Sunday service, Detlef Stegen, 15 April 2018
Esther 3:1-4
“After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.
3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.”
Esther grew up under the hand of Mordechai, her uncle. There were cherished values in her life nourished as she grew up with her uncle.
After Esther became queen, Mordechai could have thought that his work was done and gone into retirement. But he chose to sit in the king’s gate to continue to serve.
Do you see that Christ is calling you and has called you? You are not here by accident. He has called you to His glory. Your life must be filled with His excellence and glory to serve.
Count your blessings. Write down the blessings Christ has bestowed on you. But remember that when you belong to Jesus, Haman is close by wanting to do you harm and destroy you together with God’s people. All the royal officials bowed to Haman. But Mordechai belonged to God’s people and he would not bow. Beware of Haman. If you are willing to bow to him, then you will suffer dearly. It will be a high price to pay.
Haman is filled with fury, but God demonstrates His loving care for His people. Many who call themselves Christians cannot see it, because they have been blinded by Satan.
Choir
German translation
French translation