The Joy Of Deliverance | Esther 8 | Paul Conner
When Haman falls, Esther and Mordecai receive honor, but Esther isn’t satisfied with personal safety—she pleads for her people. The unchangeable decree remains, so the king authorizes a counter-decree that empowers the Jews to defend themselves, and hope floods the empire. That picture calls us to gospel urgency: rescued people intercede and act so others can find rescue in Christ. And unlike Esther’s day, our victory is already secured—Jesus has defeated sin and death—so we fight from confidence, not fear, with joy that endures.
Sermon Summary
Scripture: Esther 8
Haman falls, Esther and Mordecai receive honor, but Esther isn’t satisfied with personal safety—she pleads for her people. The unchangeable decree remains, so the king authorizes a counter-decree that empowers the Jews to defend themselves, and hope floods the empire. That picture calls us to gospel urgency: rescued people intercede and act so others can find rescue in Christ. And unlike Esther’s day, our victory is already secured—Jesus has defeated sin and death—so we fight from confidence, not fear, with joy that endures.
Key Takeaways:
God often honors integrity in His time; stay faithful.
Salvation fuels mission; rescued people rescue people.
We fight from victory, not for it, through Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).
Use your position and voice to intercede for others.
Hope produces courage and visible joy in dark places.
When Justice is Served | Esther 7 | Paul Conner
Esther steps into the moment with wise, prayer–soaked courage and asks for her life and her people’s, exposing Haman’s wicked plot. God’s hidden hand flips the script: the gallows built for Mordecai become Haman’s end, reminding us that justice may feel delayed but is never denied. Sin kept in the dark tightens its grip, but dragged into the light it starts to die, and grace meets repentant hearts. So we confront evil with truth and trust the God who works in the shadows for His glory and our good.
Sermon Summary
Esther steps into the moment with wise, prayer–soaked courage and asks for her life and her people’s, exposing Haman’s wicked plot. God’s hidden hand flips the script: the gallows built for Mordecai become Haman’s end, reminding us that justice may feel delayed but is never denied. Sin kept in the dark tightens its grip, but dragged into the light it starts to die, and grace meets repentant hearts. So we confront evil with truth and trust the God who works in the shadows for His glory and our good.
Key Takeaways
Courage is for God’s purposes, not our platform.
Hidden sin entraps; confessed sin is disarmed.
God’s justice can be slow, but it is sure.
Confront evil wisely; don’t avenge yourself.
Weakness is the doorway for Christ’s power.
Courage, Conceit, and Control | Esther 5-6 | Paul Conner
After three days of fasting, Esther steps into risk with a quiet, prayed-up courage, and God opens the king’s heart. Instead of rushing her request, she moves with wisdom, inviting Xerxes and Haman to two banquets while God arranges the unseen details. That same night, the king “just happens” to read how Mordecai once saved his life, and Haman is forced to honor the very man he hates. Pride buckles, providence stands, and we learn that God’s timing is never late and His hand is never absent, so obey first and trust Him with the outcome.
Sermon Summary
After three days of fasting, Esther steps into risk with a quiet, prayed-up courage, and God opens the king’s heart. Instead of rushing her request, she moves with wisdom, inviting Xerxes and Haman to two banquets while God arranges the unseen details. That same night, the king “just happens” to read how Mordecai once saved his life, and Haman is forced to honor the very man he hates. Pride buckles, providence stands, and we learn that God’s timing is never late and His hand is never absent, so obey first and trust Him with the outcome.
Key Takeaways
Pray first, then step in faith (Esth. 4:16; 5:1)
Wisdomuses timing, not panic (Esth. 5:4, 7–8)
Pride accelerates downfall (Prov. 16:18; Esth. 6:10–12)
God works while you wait (Esth. 6:1–3)
Obedience is your job; outcomes are God’s
A Defining Moment | Esther 4 | Paul Conner
When Mordecai mourns and Esther hesitates, we see our own fear of risk, yet God positions ordinary people for key moments. Mordecai’s charge: “for such a time as this”—pushes Esther from self-preservation to obedience, and her “If I perish, I perish” shows faith that trusts God with the results. They fast, they act, and God moves. Obedience first, understanding later.
Sermon Summary
Scripture: Esther 4
When Mordecai mourns and Esther hesitates, we see our own fear of risk, yet God positions ordinary people for key moments. Mordecai’s charge: “for such a time as this”—pushes Esther from self-preservation to obedience, and her “If I perish, I perish” shows faith that trusts God with the results. They fast, they act, and God moves. Obedience first, understanding later.
Key Takeaways
God is present even when unseen.
Delayed obedience is disobedience.
Your placement is providential, not accidental.
Fast and pray, then act in faith.
Aim for faithfulness, leave outcomes to God.
The God Who Is In Control | Esther 2:19-3:15
Mordecai’s faithfulness looked forgotten, Haman’s evil looked unstoppable, and a roll of the dice set a death date—yet “the lot is cast… but its every decision is from the Lord” (Prov. 16:33). God records what others overlook, restrains what evil intends, and turns delays into deliverance. So don’t quit doing what’s right; in Christ, “all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). When life feels out of control, trust the God who’s always in control.
Sermon Audio and Transcript
Sermon Summary
Mordecai’s faithfulness looked forgotten, Haman’s evil looked unstoppable, and a roll of the dice set a death date—yet “the lot is cast… but its every decision is from the Lord” (Prov. 16:33). God records what others overlook, restrains what evil intends, and turns delays into deliverance. So don’t quit doing what’s right; in Christ, “all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). When life feels out of control, trust the God who’s always in control.
Key Takeaways
God is in control when life feels out of control.
Faithfulness may be delayed in reward but never forgotten by God.
Evil can sit on earthly thrones, but even the king’s heart is in the Lord’s hand.
Providence: God’s purposeful sovereignty directs details and timing.
Delays create space for deliverance; trust God’s timing.
Keep doing good; God tracks sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:7).
Anchor hope in God’s promise to work all things for good (Rom. 8:28).
The God Who Directs | Esther 2:1-18
When God seems quiet, Esther 2 shows he’s anything but absent. In a corrupt empire and a messy story, the unseen King is turning hearts and moving pieces to place his Esther where his people need her. Esther didn’t choose her circumstances, but God used them, pointing us to Jesus who redeems our guilt and heals our shame. The same God who ruled in Esther’s day rules ours.
Sermon Summary
When God seems quiet, Esther 2 shows he’s anything but absent. In a corrupt empire and a messy story, the unseen King is turning hearts and moving pieces to place his Esther where his people need her. Esther didn’t choose her circumstances, but God used them, pointing us to Jesus who redeems our guilt and heals our shame. The same God who ruled in Esther’s day rules ours.
A King and His Pride | Esther 1:1-22
When things get darker, we don’t shrink back, we look up and remember God’s still writing the story. Esther’s world was messy too, yet the unseen hand of providence placed her right where grace could break in. What others mean for evil, our God can bend for good, shaping us to look more like Jesus and advancing his purposes. So we humble ourselves under his mighty hand, pray, and take the next faithful step. Trust this today—God sees, God cares, and God is at work even when you can’t see how.
Sermon Summary
When things get darker, we don’t shrink back, we look up and remember God’s still writing the story. Esther’s world was messy too, yet the unseen hand of providence placed her right where grace could break in. What others mean for evil, our God can bend for good, shaping us to look more like Jesus and advancing his purposes. So we humble ourselves under his mighty hand, pray, and take the next faithful step. Trust this today—God sees, God cares, and God is at work even when you can’t see how.