Rivercrest Presbyterian Church - Sermons

Esther protected her people with faith and courage, and in conquering their enemies they represented God's justice. This conquering wasn't political or social, but rather spiritual, and in response to deliverance they were commissioned to celebrate Purim each year; a reminder of God's victory and steadfast love for His people. Today as the church we ought to often celebrate the wond...

In Esther 8 we see the story completely turn. She has endured through a long struggle to finally save her people, the Jews. Like Esther, Christians have two choices in their daily lives; the way of fear or the way of faith. In Christ we know that "perfect love casts out fear".

In exposing her ethnicity and becoming vulnerable to death, Esther seeks liberty and justice in Persia. Because of her courage and reputation, the king listens to her and brings destruction on Human, the one who wanted destruction for the Jews. As Christians today we are to be conduits of the good news of Christ who set the example for us in self-sacrifice.

The events of Esther now are realized to be comedy. In a matter of hours in dramatic irony, God's providence leads to the honor of Mordecai instead of Haman, showing that God is not just in the mountaintop moments in our life, but also in every small moment.

Esther has fasted, prayed and planned to meet with the king about the salvation of the Jews. Her faith and courage for her people points us to Jesus, who came purposefully and gave His life to ransom slaves to sin.

When the issue becomes greater than a simple solution, Esther is faced with a massive decision. Mordecai's faith in God's deliverance of the Jews is what ultimately encourages Esther in that same faith where she will risk her life for her people just as Christ will do at Calvary.

It is difficult to stand against the culture and conformity of the world, in fact it led Jesus to the cross. Believers in Christ are called to not conform to this world but stand apart of the sake of the gospel, and no matter what happens, the Lord will bring them home.

No one can choose where they are born, to whom they are born, or when they are born. Despite the injustice and cruelty that goes on in the world, God works providentially to fulfill His plan and purposes. In the end there is everlasting joy, peace, love and glory of the One who keeps covenant promises.

Despite having what appeared to be all the power and control anyone could wield, the king of Persia's pride consumes him as the queen refuses his request. The Lord is the true and everlasting King who upholds righteousness and justice, and is never left powerless because of His omnipotence and sovereignty. 

Christians walk in this world full of hope knowing that Christ has and is accomplishing salvation for us. Our call to walk with Him involves rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation and being constant or persistent in prayer.

On Christmas Eve we celebrate the arrival of the Promised Messiah who has been ruling and reigning over all things since creation. Because He loves the world, He came into it humbly and now we worship to give Him all glory.

Declaring the name of the Lord and worshipping His holy name is the purpose of the Church. Uniting together with Him and remembering what is true gives us purpose and wholeness in Christ.

God's power, preeminence and His promises assure us today of righteousness,  of His lovingkindness towards us and that we should fear the Lord in holy humility.

Continuing in the Psalms that declare "The Lord reigns" we are met with attributes of God that cause people to fear Him. Because God is holy, just and He answers prayers He should be revered, honored and humbly worshipped.

God will deliver His promises to us regardless of our circumstances that are constantly changing because He is sovereign over all things. This gives us hope and assurance of the loving nature and character of our Creator.

The call for all of us is beautifully simple. If you're suffering, or cheerful, or sick, the call for us is to pray. We are people of prayer. In a cultural of radical individualism and independence, those who follow Christ understand our complete dependence on Him, and that's where we look for help.

The good news of the gospel includes God's faithfulness despite our faithlessness, and the ability we have as believers in Christ to speak the truth confidently.

You can't be a pilgrim without a pilgrimage. In the same way, you can't be a disciple without someone to follow. James is showing us what it looks like to follow after Christ. He's showing us what it looks like to walk in the way of Jesus.

To be a friend of the world is to be at enmity with God, for He doesn't just save part of us or want part of us, He wants all of us. Walking in repentance and trust makes us friends with our loving Lord.

The wisdom of the world leads to destruction, but the wisdom of God guides the church to be a community committed to loving the King and His kingdom.

As hard as we try, no one can tame the tongue unless they trust in the only One who is perfect, who bridled His tongue always in love, and now leads and guides His people to speak what is true and good.

Walking with James on this pilgrim journey, we're reminded that Authentic Faith Always Produces Active Obedience.

As believers in the gospel there should be visible fruit in our lives that suggest to the world that we know and love Jesus, living in light of what we believe through faithful actions.

Posture over partiality is how Christians walk with the Lord while on the earth, recognizing that our sin must be put on Christ and His righteousness must be imputed to us in order to love those around us, including the marginalized and those unable to give something in return.

Christians are called to be doers of the word and not hearers only, but in order to do so we need to receive it, remember it, and then respond to it.