An Approved Workman

Introduction How do you define greatness? What makes someone or an organization great? Jim Collins speaks of the Level 5 leader who “channels their ego needs away from themselves and whose ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not themselves.” Robert Greenleaf spoke of the servant leader whose “primary role is to serve others — putting the needs, growth, and well-being of their people first”. The right kind of leadership is essential to great and sustained success. The time has come for us to engage in an in-depth study of the most relevant person who has ever lived: Jesus Christ.  And in my view, the best way to do that is to explore one of the four Gospel accounts we have in the New Testament. “Why did Jesus come?” Matthew’s gospel account tells us that Jesus came “not to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets but to fulfill them.” (Matt. 5:17-18). Dr. Luke records in his gospel account that Jesus came to “seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10). And the Apostle John quotes Jesus as saying that “I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10). Mark tells us that “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). Jesus was the original Level 5 leader, the original Servant Leader. He not only taught about what greatness is but also lived it out to the point of the ultimate sacrifice. He came to serve us and for our benefit, but ultimately, He came to serve God the Father in His ultimate plan of redemption. Our new series is a study of Mark’s Gospel account titled “Jesus, the Servant of Yahweh.” Let’s get started. Watch the Video Version of the Lesson Here   Date, Audience, and Theme Timeline About the Author Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary The Jews are delivered from destruction and Purim is established. This is Part II of a two-part teaching series on Esther 8-10. This lesson is focused on our first division: Deliverance Accomplished (9:1-10:3). References Focus Passage: Esther 9-10 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube The Great Deliverance – Part I Watch the Video of this Lesson Here (Rumble) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Conclusion Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary The Jews are delivered from destruction and Purim is established. This is Part I of a two-part teaching series on Esther 8-10. This lesson is focused on our first division: Deliverance Declared (8:1-17). References Focus Passage: Esther 8 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube The Great Deliverance – Part II Watch the Video of this Lesson Here (Rumble) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary Esther reveals Haman’s plot to the king who orders Haman’s execution. This is Part II of a two-part teaching series on Esther 5-7. This lesson is focused on our second division: The King’s Sleepless Night and Mordecai’s Surprising Honor (6:1-14) and our third division: The Queen’s Second Banquet and Haman’s Fall (Esther 7:1-10). References Focus Passage: Esther 6-7 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube A Shocking Revelation and A Stunning Reversal – Part I Watch the Video of this Lesson Here (Rumble) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Conclusion Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary Esther reveals Haman’s plot to the king who orders Haman’s execution. This is Part I of a two-part teaching series on Esther 5-7. This lesson is focused on our first division: The Queen’s First Banquet and Haman’s Pride (5:1-14). References Focus Passage: Esther 5 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube A Shocking Revelation and A Stunning Reversal – Part II Watch the Video of this Lesson Here (Rumble) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary Haman’s plan to exterminate the Jews prompts action by Mordecai and Esther. This is Part II of a two-part teaching series on Esther 3-4. This lesson is focused on our second division: Mordecai’s Desperate Plea (4:1-17). References Focus Passage: Esther 4 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube A Dastardly Plot and A Desperate Plea – Part I Watch the Video of this Lesson Here (Rumble) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Conclusion Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary Haman’s plan to exterminate the Jews prompts action by Mordecai and Esther. This is Part I of a two-part teaching series on Esther 3-4. This lesson is focused on our first division: Haman’s Dastardly Plot (3:1-15). References Focus Passage: Esther 3 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube A Dastardly Plot and A Desperate Plea – Part II Watch the Video of this Lesson Here (Rumble) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary Queen Vashti of Medo-Persia is deposed and Queen Esther rises. This is Part II of a two-part teaching series on Esther 1-2. This lesson is focused on our first division: A Devoted Queen Rises (2:1-23). References Focus Passage: Esther 2 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube The Queen is Gone; Long Live the Queen – Part I Watch the Video of this Lesson Here (Rumble) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Conclusion Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary Queen Vashti of Medo-Persia is deposed and Queen Esther rises. This is Part I of a two-part teaching series on Esther 1-2. This lesson is focused on our first division: A Defiant Queen Removed (1:1-22). References Focus Passage: Esther 1 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube The Queen is Gone; Long Live the Queen – Part II Watch the Video of this Lesson Here (Rumble) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

In today’s episode, we are continuing our new series: “After the Exile”, a study of the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. We are moving to Volume III of the series with the study: Esther – Rebuilding the Covenant Community. Watch the Video Lesson on YouTube. Introduction God had made it clear in the Torah, that spiritual adultery would lead to Israel’s judgment via exile. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God had promised that the exile would last 70 years so the land would enjoy a Sabbath rest. Despite His people’s unfaithfulness, God remains faithful. Now living under the Persian empire, the people of God are given permission to return to the land, to rebuild the Temple, and eventually the city of Jerusalem. Still, questions remain. Are we still the chosen people of God? Are the promises to Abraham and David still in effect? Is there truly hope for us? Is Yahweh still for us? The answer is yes. Because God had plans for a future and a hope for His people (Jer. 29:11) and because He loves them with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3-4), He is not done with them. In this series, we are learning how God used people like Zerubbabel, Joshua, Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and Mordecai. They took action to help the people of God rebuild their lives and return to Him. Let’s get started with an introduction to Volume III: Esther – Rebuilding the Covenant Community. Watch the Video Version (Rumble Feed) Esther: Scriptural and Historical Setting Esther: Timeline Who is Esther? Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa

Lesson Summary Nehemiah returns to Judah to rectify serious violations of the Torah.   This is Part II of a two-part teaching series on Nehemiah 13.   This lesson is focused on our second division: The Sin of Profaning the Sabbath (Neh. 13:15-22) and our third division: The Sin of Mixed Marriages (Neh. 13:23-31).   References Focus Passage: Nehemiah 13:15-31 Watch the Video of this Lesson on YouTube Unfinished Business – Part I Watch the Video Lesson Here (Rumble Feed) Outline and Lesson Goal Principles and Applications Conclusion Nehemiah: Scriptural and Historical Setting Credits Music: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend Performed by Stacey Figueroa