I. Although King Xerxes did not worship God, God is still in control of his life and his actions.
(Prov 21:1 NRSV) The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
1. Esther approached the king fearful of what the king could do but aware of what God can do when we are in His will
(Est 5:2 NRSV) As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor and he held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched top of the scepter. (ref 4:11)
"All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law--all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days."
2. When we are mindful of God and serve Him willingly and with a faithful heart, he will remove the obstacles from our path
(Prov 3:5-6 NRSV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
(Prov 16:9 NASB) The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace.
II. We can lead others to Christ by being a living example
(1 Cor 11:1 NRSV) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1. The apostles not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a life as they ought to live. We are to follow the apostles examples, thus being examples of Christ.
2. Christ is our perfect example, the actions and conduct of men, as related in the Scriptures, should be followed only so far as they are like to his.
We need to trust in the Lord, being mindful of God and serving Him willingly and with a faithful heart.
3. We are never to young to live a Christlike example
(1 Tim 4:12 NRSV) Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
4. We are to show patience to those who would believe
(1 Tim 1:16 NRSV) But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.
We love God because he first loved us as read in
(1 John 4:19 NASB) We love, because He first loved us.
Gregory Barron says “They will not care what we know until they know that we care”.
We have been grace (undeserved acceptance) and mercy from God. It was a gift given to us, that we may pass on to others in the form of kindness and friendship
(2 Tim 1:9 NASB) who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
(2 Cor 8:7 NASB) But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
Those who abound in faith, will abound in other graces and good works also; and this will work and show itself by love. By showing love to others, we share the God through our example
