In the Presence of the King

Intro:

· 35 weeks since we have come together and symbolically communed with the Father.

· We symbolically come into his presence.

Read 1-2

· Life or Death - axe man in ancient depictions.

· A grave situation.

· Extended scepter was protection and guaranteed safety.

Read 3-8

· Esther entered the King's courts very humbly, serving him along the way.

· She requested Haman to be present.

Read 9-14

· Haman is extremely prideful. His head is big.

· His wife encourages him to please himself through murder.

· AP: His pride is clearly contrasted with Esther's humility.

Application:

1. Enter the King's Presence with Reverence

1 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.

· The King in all of his holiness is separated in his holiness. Only the righteous can enter into his courts. Esther was unworthy to enter his courts, so she put on her royal robes and made her approach. The king extended his scepter and showed her favor.

· Haman entered with intentions to manipulate the king. (ch 3)

· God sits in perfect holiness. Only the righteous can enter. Without royal robes, you and I have no hope of entry. God shows us favor and extends the cross to us.

· But we must enter with the royal robes of righteousness.

· God is a better king. The King reached out.

· On the third day God extended his royal scepter and raised Jesus from the dead!! BOOM!

· What favor. What grace.

· We still enter with reverence.

Enter the King's Presence with a Mediator

· Esther was the mediator that was willing to give her life entering the King's court, to save her people.

· She was also doing it to save her own skin (ch. 4).

· Jesus is a better mediator.

· Jesus didn’t just risk his life, he gave his life to save ours.

· He suffered the King's judgment as a substitute. He didn’t deserve it.

· The scepter of grace could not extend to us if he was not judged.

· 1 Tim. 2:5 - Text on Screen

· Jesus is our mediator who goes between us and the Judge of our deeds, our worthiness.

3. Enter the King's Presence with Humility

· Check your pride at the door. How can you possibly be prideful?

· Haman took his being in the King’s presence as something to boast in.

· His pride would even lead him to believe he could take another man’s life just because he didn’t like him. He essentially thought he was a god, sovereign over man’s life.

· AP: You have nothing to offer. You didn’t earn your way into the King’s presence. You don’t deserve to be there.

· "You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary." - Jonathan Edwards

· Behold your God. Kneel. Worship. Adore. Die to yourself.

· Who has held the oceans in his hands? Who has numbered every grain of sand? Kings and nations tremble at his voice (Reverence)

· Who has given counsel to the Lord? Who can question any of his words? Who can teach, the one who knows all things? Who can fathom all his wondrous deeds?

· Who has felt the nails upon his hands? Bearing all the guilt of sinful man God eternal, humbled to the grave Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign

Response Song - Behold Our God

Lord's Supper - 1 Cor. 11:17-34 - text on screen

· Open Communion to baptized believers

· Word to unbaptized children