exile even though you want to be free

God is saying that exile is going to continue for another 70 years

• Even though they are praying for their freedom

• Even though their prophets are telling them that things are going to get better soon

Don’t plan on leaving any time soon

God is saying Go ahead and 

• Build houses

• Start a family

• Pray for peace for your enemies

Forget about that dreams that you had

Many of you will be dead by the time this season ends

He’s telling them to enjoy the season. 

• Live your life You are in right now.

Sometimes God will say that even though this isn’t the promised land

• Even though this isn’t the dream you had

• Make the best of of it

Some of you need to learn to be content with what you have

• Remember that coveting is a sin

My 3rd Layoff Story

• I was an independent consultant

• I took a three month assignment that turned into 3 1/2 years

• They kept extending me

• Three months, six months, six months,…

• Stopped looking for a job

• In the middle of December

• My boss called me into his office

• You’ve been complaining that you didn’t have any time

Selfish Dreams

Some of you have had dreams that weren’t from God

Just because a prophet told you that that’s what God wanted doesn’t mean it’s true

• Does it align with Jesus’ teaching

That’s why we need to stay in prayer

We can’t just “follow our hearts”

• Follow the culture

• Follow your friends and parent’s dreams

There is nothing wrong with being prosperous

• There’s nothing wrong with setting goals

• Financial, health, relationship

• But don’t seek prosperity over purpose

Application

God didn’t want Moses to try to return to the palace

• God didn’t want Moses to figure out how to free the Israelites

Some of you need to enjoy where you are right now.

If you are living in one room, you need to live like a king in that one room.

• Don’t wait to be blessed with a palace

enjoy the season that you’re in.

whether you know it or not…you are already on a journey

Do you do your best at your job today?

If you are faithful to the things in your life right now, they will lead you inadvertently to your purpose

Enjoy the present moment

Being fruitful for where you are… is the seed for destiny

This season is training you for tomorrow?

God Will Use What You Learned in Your Waiting Season

Moses led 700,000 Israelites

He had learned leadership 

• HIs Egyptian grandfather was a ruler

• His father-in-law was a leader

He learned spirituality

• He was taught in Egyptian spirituality

• His Jewish mother who raised him taught him about the Torah

• Jethro was a descendent of Abraham and a priest

Moses spent 40 years in the Palace 

Pharoah, whose daughter had taken him in, had passed away by the time Moses returned 

I often wondered how a shepherd just walked into Egypt and said I want to see Pharaoh

• Why didn’t they just kill the guy

• How did he want waltz and get the privilege of being in Pharaoh‘s presence

Moses question God about everything

• What if they don’t believe me

• What if I can’t speak well

• What if the people don’t follow me

But he never asks: “what if they don’t let me in to see Pharoah“

Moses spent many years in the Royal schools

It is likely that the current Pharoah would’ve been a classmate of Moses

Many of the people in the royal court probably recognized Moses

• They had to bow when he walked by 

God used Moses’ journey

Moses spent 40 years living in tents with the Midianites

His desert season with the Midianites

• Gave him endurance 

• Taught him the geography of the wilderness

He built the endurance by being a Shepard in the desert for 40 years

Guess what wilderness they ended up wondering in

..the exact same wilderness he spent 40 years in with Jethro

the tents of Jethro taught him how to be a shepherd—both of animals and, eventually, of people.

God used Moses’  journey to prepare him for his purpose

The Burning Bush

Exodus 3:1-6 

1Now Moses was pasturing the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the [a]west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2Then the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of [b]a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not being consumed. 3So Moses said, “I must turn aside and see this [c]marvelous sight, why the bush is not burning up!” 4When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6And He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Moses his journey started At 80 years of age

• It’s never too late for God to show up with your purpose

Your Purpose Is Not About You

God didn’t say “I have heard your prayers and have come to answer them“

• I will give you a child

• I will return you to the palace

• I’m going to give you some better sandals

God told Moses “I have heard the cries of my people and have come down to rescue them“

Moses was like:  “ok cool!!”

• … wait, why you tellin me?!!

Maybe Moses was praying for the Israelites

“oh… I was asking you to do it”

… Not me

Application

You’ve been praying for God to fix a systemic issue

• maybe God is waiting on you to do something

Coworker picking up trash story

Some of you may be hearing from God because your prayer time is only focused on your personal problems

“If God answered all of your prayers would the world change, or just your world?”

Spend some time listening for what God wants you to do

What Are You Giving Your Attention To?

So Moses said… “somebody’s burning trees”

Moses could have seen the bush

• Went and took a selfie with it

• Kept on walking

3 So Moses said, “I must turn aside and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burning up!”

• The narrator made a point to tell us Moses his inner thoughts

• He’s drawing our attention to it for a reason

Moses decided to turn his attention to the burning bush

• He altered his plans because he noticed something unusual

• He took a detour

Application

Some of you are missing miracles because you are too focused on your to do list

• You aren’t on the look out for the miraculous

What are you giving your attention to?

Netflix?

The news?

Social media?

Psychologist say that what you give your first 45 minutes after waking has a huge impact on your mental health

If you watch the news in that period you will have more anxiety and sadness in your life

What you give your attention to determines your 

• Mood

• Beliefs

• future

What you give your attention to can dictate whether or not you discover your purpose

Outro

Moses had probably walked that path hundreds of times

• but today it was different.

• Today it was holy

Ordinary places become holy when God shows up.

The burning bush is God trying to get your attention.

The burning bushes  might be

• A door that keeps opening

• A message that keeps coming to your heart

Your burning bush  might be

• A passion you can’t ignore

• A unique frustration that bothers you more than most others

• A skill or talent that the church could use

• A spiritual gift that you haven’t fully utilized 

• A burden in your heart

• Part of your personality that can serve the Kingdom

The question isn’t is God speaking… The question is will you step closer to the burning bush?

purpose is often found on the other side of curiosity and obedience

The most important factor in determining your purpose… Is a relationship with God

Are you spending time with God?

And How much of that time… do you spend listening?

Instructor: Michael Leadon

References

Time to Step Into Your Purpose

Myron Golden

Finding your unique design and purpose

Pastor Ayo, Ajani

Moses: discovering your purpose

New Church 247

Moses and the burning bush 

Bible truth for life.

Watching the news in the morning

https://www.facebook.com/reel/806749842404561/?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e

Extra

Exodus 18: 13-24

13And it came about the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood before Moses from the morning until the evening. 14Now when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” 15Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16When they have a [k]dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between someone and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.” 17Moses’ father-in-law then said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. 18You will surely wear out, both yourself and [l]these people who are with you, because the [m]task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19Now listen to [n]me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. [o]You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the [p]disputes to God, 20then admonish them about the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21Furthermore, you shall [q]select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, [r]of hundreds, [s]of fifties, and [t]of tens. 22Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that they will bring to you every major matter, but they will judge every minor matter themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will carry the burden with you. 23If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to [u]endure, and all [v]these people also will go to [w]their places in peace.”

24So Moses listened [x]to his father-in-law and did everything that he had said.