“Me Monster” by Brian Regan – YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiUsfEkVRDY 1

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SIRANI, Giovanni Andrea, Esther before Ahasuerus, 1630s, Szépmûvészeti Múzeum, Budapest 4

A Plot Discovered Esther 2:19-23 19When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. 5

Haman’s Plot of Genocide 6

For Such a Time as This: Defining Moments 7

Esther Chapter 5 Courage Under Fire 8

A mystery… Esther 5:5b-8 So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 7Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” 9

What’s your high… and low? Esther 5:9-12 9Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 10

What’s your high… and low? Esther 5:9-12 12“And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” 11

A plot to make things better for Mordecai Esther 5:10-14 14His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built. 12

God’s work in spite of rotten circumstances Esther 6 Sleepless is Susa: God’s work in spite of rotten circumstances 13

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Sleepless is Susa Esther 6:1-2 1That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 15

An oversight Esther 6:3 3“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. 16

Look who’s here Esther 6:1-2 4The king said, “Who is in the court?”   Look who’s here Esther 6:1-2 4The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him 5His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. 17

You’ve got to be kidding me Esther 6:10-11 10“Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” 11So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” 18

Reversal of Fortunes, baby! Esther 6:12-14 12Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. 19

Wait a minute! That’s not what you said before! Esther 5:10-14 14His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built. 20

Developing Twists: 21

The God who is silent, isn’t Developing Twists: The God who is silent, isn’t 22

The God who is silent, isn’t Developing Twists: The God who is silent, isn’t The danger of being a “Me” Monster 23

The God who is silent, isn’t Developing Twists: The God who is silent, isn’t PROVIDENCE 24

PROVIDENCE God is in control 25

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. 26

Just so happens… 27

Just so happens… Vashti Out 28

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In 29

Modecai discovers plot Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot 30

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman 31

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman King can’t sleep 32

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman King can’t sleep Chronicles read to him 33

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman King can’t sleep Chronicles read to him 5 year old ones 34

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman King can’t sleep Chronicles read to him 5 year old ones Mordecai’s loyalty acct 35

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman King can’t sleep Chronicles read to him 5 year old ones Mordecai’s loyalty acct King actually cares 36

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman King can’t sleep Chronicles read to him 5 year old ones Mordecai’s loyalty acct King actually cares Haman plotting Mordecai’s death at same moment 37

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman King can’t sleep Chronicles read to him 5 year old ones Mordecai’s loyalty acct King actually cares Haman plotting Mordecai’s death at same moment Haman shows up that morning to ask for Mordecai’s hanging 38

Just so happens… Vashti Out Esther In Modecai discovers plot Esther decides to do something about Haman King can’t sleep Chronicles read to him 5 year old ones Mordecai’s loyalty acct King actually cares Haman plotting Mordecai’s death at same moment Haman shows up that morning to ask for Mordecai’s hanging Haman is a complete “Me” Monster 39

PROVIDENCE God is in control We have real choices 40

Psalm 51:1-4 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 41

PROVIDENCE God is in control We have real choices Real evil exists 42

All that happens is therefore good? 43

All that happens is therefore good? Jews are mistreated and in exile 44

All that happens is therefore good? Jews are mistreated and in exile Vashti is disposed on horrible grounds 45

All that happens is therefore good? Jews are mistreated and in exile Vashti is disposed on horrible grounds King Xerxes is a ruthless ruler, who is not above human trafficking to meet his own needs 46

All that happens is therefore good? Jews are mistreated and in exile Vashti is disposed on horrible grounds King Xerxes is a ruthless ruler, who is not above human trafficking to meet his own needs Esther is in a horrible marriage 47

All that happens is therefore good? Jews are mistreated and in exile Vashti is disposed on horrible grounds King Xerxes is a ruthless ruler, who is not above human trafficking to meet his own needs Esther is in a horrible marriage There is an approved edict to have genocide against a people group, in this case, the Jewish people 48

All that happens is therefore good? Jews are mistreated and in exile Vashti is disposed on horrible grounds King Xerxes is a ruthless ruler, who is not above human trafficking to meet his own needs Esther is in a horrible marriage There is an approved edict to have genocide against a people group, in this case, the Jewish people Haman arises to power to not only push the edict through, but also has a plot to kill Mordecai 49

Acts 4:23-31 23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: 50

Acts 4:23-31 23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: 51

“ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? Acts 4:23-31 “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’ [Psalm 2:1-2] 52

“ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? Acts 4:23-31 “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’ [Psalm 2:1-2] 53

Acts 4:23-30 27“Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 54

PROVIDENCE God is in control We have real choices Real evil exists 55

And we know that in all things God   Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 56

Developing Twists: The danger of being a “Me” Monster 57

Philippians 2:3-8 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:   6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 58

Does Christ have the place so that you are no longer Gospel Application Does Christ have the place in your life so that you are no longer a Haman (Me Monster)? 59