LEAP OF FAITH (6 OF 10)
by Steve Jones
Scripture: Esther 4:1-17, Esther 5:1-14
This content is part of a series.
Leap of Faith (6 of 10)
Series: The Gospel in Esther
Steve Jones
Esther 4-5
Summary: In this message on Esther's ''Leap of Faith'' we break down what's involved for US to take that leap: 1) Risk, 2) Planning, 3) Providence.
INTRODUCTION: We're in a sermon series on the O.T. book of Esther and today we'll talk about her ''leap of faith.'' As I was thinking about leaps of faith, I couldn't help but think of June Wallace. I read about June in the Christian publication ''The Restoration Herald.'' June enjoyed reading the Restoration Herald and renewed her subscription, as usual, for THREE YEARS in advance. That in itself is not remarkable until you realize that June was 100 years old! Talk about a leap of faith! You have to love her optimism.
When we last left Esther, she had decided to go to the king to intervene on behalf of her people. This is a leap of faith. From time to time, we are called to step out in faith as well. A leap of faith is comprised of three parts.
I. THERE IS RISK IN A LEAP OF FAITH
Esther 4:16 ''I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.''
As she has already emphasized to Mordecai, going to the king without being summoned was against Persian law. According to the law, anyone other than the king's seven highly trusted officials who came before the king without a summons would receive the penalty of death. In fact, some reliefs from the Persian period show Persian kings sitting on their throne holding a scepter and flanked by a soldier holding an ax, ready to execute any uninvited visitors to the throne room. Only if the king extended his golden scepter would the violator be pardoned. Esther, of course, is well aware of court protocol and knows that her only hope is that the king will extend the scepter, so that the guard will not extend his ax.
Consequently, the plan to go before the king must have been extraordinarily frightening for young Esther. Relationally, she h ...
Series: The Gospel in Esther
Steve Jones
Esther 4-5
Summary: In this message on Esther's ''Leap of Faith'' we break down what's involved for US to take that leap: 1) Risk, 2) Planning, 3) Providence.
INTRODUCTION: We're in a sermon series on the O.T. book of Esther and today we'll talk about her ''leap of faith.'' As I was thinking about leaps of faith, I couldn't help but think of June Wallace. I read about June in the Christian publication ''The Restoration Herald.'' June enjoyed reading the Restoration Herald and renewed her subscription, as usual, for THREE YEARS in advance. That in itself is not remarkable until you realize that June was 100 years old! Talk about a leap of faith! You have to love her optimism.
When we last left Esther, she had decided to go to the king to intervene on behalf of her people. This is a leap of faith. From time to time, we are called to step out in faith as well. A leap of faith is comprised of three parts.
I. THERE IS RISK IN A LEAP OF FAITH
Esther 4:16 ''I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.''
As she has already emphasized to Mordecai, going to the king without being summoned was against Persian law. According to the law, anyone other than the king's seven highly trusted officials who came before the king without a summons would receive the penalty of death. In fact, some reliefs from the Persian period show Persian kings sitting on their throne holding a scepter and flanked by a soldier holding an ax, ready to execute any uninvited visitors to the throne room. Only if the king extended his golden scepter would the violator be pardoned. Esther, of course, is well aware of court protocol and knows that her only hope is that the king will extend the scepter, so that the guard will not extend his ax.
Consequently, the plan to go before the king must have been extraordinarily frightening for young Esther. Relationally, she h ...
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