Sermon Central
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Esther
Contributed by Diana Tyler on May 30, 2023 (message contributor)
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1. The Party That Took A Turn
Contributed on May 30, 2023
One person's no could be someone's yes.
The book of Esther starts with the time of King Xerxes. This king reigned over 127 provinces going from India to Ethiopia. In his third year, King Xerxes threw a huge party that lasted 6 months for his nobles and officials. The military officers of Persia and Media along with the princes and nobles ...read more
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2. Preparation
Contributed on Jun 11, 2023
Getting ready to meet the king
After everything settled from the chaos, King Xerxes thought about the decree he'd made and Vashti. His attendants suggested that they search the empire to find beautiful virgins for the king. Agents were to be appointed in every province to bring the women into the royal harem at the fortress ...read more
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3. Uncovered Plot
Contributed on Jun 24, 2023
Esther experiences her first task
That evening, they were taken to the king's private rooms, the next morning brought to a second harem where the king's lived. There they were under the care of Shaashgaz, the eunuch in charge of the concubines. The woman wouldn't see the king again unless he enjoyed her and requested ...read more
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4. Pride And Offense
Contributed on Jul 2, 2023
Haman lets offense take over
After King Xerxes's life was spared, a man named Haman was promoted to a place where his seat was above all the princes who were with him. The king commanded his servants to bow and pay homage to Haman. Everyone except for Mordecai followed the command. Even though the servants would speak to ...read more
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5. Deadly Hatred
Contributed on Jul 2, 2023
Haman's hatred leads to a murder plot
After Haman made the decision to have all the Jews in the kingdom executed, he went to King Xerxes to make it official. He told him that there was a group of people who don't keep the king's laws and that a decree should be made to have them destroyed. Haman said that he will pay ten ...read more
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6. The Time Has Come
Contributed on Jul 3, 2023
Will you be silent or speak up?
When Esther found out Mordecai was in such a state, it distressed her, and she sent him garments instead of his sackcloth. When Mordecai refused to accept them, Esther sent her appointed eunuch Hathach to find out what was going on. Mordecai told Hathach everything he knew and gave him a copy of ...read more
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7. Move In Silence
Contributed on Jul 3, 2023
Silent moves make powerful results
After Esther received Mordecai's message, she responded by calling for a 3 day fast for the Jews in Shushan. Esther and her maids would be fasting as well. She also decided that she was going to go to the king. She knew it was against the law, but she decided that if she perished, she perished. ...read more
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8. An Unexpected Honor
Contributed on Jul 8, 2023
No good deed goes unnoticed.
In Esther 6, King Xerxes was having trouble sleeping so he asked that the book of the records of the chronicles be read. During the reading, it was discovered that Mordecai was the one who had told of the plot to assassinate King Xerxes from Esther 2:21-23. King Xerxes asked what honor or dignity ...read more
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9. Exposed
Contributed on Jul 10, 2023
Haman's realizes his plans have backfired
In Esther 7, the second banquet Queen Esther prepared for King Xerxes and Haman is happening. Once again, King Xerxes asks Queen Esther what her petition is. Once again, he offers up to half his kingdom. Queen Esther once again makes her request: "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, ...read more
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10. How Things Change
Contributed on Jul 20, 2023
The dawn of something new
After Haman was hanged, King Xerxes gave his house to Queen Esther and after finding out that she and Mordecai are related, gave his signet ring to him. Before Haman was executed, he was stripped of the ring. Mordecai was appointed over Haman's house. Esther 8:1-2 A lot of people forget that ...read more
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11. The Wheel Of Justice
Contributed on Jul 23, 2023
The Jews defend themselves and Haman's punishment continues
In the month of Adar on the 13th day, the time for the king's command and decree was set to be executed. On that day, the enemies of the Jews were hoping to overpower them. Instead, the opposite happened with the Jews overpowering them. The Jews had gathered in their cities and laid their hands ...read more
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12. Purim
Contributed on Jul 24, 2023
Purim is born
After Haman's sons were hanged, Jews continued to fight against their enemies and were successful. Something that's noticed is the Jews would kill their enemies, but not plunder the property. Some sources have said the Jews weren't looking to make a profit unlike Haman. Either way, the ...read more