Lifepoint Church
Invisible Presence Part 5 - The Tables Turned
Locations & Times
Lifepoint Church
250 Johnston St SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Saturday 11:59 PM
Lifepoint on YouVersion
Thank you for joining us at Lifepoint this morning. Follow along with the message using this Youversion app and see all of the notes and details from today's sermon. If you want more information about the church feel free to visit our website by clicking the link below.
http://lpdecatur.org/
Thank you for joining us at Lifepoint this morning. Follow along with the message using this Youversion app and see all of the notes and details from today's sermon. If you want more information about the church feel free to visit our website by clicking the link below.
http://lpdecatur.org/
Esther’s moment has come. Her people, the Israelites, are facing a widespread massacre planned by Haman and approved by King Ahasuerus. The plot to annihilate the Jews from the face of the earth was set for March 7, 473BC. Official letters had been sent to all 127 provinces. Haman and Ahasuerus were already celebrating.
Mordecai hears of the plan and commands Esther to step forward [into the light] and do something. He asks Esther to go before the king and beg for his favor on behalf of her people. After spending 3 long days fasting, Esther decided that this was her moment. She would go before the king and beg for her people even if it meant she might die. Her words to Mordecai were – if I perish, I perish.
Mordecai hears of the plan and commands Esther to step forward [into the light] and do something. He asks Esther to go before the king and beg for his favor on behalf of her people. After spending 3 long days fasting, Esther decided that this was her moment. She would go before the king and beg for her people even if it meant she might die. Her words to Mordecai were – if I perish, I perish.
5:1-2
On the 3rd day, Esther put on her royal robes and went before the king. As she entered the king’s court, her heart must have been pounding through her chest. Because stepping forward into the darkness and having the courage to do what God has called you to do doesn’t remove all of your fear and anxiety – it simply means you have the God-given courage and boldness to trust in Him and do it anyway.
But when the king saw Esther, he held out the golden scepter and in that moment she knew God had prepared the heart of the king ahead of time. Even when God seems invisible and silent, He is still at work. Even though we think we are stepping into the darkness all alone, He has been working behind the scenes and in the circumstances we believe to be impossible – to make them not so impossible.
On the 3rd day, Esther put on her royal robes and went before the king. As she entered the king’s court, her heart must have been pounding through her chest. Because stepping forward into the darkness and having the courage to do what God has called you to do doesn’t remove all of your fear and anxiety – it simply means you have the God-given courage and boldness to trust in Him and do it anyway.
But when the king saw Esther, he held out the golden scepter and in that moment she knew God had prepared the heart of the king ahead of time. Even when God seems invisible and silent, He is still at work. Even though we think we are stepping into the darkness all alone, He has been working behind the scenes and in the circumstances we believe to be impossible – to make them not so impossible.
Esther isn’t just spared; she has truly found favor in the king’s eyes. He is willing to give her whatever she wants.
Instead of launching into an attack on Haman, Esther invites the king and Haman to yet another banquet. Remember, these men love banquets in their honor almost as much as they love them some me. She doesn’t go in demanding something for herself [even though her people are on the brink of extinction], she goes to the king and pays him honor and respect. Esther displays amazing patience and restraint, even in the most difficult of moments.
Haman is fired up! Not only has he been made 2nd in command and had his massacre plan approved by the king, but now he has been requested to attend a banquet with the king and the queen – and he is the only other person invited.
Haman’s joy quickly faded as his anger surfaced at the sight of his arch-enemy – the face of the nation he deeply hated & wanted to eliminate.
Yet, Haman restrained himself in that moment and raced home to his wife and friends. Once he arrived home, he made an attempt to feel better about himself. He recounts all the great things he has done & all the great things that have been done to him. He rattled off all of his riches, his sons, his promotions, and invitations to dine with the king and queen.
But, sadly, it wasn’t enough.
Yet, Haman restrained himself in that moment and raced home to his wife and friends. Once he arrived home, he made an attempt to feel better about himself. He recounts all the great things he has done & all the great things that have been done to him. He rattled off all of his riches, his sons, his promotions, and invitations to dine with the king and queen.
But, sadly, it wasn’t enough.
Haman wanted everything. He wasn’t satisfied or content with all that he had. Haman wanted more.
Unfortunately, we are more similar to Haman [in this desire] than we would like to admit. We have so many good and great things, but we are seldom content with what we have. We can even list off all the great things that God has provided for us, all the great things that others have done for us, all the great things about our families. But there is a lingering desire for more. All of this, and yet it’s still not enough.
Unfortunately, we are more similar to Haman [in this desire] than we would like to admit. We have so many good and great things, but we are seldom content with what we have. We can even list off all the great things that God has provided for us, all the great things that others have done for us, all the great things about our families. But there is a lingering desire for more. All of this, and yet it’s still not enough.
Why is it all not enough [no matter how much we have]?
None of it, no matter the shininess of it, no matter the amount of it, no matter the newness of it – none of it was ever meant to satisfy. I think some of us live unfulfilled lives because we really think it has the chance to make us content. But those things were never meant to help you and I find completeness and contentment. Yet, we still just can’t seem to quit chasing after them – even when they continually come up short.
Of course, Haman loved the idea and had his servants get to work constructing the gallows immediately.
Insert the beginning of irony – but first, more of the Sovereign hand of God. When all things seemed hopeless once again, when God seems distant and uninvolved, things aren’t always as they seem.
Insert the beginning of irony – but first, more of the Sovereign hand of God. When all things seemed hopeless once again, when God seems distant and uninvolved, things aren’t always as they seem.
On that night. Not just on any night, but on that specific night. Out of all the nights, this is the night the king could not sleep. Instead of counting sheep, he calls for the chronicles [the record of historical and official deeds in the kingdom].
Why is this moment significant?
Remember back in 2:23 when something was recorded in the book of chronicles in the presence of the king? What was it that was so important that it prompted the king to have this event written in the chronicles? Do you remember? On that night, out of all the recorded events the king could have heard, this is what was ready to him.
Why is this moment significant?
Remember back in 2:23 when something was recorded in the book of chronicles in the presence of the king? What was it that was so important that it prompted the king to have this event written in the chronicles? Do you remember? On that night, out of all the recorded events the king could have heard, this is what was ready to him.
Mordecai Saves the King
When Esther was first made queen, Mordecai was promoted to an official position, and one night while he was at the king’s gate he overheard two men plotting and planning to kill the king. Mordecai immediately took the news to Esther to present to the king. That day Mordecai saved King Ahasuerus’ life.
We were surprised that Mordecai never received a medal, a thank you, nothing for his great service to the king. All of that is about to change – on this very night – the king just happens to be listening to this record of events [official history that took place 5 years earlier].
When Esther was first made queen, Mordecai was promoted to an official position, and one night while he was at the king’s gate he overheard two men plotting and planning to kill the king. Mordecai immediately took the news to Esther to present to the king. That day Mordecai saved King Ahasuerus’ life.
We were surprised that Mordecai never received a medal, a thank you, nothing for his great service to the king. All of that is about to change – on this very night – the king just happens to be listening to this record of events [official history that took place 5 years earlier].
Well then it’s time to do something. [and here we go]
Just as the king has made his mind up to honor Mordecai for his faithfulness, Haman just happens to walk right into the palace.
Haman has to be thinking – this is even better than I thought. I came for the king’s approval to finish off Mordecai, but now the king wants to honor me as well!
This is awesome. Not only does the king want to honor me, he’s even letting me plan my own party & set my own rewards. Best! Day! Ever!
Oh but how it begins to turn on him.
Oh but how it begins to turn on him.
Everything you mentioned, do this to Mordecai the Jew. Wait. What?!? Mordecai? The Jew? Are you for real? King, you must be mistaken.
Talk about a turn of fate and a twist in the story. As if this true account could not have gotten any crazier, everything is beginning to flip on Haman as well. Once his lesson in humility was completed, Haman raced for home with his tail between his legs and his anger boiling to the limit. He recounts the events back to his wife and servants. Their tone and response has changed – just as the fate of Haman has begun to change.
Talk about a turn of fate and a twist in the story. As if this true account could not have gotten any crazier, everything is beginning to flip on Haman as well. Once his lesson in humility was completed, Haman raced for home with his tail between his legs and his anger boiling to the limit. He recounts the events back to his wife and servants. Their tone and response has changed – just as the fate of Haman has begun to change.
They have connected the dots. They have seen the writing on the wall. They knew that something/someone more powerful than the king himself was at work here in this situation and in the lives of the Jewish people.
And almost before Haman had time to process the fact that he was in a no-win situation, he was summoned and swept away to the palace for the 2nd feast with the king and queen.
While at the feast, the king asked Esther the same question – what is your wish, I will grant you even half my kingdom.
And almost before Haman had time to process the fact that he was in a no-win situation, he was summoned and swept away to the palace for the 2nd feast with the king and queen.
While at the feast, the king asked Esther the same question – what is your wish, I will grant you even half my kingdom.
Esther finally shares her heritage and her true identity to the thing. She aligns herself with the Jewish people and pleads with the king on their behalf. She reveals that Ahasuerus has been fooled and tricked into plotting to kill the people of his queen.
The king is furious and steps out into the palace garden…to process all that he had just heard. His 2nd in command has duped him into approving the execution of his queen. How did this happen?
He returns back from the garden to find Haman kneeling before the queen, begging for his life. In his drunken anger, the king thinks Haman is attacking his wife even in his own house. Immediately, the guards came and covered Haman’s head.
He returns back from the garden to find Haman kneeling before the queen, begging for his life. In his drunken anger, the king thinks Haman is attacking his wife even in his own house. Immediately, the guards came and covered Haman’s head.
The device Haman had built to destroy Mordecai, ironically, became the very thing that delivered Haman’s final blow. He had fallen from the king’s grace, from his high position, and he had lost to the Jews just as his wife had predicted.
God’s Presence & Power
Remember from our opening week, Haman’s name means magnificent. Also remember that Mordecai’s name means little man.
God has a history of using the weak to shame the wise – I Corinthians 1:27.
God can do whatever He wishes to do. A 75-foot gallows might be standing in front of you, and you feel like this is the end. You feel there’s no way that God can rescue you, use this situation for His good, or help you through this impossible season. If He can rescue the Jewish people and Mordecai from certain destruction in a truly unbelievable way, then He can surely do the same for you – according to His good will and purpose.
Remember from our opening week, Haman’s name means magnificent. Also remember that Mordecai’s name means little man.
God has a history of using the weak to shame the wise – I Corinthians 1:27.
God can do whatever He wishes to do. A 75-foot gallows might be standing in front of you, and you feel like this is the end. You feel there’s no way that God can rescue you, use this situation for His good, or help you through this impossible season. If He can rescue the Jewish people and Mordecai from certain destruction in a truly unbelievable way, then He can surely do the same for you – according to His good will and purpose.