What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman– Who was Haman?• 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)• Probably second to the king

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• 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 received permission & authority from the king

(3:7-15)• 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)

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman– What did Haman have/possess? • Great riches (5:11)• Multitude of children (5:11)• High honors from the king (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)

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• A Vivid Picture of Pathetic Self-Centeredness = Haman– Why did Haman want to kill the Jews?• 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)–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)• How pathetically self-centered!

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• A Vivid Picture of Heroic Selflessness = Esther– Who was Esther?• She was an “orphan”—both parents had died (2:7)• Cousin (adopted daughter) of Mordecai (2:7)• Queen of Persia (with Ahasuerus) after Vashti

– How was Esther selected to be Queen?• She was beautiful, young and a virgin (2:2)• Went through 12 mos. beauty preparations (2:3, 12)• 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 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• 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)• 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 “obeyed the command of Mordecai” (2:20)• She was “deeply distressed” when she heard of the

plot (4:4)

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• 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)• Told her that, as a Jew, she would not escape death

(4:13)• 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)

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• 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)• 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 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about SELFLESSNESS?• 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)• She (and everyone else) knew the law• 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 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about 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)• 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!– 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)

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about 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)

– Self-Centeredness deceived the king to get his wish (3:8)• 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)

– Self-Centeredness bragged about his greatness (5:11-12)• 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)

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about 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)

– Self-Centeredness pouted b/c didn’t get his way (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)

– Self-Centeredness would love a “blank check” (3:10-11)• 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)

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about 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)

– Self-Centeredness was terrified & begged for self (7:6-8)• 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)

– 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)

What living lessons can 21st-century Christians learn from

Esther about 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)

– While Self-Centeredness only thought of himself• Selflessness only thought of others

– While Self-Centeredness works only to advance self• 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?”

– Self-Centeredness & Selflessness both prove the truth• “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7)