Faith in Action: Esther's Boldness and Community
Summary
Summary:
Today, we delve into Esther chapter 5, exploring the profound themes of community, prayer, and action. We begin by acknowledging the universal human longing for community, a desire rooted in our creation by God for relationship. True biblical community is characterized by shared love and a common mission to advance God's kingdom. This community is not just about being together but about being on a mission together, which often manifests in praying for one another.
As we examine Esther's story, we see the power of prayer and action. After a period of fasting and prayer, Esther boldly approaches the king, risking her life to save her people. Her actions remind us that prayer should lead to action. We must not use prayer as a delay tactic but as a means to seek God's guidance and then act on it. Esther's resolve is a powerful example of faith in action, similar to Jesus' determination to fulfill God's will.
We also explore the importance of planning. Esther and Haman both have plans, but their motivations differ. Esther's plan is birthed from prayer and humility, while Haman's is driven by selfishness and rage. This contrast highlights the need for our plans to align with God's purposes, marked by selflessness and faith.
Finally, we find strength in God's promises and presence. Esther's courage to act despite fear is a testament to trusting in God's provision and protection. Her story encourages us to step over fear and walk by faith, knowing that God is with us. Faith is measured by our willingness to take one step at a time, trusting in God's guidance and strength.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Essence of Biblical Community: True community is rooted in our creation by God for relationship. Biblical community is characterized by shared love and a common mission to advance God's kingdom. It is not just about being together but being on a mission together, often expressed through prayer and support for one another. [01:51]
2. Prayer Leading to Action: Esther's story teaches us that prayer should lead to action. After fasting and praying, Esther boldly approaches the king, risking her life to save her people. We must not use prayer as a delay tactic but as a means to seek God's guidance and then act on it. [09:07]
3. The Importance of Planning: Esther and Haman both have plans, but their motivations differ. Esther's plan is birthed from prayer and humility, while Haman's is driven by selfishness and rage. Our plans should align with God's purposes, marked by selflessness and faith. [17:51]
4. Trusting in God's Promises: Esther's courage to act despite fear is a testament to trusting in God's provision and protection. Her story encourages us to step over fear and walk by faith, knowing that God is with us. Faith is measured by our willingness to take one step at a time. [22:13]
5. Faith Measured by Footsteps: To experience God's supernatural power, we must be willing to follow Him in obedience, even when it means stepping over fear. Faith is measured by our willingness to take one step at a time, trusting in God's guidance and strength. [34:11]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:51] - Seeking Grace in Community
- [01:51] - The Heartbeat of Biblical Community
- [02:34] - The Power of Prayer in Community
- [03:22] - Navigating Life's Transitions
- [04:33] - The Call to Action
- [05:27] - Esther's Bold Move
- [06:08] - Esther's Request to the King
- [07:16] - Haman's Wrath and Plan
- [08:36] - Dramatic Twists in Esther
- [09:07] - From Prayer to Action
- [10:20] - Positioned for Purpose
- [11:31] - Commandments and Action
- [12:39] - Overcoming Procrastination
- [13:44] - Esther's Resolve and Jesus' Commitment
- [14:55] - Faithfulness Through Fasting
- [15:28] - The Value of Planning
- [17:19] - Competing Plans: Esther vs. Haman
- [19:02] - Whose Plan Are You Following?
- [20:38] - The Challenge of Faith
- [21:27] - Power from Promises and Presence
- [22:46] - Esther's Risk and Faith
- [24:37] - Choosing Faith Over Fear
- [25:27] - Serving from God's Strength
- [27:04] - Taking Steps of Faith
- [28:44] - Trusting God's Provision
- [30:19] - Acting in Faith
- [31:36] - Old Testament Examples of Faith
- [34:11] - Faith Measured by Footsteps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Esther Chapter 5
Bible Reading:
- Esther 5:1-14
- Proverbs 16:9
- Proverbs 3:5-6
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Esther take after her period of fasting and prayer, and what was the significance of these actions? [05:27]
2. How did Esther's approach to the king demonstrate her faith and courage? [06:08]
3. What were the contrasting motivations behind Esther's and Haman's plans, and how did these motivations reflect their characters? [17:19]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of prayer in Esther's decision-making process? [09:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Esther's story illustrate the relationship between prayer and action in a believer's life? [09:07]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that planning should align with God's purposes, and what are the potential consequences of plans driven by selfish motives? [17:51]
3. How does the sermon use Esther's courage to highlight the importance of trusting in God's promises and presence? [22:13]
4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of faith and how it is measured by our actions? [34:11]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you used prayer as a delay tactic. How can you ensure that your prayers lead to action in the future? [09:07]
2. Consider a plan you are currently working on. How can you ensure that it aligns with God's purposes and is marked by selflessness and faith? [17:51]
3. What fears are currently holding you back from taking a step of faith? How can Esther's story inspire you to overcome these fears? [22:13]
4. Identify a situation where you need to trust in God's promises. What practical steps can you take to demonstrate this trust in your daily life? [22:13]
5. Think of a recent decision you made. Did you seek God's guidance in prayer before acting? How can you incorporate prayer more effectively into your decision-making process? [09:07]
6. How can you cultivate a biblical community characterized by shared love and a common mission in your life? What specific actions can you take to support others in your community? [01:51]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt paralyzed by procrastination. What steps can you take to move from prayer to action in similar situations in the future? [12:39]
Devotional
Day 1: The Heartbeat of Biblical Community
True community is rooted in our creation by God for relationship. Biblical community is characterized by shared love and a common mission to advance God's kingdom. It is not just about being together but being on a mission together, often expressed through prayer and support for one another. [01:51]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to today to offer encouragement or support in their mission to advance God's kingdom?
Day 2: Prayer Leading to Action
Esther's story teaches us that prayer should lead to action. After fasting and praying, Esther boldly approaches the king, risking her life to save her people. We must not use prayer as a delay tactic but as a means to seek God's guidance and then act on it. [09:07]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have been praying but not acting? How can you take a step of faith today?
Day 3: The Importance of Planning
Esther and Haman both have plans, but their motivations differ. Esther's plan is birthed from prayer and humility, while Haman's is driven by selfishness and rage. Our plans should align with God's purposes, marked by selflessness and faith. [17:51]
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a plan you are currently pursuing. Is it aligned with God's purposes? What changes might you need to make to ensure it is?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Promises
Esther's courage to act despite fear is a testament to trusting in God's provision and protection. Her story encourages us to step over fear and walk by faith, knowing that God is with us. Faith is measured by our willingness to take one step at a time. [22:13]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: What fear is holding you back from taking a step of faith? How can you remind yourself of God's promises today?
Day 5: Faith Measured by Footsteps
To experience God's supernatural power, we must be willing to follow Him in obedience, even when it means stepping over fear. Faith is measured by our willingness to take one step at a time, trusting in God's guidance and strength. [34:11]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one small step you can take today to walk by faith rather than by sight. How can this step bring you closer to experiencing God's power in your life?
Quotes
1. "What we understand, having been made alive in Christ, the most beautiful community... The most beautiful community that you can find is one that is biblical. Biblical community is where we exist in partnership together with a shared love and a common calling to advance the kingdom of God, where we have what we learned in our last study through Philippians, what Paul called koinonia, this fellowship community that is driven by fellowship and mission. Like we're not just here to be together. We're on a mission with one another, which is why we end every service the way that we do, which if you've not been here before, you'll experience that in a little bit." [02:34] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Fascinating. In my research for this, I came across a commentator who said this in an application of this action of Esther. People who hope to be used of God must boldly put themselves in a position where God can work through them rather than sitting back, doing nothing, passively hoping and waiting for God to do something. The Lord has entrusted you, right here with things. He has positioned you right here at this point in history with the influence of the relationships and the assets that you have for a reason." [10:20] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Some of us sometimes are paralyzed by procrastination. And oftentimes behind that procrastination is the dangerous assumption that I will have more time later and an opportunity in the future to do what God has called and told me to do. Now, don't assume you'll have another chance in a later time. When we know what God has called us to do, commanded us to do, given us direction to do, that becomes the point of action where we have to have a spirit of resolve and determination to do." [12:39] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Esther's determination is very similar to what we see displayed in Jesus as he was committed to fulfill the Father's command. Luke 9, verse 51, if you want to write that down or flip over there real quick, it says this, when the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up, he, Jesus, determined to go to Jerusalem. Jesus had resolve. Jesus had commitment. He was not walking away from the cross, but walking toward it. And in Christ, praise him for it. There was no reluctance. There was only resolve." [13:44] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When we follow through, when we choose faith over fear, something that's not popular, something very important happens. We get insight to it in 1 Peter 4, verse 11. It reads this way. If anybody serves, let it be from the strength that God provides so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. What's the connection? When we act, when we step, when we serve, let it be from God's strength. That's the promise that we can rely on." [25:27] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Many of us are waiting on God to act when God is actually waiting on us to act in faith first. Let me say it one more time. Many of us are waiting on God to act while God is actually waiting on us to act first in faith. Now here's the clarity point. If you hear that wrongly, you can apply that theologically to say that God is dependent on me. That is not what I'm saying. In love, God loves you, but he does not need you. He desires you. He invites you into his mission. But he's not dependent on us for anything. He is all sufficient in and of himself." [29:28] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "For you and I to really see and experience the supernatural power of God in our life, we gotta be willing to follow him every step by obedience. And sometimes it means you gotta step over fear and do what God's told you to do without knowing what might happen. It may cost you your life or you may watch the supernatural power of God. It may cost you the protection and provision of God. You never know. But here's what I do know. Faith is measured by footsteps. One step at a time. That's how faith is measured. One step at a time. And God sees that because we read in Hebrews 11, verse 6, without faith, it is impossible to please him." [34:11] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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