Embracing Advocacy: Lessons from Esther's Courage
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the spiritual gifts of helps and advocacy, focusing on how these gifts can be used to impact God's kingdom. The gift of helps often involves serving within the church, but it can also be translated into advocacy, which means to argue in support of something or someone. As Christians, we are all called to be advocates for Christ and the gospel. This gift allows us to help others with compassion and grace, unlocking opportunities and freedom for them.
We examined the story of Esther as a powerful example of advocacy. Esther, a peasant girl who became queen, used her position to advocate for her people, the Jews, who were facing extermination by Haman, a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire. Despite not being morally perfect, Esther demonstrated selflessness, boldness, and the importance of relationship in her advocacy.
Selflessness was shown when Esther chose to risk her life to save her people rather than remain silent. Boldness was evident when she approached King Xerxes without being summoned, a move that could have resulted in her death. She prepared for this bold act by fasting and praying, which strengthened her relationship with God and gave her the courage she needed. Finally, Esther's relationship with Xerxes, though initially superficial, was deepened through her wise use of time and strategic banquets, which ultimately led to the exposure of Haman's plot and the salvation of her people.
The story of Esther teaches us that God can use imperfect people to achieve His purposes. It challenges us to examine our own lives and identify how we can be advocates for others, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. By embracing selflessness, boldness, and building strong relationships, we can fulfill our God-given destinies and make a significant impact for His kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Gift of Helps and Advocacy: The spiritual gift of helps goes beyond simple acts of service within the church; it can also be seen as advocacy, which involves arguing in support of others. This gift allows us to unlock opportunities and freedom for others, both spiritually and practically. [08:05]
2. Selflessness in Advocacy: Advocacy requires selflessness, as demonstrated by Esther, who risked her life to save her people. Selflessness can be as simple as acknowledging the humanity of those around us, such as recognizing a homeless person as a fellow human being rather than part of the scenery. [16:48]
3. Boldness Through Faith: Boldness is essential for advocacy, and it often comes from a deep relationship with God. Esther's boldness to approach King Xerxes was fueled by her fasting and prayer, which helped her focus on God's voice and gain the courage needed to act. [18:53]
4. The Power of Relationship: Effective advocacy requires building strong relationships. Esther used her position and strategic banquets to deepen her relationship with King Xerxes, which ultimately led to the salvation of her people. This teaches us the importance of investing time and effort into relationships to achieve greater purposes. [22:15]
5. Overcoming Sin to Fulfill Destiny: Haman, the antagonist in Esther's story, symbolizes the sin that keeps us from our destiny. Just as Haman was exposed and dealt with, we must identify and confront the sins in our lives that hinder our relationship with God and our ability to advocate for others. [25:16]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[08:05] - The Gift of Helps and Advocacy
[09:41] - Esther's Story: A Synopsis
[13:05] - Esther's Imperfections and Comparison to Daniel
[15:29] - Selflessness in Advocacy
[17:27] - Boldness Through Faith
[20:02] - The Power of Relationship
[24:46] - Haman as a Symbol of Sin
[27:19] - Esther's Impact and Our Call to Advocacy
[30:57] - Practical Steps to Advocacy
[32:33] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Esther 4:14 - "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
2. Esther 5:1-2 - "On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter."
3. Esther 7:3-4 - "Then Queen Esther answered, 'If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the gift of helps and advocacy involve according to the sermon? [08:05]
2. How did Esther demonstrate selflessness in her story? [15:29]
3. What actions did Esther take to prepare herself before approaching King Xerxes? [18:09]
4. How did Esther use her relationship with King Xerxes to advocate for her people? [22:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Esther's story illustrate the importance of selflessness in advocacy? [16:48]
2. In what ways did Esther's boldness come from her faith and relationship with God? [18:53]
3. How can building strong relationships enhance our ability to advocate for others, as seen in Esther's strategic banquets? [22:15]
4. What does Haman symbolize in Esther's story, and how does this relate to overcoming sin in our own lives? [25:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had the opportunity to advocate for someone. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [16:11]
2. Esther's boldness was fueled by fasting and prayer. How can you incorporate these practices into your life to gain courage for difficult tasks? [18:53]
3. Think about a relationship in your life that could be strengthened to better support your advocacy efforts. What steps can you take to deepen this relationship? [22:15]
4. Identify a "Haman" in your life—something that is keeping you from fulfilling your God-given destiny. What steps can you take to confront and overcome this obstacle? [25:16]
5. How can you practice selflessness in your daily interactions, especially with those who are often overlooked or marginalized? [16:48]
6. Consider someone in your community or workplace who needs an advocate. What specific actions can you take this week to support and stand up for them? [30:57]
7. Reflect on the gifts and callings God has placed in your life. How can you use these to make a significant impact for His kingdom, even if you feel imperfect like Esther? [27:19]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gift of Helps and Advocacy
The spiritual gift of helps extends beyond simple acts of service within the church; it encompasses advocacy, which involves supporting others in both spiritual and practical ways. This gift allows us to unlock opportunities and freedom for others, reflecting Christ's love and compassion. Advocacy is not just about speaking up; it’s about taking action to support those in need, whether they are within our church community or in the broader world. By using this gift, we can make a significant impact on God's kingdom, helping others to experience His love and grace. [08:05]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who could benefit from your support. How can you use your gifts to advocate for them today, both spiritually and practically?
Day 2: Selflessness in Advocacy
Advocacy requires selflessness, as demonstrated by Esther, who risked her life to save her people. Selflessness can be as simple as acknowledging the humanity of those around us, such as recognizing a homeless person as a fellow human being rather than part of the scenery. Esther's story teaches us that true advocacy involves putting others' needs above our own, even when it comes at a personal cost. By embracing selflessness, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those we advocate for, reflecting Christ's sacrificial love. [16:48]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Identify a situation where you can practice selflessness today. How can you put someone else's needs above your own in a way that reflects Christ's love?
Day 3: Boldness Through Faith
Boldness is essential for advocacy, and it often comes from a deep relationship with God. Esther's boldness to approach King Xerxes was fueled by her fasting and prayer, which helped her focus on God's voice and gain the courage needed to act. Boldness in advocacy means stepping out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain, trusting that God will guide and protect us. By cultivating a strong relationship with God through prayer and fasting, we can find the courage to take bold steps in advocating for others. [18:53]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: What bold step is God calling you to take in your advocacy efforts? Spend time in prayer and ask God for the courage to act on His guidance.
Day 4: The Power of Relationship
Effective advocacy requires building strong relationships. Esther used her position and strategic banquets to deepen her relationship with King Xerxes, which ultimately led to the salvation of her people. This teaches us the importance of investing time and effort into relationships to achieve greater purposes. By building trust and understanding with those we seek to influence, we can create opportunities for meaningful change and support. Strong relationships are the foundation of effective advocacy, enabling us to work together towards common goals. [22:15]
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs strengthening. How can you invest time and effort into deepening this relationship to support your advocacy efforts?
Day 5: Overcoming Sin to Fulfill Destiny
Haman, the antagonist in Esther's story, symbolizes the sin that keeps us from our destiny. Just as Haman was exposed and dealt with, we must identify and confront the sins in our lives that hinder our relationship with God and our ability to advocate for others. Overcoming sin is essential to fulfilling our God-given destinies and making a significant impact for His kingdom. By seeking God's help in identifying and overcoming our sins, we can become more effective advocates and fulfill the purposes He has for us. [25:16]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What sin is holding you back from fulfilling your destiny? Ask God to help you identify and overcome this sin so you can be a more effective advocate for His kingdom.
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "The word advocacy is really just to argue in support of And so the main thing here to know is that as Christians We're all called to be advocacy of Christ Advocates of Christ And advocate for the gospel, right? And so how can we? How can we? You know, identify this gift and use it for God's kingdom And so that gift really allows people to help others in the church With compassion and with grace." [08:05] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Selflessness could simply be Acknowledging that they're even there It could just be Acknowledging that there's a human being And not a part of the scenery Right? And so, yeah You can recognize that, you know Hey, I'm not just about my own business But I'm about kingdom business." [16:48] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "But the boldness come is In approaching them In talking to them Just the way that you would talk to your best friend And saying, hey, what do you need? Can I help you? Right? That's bold That's going against every social norm That you would ever think of It's going across, you know, class barriers Maybe race barriers, right? And so it requires a boldness But that boldness comes From knowing who you are in Christ." [19:35] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "One of my greatest hopes Is that God's people own Who they are in Christ And go out and use it Right? So what does the Bible tell us About who we are The Bible says We are a co-heir with Christ We inherit the kingdom Along with somebody Who made us worthy To inherit it We are more than conquerors In Christ He empowers us To have the victory Over sin Over death Over all of the things That come at us in life." [27:52] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so the call today Is about willingness Are you willing to accept the call And if you're willing Are you willing to identify The things that are in your way The sins that are keeping you From a relationship with God Call them out Invite them to the table Be comfortable with them sitting there So that God our King Can remove them With his authority." [29:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "So what are practical examples of advocates? Lawyers advocate for their clients Help them out of tough situations Tough, tough legal battles Parents advocate for their children And so every day, you know, you're going to make sure they're going to do their homework Or go to the best school or, you know, make the right decisions in life These are very practical examples of advocates." [09:41] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So let's look at the three things that advocacy requires Advocacy requires selflessness, boldness, and relationship And so when we talk about selflessness Haman has this plot to exterminate the Jews And Esther's uncle, Mordecai, brings this to her attention And she's in absolutely the right position to change the outcome." [15:29] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so why did she decide to, you know, fast? It's because in that fasting She's able to own who she is in Christ She's able to own that The king that she's married to Is actually beneath the king of the universe And that the king of the universe Is very close to her heart And she can be close to God's heart And so that's really the power That fasting unlocks in her life." [18:53] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so, here's the wisdom of Esther, right? She knows she needs Relationship with Xerxes She also knows that Xerxes Doesn't know anything about her people Now, we don't have any Historical accounts about What happened during those banquets But if someone threatened The Filipino American community Let me tell you what I would do I would host a banquet And have cultural dancers Like, hey, look at these break dancers Filipino break dancers It's a part of our culture Hey, check out these amazing Filipino dishes That my mom made This purple yam dessert This pancit and lumpia." [22:45] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so relationship with God Is our goal If we have any goals In life, they are in Christ Our life is hidden In Christ And so As we pursue our life, our goals As we pursue this relationship with God Or even other people Sin is our enemy And I guess the question is Who's your enemy today? What are the things in your life Keeping you back From achieving what God Has already planned And the purpose and destiny He has for your life." [26:18] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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