What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman – Who was Haman? Haman was a high official in the court of King Ahasuerus (3:1) Haman was a high official in the court of King Ahasuerus (3:1) The King promoted and advanced and set his seat above (3:1) The King promoted and advanced and set his seat above (3:1) Probably second to the king Probably second to the king

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman – What was Haman’s evil plot? He sought to destroy all the Jews in the Persian empire (3:6) He sought to destroy all the Jews in the Persian empire (3:6) He received permission & authority from the king (3:7-15) He received permission & authority from the king (3:7-15) With the king’s signet ring, he wrote, sealed & sent: With the king’s signet ring, he wrote, sealed & sent: – A decree (3:12), which was issued as law (3:14) – To destroy, kill, annihilate all Jews (3:13) – To be done in 11 months (3:12-13) There was great mourning among the Jews (4:3) There was great mourning among the Jews (4:3)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman – What did Haman have/possess? Great riches (5:11) Great riches (5:11) Multitude of children (5:11) Multitude of children (5:11) High honors from the king (5:11) High honors from the king (5:11) Advanced above all others in the kingdom (5:11) Advanced above all others in the kingdom (5:11) The king’s right hand man and only other guest with Queen (5:12) The king’s right hand man and only other guest with Queen (5:12)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman – Why did Haman want to kill the Jews? Because one man held to his convictions Because one man held to his convictions – Would not bow or pay homage to Haman (3:2, 5) – Would not stand or tremble before him (5:9) Haman had everything a noble could want (5:11-12) Haman had everything a noble could want (5:11-12) – But was filled with wrath b/c of Mordecai (3:5; 5:9) – All “avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai sitting” (5:12) Haman was so incensed against Mordecai, he cried to wife & friends (5:10-14) Haman was so incensed against Mordecai, he cried to wife & friends (5:10-14) How pathetically self-centered! How pathetically self-centered!

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther – Who was Esther? She was an “orphan”—both parents had died (2:7) She was an “orphan”—both parents had died (2:7) Cousin (adopted daughter) of Mordecai (2:7) Cousin (adopted daughter) of Mordecai (2:7) Queen of Persia (with Ahasuerus) after Vashti Queen of Persia (with Ahasuerus) after Vashti – How was Esther selected to be Queen? She was beautiful, young and a virgin (2:2) She was beautiful, young and a virgin (2:2) Went through 12 mos. beauty preparations (2:3, 12) Went through 12 mos. beauty preparations (2:3, 12) King loved her more than all the other women (2:17) King loved her more than all the other women (2:17) – She pleased the king (2:4) – She obtained grace & favor in his sight (2:17)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther – What kind of woman was Esther leading up to the plot? She obtained the favor of the king’s custodian (2:9) She obtained the favor of the king’s custodian (2:9) When she could take “whatever she desired” before the king (2:13), she took only what the king’s custodian advised (2:15) When she could take “whatever she desired” before the king (2:13), she took only what the king’s custodian advised (2:15) She “obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her” (2:15) She “obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her” (2:15) She “obeyed the command of Mordecai” (2:20) She “obeyed the command of Mordecai” (2:20) She was “deeply distressed” when she heard of the plot (4:4) She was “deeply distressed” when she heard of the plot (4:4)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther – What did Mordecai ask Queen Esther to do about the plot to kill the Jews? Commanded her to go in to the king to plead for her people (4:8) Commanded her to go in to the king to plead for her people (4:8) Told her that, as a Jew, she would not escape death (4:13) Told her that, as a Jew, she would not escape death (4:13) Assured her that if she was silent: Assured her that if she was silent: – God would raise up help from another place (4:14) – She and her family would perish (4:14) Proposed that she was in her current position by the providence of God in order to save His people (4:14) Proposed that she was in her current position by the providence of God in order to save His people (4:14)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther – What did Esther do when faced with ultimate challenge? Had been Queen of Persia for 5 years (2:16; 3:7) Had been Queen of Persia for 5 years (2:16; 3:7) She (and everyone else) knew the law: She (and everyone else) knew the law: – No one permitted in King’s inner court uncalled (4:11) – One law: all put to death for such (4:11) – One exception: King holds up his golden scepter (4:11) – And she had not been called in 30 days (4:11)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther – What did Esther do when faced with ultimate challenge? Had been Queen of Persia for 5 years (2:16; 3:7) Had been Queen of Persia for 5 years (2:16; 3:7) She (and everyone else) knew the law She (and everyone else) knew the law She evaluated the situation She evaluated the situation – She & her people would be killed in less than 10 mos. – The king’s right-hand-man had the king duped and on his side – There was NO ONE ELSE who could possibly turn this around but her – Believed God had crowned her Queen to give her this opportunity

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness – While Self-Centeredness fussed and plotted (3:5-15) Selflessness fasted and prayed (4:16) Selflessness fasted and prayed (4:16) And asked her people to fast and pray for her (4:16) And asked her people to fast and pray for her (4:16) Recognized complete dependence on God and that nothing would be successful without His help! Recognized complete dependence on God and that nothing would be successful without His help! – While Self-Centeredness would not be satisfied unless an entire race perished (3:6) Selflessness was ready to perish to keep others from perishing (4:16) Selflessness was ready to perish to keep others from perishing (4:16)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness – Self-Centeredness created a law to harm others (3:12-15) Selflessness went against a law to save others (4:16) Selflessness went against a law to save others (4:16) – Self-Centeredness deceived the king to get his wish (3:8) Selflessness faced death to make her wish (5:1-2) Selflessness faced death to make her wish (5:1-2) – Self-Centeredness was hasty & pushy b/f king (3:9-10) Selflessness was timid & patient before the king (5:8) Selflessness was timid & patient before the king (5:8) – Self-Centeredness bragged about his greatness (5:11-12) Selflessness used caution with what she had (5:3-8) Selflessness used caution with what she had (5:3-8) – Self-Centeredness only thought of personal comfort (6:4) Selflessness protected well-being of others (2:21-22) Selflessness protected well-being of others (2:21-22)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness – Self-Centeredness only tho’t of self & his honor (6:3-9) Selflessness let others take care of honor (6:3,6,10-12) Selflessness let others take care of honor (6:3,6,10-12) – Self-Centeredness pouted b/c didn’t get his way (6:12) Selflessness goes back to his rightful place (6:12) Selflessness goes back to his rightful place (6:12) – Self-Centeredness’ doomed fate started to show (6:13) Selflessness was nervously doing the right thing (7:1) Selflessness was nervously doing the right thing (7:1) – Self-Centeredness would love a “blank check” (3:10-11) Selflessness was trusted & shown concern (5:3, 6; 7:2) Selflessness was trusted & shown concern (5:3, 6; 7:2) – While Self-Centeredness demanded his desires (3:3-5, 9) Selflessness humbly submitted to higher will (5:4, 8; 7:3; 8:5) Selflessness humbly submitted to higher will (5:4, 8; 7:3; 8:5)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness – Self-Centeredness haughtily sat in place of honor (7:1) Selflessness worded life-in-the-balance petition (7:3-4) Selflessness worded life-in-the-balance petition (7:3-4) – Self-Centeredness was terrified & begged for self (7:6-8) Selflessness did not dare tell the king what to do (7:3-6) Selflessness did not dare tell the king what to do (7:3-6) – Self-Centeredness brings shame & ruin (7:9-10; Pr. 11:2; 16:18) Selflessness receives grace and gifts (8:1-2, 7-17) Selflessness receives grace and gifts (8:1-2, 7-17) – While Self-Centeredness turns people off (3:15; 7:7) Selflessness appeals to the goodness in others (8:15- 17; 9:4, 18-19; 10:3) Selflessness appeals to the goodness in others (8:15- 17; 9:4, 18-19; 10:3)

What living lessons can 21 st -century Christians learn from Esther about SELFLESSNESS ? A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness A Vivid Pict of Self-Centeredness Outmatched By Selflessness – While Self-Centeredness proceeds from joy to mourning Selflessness proceeds from morning to joy (9:22, 28) Selflessness proceeds from morning to joy (9:22, 28) – While Self-Centeredness only thought of himself Selflessness only thought of others Selflessness only thought of others – While Self-Centeredness works only to advance self Selflessness willingly sac. opportunities for good of others Selflessness willingly sac. opportunities for good of others – Self-Centeredness says, “What can/will God do for me?” Selflessness says, “What can I do for God?” Selflessness says, “What can I do for God?” – Self-Centeredness & Selflessness both prove the truth “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7) “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7)