This the last week of the Epic series Today I took SO many notes. The sermon surrounded the part of Esther where Haman had gallows built for Haman and then ended up being hung on them once it was revealed he was behind the plot against the Jews. The big idea today was:
Your best laid plans apart from God’s purposes will be your downfall.
Haman, wanting to be respected, loved, happy, etc. was all about himself. Pride is at the center. Obsession with self can come in two categories :
1 – Superiority – Arrogant, obnoxious, self-confident, don’t see flaws. This is the default of pride people think of.
2 – Inferiority – You say “don’t look at me, I’m stupid, I’m a failure, too fat, too ugly, no one likes me” Still the concentration is on self. “Focus on me”. <- had never really thought about this
When you’re obsessed with your own purposes and building your plans, you’re simply building your own gallows. Pride always leads to death. As long as it is about you, you’ll never be happy.
Men are wrapped up in their own pleasure in porn or climbing the corporate ladder. Women are wrapped up in how awful their husbands are or how beautiful they are. We are all wrapped up in our own circumstances. Don’t build your own story, be a part of His. Find your identity in Christ.
Opposite of pride is humility. Realize your proud. You do not need to be more religious, which is the epitome of pride. Jesus makes you right. Period. Focus on Him. Make His name great. “My identity is in Jesus. He’s more than enough.”
Such good stuff. Praying He keeps me humble.