Esther
Response & Reliance #2
May 10, 2008
Kairos = time; a decisive & specific point in time in the development of God’s story. A moment that is overloaded with opportunity.
1. If I say “no” (disobey) to the God-opportunities, life is empty, flat, & unfulfilling
Main Characters: King Xerxes (Persia), Esther, Mordecai, Haman
The Story of Esther:
Esther 4:14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
2. It is my choice whether I will accept or forfeit my part in the God-opportunity
Esther 4:14a If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die.
Esther 4:16a Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same.
3. Go for it! Accept God’s call & take the risk!
Esther 4:16b ...And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”
Don't give up
Acts 20:24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
4. I will never realize all the consequences of my choice – they will reach farther than I understand
Esther 9:28 These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.
2 Corinthians 8:6-8, 10-11 So we have urged Titus… to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving.