The Story Chapter 20 (Esther)

Text: Esther 6:1-9

Link to sermon: The Story Pt. 20

Note: Some of the thoughts/ideas came out of the Verge 14 Conference, but I cannot remember who they came from.

Opening Discussion Questions:

- Who is this part of the Story (Book of Esther) about?
    Ultimately God, but He isn't mentioned in the book.  You definitely see His hand behind the scenes, but no direct mention.  The book is titled Esther, but I would argue that if you look at how it ends it is Mordecai.

- What was the main point from The Story Chapter 19?
   Christians have been redeemed to bless

Main Point: Faith is demonstrated in obedience and provides a stark contrast to the world

The world says: "You do to be and create your value/identity" (Verge 14)

Christians know whose they are and their actions flow out of their value/identity

The stark contrast between:

Mordecai & Haman

Mordecai understands he is redeemed and part of the covenant community and therefore was a blessing to:
(Note: Mordecai is living the way the people of the Covenant are supposed to)

- Esther (family) by adopting her and raising her.
- Israel
- The nations (Abraham when called was to be a blessing to the nations).  Helps thwart the plot to kill the king, becomes 2nd in command of the kingdom

Haman is a descendant of King Agag. King Saul's failure to be obedient now sets the stage for Agag's descendant to potentially wipe out the nation of Israel.  Also, in contrast he raises himself up and tries to create his value and fails to be a blessing.

Esther & Vashti

Vashti is invited into the kings presence, refuses to come and in the end is rejected

Esther is not invited, prays, calls a fast, enters into the kings presence in faith and is accepted.

Esther is adopted and reflects her adopted father

Application: Does our heart/actions reflect our adopted Father's?  Do our hearts break for the lost?  Do our lives provide a stark contrast to the world around us?

We are redeemed to be a blessing.  Our faith is to be lived out in such a way that our lives provide stark contrast to the world (see Isaiah 58:5-11).  Our identity flows from whose we are and our faith is demonstrated in obedience to our disciple making mandate.

Six Key Words to use as we disciple people (Verge 14):

The key words are to be triggers that lead to the questions:

You?                  How are you doing?

Celebrate?         What are you celebrating?

Challenges?       What challenges are you facing?

Doing?               What are you doing about those challenges?

Help?                 How can I help?

Pray?                 How can I pray for you?