SERIES ON ESTHER
6 Outlines
Esther 1 -2
GOD PLANS AHEAD
You and I plan ahead for vacations, jobs that need to
be done, schoolwork, and a host of other things. There would be a major move to wipe out the
whole Jewish race. In these
chapters we see God making advance plans to save His nation from
extinction.
PRELIMINARY EVENTS LEADING TO PROTECTION -
Chapter 1
1. THE KING'S SHOW - Vss. 1-9
2. THE QUEEN'S SEPARATION - Vss. 10-12
3. THE NATION STUNNED - Vss. 13-18
4. MEMUCAN'S SOLUTION Vss.
19-22
PROMINENT LESSONS ABOUT PROTECTION - Chapter 2
1. MAN DOES NOT DO THINGS GOD'S WAY! - Vss. 1-4
2. GOD MAKES PLANS IN ADVANCE. - Vss. 5-7
3. GOD EXERCISES HIS WILL THROUGH MAN'S PLANS. -
Vss. 8-20
4. GOD PUTS HIS SERVANTS IN THE
(If you think this is too much material for one sermon
or lesson, you now have material for 2 sermons or lessons!)
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Esther 3-4
JEWS IN JEOPARDY
Long before Hitler tried to annihilate the Jews it was
attempted by a man named Haman. However, God had
chosen vessels, Mordecai and Esther in the right place to help defeat this
wicked man.
I. WRETCHEDNESS AGAINST THE JEWS, Chapter 3
A DETERMINED POSITION Vss. 1-6
Because of Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman, Haman took the position of
determining to eliminate all Jews in the
A DECEITFUL PRESENTATION Vss. 7-11
After casting the lot to determine the right time, Haman deceived the king into thinking that the Jews
deserved to be destroyed.
A DEVILISH PROCLAMATION Vss. 12-15
All the Jews were to be destroyed in one day.
II. WILLINGNESS TO HELP THE JEWS Chapter 4
MORDECAI'S EXPLANATION Vss. 1-9
ESTHER'S EXCUSE Vss. 10-12
MORDECAI'S EXHORTATION Vss. 13-14
God would save the Jews. But Esther was placed where
she was for just this time. She was to be willing take a chance to save her
people.
ESTHER'S EXPECTATION Vss. 15-17
Esther expected to take the chance of appearing before
the king without an invitation. She would go to intercede in behalf of her
people. If the king extended his golden
scepter, she would live.
If he did not extend the scepter, she would die.
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Esther 5
COURAGE!
One of the qualities which is
shown by both Mordecai and Esther is courage.
In this passage, we see them making a stand for what is right, and for
God. God's name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, but it appears obvious that Esther,
Mordecai, and the Jews were making a stand for, and being helped by Him.
COURAGE TO TAKE RISKS Vss. 1-3
Even as queen, Esther was not allowed into the king's
presence unless she were summoned. To appear without
being requested was to risk one's life. If the king did not extend his golden
scepter, she would be executed. Esther
took the risk because wicked Haman had passed a law
that would have all Jews killed. The king did extend the scepter.
COURAGE TO FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN Vss. 4-8
We do not know what human reason caused Esther to have
two banquets for the king and Haman before telling
the king about Haman's wickedness. We do know that God had a reason. In chapter
5, Haman is humbled and Mordecai is honored as a hero
who saved the king's life. Esther obviously did things God's way and not her
own.
COURAGE TO HONOR GOD Vss. 9-14
As usual Mordecai would not bow down to Haman.
He did what was right, in spite of possible
consequences.
Haman's plan was to execute Mordecai.
Do we do what was in right in spite of possible negative
consequences?
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Esther 6
GOD IN CONTROL
There are times when things seem very out of control.
Everything appears to be going wrong!
And yet, in war, in peace, in bad times, in good times, in sickness, and
in health, God is still on the throne, and Jesus Christ is still Lord!
The Book of Esther, which never mentions God by name,
is a great example of God's control in a bad situation. Wicked Haman was
trying to eliminate the Jews, Mordecai in particular. Queen Esther and Mordecai were working
against Haman's wicked decree to have all Jews killed
(Esther 3). Part of Esther's plan to
expose Haman before the king was a series of two
banquets for just the king and Haman. Haman, however
decided that it was time to have Mordecai hung from the gallows (Esther
5). In Esther 6 we see God in Control,
in spite of Haman's terrible plan.
THE RIGHT TOUCH, Vss.. 1-3
God touches the King so he can't sleep. He has his chronicles read before him. God
touches the reading of the chronicles so that Mordecai's previous good deed of
saving the king's life is read. The king discovers that no reward had been
given Mordecai.
THE RIGHT TIMING, Vss. 4-6
Haman arrived early to the court to see the
king about hanging Mordecai that very day.
The king asks who is in the court, and summons Haman
to ask him how to honor someone in a special way. Haman
thinks the king wants to honor Haman..
THE RIGHT TESTIMONY, Vss. 7-11
Haman suggests a public display of honor, including
wearing the king's clothes, riding the king's horse, and having one of the
king's noblest princes lead the person through the city with words of praise.
The king liked what he heard and told Haman to do it for Mordecai.
This display would help Mordecai's position when he
later became prime minister, and worked to save the Jews.
THE RIGHT THOUGHTS, Vss. 12-14
Haman was warned by family and friends that
he was in big trouble.
They were correct. God was in control!
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Esther 7-8
VICTORY!
HAMAN'S REMOVAL – Ezra 7:10
Explanation Of The Jews'
Peril Vss. 1-4
Exposure Of Haman's Wickedness Vss. 5-6
Execution Of Haman Vss. 7-10
Mordecai's Rise To Power Vss.
1-2, 15-17
Esther's Request For Help
Vss. 3-6
The King's Resolution To The
Problem Vss. 7-14
The Jews’ Celebrations of Joy Vss. 15-17
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Esther 9-10
GOD'S COMPLETED WORK
God always finishes His work. God finished creation. God finished the work
to secure salvation on the cross. God will finish all of His work in order to
fulfill prophecy of end times. At the
end of the book of Esther we find God completing His work. (You will want to review the story of Esther
as you preach this message.)
CONFRONTATION 9:1-16
The Jews confront their enemies and win!
CELEBRATION 9:17-19
COMMEMORATION 9:20-32
The feast of Purim was established, and is still
celebrated by the Jews today.
COMMENDATION 10:1-3
Mordecai is held in high esteem.