Trusting Faith

Yesterday morning a preached a sermon entitled "Trusting Faith" based on Esther 4:13-17.

Key events in the life of Esther.

· Family exiled when Babylon destroyed the Jewish nation.
· Father and Mother died.
· Adopted by a relative named Mordecai.
· Lived in Persia’s capital.
· Esther became Queen after a “beauty contest” held by King Xerxes to select a Queen.
· Haman, a top Persian Official, was an Amalakite—bitter enemy of the Jews.
· Mordecai, Esther’s Adoptive Father, did not bow to Haman as he passed due to a mutual hatred between Jews and Amalekites.
· Haman deceptively gained the Kings approval to annihilate the Jews (Esther 3:8).
· Mordecai convinced Esther to appeal to the King on behalf of the Jews. However, approaching the King without an invitation could result in death.

4 Areas of Life that are addressed in this passage:

I. Decisions (13-14a)

"For 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 (verse 14). "

Denial is a decision.
Indecision is a decision.
All decisions have consequences.
Directions from mature persons should be taken seriously.
Silence can be deadly.

II. Destiny (14b)

"Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this (verse 14b)?”

We are blessed with the ability to influence others for a purpose.
God has a plan for your life.

III. Devotion (15-16a)

"Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: '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.'"

Seek the prayers of others.
Always act prayerfully.

IV. Dedication (16b)

"And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

Esther was taking her life in her hands when she entered the presence of the king. The law stipulated that individuals who entered the presence of the king without an invitation would be killed.

To say that King Xerxes was unpredictable would be an understatement. Historical sources, other than the Bible, indicate King Xerxes was impulsive and, at times, ruthless. After a bridge he had ordered built was destroyed in a storm, he had the primary builders beheaded.

Once, a loyal subject offered to make a large donation to King Xerxes to support the military. King Xerxes was so moved by the generosity he returned the money and gave the supporter a valuable gift. Then, the supporter asked a favor. He wanted one of his sons to be exempt from the military draft. King Xerxes was so enraged at the request he had the son cut in half. Then, he ordered his army to march between the halves.

Since Esther had lived in the palace, she was familiar with the instability of the king. So, she was practicing a radical faith when she walked into the king's presence.

The Outcome

Esther invited the King and Haman to a banquet. Then, she revealed she was a Jews and exposed Haman’s plans for a Holocaust. King Xerxes had Haman hung.

The Jewish Festival of Purim is held every year to commemorate the thwarting of the diabolical plans to annihilate the Jews.

Questions for YOU

How do you feel and respond when you leave your comfort zone and feel out of place?
When success is sudden and change inevitable, how do you respond?
How has God revealed His will for you ? Through others like Mordecai? Through difficult times?
Do you pray before you take action? Do you seek prayer support from others? How does this help you?
Name a time when you took a risk for God and others. Would you do it again?

Conclusion: The Hard Truth

The call to follow Christ is a call to lay down our life. While it is easy to say and harder to do, the Bible teaches that the cost of discipleship or following Christ is all.

Paul described this commitment when he wrote "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20, NKJV).

What conviction in your life to you value so much that you will not compromise no matter what? What are you going to cling to even if you die doing so? Our faith in Christ must be that strong.