Introduction: Consider the problem faced by Esther at this time:

• The sentence of death on all Jews had been proclaimed (Esther 3:13)
• This sentence could not be changed or altered (Esther 1:19; Daniel 6:8, 12)
• How was Esther to conquer this unchangeable sentence of death?

1. THE RESPONSE OF THE JEWS (Esther 4:1-3)
1. The Weeping of Mordecai (Esther 4:1-2; Jeremiah 6:26)
1. In the midst of the city (Esther 4:1)
1. He perceived the situation (1 Chronicles 12:32)
2. He rent his clothes
3. He put on sackcloth with ashes
4. He went into the midst of the city
5. He cried with a loud and bitter cry
2. Before the king’s gate (Esther 4:2)
1. Even before the king’s gate
2. Not allowed to enter
2. Great Mourning Among the Jews (Esther 4:3)
1. In every province
2. Wherever the king’s commandment came
3. Mourning, fasting, weeping, wailing, sackcloth, and ashes
2. THE INFORMING OF ESTHER (Esther 4:4-9)
1. Esther’s Attempt to Calm Mordecai (Esther 4:4-6)
1. Mordecai’s refusal (Esther 4:4; Genesis 37:34-35; Psalm 77:1-3)
1. Esther heard of Mordecai
2. Esther was exceedingly grieved
3. Esther sent raiment to Mordecai
4. Mordecai refused to receive the raiment
5. Note: Often, when there is a cause for grief or mourning, many will try to cover it over and ignore the problem. But there are some things that need to be grieved and times when we need to mourn.
2. Esther’s inquiry (Esther 4:5-6; Genesis 28:16; John 20:9)
1. She sent to know what the problem was (Esther 4:5)
2. Hatach met Mordecai before the king’s gate (Esther 4:6)
2. Mordecai’s Message to Esther (Esther 4:7-9)
1. The plan of Haman (Esther 4:7)
2. The decree of the king (Esther 4:8a)
3. His charge to Esther (Esther 4:8b-9)
1. That she should go before the king
2. That she should make supplication for her people
3. THE CONVINCING OF ESTHER (Esther 4:10-14)
1. The Fears of Esther (Esther 4:10-12)
1. One who came uninvited to the king received the sentence of death (Esther 4:10-11a; Romans 4:15; Romans 7:5)
1. One law for all
2. Except the king hold out the golden scepter
2. She had not been called for thirty days (Esther 4:11b-12; see Acts 24:25)
2. The Charge to Esther (Esther 4:13-14)
1. No way of escape (Esther 4:13; Matthew 12:30)
2. The Lord will provide (Esther 4:14a; 1 Corinthians 10:13)
3. God has a plan (Esther 4:14b; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Ephesians 1:9)
4. THE DECISION OF ESTHER (Esther 4:15-17)
1. Her Call for a Fast (Esther 4:15-16a; Matthew 9:15)
2. Her Surrender of Self (Esther 4:16b-17; Luke 9:24; Acts 20:24; Acts 21:13; Philippians 2:30)
5. THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF ESTHER
1. She Grieved over the Circumstances (Esther 4:4)
2. She Feared for her Life (Esther 4:11)
3. She Saw Herself as Either the Problem or the Solution (Esther 4:13-14)
4. She Surrendered to the Will of the Lord (Esther 4:16a)
5. She Died to Self (Esther 4:16b) – “if I perish, I perish”

Conclusion:  The way to conquer the sentence of death is by death. When Esther surrendered to the possibility of death, she conquered the sentence of death against the Jews. Today, we conquer the sentence of death against us first through the death of Christ on the cross. Then, we experience greater victory through reckoning ourselves to be dead to sin through our death with Christ on the cross. See Romans 6:1-11. We must all come to the place where we can say with determination: I will do what is right for my God and Saviour and by His strength in me; and if I perish, I perish.

Memory Verses:

Luke 9:24 – For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Romans 6:8 – Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Esther 4:14 – For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?