Sermon: Esther Chapters 8-10 (June 20 2021)

Sermon Title: "Holy War" and Unholy Victory Holiday
Sermon Texts: Esther Chapters 8-10; Matthew 5:43-45

What was wrong in this Purim celebration is, again, as in the whole book, God was nowhere to be found. They sang and gave gifts to one another, but there was no praise and thanksgiving to God, no sacrifices and offerings to worship God. All the seven festivals that God commanded to Israel had a solemn day of rest and worship and sacrifices of thanksgiving. But in Esther, the Jews had gained rest from their enemies and their mourning turned into joy, but there was no thanksgiving to God.

In the Book of Esther, we have learned four things: (1) God’s providential love and care for his people; (2) He accomplishes his work through all people; (3) Sin and evil will ultimately be on the losing end; and (4) All sufferings and evil will end when our Lord Jesus Christ returns to conquer sin, death and Satan forever.