Stand with Conviction

Stand Up: Letting God Use You:

Stand With Conviction:

Esther 2:21-3:15  

It’s not easy to do the right thing when the wrong thing is so expedient

The Central Characters

1. Mordecai

• He was a Jew (2:5)

• He was an Exile (2:6)

• He was a “Surrogate Parent” to his cousin Esther (2:7)

• He had position in the Government (2:19)

2. Haman

• He was an Amalekite and descendent of King Agag their king during Saul’s reign (see 1 Samuel 15)

• He and his ancestors had a Hatred for the Jews

• He was Promoted to a position of highest authority (3:1)

Mordecai models for us the truth:

It is always the Right time to do the Right thing

The Story Unfolds

• Mordecai saves the king’s life (2:19-23)

• A record but no reward (2:23)

• Mordecai defies Haman (3:1-4)

• Haman’s anger against Mordecai (3:5-7)

• Haman convinces the king to exterminate the Jews (3:8-15)

The Lessons To Apply

1. Doing the right thing doesn’t always result in an Immediate Reward (in fact it may bring more trouble into our lives)

2. Doing the right thing doesn’t mean that sometimes evil people won’t seem to Prosper

3. Others will not always Understand or Encourage you to do the right thing

4. We are to do the right thing whether anyone notices or not, because God Notices

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

5. Doing the right thing shapes our Character and aligns us with God’s Purposes

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28–29)

6. Doing the right thing is about Becoming the right person and Pleasing the right person

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:9–10)

It is always the right time to do the right thing

Making It Personal

• Where am I struggling to do the right thing because the wrong thing seems so expedient?

• Where in my life is God calling me to stand up and do the right thing?

• Which of the lessons above do I most need to focus on in my life?

• Who can I share these truths with?