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Reversal & Remembrance Sermon

Pat Hood [Lead Pastor]

Sermon Points & Scripture References: 

• Sermon Takeaway = Reversal & Remembrance

• Scripture Reference: Esther 9:1-22

• Sermon Point: Providential Reversal 

• Sermon Point: Purposeful Remembrance

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me

The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. How has your faith influenced your life this past week? How do you see this influence come to life in your actions or decisions? Can you think of a specific example where this influence was clearly visible?

2. Can you share a moment this week when you felt particularly close to God? What were you doing at the time, and how did that moment make you feel? How has this feeling persisted or changed since that moment?

3. What prayer has been on your heart recently, and why? How can the group help you in prayer concerning this matter?

4. What's a recent challenge where you found strength in your faith? What resources or scriptures helped you navigate through this challenge? 

Into the Bible

The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover the truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

1. Read Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8. How do these two verses help you think differently about the people you encounter in life who create challenges for you? 

2. Read Hebrews 4:12. How does God's Word work as a weapon? How are we to use God's Word?

Application

The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. Sermon Point: Providential Reversal. Mordacai’s declaration gave the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies. Rather than wait passively for their enemies to gather and attack, the writer tells us they took their defensive forces and routed their enemies preemptively before they could attack. Who, then, is our enemy that we battle against? It's not people, but the enemy of enemies, Satan. How, then, do we battle against him? We join together regularly as a body of believers and we rely on the word of God. How do you see God working around you, whether in people or circumstances? In what ways can you join together with other believers to be God's hands and feet at this moment in time?

2. Sermon Point: Purposeful Remembrance. The book of Esther closes with the recounting of the greatness of Mordecai. He had gone from the King’s Gate to the King’s Court and was now the second in command. Two of the three most influential people in the kingdom are Jewish. Talk about a reversal. Even a new feast was inaugurated for the purpose of celebrating and remembering how God providentially reversed the plans of Haman and turned the fortunes of the Jews for His Glory and their good. As God’s people, we also have some purposeful celebrations that remind us of how God has “reversed the curse” of the garden of Eden. Our God and King sent His son to pay for the sin of the world. And all who come to Jesus and surrender to Him will Find Life. In what ways can we remember God and celebrate Him more frequently? What is one thing you can add to your week as a reminder to think on God's goodness?