Wishful thinking pt 1 outline

Esther 5 ESV

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.” And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

Be Careful What You Wish For: The Story of Esther

Bible Passage: Esther 5

Summary: In Esther 5, Queen Esther courageously approaches King Xerxes to invite him to a banquet, setting in motion a series of events that will reveal the dangerous consequences of her and others' desires and decisions.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand the gravity of their wishes and desires, reminding them to seek God's will rather than their own. It challenges them to reflect on how their requests align with God's purposes and the potential consequences of those desires.

Teaching: The teaching emphasizes the importance of discernment when expressing our desires and the need to trust God's timing and plans instead of pursuing what might seem desirable at the moment.

How this passage could point to Christ: In Esther 5, we see a foreshadowing of the ultimate act of courage and sacrifice made by Christ who, like Esther, approached the throne to intercede for His people, leading to deliverance. Just as Esther's actions set the path for salvation, Christ’s sacrifice brings lasting redemption for all who believe.

Big Idea: Our desires can lead to unforeseen consequences; seek God's will in your wishes and be prepared for His greater plans.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider digging into the historical context of Esther and the Persian Empire using your Logos library. Look for commentaries that discuss the socio-political dynamics at play in Esther 5, especially regarding the role of women and the significance of Esther's actions. It might be beneficial to explore translation variations of key terms to understand the nuances of Esther's requests and the king's responses.

1. Enter the Throne Boldly

Esther 5:1-2

You could explore how Esther's bravery and boldness in approaching the king, despite the risk of death, parallels the courage required to submit our desires to God. Esther prepared herself spiritually and followed God's timing, which serves as an example to Christians to seek divine guidance before acting on desires. This moment foreshadows Christ’s ultimate intercession and teaches believers to rely on faith in God’s plans over self-willed pursuits. Encouraging the congregation to approach God's throne with alignment to His will could be empowering.

2. Invite with Intention

Esther 5:3-8

Perhaps you could highlight Esther's strategic patience and wisdom in inviting the king and Haman to a banquet, illustrating the importance of God's timing in fulfilling our requests. Esther's approach shows discernment; she waits for the right moment, teaching Christians to trust in God's perfect timing for their desires. This reflects a Christ-centered posture of waiting for divine guidance before pursuing personal wishes, reminding us to seek and act upon God's will like Esther eventually did. Highlight how faith and patience can lead to unforeseen, God-inspired outcomes.

3. Humble the Heart’s Desires

Esther 5:9-14

Maybe you could focus on Haman's pride and the dangerous consequences of his desires as a warning of the human inclination towards self-centered pursuits. Unlike Esther, Haman's wishful thinking centered on his own glorification, leading to unforeseen consequences. Encouraging believers to reflect on their motives in light of God's purposes can prevent desire-driven errors. This segment foreshadows Christ's humility, choosing intercession for humanity over self-serving desires, challenging us to align our wishes with God’s kingdom values rather than personal ambition.

The tale of King Midas serves as a powerful narrative in history: he wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. This seemingly good wish turned devastating as he found himself unable to eat or drink, turning even his beloved daughter into gold. This illustrates the biblical principle that we often overlook the cost of our desires, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom in what we wish for.