What would you doIf ordered to violate your convictions?

✲ Take an abortion pill✲ Watch pornography✲ Worship Mary

Esther Kingdom In Chaos

There will be a time when we faceA challenge to our faith

✲ Will we take a stand?✲ Will we trust in God’s providence?

Esther Kingdom In Chaos

Kingdom In Chaos

Resolute Conviction

Avoid That Which God Hates

Providence At Work

Esther

Kingdom In Chaos

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

Resolute ConvictionEsther

Kingdom In Chaos

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

Resolute ConvictionEsther

Kingdom In Chaos

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

Resolute ConvictionEsther

Kingdom In Chaos

Avoid That Which God HatesHaman 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

Esther

Kingdom In Chaos

Avoid That Which God HatesWe must beware the “Haman” in us

✲ Pride, 1 Jn. 2:15-17◇ Position at work◇ Achievement in life◇ Attainment in education◇ Accumulation of wealth

Esther

Kingdom In Chaos

Avoid That Which God HatesWe must beware the “Haman” in us

✲ Revenge, Rom. 12:19-21◇ Personal insult◇ Mistreatment of loved one◇ Material damage◇ Persecution

Esther

Kingdom In Chaos

Providence At WorkDeath decree on 13th day of 1st month, Est. 3:7, 12-15

✲ Nisan: 1st month on Jewish calendar✲ 14th: Passover & Feast of Unlvn. Bread✲ Many Jews received news this week✲ Is this what Mordecai had in mind,

Est. 4:14

Esther

Kingdom In Chaos

Providence At WorkDeath decree on 13th day of 1st month, Est. 3:7, 12-15

✲ Subsequent events◇ Esther before king day 3/4, Est. 5:1◇ 1st banquet day 3/4, Est. 5:4◇ 2nd banquet day 4/5, Est. 5:8; 7:2◇ Haman hanged day 4/5, Est. 7:10; 8:1

Esther

Kingdom In Chaos

Providence At WorkThe 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

Esther