ESTHER: COURAGE TO TRUST GOD

By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer  jerry@schmoyer.net 

http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/

 

Main idea:  God is sovereign, protects so have courage

Magic:  nickel disappear, upside-down cup, silks off rope

          Coloring book of colors

 

INTRODUCTION

Ever had a time when picked on?  Afraid?

 

ME when young picked on, afraid!!!

 

 

TRANSITION  Story in Bible about one going through that

 

I. HONOR GRANTED (1-2)

BACKGROUND – Assyria world power

          Conquered Jews, in captivity

XERXES king, Vashti wife, removed

          Shameto her by actions but refused

          Shame to king in culture

          Shouldn’t have wanted to shame her

                   Woman of great courage

MORDECAI uncle raising ESTHER

          Esther made queen, great honor

          Mordecai gate keeper for Palace

                   Uncovers plot, saves kings life

                   God sovereign control

 

II. HONOR CHALLENGED (3-5)

HAMAN #2 man to king, all bow down to

          Not Mordecai, shame to Haman

                   Shame to bow to any man but God

          Law signed to kill all Jews & take property

                   Law unchangeable by king

JEWS hear about law, very sad

ESTHER hears about law from Mordecai

          Asks her to help Jews – King not know she is a Jew

          Not allowed to see king unless called (killed)

          Fasts with servant girls

                   Importance of prayer, fasting

ESTHER TO KING – accepts, not kill

                   Woman of great courage

          Invites to lunch today with Haman

          As lunch invites to banquet tomorrow, request then

HAMAN proud, sees as great honor

          On way home Mordecai not bow down, bad mood

          Complains to family about Mordecai

          Tell him to get revenge, build gallows 25 meters high

                   Revenge never helps feel better

 

III. HONOR VINDICATED (6-7)

KING ZERXES not sleep that night

          Read court records, about Mordecai save his life

                   God sovereign control

 

          No honor given Mordecai for act

          Haman comes early, wants to kill Mordecai soon

                   King asks Haman how to honor special man

                   Tells him: kings horse, garments, parade

                   King tells Haman to do this for Mordecai

MORDECAI greatly shames by having to do this

                   Pride great enemy, causes much harm

          Tells family – they say God protecting Mordecai

                   Can’t harm him, leave him alone

          Immediately taken to banquet with king, Esther

ESTHER (fasting, praying)

          Asks to spare her people because all killed  

                   Woman of great courage

          King asks who would kill them

          Says it is wicked Haman

HAMAN – Great fear, guilt, shame on Haman

          King so angry leaves room

          Haman pleads with Esther, falls on her in misery

          King returns, thinks he is attacking his wife!

          Blindfolded and taken away  – Great shame, guilt

          Servants tell about Haman’s gallows

                   No one likes Haman, afraid of his power

          Hung on own gallows

                   Reap what you sow

 

 

 

IV. HONOR ENHANCED  (8-10)

KING XERXES can’t change law to kill Jews

          Makes new law Jews can protect selves

          All hear new law

          All afraid of Jew’s God – heard about Mordecai

                   Great honor for God, Jews, Esther

          Jews safe, kill many enemies

                   Reap what you sow

 

MORDECAI given Haman’s land, money, position

          Great honor for Mordecai

PURIM celebrated by Jews today – great time!

 

CONCLUSIONS  LESSONS (can ask children)

 

1. GOD IS IN SOVEREIGN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING

          Plan and purpose for all

          Uses all for His glory, our growth

          Gives us opportunities to be used by Him

Esther 4:12-14   When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

 

2. WHEN OTHERS TRY TO HARM US, GOD PROTECTS

          God protects us

          Gives us honor

                   -before Him always

                   -before others eventually

God is in control of all, so nothing to fear

          We can, must trust Him

 

3. TAKES COURAGE TO STAND FOR RIGHT

          Vashti did – lost everything (still right thing to do)

          Esther did – gained everything

          We need courage to do right, stand when needed

 

CHALLENGE to follow Jesus, trust Him – CLOSING PRAYER

C t O Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
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