New Road Church Unknown

The apostles find themselves in court again. Their excuse for ignoring the ban on preaching Christ-- -We must obey God rather than men.- We hear an outline of the gospel message, and we see that this gospel is a trinitarian work.-However, it is always Jesus Christ which everything is in reference to, and we see here Jesus described as killed, risen, exalted, and taking on the twin role of prince-leader and saviour.-Finally, there is a reminder about the Holy Spirit's work in the believer which can be observed outwardly. For the apostles, it included sign-gifts, which we do not have the power to do- whereas for us, it involves the whole canon of scripture, which they did not possess. Thus we see the various works of the Spirit of Christ done through his people throughout different ages and situations.

Whether in life or by death, the Lord always delivers his people. Esther, Mordecai and the entire Jewish race were threatened with annihilation. In a great reversal, Haman experiences a catastrophic fall ending in his death and posthumous humiliation. Mordecai, conversely, experiences a rapid exaltation. Each is held up as an example of the different fates of God's enemies and God's children.-It is fair to say that, by nature, we are like Haman, enemies of God. By an act of grace, he delivers and exalts his elect people like Mordecai.-In another great reversal, Christ Jesus, having suffered an ignominious death, rose from the dead and was exalted to heaven.-In our union with Christ, we are said to have been both crucified and raised with him. Our desert was Haman's, but the gift of God was a Mordecai-like deliverance and glorification.-This book of Esther, whether viewed alone or with the Septuagint additions, is replete with indications of God's providence, and the outcome of the story should encourage us to trust in this all-wise providence of God in which our eternal future is secure.

Even those who have benefited from God's favour are not exempt from trials. Rather, these times of testing are written into their training schedules in the purpose of God. We are built up then tested continually, to the end of becoming stronger in our Christian warfare.-For us, we consider our enemies to be the threefold opponents of the world , the flesh and the devil.-Esther's example shows us that the proper response to times of peril includes courage, much prayer and a general submission to the greater wisdom of God in sending these troubles our way.

The book of Esther is unusual. It may not be the only OT book which is not quoted by Jesus and the apostles, but it is unique in our modern Bibles in that it does not name God once.-A fuller picture can be found in the Greek OT as used by Jesus and the NT writers. A longer book of Esther, it mentions the Lord and gives other useful insights.-Still, if we restrict ourselves to the OT as contained in our modern Bibles, we still still the Lord all over their pages. The co-incidences and surprises in the text shout out the providence of Israel's God. We learn from the first two chapters how God took a Jewish woman and propelled her to the Persian royal family almost overnight.-Not only are we struck by the power wielded by the Lord in granting his people favour in the eyes of others so as to place them where he wants them, but Esther as intercessor at the right hand of the king provides us with a picture of Christ interceding at the right hand of God himself.

Our account in Acts comes after a reference to the church being of one mind as they were all striving to be Christlike. They were united spiritually, but their unity extended to practical matters, too. Such was the nature of the needs of the Lord's people at that time that they decided to pool their goods, and some sold property to make a donation to the church for the relief of the poor.--One pair were different. Ananias and his wife Sapphira conspired together. Their plan was to sell property, give some to the church, but tell the brethren that they had donated the full amount. Peter, via a revelation from God, knew they were lying. He points out that the money was theirs to do whatever they wanted with it. They could have said that they were donating half, or whatever it was. After all, this was a freewill offering. The lie was simply a vehicle for the primary sin- they wanted credit and praise for a sacrificial act which they hadn't made. And the desire for glory robs God of that which is his. To God be the Glory-

The judgement day of God Almighty will come down to this deciding question to every individual within mankind- -Have you been with Jesus--- Only those who have been with Jesus in life will get to be with him in eternity.--In Peter and John's defence in court, we can draw out these- firstly, being with Jesus means we are to obey- secondly, our obedience will attract opposition- and thirdly, although that opposition has the potential to have a chilling effect on our expression of faith in Christ, the boldness we have access to has the power to overcome fear of man.