1. Once again we seek principles for life
a. Historicity of moment important
b. Life Principles more important
1 Corinthians 10:11 (AMP) Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period).
1 Corinthians 10:11 (MSG) These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end— and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were.
Gaining Favor with the King can be seen in:
1. ESTHER’S PREPARATION V. 1
A. Appointed Day – on the third day
1. Kept her word – not on the 2nd or 4th
2. Often say what we do not mean
a. If I can help – never check
b. I’ll be there – never go
C. I’ll pray – never do
3. God is always there – day appointed
B. Alterable Dynamic – now it came to pass
1. Passing Day
a. Circumstances would never be the same
b. door of opportunity open
Rev. 3:7 (AMP) These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shall shut, Who shuts and no one shall open:
2. Prayed for Day
a. 3 days of Fasting & Prayer – power in corp.
b. Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
c. Prayed up its time to act up!!!!
i. Moses at the Red Sea.- face down praying
ii. Get up – you have the answer in your hand
iii. Point the Rod to sea and tell it to scat!
3. Pressing Day
a. Delay meant greater danger
b. Procrastination always produce more probs
c. time to act is always the time to act
C. Appropriate Dress put on her royal apparel
1. Respectful
a. Person
i. dress reflects what think of one go before!
ii. going to see the King – no place for casual
b. Position
i. He was the King & she was a Queen
ii. Dress how you want to be recognized
iii. top of shirt almost met bottom of shorts
to low and to short
iv. keep advertising someone will try - product
2. Radiant
a. Dress informs others what you think of self
b. Colors/jewels/crown – all reflected beauty
c. People backed away – Queen was there
D. Assured Disposition
1. Realized Her Danger stood -Courage
a. Rejection by King was at worst death/
b. best banishment –
c. no pie in the sky – serious moment
d. “If I perish, I perish”
2. Recognized her Duty stood - Commitment
a. What Good is life if not used for God?
b. What Good are riches at others expense?
c. Matthew 16:26 (MSG) What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
3. Relied on Her Deliverer
a. Daniel 3:15-18 (MSG) I’m giving you a second chance—but from now on, when the big band strikes up you must go to your knees and worship the statue I have made. If you don’t worship it, you will be pitched into a roaring furnace, no questions asked. Who is the god who can rescue you from my power?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. 17 If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. 18 But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."
2. KING’S RESPONSE V. 2-7
A. Gaze
1. Perhaps the Stir her Entrance Caused
2. Stateliness of Her Posture
3. when the King saw Esther the Queen
a. Ex-prisoners – laser surgery remove tattoos
b. Dress like a thug- see a thug; slut/slut
B. Guidance she obtained favor in his sight
Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it whithersoever he will.
C. Gifts held out the golden scepter
1. Presence
a. Responded with the proper etiquette
a. recognized his mercy
b. recognized his authority
b. Return
i. Esther treated Him like a King – in turn
ii. Matthew 7:12 (KJV) Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12 (MSG) "Here is a simple, rule-of- thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.
2. Promise – to the half of the kingdom
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show thee great and mighty things, which you know not.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
3. ESTHER’S REQUEST V. 4-8
A. Anticipation v. 4
1. that I have prepared for him
B. Invitation v. 5
1. Privacy
2. Persons
C. Declaration v. 6-8
1. If I have found favor – do you really mean
2. If it please the king – do you really want to
3. To grant … and perform – is it w/in your power?
