Fasting: Strengthens our WorshipEsther

Feb. 27, 2011 – Meshir 20, 1727

Memory Verse

“Consecrate a fast call a sacred assembly” (Joel 1:14)

Esther the Orphan Girl

• King Xeres – king of Persia and India• Search for a young beautiful wife• Mordecai brought Esther his cousin:– A Jew– An Orphan – Loved God and Obeyed his

commandments

Plot to Kill the King

• 2 servants wanted to kill the King• Mordecai found out and told Esther• Esther told the king!

The King Honored Mordecai

• This good deed was written in the official records of the empire.

Haman

• King appointed Haman – a minister!• Ordered all to show respect by

kneeling and bowing to him.

Mordecai Worships God Alone!

• Refused to bow to Haman – He was the only One who said NO!

• Haman got ANGERY • Haman decided to kill all the Jews !

A Proclamation to Kill the Jews

• A decree was sent out to all the rulers in the Kingdom to Kill all the Jews on a single day!

Mordecai is SAD

• He tore his clothes in anguish• Wore sackcloth, covered his head

with ashes…• Cried loudly and bitterly– “THIS IS ALL MY FAULT”

• When the Jewish people heard – they cried and fasted.

Mordecai asks Esther’s Help

• Mordecai asked Esther to “Intercede” to help by asking the King to have mercy on her people!

Esther FASTS

• She advised Mordecai and the Jews to fast and pray for her, and not to eat or drink anything for 3 days and nights.

Esther’s Banquet # 1

• Esther invited the King and Haman to a banquet !

• Haman came to the banquet but was preparing the gallow to kill Mordecai

King Remembers Mordecai

• The king could not sleep.• He had the empire records read to

him • He remembered the account of

Mordecai when he saved his life before.

Mordecai is Honored

• The King orders Haman to get royal robes and a horse, the royal crown and give these honors to Mordecai.

• Haman had to obey!!• He led Mordecai on the horse

through the City Square announcing to the people “See how the king rewards a man he wishes to honor”

Esther’s Banquet #2

• Esther invited the King and Haman to another banquet.

• The King was happy with Esther, “Tell me and you shall have it. I’ll even give you half the empire”

• Esther told the king about what Haman wanted to do with her and her people!!

The Jews are Saved

• The King was furious • Orderd Haman be hanged on the

gallows he made for Mordecai• The King gave his ring with the seal

to Mordecai• He quickly made a proclamation to

all the rulers saying to not destroy all the Jews.

Feast of Purim

• All the Jewish people remember the power of Fasting and Praying

• They celebrate every year on the 14th and 15th of Adar to remember how the Jews were saved.

Conclusion• Esther – young orphan girl : Saved her people through

_______ and _______– Fasting and prayer– You can also change the world through fasting and

prayer even an a young age !!!• If you dig a whole for your brother …..

– You will fall in it instead.• Right now people all over the world are in trouble!! – Our

Sunday School Class needs to begin working by ________ and ________ – Peace for the countries that are suffering– And comfort for families of those who have died– Those who are hungry and needy

• Fasting will help you have self-control and so when you worship God it will be strong and this will attract many people to God.