What Kind of HONOR Will God's People Receive?

Esther 6:1-14

Sermon Notes

  1. A Beautiful Deed Remembered, vv. 1-4

  2. An Ugly Delusion Nurtured, vv. 4-9

  3. An Overdue Demise Begun, vv. 10-14

  4. An Overdue Honor Bestowed, vv. 10-12

Discussion Questions:

  1. Mordecai’s good deed (Esther 2:21-23) was forgotten, and he was suffering unjustly. Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you and His promises to you? Do you think other Christians have felt the same way? (See Psalm 42-43. See Matthew 19:27ff; Matthew 20:1-16, especially v.13)

  2. Part of Haman’s problem was that he could let go of his bitterness against Haman. (See Esther 5:13.) Many have said, “Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” How does that play out in Haman’s life? How has it played out in your life? Is there anyone against whom you harbor bitterness, whose forgiveness you need to seek?

  3. Why are Haman’s friends and wife so confident that Mordecai’s Jewish ancestry will allow him to prevail against Haman? (See Esther 6:13. Compare Joshua 2:8-11.) Is the author of Esther trying to show something great about Mordecai in Esther 6:13, or is he trying to show you something great about the God of Mordecai who’s hiding in the shadows?

What kind of HOPE Do God's People Have?

Esther 5

Sermon Notes

  1. A King's World, a King's Ransom, vv. 1-4

  2. A Queen's Charm, a Queen's Command, vv. 5-8

  3. A Fool's Pride, a Fool's Wrath, vv. 9-14

Discussion questions

  1. Ian Duguid contrasts King Xerxes and his elaborate court rituals with our King who bids us to come boldly before his throne of grace (Heb. 4:15–16), by saying: "Our King has an open-door policy."[1] Why are we able to enjoy such unlimited access to our great King? See Hebrews 4:15–16; 9:11-14; 10:11–14.

  2. When you encounter someone who does not share your beliefs, what tool do you use to convince them: Persuasion or raw power (i.e., arguments, telling them they're wrong)? See 2 Corinthians 5:11–21, esp. vv. 11, 20. What word best describes Paul's technique here, persuasion or argumentation?

  3. Observe Haman's reaction to Mordecai's slight (not bowing) in Esther 5:9-14. Now read Galatians 1:10. How does believing the gospel make a difference when you encounter (constructive or destructive) critics in your life?

Notes

  1. Ian Duguid, Ruth and Esther, 70

What Kind of HERO(INE) Do God's People Have?

Esther 4

Sermon Notes

  1. Lamenting Life's Circumstances, vv.1-7
  2. Pleading for Deliverance, vv. 8-9
  3. Faith in Our God's Response, vv. 10-17
    1. Rational Faith, vv. 10-13
    2. Confident Faith, v.14a
    3. Humble Faith, v. 14b
    4. Bold Faith, vv15-17

Discussion questions

  1. Did Mordecai believe God would never allow one of God's people to martyred? What was he confident of? See v.14; compare Gen 12:1-3; Dt. 18:15, 18; Isaiah 9:1-7; 11:1-5. Also see Mt. 10:28; 16:18.

  2. Esther talks a lot about feasting, but it also mentions fasting. What did Jesus say about both topics? (There are many examples, but see these two in particular: Matthew 9:15; Revelation 19:6-9)

  3. Ian Duguid says fasting is "a means of expressing sorrow over sin and dependence upon God" and "a statement that there is more to this life than mere physical existence." Finally, he says, "Fasting will remind us to pray over and over through the alarm clock of our hunger pangs!" Do any of those words make you think that fasting should be more a part of your regular life (and your prayer life) than it currently is?

What Kind of ENEMY Do God's People Have?

Esther 2:21-3:15

Outline

  1. No Honor for the Honorable, 2:21-3:1.
  2. Undeserved Honor, 3:1-4.
  3. A Dishonorable Bribe, 3:5-11.
  4. Will God Honor His Promises? 3:11-15.

Discussion questions:

  1. One possible explanation for why Mordecai did not bow was the centuries of tension between the Jews and the Amalekites/Agagites (See Ex 17:8-16; 1 Sam 9: 1-2 and 15: 1-3, 8; compare to Esther 2:5 and 3:1.) Is it possible that racial/ethnic tension was a sin the God’s OldTestament people struggled with? (Consider Jonah, especially Jonah 4:1-4) Does that surprise you or not?
  2. Would you feel guilty asking God to honor His promises? Consider Daniel 9:17-19; what is thebasis of Daniel’s prayer? Why is he asking God to deliver them? Discuss all the times he mentions “you” or “your people” or “your name.”
  3. Is it ever hard for you to believe that God can work your circumstances together for good (cf. Rom 8:28)? Does it ever seem like the deck is stacked against you? Consider what James 4:13-15 and Prov 16:9 say about our circumstances and our plans.