2020 THE YEAR OF ACCESS_Watch Night Sermon

2020 THE YEAR OF ACCESS

   Watch Night Sermon

Ester 4:10-17; 5:1

10Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11"All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days." 12So they told Mordecai Esther's words. 13And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16"Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish! 17So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.

1Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. 2So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. 3And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you - up to half the kingdom! 

I. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO ACCESS TO

1. The Throne

Hebrews 4:16

16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time need.

Ephesians 3:12

12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Rev 4:1-11

1After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." 2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8There four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! 9Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11"You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power, For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

2. Kingdom Promises

Numbers 13:30

30Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.

3. Him (Relationship)

John 13: 21-26

21When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." 22Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" 26Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

4. FAVOR

Favor with God and Man

• Favor makes life easier with fewer hindrances
• Favor will make you stand out within a crowd
• "One day of Favor is worth more than a lifetime fo labor"
• Favor is to be chosen rather than money

Proverbs 22:1

1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

II. WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS SEASON AND LAST SEASON

1. The Past Seasons Access was More Restricted

1Corinthians 16:9

9For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

2. This Season the Hindrances are Bound and God is gonna Help You

III. TOOLS NEEDED FOR MAXIMUM ACCESS

1. Proper Sight

Psalm 121: 1

1I will lift up my eyes to the hills - From whence comes my help?

2. Confidence

Ephesians 3:12

12....in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Hebrews 4:16

16Let us, therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

3. Focus

Don't stumble over little stuff.

4. Flexibility

Hebrews 12:1

1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

5. Bravado