The Man God Uses

First delivered 19th February 1995

THEME: CHRIST’S AMBASSADOR

TOPIC: The Man God Uses

TEXT: The Book of Esther

OUTLINE:

Introduction

I The Ambassador on Test,Chapters 1, 2

II The Ambassador in Trouble,Chapter 3

III The Ambassador in Trial,Chapter. 4

IV The Ambassador in Triumph,Chapters. 6, 7

V The Ambassador on the Throne,Chapters 8, 9, 10.

This same message had also been delivered with the outline below:

Introduction

I The Preparation of The Man God Uses,Chapters 1, 2

II The Persecution of The Man God Uses,Chapter 3

III The Proofing of The Man God Uses,Chapter. 4

IV The Presentation of The Man God Uses,Chapters.6,7

V The Promotion of The Man God Uses,Chapters 8,9,10.

INTRODUCTION

The story was told of a very wealthy man with many slaves and servant. For six (6) months he displayed his glories. After this, he declared a seven-day feast for his friends, servants, and all that were in the city with him.

While these surfeiting were on, he called upon his wife to display her beauty to the guests. But she refused. He got angry with her, and, with the counsel of his close men, decided not to have her as his wife again.

What happened afterwards, as the scriptures has it, is what we want to dwell on today. Therein lies a man and woman who made themselves available for God to use.

I. The Ambassador on Test, chp. 1,2 - Preparation

It was king Xerxes, ruler of the ancient empire of the Persian and Medes who was angered by the refusal of Queen Vashti to display her beauty that he got her deposed as the queen.

After four (4) years, there began a search for a virgin to become queen. Mordecai, a Jew, presented his cousin who is an orphan, Esther by name, to compete for the post of the queen.

The story is in chpt. 2:7-9.

7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

o The girl pleased Hegai and won his favor, v.9.

After 12 months of her beauty treatment, it came to the turn of Esther to appear before the king.

Read Chp. 2:17

17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

o The King was attracted to Esther MORE THAN the other women.

- In business, or promotion, or having favor with man, what you need is this grace of God that makes you to be MORE favored.

- They all had the same qualifications and passed through the same period of beauty treatment; but she had an edge that made her win the kings approval MORE THAN the other virgins did – It is the favor of God. Pray for this.

o Esther suddenly became Queen Esther.

 From Grass to Grace.

 God has a plan for your life though He allows you to pass through difficult situation.

o Test No. 1 passed.

o Queen Esther reported assassination plot to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 2:22

Mordecai’s earthly loyalty is now on Test.

You are an ambassador on earth. You must be loyal to the laws of the land you are resident in as far as the word of God permits.

Read Chp. 2:22-23

22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.

23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

o Your deeds are being recorded in the books before God.

o Test No. 2 passed.

II The Ambassador in Trouble, chp. 3 –Persecution

o Mordecai’s heavenly loyalty on Test.

 Should he obey the laws of the land and disobey the law of his own land in relation to worshipping God only?