What do you do when it feels like evil is winning and God is nowhere to be found? Through the dramatic story of Esther chapter 3, Michael Shockley introduces us to one of history's most dangerous villains - Haman the Agagite. From a 500-year-old blood feud to a genocidal plot that threatened to eliminate all Jewish people, discover how God works behind the scenes even when His name isn't mentioned. Learn from the inspiring story of Corrie ten Boom and her Nazi concentration camp experience that sometimes what looks like abandonment is actually God's protection. When darkness seems to triumph, remember this truth: the Cross looked like defeat, but Sunday was already on the schedule.
Core Message: Evil may rise, but God is already writing the rescue.
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KEY TOPICS COVERED Opening Stories: Death and Faith- The loss of cultural icons from the 80s and 90s
- Malcolm Jamal Warner's Christian faith and peaceful character
- Hulk Hogan's recent baptism and testimony about Jesus
- Ozzy Osborne's reported possible deathbed conversion to Christianity
- How unexpected people can embrace the Gospel
Meet the Villain: Haman the Agagite- Haman's promotion to Grand Vizier, the king's highest official
- His possession of the king's signet ring and ultimate authority
- The epitome of someone who clawed and connived for power
- His demand for everyone to bow and pay homage to him
Mordecai's Refusal to Bow- Religious convictions about not engaging in false worship
- The danger of making idols out of people or political systems
- Standing up to insufferable, grandstanding leadership
- A quiet act of conscience rooted in faith in a Greater King
The Ancient Blood Feud- Haman as descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites
- The Amalekites' history of unprovoked attacks against Israel
- God's judgment through King Saul and the Prophet Samuel
- King Saul's disobedience in sparing King Agag
- Mordecai as a relative or likely descendant of King Saul from the tribe of Benjamin
The Genocidal Plot- Haman's plan to exterminate all Jews in the Persian Empire
- The empire's scope from India to Ethiopia, Greece to Caucasus Mountains
- The financial incentive offered (equivalent to $200 million today)
- The casting of lots (Pur) to determine the timing
- How God influenced the lots to fall nearly a year later
What It Looks Like vs. What's Really Happening- Evil rising vs. God writing the rescue
- Haman in charge vs. God in control
- Mordecai defiant vs. God faithful
- Haman controlling calendar vs. God ordaining timing
- King passive vs. King of Heaven active
- God silent vs. God sovereign
- Jews doomed vs. deliverers already in place
The Corrie ten Boom Story- Dutch watchmaker's family hiding Jews during Holocaust
- Arrest and imprisonment at Ravensbrück concentration camp
- The flea-infested Barracks 28 that seemed like abandonment
- How the fleas kept guards away, allowing Bible studies and worship
- God using the very thing that seemed like punishment as protection
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MEMORABLE QUOTES"People get all bent out of shape when God doesn't do something to stop evil. And when God does something to stop evil, people get all bent out of shape."
"Haman thought he was picking the best time for genocide. In truth, God picked the perfect time for rescue."
"There is a big difference between what it looks like and what's really happening."
"The Cross looked like defeat. The Tomb looked like the end. But Sunday was already on the schedule."
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BIBLICAL FOUNDATION- Primary Text: Esther 3:1-6, 7, 15
- Supporting Texts: 1 Samuel 15 (Saul and the Amalekites), 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- Key Theme: God's sovereignty working through human evil for ultimate good
- Historical Context: Ancient blood feud between Amalekites and Jews
- Forward Connection: Preservation of Jesus' lineage through Jewish survival
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PRACTICAL APPLICATION When You Feel Evil Is Winning:- Remember there's a difference between what it looks like and what's really happe
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