Trusting God s Process Esther Chapters 5-7. Pastor Dan Hiatt 10/23/16

Transcription

1 Trusting God s Process Esther Chapters 5-7 Pastor Dan Hiatt 10/23/16

2 Esther Chapters 1-3 Listening to the Right Voices Chapter 1 King Xerxes ruled over the vast Persian empire. Queen Vashti dethroned for refusing to appear at the king s drunken banquet. Chapter 2 Esther, the niece of Mordecai, is selected by the king through a beauty contest to be the new queen but keeps her Jewish heritage secret at Mordecai s direction. Mordecai gains a position of trust at the Kings gate and foils a plot to assassinate the king. Chapter 3 Haman, The Agagite, was promoted to VP but Mordecai would not bow, which prompted Haman to pass a law that all Jews in the empire were to be killed in 11 months.

3 Listening to the Right Voices Right Direction The Voice of God The Word of God The Voice of the Spirit The Counsel of the Holy Spirit The Wise Counsel of Others As we listen and follow the right voices, God s plans and purposes will take shape in our lives!

4 Esther Chapter 4 Prayer and Fasting for such a time as this! Chapter 4 Mordecai mourns in sackcloth and ashes at the kings gate at the decree, along with Jews all over the empire. Queen Esther learns of the decree from Mordecai, who urges Esther to go plead with the king for their lives. Esther responds that she cannot go to the king uninvited without risk to her own life. If the king did not hold out the gold scepter to her, she would be killed. Mordecai replies, and who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (V14) Esther agrees to go to king after 3 days of prayer and fasting of all the Jews in the capital: When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. (V16)

5 Queen Esther Takes A Step of Action And Goes Before the King Esther Chapter 5 Esther risks it all and goes before the king uninvited. She is accepted by the king and invites the king and Haman to a private banquet. The king asks her request but she delays till the next day at another private banquet with the King and Haman. God uses this day delay to work in a miraculous way; to allow more pieces of the puzzle to be set in place. Haman, enraged by Mordecai at the gate, plans to kill him the next day. God has perfect timing in putting the puzzle together!

6 God Takes a Step of Action Mordecai Honored by Haman Esther Chapter 6 King cannot sleep, so had his official records read to him. The account of Mordecai saving his life was read. The king decided to reward Mordecai. Haman came into the king s court to ask for Mordecai s life at that moment. Thinking he is the one to be honored, he says what he would want, except he has to publically honor Mordecai! Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)

7 Esther s Next Step Reveal Haman Esther Chapter 7 The king asks Esther s request at banquet #2 with Haman. Esther: Spare my people this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. (V3-4) Haman is identified by Esther as the evil mastermind. Haman is put to death at the king s command on the gallows he had made for Mordecai. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

8 Trusting God s Process (No progress without process) Prayer Fasting Our Action Direction (right voices) God s Action

9 Pray, Fast, Listen, Get Direction and Take Action Where am I in the process? 1. My heart to be aligned with God s heart. Next step 2. Special needs in my life and my family. Next step 3. For the leadership transitions and needs at our church. Serving/Filling Gaps Next step 4. For the leadership transitions of our city, state, and nation. Next step 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) God is in the process of putting my puzzle together. I am going to trust him and do my part!