What would you do If ordered to violate your convictions? ✲ Take an abortion pill ✲ Watch pornography ✲ Worship Mary

There will be a time when we face A challenge to our faith ✲ Will we take a stand? ✲ Will we trust in God’s providence?

Mordecai refused to bow, Est. 3:1-6 ✲ Not out of disloyalty to king, Est. 2:19-23 ✲ Not from personal pride ✲ Possible lack of respect for Haman ✲ Loyalty to God, Est. 3:4, 6

Pressured daily to give in, Est. 3:4 ✲ Pushed to compromise ✲ Joseph pressed daily, Gen. 39:10 ✲ Firm after sentence of death, Est. 5:9

Christians must refuse to bow, 1 Cor. 16:13 ✲ Satan will attack, 1 Pt. 5:8 ✲ Stand in truth, 2 Thes. 2:15 ✲ When facing temptation, Eph. 6:10-13 ✲ Under pressure of false doctrine, Phil. 4:1 ✲ To encourage others, 1 Thes. 3:6-8

Haman embodied what God hates, Prov. 6:16-19 ✲ Proud look ✲ Lying tongue ✲ Hands that shed innocent blood ✲ Heart that devises wicked plans ✲ Feet that are swift in running to evil ✲ False witness who speaks lies

We must beware the “Haman” in us ✲ Pride, 1 Jn. 2:15-17 ◇ Position at work ◇ Achievement in life ◇ Attainment in education ◇ Accumulation of wealth

We must beware the “Haman” in us ✲ Revenge, Rom. 12:19-21 ◇ Personal insult ◇ Mistreatment of loved one ◇ Material damage ◇ Persecution

Death decree on 13 th day of 1 st month, Est. 3:7, ✲ Nisan: 1 st month on Jewish calendar ✲ 14 th : Passover & Feast of Unlvn. Bread ✲ Many Jews received news this week ✲ Is this what Mordecai had in mind, Est. 4:14

Death decree on 13 th day of 1 st month, Est. 3:7, ✲ Subsequent events ◇ Esther before king day 3/4, Est. 5:1 ◇ 1 st banquet day 3/4, Est. 5:4 ◇ 2 nd banquet day 4/5, Est. 5:8; 7:2 ◇ Haman hanged day 4/5, Est. 7:10; 8:1

The same God still rules the world ✲ We are His people, Psa. 100:3 ✲ Trust in God come what may, Psa. 18:1-3 ✲ Power to deliver, Psa. 85:2 ✲ Power to judge enemies, Psa. 5:1-8