For such a time as this… (4 things)

• 1^st – Standing up to the challenge… 4:1-17
  • 1^st – Avoiding the problem… vs. 1-4
    • When Mordecai learned about the command – he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth…
      • Sackcloth is a very abrasive and coarse material – made from itchy / smelly goats hair…
      • No one put it on as a fashion statement – it was an outward sign of great mourning…
      • He was not afraid to show everyone that a horrible injustice was about to be committed!
      • He then went out into the city – crying aloud – all the way to the gates of the palace…
      • The impression is that he would have gone straight to the King – but was not allowed in!
    • When Esther was told Mordecai was at the gate – she was deeply distressed…
      • She sent nice clothes to him to replace the sackcloth – but he refused it!
      • Interesting that Esther did not react to the proclamation to kill all the Jews…
      • Instead she reacted to Mordecai – and tried to cover up the fuss he was making!
      • We live in a world that has rejected the Word of God – commits horrible injustices…
      • Millions of innocent babies aborted every year / homosexuality presented as normal…
      • Many are swayed by political correctness – and have a hard time standing for the truth…
      • Are we – like Esther – just trying not to make waves / pretend like everything is OK…
      • Or do we stand for Christ – proclaim the truth – unafraid of what others might say!
      • Because there is no middle ground – we either stand for Jesus – or stand for this world!
      • Galatians 1:10 – “Do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
  • 2^nd – Making excusing… vs. 5-12
    • Esther sent a eunuch to find out what was wrong with Mordecai…
      • It was forbidden to come to see the queen – so they communicated through the eunuch…
      • Mordecai told him about the command of Haman – how much he had paid to kill the Jews…
      • And he commanded Esther to go and plea to the King for the lives of her people…
      • Esther replied with her own command – she would not go before the King…
      • It was well known – anyone who went before the King without being invited…
      • Would be put to death – unless the King held out his scepter and spared them…
      • Esther had not been called before the King in over 30 days – he did not want to see her!
      • Her assumption was if she went in – it would be the last thing she ever did!
    • Taking a stand for Jesus – without question – puts us in the crosshairs of the world…
      • John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”
      • The world hates Jesus because he convicts the world of sin and righteousness…
      • If it were not for Jesus men could do whatever they wanted without consequence…
      • Because men LOVE sin they hate the light that reveals their sinfulness – John 3:19-20
      • We have Jesus in us – so because they hate Jesus – they also hate the light of Jesus in us!
    • Therefore do not be surprised when the attacks come…
      • When people make fun of us – attack us with cutting words – because of Jesus…
      • Because we do not do the things the world does – convicting the world of their sin
      • And it can be tough listening to the comments – the cutting words people say…
      • As we desire to live and stand for Jesus – and feel the brunt of the world’s hate
    • But no trial – no comment – nothing here can compare with what’s to come…
      • How many of us have worked hard – ‘suffered’ – only to get paid a small wage…
      • And the money we did receive did not even last very long – we had to work again…
      • How much better to ‘suffer’ for a little while – but get an eternal / everlasting reward!
      • I Corinthians 2:9 – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
  • 3^rd – Accepting the call… vs. 13-17
    • Mordecai answered back to Esther – do not think you will escape in the palace…
      • In other words – do not put your confidence in your position as queen…
      • Thinking that you will be saved from the slaughter of the Jews because of who you are…
      • A common perspective – even in Jesus day – the Jews thought they would not be judged…
      • They thought being a Jew was somehow enough to save them…
      • Luke 3:8 –  “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”
      • A lot of people still think like that – they think they are ok because they are American…
      • As if somehow they can show up one day in heaven with their passport…
      • And it will act like a get out of jail free card – position cannot save us from judgment!
    • If Esther remained silent – God would save Israel another way…
      • But Esther would still perish – speaking perhaps metaphorically of her reputation…
      • Should would die one day – and no one would ever remember who she was!
      • God uses us to spread the Good news – Romans 10:14 – but not because He needs us…
      • He uses us because He loves us – and wants us to be a part of His work!
      • The question is do we decide to be blessed by taking part in the work God is doing…
      • Because if we do not share the Gospel – God will just use someone else!
      • But in eternity nothing else will be remembered other than what we do for the Lord…
      • That person we shared Jesus with – who we then get to spend eternity next to!
    • Who knows whether you have come for such a time as this…
      • In other words it was no accident that Esther had been made queen…
      • She had been given access to the King – a God given chance to stand up for her people…
      • Esther accepted – and sent word for Mordecai all the Jews to fast and pray for 3 days…
      • She would go before the King – and if that meant death – she was ready to die!
      • I fear too often when God calls – we would rather pretend likes its a wrong number…
      • We assume there is no way God would want to / or for that matter be able to – use us…
      • But the simple truth is God puts us where He wants us – for such a time as this…
      • And the only qualification for being used by God – be ready to answer the call – ‘Here I am!’
      • Isaiah 6:8 – “Whom shall I send… I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’”

• 2^nd – Never content… 5:1-14
  • 1^st – Finding favor… vs. 1-3
    • An the 3^rd day – after fasting and prayer – Esther went before the King…
      • She put on a royal white robe – Esther 8:15 – stood in the inner court opposite the King…
      • He had Grace (favor) on her and extended his scepter – inviting Esther to come in!
      • He asked her what she wanted – willing to give her up to half his Kingdom!
    • A beautiful picture of the Grace of God – and our salvation…
      • When we stand before the Lord one day – we will deserve to be put to death…
      • But we will come in royal white robes – Revelation 3:5 – in the righteousness of Jesus!
      • And our King will have Grace on us – and give us an inheritance of His Kingdom!
      • Because by Grace God desires to give us EVERYTHING – His KINGDOM – Luke 12:32
      • To the extent we will even sit on Jesus throne with Him – Revelation 3:21
  • 2^nd – Waiting for the perfect moment… vs. 4-8
    • Esther only asked that the King and Haman come to a special banquet…
      • Haman was quickly summoned – and they attended the banquet Esther prepared…
      • But when the King asked again what Esther wanted – up to half his Kingdom…
      • She did not tell him – but requested instead they come back for a 2^nd banquet
      • Why wait – she certainly could have asked then – yet it was not the right time…
      • God had a better plan – to not only save the Jews – but to destroy their enemies!
    • One of the hardest things for us to do as Christians is – wait…
      • One of the greatest tests we will ever face in our Christian walk is patience…
      • I hate waiting – I would rather do almost anything – than just wait!
      • More often we try to get things done our way / in our time…
      • We rarely take the time to consider that God has a much better plan!
  • 3^rd – Having everything – but still not happy… vs. 9-14
    • Haman left the banquet elated – until he saw Mordecai outside still refusing to bow to him…
      • He called for his wife and friends – and told them about all his riches…
      • How the King had given him a position above every other prince in Persia…
      • And how even the queen had invited only him to a private banquet with the King…
      • Yet as long as he saw Mordecai – none of his achievements in life meant anything!
      • So at the encouragement of his wife – he built a 75’ high pole to impale Mordecai on!
    • Haman hit on a powerful truth – nothing in this life will every satisfy us…

• J.D. Rockefeller was asked – ‘How much is enough’ – his answer – ‘Just a little bit more’…
• Most people think this world has the answers – it lures us in with false hopes and promises
• Then leaves us empty inside – never fulfilled – always wanting more!
• Ever noticed how the things of this world only seem to satisfy for a moment…
• How many times have we said – ‘if I could only have ____________ I would be happy’…
• And when we get what we wanted – happy for a moment – then we want more…
• Only when we drink from the living water Jesus offers – are we truly satisfied!

• 3^rd – A change of fortune… 6:1-14
  • 1^st – In due time… vs. 1-3
    • That very night the King could not sleep – and so the book of records was read to him…
      • Maybe to catch up on some work / maybe it was a boring read to put him to sleep…
      • But the account of Mordecai saving his life was read to him – Esther 2:21
      • And he asked his servants what honor had been given to Mordecai – the answer was none!
    • It can be very discouraging when people overlook the good things we do…
      • It is easy to become discouraged when we depend on others – and they fail…
      • Yet it is not others we should be depending on – it is God who never fails us!
      • People will make mistakes – people will forget – people can be downright mean…
      • But when we look to the Lord – even the ‘mistakes’ of others – are just part of the plan…
      • As the Lord uses all things to complete His good work in our lives!
      • Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
  • 2^nd – Do not assume… vs. 4-9
    • Haman arrived early in the morning – to request the execution of Mordecai…
      • The King asked him – what should I do to a man I wish to honor…
      • So he told the King – put on him your horse / with your royal robe / and your crown…
      • March him through the city declaring – this is what happens to the man the King honors!
    • But Haman assumed the King was talking about him – he was the most honorable after all…
      • It is always wise to be careful about making assumptions (even if we know we are right)…
      • Assumptions are like bombs – one mistake and they can blow up on us!
      • Hold of on making assumptions – especially if we do not have all the information
      • If we are not careful we can end up doing and saying things we will regret!
  • 3^rd – Do not fight against God (or His people)… vs. 10-14
    • The King loved the idea – and demanded Haman go and do just that for Mordecai!
      • So instead of getting the approval to have Mordecai executed…
      • Haman had put royal robes and a crown on his enemy – and honor him before all!
      • After he went home – humiliated / head covered in shame – and told his wife / friends…
      • They warned – if he continued to fight against Mordecai / Jews – it would be the end of him!
      • While they spoke to him – the servants came to bring him to the 2^nd banquet with Esther!
    • History teaches us a very interesting lesson about Israel…
      • Every nation who has ever come against Israel – has been humbled…
      • Spain was a world power in the 1500 – until the inquisition – and were never a power again
      • Germany was a world power in mid 20^th century – controlled all of Europe!
      • Then came the Holocaust – the empire crumbled and has never been a world power again
      • England was the empire the sun never set on – sided with the Arabs in 1948
      • Shortly afterwards they slipped from the world stage as a major power!
      • The Untied States is a blessed nation – who supports Israel – for now…
      • If they ever stop supporting Israel – the blessing may become curses!
      • Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you, I will curse him who curses you.”

• 4^th – The end of Haman… 7:1-10
  • 1^st – The request of Esther…
    • On the day of the 2^nd banquet the King asked again – what did Esther want… vs. 1-6
      • This time she answered – she wanted her life / and the lives of her people…
      • Because they had been sold to be destroyed / killed / annihilated (the words of Haman)…
      • The King flew into a rage – who would dare to touch his Queen – where is he!
      • She answered – the advisory and enemy was none other than wicked Haman!
    • The King rose in wrath – and went out into the Garden…
      • Seeing that he was in trouble – Haman fell at the feet of Esther and begged for his life…
      • The King returned to see Haman ‘assaulting’ Esther – that was the final straw…
      • He raged – would you even dare to assault the Queen while I am still in the house!
      • The face of Haman was covered – signifying HIS inevitable execution!
      • A servant pointed out the 75’ pole Haman built for Mordecai – who saved the Kings life…
      • The King demanded Haman to be the one impaled on it instead!
      • Ecclesiastes 10:8 – “He who digs a pit will fall into it…”
    • An ironic end to a very evil man…
      • He ended up impaled on the very poles he had set up for Mordecai…
      • A vivid picture why we should – not judge or else we will be judged – Luke 6:37
      • When we are judgmental of others – they tend will tend to be judgmental us…
      • When we are short / ungracious / harsh to others – we receive the same from them…
      • Better to think the best of others – do our best to be a blessing to others…
      • Then other will tend to think the best of us – and do their best to bless us!