Esther 2:5-7
Having looked at the example of Mordecai (see previous lesson), what parallels or applications might we draw related to our service as Christians; Christians as expatriates extraordinaire...? Do you consider yourself to be an expatriate? We are called to be expatriates because like the Jews in exile, we are ‘pilgrims of the Dispersion’ - 1 Pe 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” We are ‘sojourners and pilgrims’ in this world - 1 Pe 2:11 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Our citizenship is in heaven - Ph 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” -- During our earthly sojourn, we are truly expatriates, residing in a world not our own.
We are called to be extraordinaire with honorable conduct among the Gentiles - 1 Pe 2:12 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” We are to be children of God without fault, shining as lights in the world - Ph 2:14-15 “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” We are to be practicing pure religion, as did Mordecai raising Esther - Ja 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” We are to encourage one another to do what’s right, as Mordecai exhorted Esther - He 3:12-14 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” As Christians we are to be fulfilling our duties to the governments in which we live obeying the laws, paying taxes, showing respect - Ro 13:1-7 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”; 1 Pe 2:13-17 “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” We are to be praying for those in authority - 1 Ti 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” We are to obey God rather than man, should there be a conflict - Ac 5:29 “But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.” We are to be devoted to the people of God, the church, as Mordecai was to the Jews - 1 Th 4:9-10 “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,” -- Such conduct would certainly be extraordinary; beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional; remarkable.
Do you know anyone like that...? How about the apostle Paul? Any other faithful Christians in the New Testament? How about faithful Christians today? -- If so, mark them well and follow their example - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Add to your role models other Old Testament examples.... Men like Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Women like Ruth, and of course Esther; -- Whose histories were written for our learning - Ro 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” These were “expatriates extraordinaires” like Mordecai. So we can be, if we follow in their footsteps of faith fighting against our enemy (Satan, not Haman). Are you willing to accept the challenge...?
“...Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” - Est 4:14b
Having looked at the example of Mordecai (see previous lesson), what parallels or applications might we draw related to our service as Christians; Christians as expatriates extraordinaire...? Do you consider yourself to be an expatriate? We are called to be expatriates because like the Jews in exile, we are ‘pilgrims of the Dispersion’ - 1 Pe 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” We are ‘sojourners and pilgrims’ in this world - 1 Pe 2:11 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Our citizenship is in heaven - Ph 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” -- During our earthly sojourn, we are truly expatriates, residing in a world not our own.
We are called to be extraordinaire with honorable conduct among the Gentiles - 1 Pe 2:12 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” We are to be children of God without fault, shining as lights in the world - Ph 2:14-15 “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” We are to be practicing pure religion, as did Mordecai raising Esther - Ja 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” We are to encourage one another to do what’s right, as Mordecai exhorted Esther - He 3:12-14 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” As Christians we are to be fulfilling our duties to the governments in which we live obeying the laws, paying taxes, showing respect - Ro 13:1-7 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”; 1 Pe 2:13-17 “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” We are to be praying for those in authority - 1 Ti 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” We are to obey God rather than man, should there be a conflict - Ac 5:29 “But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.” We are to be devoted to the people of God, the church, as Mordecai was to the Jews - 1 Th 4:9-10 “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,” -- Such conduct would certainly be extraordinary; beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional; remarkable.
Do you know anyone like that...? How about the apostle Paul? Any other faithful Christians in the New Testament? How about faithful Christians today? -- If so, mark them well and follow their example - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Add to your role models other Old Testament examples.... Men like Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Women like Ruth, and of course Esther; -- Whose histories were written for our learning - Ro 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” These were “expatriates extraordinaires” like Mordecai. So we can be, if we follow in their footsteps of faith fighting against our enemy (Satan, not Haman). Are you willing to accept the challenge...?
“...Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” - Est 4:14b
