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