Esther
November 11, 2020
00:00:59
The Hamilton Minute is a power packed 60 seconds where we tackle the issues of the day through the lens of God’s Word. You don’t want to miss a moment of it.
“And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this” Esther 4:14.
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute
Esther, a young girl became Queen of the Persian Empire when Israel was subject to Persian rule. A wicked man named Haman tried to get the King to exterminate all Jews. Esther, a Jew herself, was Queen when this genocidal conspiracy was brought to bear. But her uncle Mordecai put her royal position in perspective.
“Perhaps God made you Queen for this very moment, to intervene on behalf of the Jewish people.”
Like Esther, perhaps God gave you the platform, position and influence you have for this very moment, to stand against darkness. Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.
“And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.”
I'm Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Acts 17:26 conveys to us the reality that we were born and placed in the 21st century by God’s specific design. He determined before time where we would live and when we would live there.
If you’re in Minnesota, Mississippi, or Maine, God put you there on purpose.
He’s not surprised by the darkness we see around us, nor is He caught off guard by it. In fact, He specifically prepared for it by making sure you’re alive right now. God can do whatever He wants, but He’s chosen to use you and me as ambassadors of His kingdom.
We are His torches to light up the darkness.
"Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you” 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV).
I'm Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Many who oppose Christianity target their hostility on our foundation, the Bible. They say it is unreliable because Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 are contradictory accounts of the creation story.
In actuality, the 2 chapters are complimentary and not contradictory.
When Jesus was asked about marriage, He quoted from both chapters 1 and 2, saying that He made them both to be male and female in the beginning. "And for this cause shall a man leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife."
Genesis 1 is an overview of the creation story and Genesis 2 is an up close examination of day 6. If Jesus relies on them both, so can we.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
I am Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
What is the proper role of government? Romans chapter 13 outlines government’s function and it is basically this: to restrain or to punish wickedness and to reward righteousness.
Government was never intended to be our savior. Government is our servant.
As we focus on our civil occupations and our civic engagement responsibilities, let us never forget that government is not our God. We don’t put our trust in it; we put our trust in our Christ.
As a result, what we want is a government that stays out of our way and leaves room for our church to do our business of fulfilling the Great Commission.
What is the source of America's greatness? Alexis de Tocqueville, a 19th century French political thinker and philosopher, had this exact same question.
This is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
On the heels of the French Revolution, he came to America in 1831 to investigate America's ascendency. In doing so, he found that America's greatness did not lie in her economic system. It did not lie in her banking system. Nor did it lie in her educational system.
He found that America's pulpits, aflamed with righteousness, was the source of America's greatness. He opined that America is great because she is good, but when America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.
Let us pray for restoration of the flame of righteousness in our pulpits.
What would it take for you to compromise your principles?
My name is Abraham Hamilton III and this is the Hamilton Minute.
Recently I heard a statement that went like this, “I don’t think principles matter if you can’t get elected.”
Principles form the core of who you are. Principles form the foundation of a civil society.
George Washington in his farewell address identified religion and morality as indispensable supports.
“In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness,” George Washington said.
It makes me think of a scripture. “What would it profit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his soul?”
What would it profit a man to gain an election yet lose his principles?
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The city lies foursquare. Its length, width, and height all equal: 1,380 miles for each dimension.
The city’s wall is 216 feet high. Twelve gates surround the city, with each gate made of a single pearl.
Streets of gold so pure their translucent.
No need for a sun. God’s glory light’s the city.
No tears. No pain.
I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Have you ever seen one of those track and field events where the runner starts out in blazing fashion, leading the pack for majority of the race, only to stumble just before reaching the finish line?
Starting the race well and running well are vitally important, but if we don’t finish the race well, all else can be overthrown.
The Apostle Paul penned those words, having fought the good fight, right on to the end as he faced imminent execution under Nero’s sword.
Let us all brothers and sisters set our courses to finish well.
“The borrower is the slave of the lender.” Proverbs 22:7(b) (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Prior to the passage of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, over 80% of American families were debt free.
Today, over 80% of the American people are saddled with debt.
I was asked recently asked what advice I could offer in the midst of the national tension we currently face. One of the things I said in response was to work toward getting completely out of debt.
So much fruitfulness and faithfulness to God has been robbed from us due to the impact of crushing debt.
One of the best things you can do for your family right now is to become debt-free.
“Faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Karl Marx, an emissary of evil, and Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” were evangelists of diametrically opposed messages, yet they both lived in London and the same time.
In fact, when asked the name of the person he most detested, Friedrich Engels, Marx’s cohort in chaos, responded unequivocally: “Spurgeon.”
A generation later George Bernard Shaw, a hardcore communist, seethed in hatred for William Booth and his Salvation Army of volunteers.
Time and again, robust Christian witness has been the inoculate against the proliferation of Marxist poison in society.
“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness.” 2 Timothy 3:10 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Apostle Paul penned his second epistle to Timothy, now an Elder in the Church at Ephesus, about 64-65 A.D. while imprisoned in Rome awaiting his imminent execution under Nero.
In warning Timothy about the coming perilous times, marked by the increased anti-Christian persecution in the Roman empire in 64 A.D., Paul directed Timothy to his speech and his feet.
In speech, Paul gave Timothy priceless Biblical instruction. In feet, Paul left Timothy a legacy of lifestyle.
Christ-following demands consistency between speech and feet.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
In his October 11, 1798 address to the Massachusetts Militia, John Adams, 2nd President of the United States and founding father said,
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
He understood that in order for the American Constitutional Republic to survive long term the church in America must make disciples of its populace.
An immoral people will always destroy themselves through lawlessness. To think otherwise, is to suffer under a grand delusion.
And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
My Name is Abraham Hamilton III, and this is the Hamilton Minute.
When Queries by the pharisees concerning the greatest commandment, Jesus answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
He then said the second greatest commandment is, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
He didn't simply say love your neighbor. He said Christ followers must love our neighbors as ourselves.
Christian duty requires us to employ discernment and active empathy. We worship our Lord when we put ourselves in one another's shoes as we do live together and resolve misunderstandings.
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
When my wife and I first started having children we discouraged our family members from speaking to them in baby talk… you know the gaga-googoo stuff.
The reason was simple. We wanted our children to speak English well. Baby talk would hinder that development.
The same principle applies to spiritual development.
If we want our children to be wise disciples of our LORD we should ask ourselves how much of their time is spent investing in spiritual maturity.
Protracted time in the company of spiritual baby-talkers will inevitably cause harm.
“The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.” Proverbs 15:31 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The book of Proverbs is one that flows with abundant insight for wisdom. It shows that one of the most prominent qualities of wise people is that they welcome and even celebrate life-giving correction.
In today’s world, overrun by cultural Marxism, there is much discussion as to what segments of our society hate themselves.
Well, Proverbs gives the answer. He who rejects life-giving correction despises himself.
The truest demonstration of self-hatred is revealed by knuckleheads who refuse to humble themselves and embrace life-giving correction.
Loving rebuke saves lives. Correction displays love.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Psalm 46 is a popular Psalm as it includes the text, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This was the conclusion to a Psalm that previously observed,
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
This described what looked like the end of the world. Nevertheless, the Psalmist remained unshaken. He refused to allow present difficulty to cause him to forget God’s past faithfulness.
Virus or no virus, God is our refuge and strength.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19:5 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
With this statement Jesus affirmed what He’d already said in Genesis 1 and 2 and defined marriage for all time. Contrary to the protestations of the nouveau critical theorists, the nuclear family consisting of a married father and mother is not a western sociological prescription or construct.
Marriage did not originate in the west. It’s origin isn’t suburban America.
It started in Genesis, in the Garden of Eden. Marriage is God’s idea. Therefore, He alone defines it. If you don’t like it, your problem is with God… not me.
“So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well.” John 12:
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
After Jesus resurrected Lazarus his and Lazarus’ fame spread. They already planned to kill Jesus. But now, because Lazarus was tangible evidence of Jesus’ resurrection power, the chief priests and Pharisees plotted to kill Lazarus too.
They never worried about Lazarus before. But now, because he is a walking billboard of Christ’s power, they want him dead too.
This, brothers and sisters, is why many come against you. It isn’t personal, but Satanic forces can’t stand your representation of God’s power to transform lives.
That’s why we rejoice when we’re slandered for His namesake. Christ’s power is on display.
“So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well.” John 12:
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
After Jesus resurrected Lazarus his and Lazarus’ fame spread. They already planned to kill Jesus. But now, because Lazarus was tangible evidence of Jesus’ resurrection power, the chief priests and Pharisees plotted to kill Lazarus too.
They never worried about Lazarus before. But now, because he is a walking billboard of Christ’s power, they want him dead too.
This, brothers and sisters, is why many come against you. It isn’t personal, but Satanic forces can’t stand your representation of God’s power to transform lives.
That’s why we rejoice when we’re slandered for His namesake. Christ’s power is on display.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice.” Romans 12:15(a).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Michael, a five-year-old boy, showed up at the courthouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for an adoption hearing with his foster parents, and he had a crowd of unusual supporters.
Michael's entire kindergarten class sat in the audience behind him waving big red hearts mounted on wooden sticks to show their support.
The kindergartners offered the most touching answers, standing up and telling the court, "I love Michael" or "Michael's my best friend.”
Michael's new father and mother have been married for nearly 10 years, and he'd been living with them as a foster child for more than year.
Adoption truly is at the heart of the Gospel.
