1. Taking Risks or Playing Safe – Esther 4:6-17 Esther 4:6-17

2. The story of Esther 1. Powerful King & strong wife – ch.1 1. Powerful King & strong wife – ch.1 2. Beauty contest – Esther is queen – ch.2 2. Beauty contest – Esther is queen – ch.2 3. The villain plots to kill all Jews – ch.3 3. The villain plots to kill all Jews – ch.3 4. The great dilemma faced – ch.4 4. The great dilemma faced – ch.4 5. Esther’s plan – ch.5-7 5. Esther’s plan – ch.5-7 6. The Jews saved,God’s plan safe–ch.8-10 6. The Jews saved,God’s plan safe–ch.8-10 The feast of Purim is started – 9:26-32

3. 1. Risk or safety – 4:6-17 a. The danger faced – v.6-8 a. The danger faced – v.6-8 b. Esther’s hesitation – v.11 b. Esther’s hesitation – v.11 c. Facing the facts – v.13,14 c. Facing the facts – v.13,14 - Esther is in danger - Esther is in danger - She is not indispensable, but she could be God’s agent to save – v.14 - She is not indispensable, but she could be God’s agent to save – v.14 d. Esther’s courage – v.16 d. Esther’s courage – v.16 e. The salvation God brings – ch.7-9 e. The salvation God brings – ch.7-9

4. 2. Jesus of Nazareth a. The danger humankind faced a. The danger humankind faced b. The risk Jesus took b. The risk Jesus took - becoming human - becoming human - dying on the Cross - dying on the Cross c. A great salvation c. A great salvation - Freedom from the grip of sin, world, satan - Freedom from the grip of sin, world, satan - Death is a conquered enemy - Death is a conquered enemy - No condemnation - No condemnation - God’s power to live a new life - God’s power to live a new life

5. 3. Your story a. Receiving God’s salvation a. Receiving God’s salvation b. Helping to save others b. Helping to save others 1. God is the main actor/worker 1. God is the main actor/worker 2. Are we available? 2. Are we available? - he has put us where we live, work, play.. - he has put us where we live, work, play.. - are we willing to risk? - are we willing to risk?

6. Quotes to reflect on “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” ( Jim Eliot ) ( Jim Eliot ) “God calls us to trust him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if he doesn’t come through” ( Francis Chan )