1. Taking Risks for Magnolia Esther 4:1-17 Taking Risks for Magnolia Esther 4:1-17

5. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. Jeremiah 29 “welfare, the universal flourishing of, universal wholeness, complete health, safety and prosperity.”

6. First, they are to maintain their identity. Second, they are not allowed to withdraw from the Babylonian culture but are to seek the best for the city and country in which they are living. The Church, too, is called to maintain an identity as Christians, to hold fast to the values and beliefs that God instructs in His Word. And then, without compromising that identity, seek the best (the shalom) of the community.

7. 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2

8. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3

10. Taking Risks for Magnolia Esther 4:1-17 Taking Risks for Magnolia Esther 4:1-17

12. 1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4:1-3 Mordecai and the Jews Mourn the King’s Edict

13. 1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4:1-3 Mordecai and the Jews Mourn the King’s Edict

14. Sackcloth: rough hair (in the East commonly camel’s hair) from which sacks or coarser garments were made; worn by the poorest people or mourners. Ashes: literally an image of complete waste, it lends itself to use as a metaphor for weakness, ephemerality, and emptiness. The imagery centers primarily on the fragility of life.

15. 1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4:1-3 Mordecai and the Jews Mourn the King’s Edict

17. 4 So Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther called Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king's gate. 4 So Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther called Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king's gate. 4:4-6 Esther is Distressed over the Mourning of Mordecai

18. 7 And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction; which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people. 9 So Hathach returned and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 7 And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction; which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people. 9 So Hathach returned and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 4:7-9 Mordecai has the Decree Explained to Esther

19. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days." 12 So they told Mordecai Esther's words. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days." 12 So they told Mordecai Esther's words. 4:10-12 Esther Explains the Dangers of Approaching the King

20. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days." 12 So they told Mordecai Esther's words. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days." 12 So they told Mordecai Esther's words. 4:10-12 Esther Explains the Dangers of Approaching the King

21. Laws stablished by Dioces the Mede, forbade any approach to the king without a summons. Individuals looked for the nod of the golden stick (sceptre). “Round his throne stood men with axes to punish any who approached the throne without being summoned.” --Josephus “Round his throne stood men with axes to punish any who approached the throne without being summoned.” --Josephus

22. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days." 12 So they told Mordecai Esther's words. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days." 12 So they told Mordecai Esther's words. 4:10-12 Esther Explains the Dangers of Approaching the King

23. 13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" 13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" 4:13-14 Mordecai Clarifies the Situation for Esther

24. 13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" 13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" 4:13-14 Mordecai Clarifies the Situation for Esther another place— “sanctuary” or God’s dwelling in heaven Josephus suggests that ‘another place’ is a substitute for God’s name.

25. 13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" 13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" 4:13-14 Mordecai Clarifies the Situation for Esther

26. 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" 17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him. 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" 17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him. 4:15-17 Esther Responds with Courage

27. 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" 17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him. 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" 17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him. 4:15-17 Esther Responds with Courage

28. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 1. You must take risks. This message from Esther is that if you are going to use what God has given to you to the fullest and for what He has called you to do, you must take risks. It is hard to do the right thing when it is going to cost you. It is hard to do the right thing when no one would be the wiser if you just kept quiet. It is hard to do the right thing when other people will misunderstand.

29. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 1. You must take risks. 2. You must realize that your life has a divine purpose.

30. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 2. You must realize that your life has a divine purpose. “Pastor Trochme always taught us that there comes a time in every life when a person is asked to do something for Jesus. When our time came, we knew what to do.”

31. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 2. You must realize that your life has a divine purpose. 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." --Jeremiah 1:5

32. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 2. You must realize that your life has a divine purpose. Paul and Silas and other disciples “turned the world upside down” with their teaching. --Acts 17:6

33. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 2. You must realize that your life has a divine purpose. Paul says that God “has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” --Acts 17:26

34. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 1. You must take risks. 2. You must realize that your life has a divine purpose. 3. You must make a commitment.

35. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 3. You must make a commitment. 1. A philosophical stand 2. A moral stand 3. A relational stand “The uncommitted life isn’t worth living.” --Marshall Fishwick

36. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 1. You must take risks. 2. You must realize that your life has a divine destiny. 3. You must make a commitment. 4. You must have a sense of the providence of God

37. To achieve the shalom of Magnolia and to make a significant impact for God’s Kingdom 4. You must have a sense of the providence of God “In the economy of God coincidences are never coincidences. God’s divine purposes fill all the incidents of our lives. The sovereignty of God is at work in the world.” --Rodney Buchanan

38. 1. Was willing to take a risk 2. Understood that her life had a divine purpose 3. Was committed to God and her people--even to death 4. She understood the providential plan of God was unstoppable OTHERWISE ESTHER… …would have avoided risk, but would not have known the joy of victory. …may have lived a life of ease, but would not have fulfilled her destiny. …would have avoided danger, but would have missed seeing God at work.

39. If you will truly trust that God’s providence is at work in Magnolia and the world… If you will truly trust that your life has a purpose… If you will truly make a commitment to Him and His desires for this community… If you are willing to risk whatever is necessary in order to fulfill God’s purposes through you… I guarantee you will experience a joy and satisfaction that is beyond anything that you could experience otherwise. Your life will have true meaning, purpose and fulfillment.

40. I guarantee you will experience a joy and satisfaction that is beyond anything that you could experience otherwise. Your life will have true meaning, purpose and fulfillment.

41. And you will see the wondrous hand of God do marvelous and miraculous things in our community. I guarantee it!

42. Taking Risks for Magnolia Esther 4:1-17 Taking Risks for Magnolia Esther 4:1-17