WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.379 two guys in their mid-20s tried to get tickets for a sold-out Metallica concert in the US. 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:09.019 That was probably their first mistake. 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:14.800 Having failed in getting the tickets to their concert to go and see their heroes, 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:21.539 they decided instead to hang out in the venue car park drinking alcohol. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:27.179 And so eventually, fueled by alcohol, they decided that they would take a risk. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:33.179 And the plan was to jump the two-metre fence and to sneak into the back of the concert. 00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:37.600 However, the fence on the car park side was two metres. 00:00:37.899 --> 00:00:42.420 What they didn't realise was on the other side was a seven-metre drop below the two-metre fence. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:46.280 And so something that they couldn't see, obviously, in the darkness. 00:00:46.600 --> 00:00:51.079 And so the first guy jumps over the fence, falls about halfway down the distance, 00:00:51.200 --> 00:00:56.420 and lands in this large tree which broke his fall and his left arm. 00:00:57.179 --> 00:01:03.500 He also somehow managed to get his shorts stuck in a tree branch, 00:01:03.539 --> 00:01:07.599 and so he was dangling there in his shorts with his broken arm. 00:01:07.700 --> 00:01:10.099 And it was at that point that he remembered he had a pocket knife. 00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:15.439 Rips out his pocket knife and decides to cut his shorts free. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:21.200 In the moment of cutting his shorts free, he dropped the knife, 00:01:21.739 --> 00:01:27.579 and he fell through the rest of the tree and landed on some pretty hard concrete, 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:32.579 some branches of some concrete down the bottom, which broke his fall. 00:01:32.819 --> 00:01:38.400 But he also landed on his knife that he dropped, which stabbed him in his left thigh. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:43.580 His mate decides to attempt a rescue. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:49.280 Throws a rope over the fence, ties his mate up, or gets his mate to tie himself up. 00:01:49.580 --> 00:01:51.460 Tries to pull him up, but he's too heavy. 00:01:51.940 --> 00:01:53.980 It's at this moment he has a stroke of genius, 00:01:54.340 --> 00:01:58.300 and decides to tie the other end of the rope to his pickup truck. 00:01:58.299 --> 00:02:05.859 And because of the level of alcohol in his system, he put it into the wrong gear. 00:02:05.979 --> 00:02:11.340 He put it into reverse, drove through the fence, over the tree, 00:02:11.479 --> 00:02:14.219 and landed on his mates, which killed him instantly. 00:02:15.219 --> 00:02:18.539 He himself was thrown out of the vehicle 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:21.560 and died from internal injuries not much longer after that. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:28.580 Now, risk is any action that exposes you to loss or injury. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:30.800 That's what risk is. 00:02:31.460 --> 00:02:35.800 If you take a risk, you can lose money, you can lose face, 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:39.060 you can lose your health, or you can lose your life. 00:02:40.420 --> 00:02:42.800 And what's worse, if you take a risk, 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:47.780 you may in fact be endangering other people and not just yourself. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:49.740 That's risk. 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:56.680 And so would a wise and loving person ever take a risk? 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:02.040 Is it loving to endanger others? 00:03:04.020 --> 00:03:05.060 It depends. 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:11.120 You can throw your life away in a hundred sinful or stupid ways, 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:14.219 like trying to secure tickets for a Metallica concert, 00:03:14.700 --> 00:03:17.020 and you can die as a result of it. 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:26.780 But losing your life is not the same as wasting your life. 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:35.539 What if successful risk brought enormous benefit to many people, 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:41.860 and its failure would cause harm to only you? 00:03:41.860 --> 00:03:48.500 It may not be loving to choose comfort or security 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:52.600 when something great may be achieved for the cause of Christ 00:03:52.600 --> 00:03:54.100 or for the sake of other people. 00:03:54.099 --> 00:03:58.219 And that's where we find ourselves in Esther today. 00:03:59.359 --> 00:04:01.680 As we saw last week in chapter 3, 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:04.019 Edict goes out to the whole Persian Empire 00:04:04.019 --> 00:04:08.319 about the extermination of the Jews on a set date. 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:14.099 And on that day, if you're a Jewish person in the Persian Empire, 00:04:14.539 --> 00:04:17.259 your next-door neighbour, your school friends, 00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:22.039 your work colleagues are given permission by law to, 00:04:22.159 --> 00:04:23.839 as it says in chapter 3, verse 13, 00:04:23.959 --> 00:04:26.259 to destroy, to kill, 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:29.099 and annihilate you 00:04:29.099 --> 00:04:32.659 and plunder all of your goods. 00:04:33.719 --> 00:04:35.039 And so at the beginning of chapter 4, 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:36.019 as Deb just read out, 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:38.639 Mordecai is in sackcloth and mourning 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:40.180 at the open square of the city 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:41.399 in front of the king's gate 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:42.459 because of this edict. 00:04:42.599 --> 00:04:42.759 It says, 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:44.699 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:46.259 he tore his clothes, 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:47.979 he put on sackcloth and ashes 00:04:47.979 --> 00:04:49.259 and went out into the city 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:52.379 wailing loudly and bitterly. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:54.519 Now, if I was Mordecai, 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:55.839 I've got to say, 00:04:55.939 --> 00:04:59.139 I'd be feeling a little bit responsible at this moment. 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:02.539 This all transpired 00:05:02.539 --> 00:05:05.939 because I refused to give acknowledgement to Haman. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:09.919 Who could have predicted it would have gone this bad? 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:13.219 Feeling a little bit responsible. 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:15.779 But here's Mordecai. 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:17.739 He's at the palace gate, 00:05:17.959 --> 00:05:19.779 chapter 1, verse 2. 00:05:20.179 --> 00:05:22.179 He calls it the citadel of Susa. 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:24.919 It was a strongly fortified, 00:05:25.159 --> 00:05:27.739 elevated position in Susa 00:05:27.739 --> 00:05:29.500 and it was all designed 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:32.239 to exalt the importance of the king 00:05:32.239 --> 00:05:35.159 and to guard his person. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:36.739 So this is Mordecai. 00:05:36.859 --> 00:05:39.159 He's at the gate of the palace complex, 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:40.539 the high city. 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:41.740 It's the palace. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:43.220 It's the citadel 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:46.060 and it's the place of power and influence 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:48.319 for the whole Persian empire. 00:05:48.760 --> 00:05:50.319 And this is where Esther is. 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:52.939 She's on the other side of this gate 00:05:52.939 --> 00:05:55.600 and Mordecai is trying to get her attention 00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:58.580 to do something about this situation, 00:05:59.160 --> 00:06:01.240 to save the people of God. 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:04.800 Now the first thing we learn here 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:07.460 is that God doesn't just work 00:06:07.460 --> 00:06:10.600 using missionaries and ministers 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:12.639 and church workers for his work in the world. 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:15.439 Esther's not head of a congregation. 00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:16.800 She's not even in a congregation. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:18.500 She's not even out in the streets. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:20.519 She's here in the palace. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:22.199 And this, of course, 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:23.860 is the problem with Esther 00:06:23.860 --> 00:06:25.300 at the beginning of this chapter. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:27.460 There is a danger 00:06:27.460 --> 00:06:29.939 of being in the palace. 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:32.340 Notice Esther's response 00:06:32.340 --> 00:06:34.319 to Mordecai's weeping in verse 4. 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:36.360 When Esther's eunuchs 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:37.379 and female attendants 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:39.400 came and told her about Mordecai, 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:41.080 she was in great distress. 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:44.639 Why was she in great distress? 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:48.180 Well, we know. 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:50.519 She sent clothes for him 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:52.939 to put on instead of his sackcloth. 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:56.060 But he would not accept them. 00:06:58.019 --> 00:06:59.439 She was in great distress 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:00.959 because he'd torn his clothes. 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:04.599 And so she sends him clothes. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:07.839 Maybe he's making a spectacle of himself. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:12.360 Esther has become totally isolated 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:14.660 from the rest of God's people. 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:18.060 Every Jew from Ethiopia to India 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:19.879 knew about this edict. 00:07:22.020 --> 00:07:23.600 Except Esther, it would appear. 00:07:26.460 --> 00:07:27.800 She didn't have a clue. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:30.660 Maybe she didn't have time 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:31.680 between the matricules 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:33.080 and the pedicules and the facials. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:36.680 Maybe it was the shopping. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:38.420 In any case, 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:40.460 she'd done a really good job 00:07:40.460 --> 00:07:42.340 at concealing her identity 00:07:42.339 --> 00:07:43.819 and so who would bother 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:44.799 to inform her 00:07:44.799 --> 00:07:45.579 that her people 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:46.799 are about to be executed? 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:51.579 How easy it is 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:52.719 to become isolated 00:07:52.719 --> 00:07:54.439 from the needs around us 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:56.500 and for God's concerns 00:07:56.500 --> 00:07:57.560 for his world 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:59.179 when we live 00:07:59.179 --> 00:08:00.699 the good life in the palace. 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:05.500 And Mordecai here begs her, 00:08:05.579 --> 00:08:07.059 he pleads with her 00:08:07.059 --> 00:08:09.419 to use her clout 00:08:09.419 --> 00:08:10.120 and her position 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:11.379 and her faith with the king 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:12.740 to do something, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.620 to work for justice 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:17.040 and to save her people. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.459 Notice Esther's first response 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:23.100 to Mordecai in verse 11. 00:08:23.100 --> 00:08:25.140 All the king's officials 00:08:25.140 --> 00:08:25.760 and the people 00:08:25.760 --> 00:08:27.360 of the world provinces 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:29.080 know that for any man 00:08:29.080 --> 00:08:29.640 or woman 00:08:29.640 --> 00:08:31.460 who approaches the king 00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:32.220 in the inner court 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:33.240 without being summoned 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:33.960 by the king 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:35.620 has but one law, 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:38.379 that they be put to death 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:40.279 unless the king 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:41.920 extends the gold scepter 00:08:41.920 --> 00:08:42.379 to them 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:44.500 and spares their lives. 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:47.160 But 30 days have passed 00:08:47.160 --> 00:08:48.180 since I was called 00:08:48.180 --> 00:08:49.360 to go to the king. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:54.879 She says there's risk here. 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:57.779 Mordecai, there's risk. 00:08:59.399 --> 00:09:00.320 Now let's not forget 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:01.639 that this is the Esther 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:03.460 who got to where she was 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:06.080 because her predecessor 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:08.360 was a little too bold. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:12.580 Remember what happened to Vashti? 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:17.480 And notice too 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:18.639 that Esther says 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:20.680 that Xerxes 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:22.160 hasn't asked her 00:09:22.160 --> 00:09:22.940 to come to her 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:24.400 for 30 days. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:29.320 It's not like there's 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:30.759 a bunch of stuff 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:31.340 on Netflix 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.560 that he's trying to watch. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:35.000 This guy does not 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:35.860 sleep alone. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:39.860 And so if she has not 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:42.020 been called for 30 days, 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:43.779 then it could possibly 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:44.579 be a sign 00:09:44.579 --> 00:09:45.840 that she is out of favour 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:46.519 with Xerxes. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:52.519 So she says to Mordecai, 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.379 you don't know 00:09:53.379 --> 00:09:55.519 what you are asking of me. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:58.439 I could lose everything. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.960 And Mordecai sends back 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:06.899 a message in verse 13 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:08.259 which is the high point 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.439 of all of Esther. 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:09.480 Esther. 00:10:10.900 --> 00:10:11.940 This chapter 4 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:14.080 is the main chapter 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:14.520 in Esther 00:10:14.520 --> 00:10:15.860 and this is the high point 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.840 of the chapter. 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:18.880 Do not think 00:10:18.880 --> 00:10:20.300 that because you are 00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:21.360 in the king's house, 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:22.140 you alone 00:10:22.140 --> 00:10:24.140 of all the Jews 00:10:24.140 --> 00:10:24.780 will escape. 00:10:26.140 --> 00:10:27.300 For if you remain 00:10:27.300 --> 00:10:28.420 silent at this time, 00:10:29.380 --> 00:10:30.380 relief and deliverance 00:10:30.380 --> 00:10:30.940 for the Jews 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:31.660 will arise 00:10:31.660 --> 00:10:32.700 from another place. 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:35.120 But you and your father's 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.180 family will perish. 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:38.259 And who knows 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:40.059 but that you have come 00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:41.299 to your royal position 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:43.059 for such a time 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:43.939 as this. 00:10:45.939 --> 00:10:47.179 In other words, 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:50.459 if you don't risk 00:10:50.459 --> 00:10:51.779 losing the palace, 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:54.459 you will lose everything. 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:57.980 If you risk 00:10:57.980 --> 00:10:58.960 losing the palace, 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:03.320 you might lose everything 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:04.879 but if you don't risk 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:06.120 losing the palace, 00:11:06.400 --> 00:11:08.980 you will lose everything. 00:11:10.420 --> 00:11:11.780 If all the Jews 00:11:11.780 --> 00:11:12.360 were killed, 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:13.200 then you'll eventually 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:14.820 be sniffed out 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:15.720 and you'll be discovered 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.240 as a Jew 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.280 and you will die too. 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:18.820 And if the Jews 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:19.500 aren't killed, 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:20.420 there's some other one 00:11:20.420 --> 00:11:21.060 who comes in 00:11:21.060 --> 00:11:21.759 and rescues 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.740 by God's hand, 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:24.659 then you'll just 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:25.279 be discovered 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:25.919 as a traitor. 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:29.659 Now, 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:30.299 we're not in 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:31.560 the identical situation 00:11:31.560 --> 00:11:32.360 as Esther here. 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.379 Let's be clear 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:33.899 about that. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:34.759 But it might be helpful 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:36.519 just to stand back 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:37.240 just for a moment 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.659 and generalise 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:40.620 a little for a moment. 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.500 I think there are 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:43.080 two remarkable principles 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:45.060 that have powerful 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:46.299 applications for us. 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.200 First, 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:49.340 first principle here, 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:50.980 unless you use 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:51.440 the cloud 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:52.060 that you've got, 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:53.360 the credentials 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:53.940 you've got, 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.360 the money you've got, 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.860 the position you've got, 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:58.360 the skills you've got, 00:11:58.560 --> 00:11:59.620 for the service 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.000 of others, 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.980 rather than feathering 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:04.180 your own nest, 00:12:04.900 --> 00:12:06.260 then those things 00:12:06.260 --> 00:12:07.080 don't become 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:08.400 freeing for you, 00:12:09.140 --> 00:12:09.820 they become 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:10.640 enslaving. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:13.420 That's the first principle. 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:16.259 the palace 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:17.959 was in fact 00:12:17.959 --> 00:12:19.059 death row 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:19.860 for Esther 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:21.659 if she used it 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.539 for her own comfort 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.500 and her own security. 00:12:25.959 --> 00:12:27.079 If you're unwilling 00:12:27.079 --> 00:12:27.939 to jeopardise 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:28.500 your place 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:29.319 in the palace, 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:31.000 then the palace 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.279 has ownership 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:33.039 of you. 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:34.259 It has taken 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:35.659 over you. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:38.099 The only way 00:12:38.099 --> 00:12:39.199 that you're prepared 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:40.539 to risk life 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.480 in the palace 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:43.620 is if your identity 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.259 has its foundation 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:46.420 somewhere else. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:48.800 That is, 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:50.120 something other 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:52.019 than your net worth 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.920 becomes your self-worth. 00:12:58.860 --> 00:12:59.680 Mordecai seems 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:00.639 to be saying here 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:02.220 that if you can't 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:03.539 throw away the palace, 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:04.840 or at least 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:06.120 risk throwing away 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:06.800 the palace, 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:10.279 or risk your place 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.099 in the palace 00:13:11.099 --> 00:13:14.159 to do good 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.559 for other people, 00:13:17.339 --> 00:13:18.519 then the palace 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.599 actually owns you. 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.139 You don't own 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:20.599 the palace. 00:13:24.479 --> 00:13:25.359 So how do you 00:13:25.359 --> 00:13:26.159 get an identity 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:26.979 that hasn't got 00:13:26.979 --> 00:13:27.740 its foundation 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.859 in the palace? 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.419 And the answer 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:31.359 is actually hinted at 00:13:31.359 --> 00:13:32.139 in these verses. 00:13:32.579 --> 00:13:33.519 Remember those words 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.000 he said, 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.240 who knows, 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.320 but that you have 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:37.060 come to your royal 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:37.940 position for such 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:38.779 a time as this? 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:41.039 The word come there 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:43.299 is in the passive 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:43.799 form, 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.659 which means it's 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.460 probably a little 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:46.180 bit better to 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:47.100 translate it like 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:47.639 this. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.560 Who knows, 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:51.000 but that you have 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.680 been brought 00:13:51.680 --> 00:13:52.799 to the royal 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:54.460 position for such 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:56.120 a time as this? 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.240 He's saying 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:01.580 that you got 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:02.340 to the palace 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:03.220 by grace. 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.840 your beauty 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.220 was not 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.560 something that 00:14:08.560 --> 00:14:09.720 your beauty 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.039 was something 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.560 that was given 00:14:10.560 --> 00:14:11.120 to you. 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:12.919 She didn't 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:13.620 produce the 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.600 door of opportunity 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.539 that saw her 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:16.600 rise from 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.299 orphan girl 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.460 to queen. 00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:21.139 God has been 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.139 silent but 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.340 sovereignly working 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:25.000 to this point. 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:27.320 Now, 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:27.860 although it's 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.360 a general 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.100 statement from 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:29.820 Mordecai, 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.159 Esther begins 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.139 to respond to 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:33.500 this message 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:33.940 here. 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:35.340 The Esther 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:35.919 that we know 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:36.759 from chapters 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.379 one and two, 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.259 the sweet, 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:39.200 the pretty little 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:39.519 Esther, 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:41.139 who was compliant, 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.059 who never rocked 00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:42.480 the boat, 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:43.659 who doesn't 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:44.299 ruffle any 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:44.679 feathers, 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.600 goes away from 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.759 this moment and 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:48.860 starts to give 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.360 orders. 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.559 It's Mordecai 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.039 giving the 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.919 orders at the 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:53.500 beginning of the 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:53.840 chapter, 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:55.779 it's now Esther 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.700 who starts giving 00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.240 the orders. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:59.419 And this is 00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:00.019 the turning 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:01.180 point for 00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:01.680 Esther. 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.259 This is where 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.159 she steps 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:04.539 up. 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:05.919 This is where 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:07.080 she utters 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:08.220 those remarkable 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.000 words in 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:09.919 verse 16. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.840 Go gather 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.940 all together 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:12.860 all the Jews 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.500 who are in 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.080 Susa and 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:15.019 fast for me. 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:15.960 Do not eat 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:17.080 or drink for 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:17.740 three days, 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:18.560 night or day. 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:19.200 I and my 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:20.000 attendants will 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.820 fast as you 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:21.120 do. 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.220 And when this 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:22.940 is done, 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.120 I will go to 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.680 the king, 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:25.620 even though it 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.440 is against the 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:26.779 law. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.820 And if I 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:30.480 perish, I 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.460 perish. 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.960 We go from 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:38.279 Barbie doll 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.240 sex kitten 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:41.419 Esther to 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:43.519 the one who's 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.259 living the high 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:44.860 life in the 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.379 palace to 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:48.399 Esther risking 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.480 everything. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.799 Esther the 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.860 hero. 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.000 hero. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.659 What an 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.300 inspiration. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.600 Let me just 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.659 pause again 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.060 there for a 00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:04.620 moment because 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.240 there is a 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.100 danger here as 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.340 well. 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:09.000 There's a danger 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.940 that some of us 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:10.800 might be so 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:12.000 inspired by 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:14.379 Esther as 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.200 can I say 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.259 many feminists 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.779 are inspired 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.320 by Esther to 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:19.779 get out there 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.220 and do 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:20.759 something and 00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.300 make change 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:21.820 for good. 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:22.980 If you're 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.660 inspired by 00:16:23.660 --> 00:16:24.180 Esther, 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:28.940 that is, 00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:29.480 some here 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:31.620 might stop 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.180 seeing all 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:32.560 that God 00:16:32.560 --> 00:16:33.080 has given 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:34.160 them for 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:34.519 their own 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:34.920 benefit, 00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:35.600 feathering their 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.320 own nest and 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:36.680 for their own 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:37.560 self-gratification 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.040 and start 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:38.560 instead to 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:39.120 use everything 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.480 that God's 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:39.840 given them 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.740 for a means 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.200 to serve 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:41.720 others. 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.680 You might 00:16:42.680 --> 00:16:43.100 start to 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.700 take risks 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.040 and get 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:44.860 more interested 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.940 in justice 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:46.620 and mercy 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.779 and mission 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.240 and others 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.680 might be 00:16:48.680 --> 00:16:49.320 interested by 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:49.879 Esther just 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.360 to start 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.160 speaking up 00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:51.700 and speaking 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.340 your mind 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.440 and confronting 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.259 the issues. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:55.980 Maybe you've 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.259 been too 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.860 quiet about 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.420 your beliefs, 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:57.720 you've been 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.240 afraid to 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.560 speak, 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:58.820 you're in 00:16:58.820 --> 00:16:59.240 the background, 00:16:59.340 --> 00:16:59.639 most people 00:16:59.639 --> 00:16:59.920 don't know 00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:00.240 who you are 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:00.620 so now, 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.420 come Monday 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:01.820 morning, 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.560 I'm on the 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:03.160 front foot and 00:17:03.160 --> 00:17:03.379 I'm just 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.680 going to let 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.120 people have 00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:04.299 it. 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.500 There's a 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:06.960 danger in 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.559 this and 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:07.980 the danger 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.600 is it 00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:10.460 won't last. 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:13.400 The danger 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.279 is that if 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.660 you get 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.500 inspiration 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.400 by an 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.000 example, 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.460 even an 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.240 example like 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:19.819 Esther, 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:20.960 then your 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.600 basic motivation 00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:24.860 is guilt. 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.360 Guilt because 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:29.200 of a past 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:29.660 life of 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.259 selfishness, 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:30.660 oh my 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:30.860 goodness, 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.120 I've been 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.519 living so 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.059 poorly and 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:33.480 I've got to 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:33.960 all change 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.200 now, 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.920 I feel so 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.579 selfish from 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:36.860 where I've 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.180 been. 00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:39.079 It might 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.519 be guilt 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:39.779 over 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.420 elitism, 00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.700 it might 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.120 be guilt 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:42.820 because I 00:17:42.820 --> 00:17:44.240 live in 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.700 a really 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.240 nice part 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.500 of a 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:45.940 city in 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.259 a great 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.779 country. 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:48.779 Motivation 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.300 by guilt 00:17:49.300 --> 00:17:50.340 wears off 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:51.200 because guilt 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:51.740 doesn't 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.620 actually change 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.060 you on the 00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:53.560 inside. 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:54.980 Changes 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.480 actions on 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:55.920 the outside 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.519 but doesn't 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:56.940 change you 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.200 on the 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.620 inside. 00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.640 When guilt 00:17:59.640 --> 00:17:59.920 is your 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:00.519 motivation, 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:01.580 then you 00:18:01.580 --> 00:18:02.300 are still 00:18:02.300 --> 00:18:03.019 going to 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:04.000 get your 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.820 identity 00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:05.720 from your 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.320 performance. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.599 performance. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.019 When guilt 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.240 is your 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.740 motivation, 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.379 you still 00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:11.720 get your 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.119 identity 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.599 from your 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.039 performance. 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:14.939 And 00:18:14.939 --> 00:18:16.439 self-righteousness 00:18:16.439 --> 00:18:17.919 is always 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:18.879 the fruit 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:19.720 of performance. 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.220 I'm not 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.579 going to be 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.099 like those 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:24.859 other so-called 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.619 Christians who 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.119 don't give a 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:26.659 rip about 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:27.299 justice and 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.659 mercy. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.839 I'm going 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.119 to lead 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:29.480 the way 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:29.980 in this. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.779 I'm going 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:31.980 to be 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.579 principled 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:32.919 and I'm 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:33.079 going to 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:34.059 be outspoken. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.359 It's not 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.019 actual change 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.279 in the 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:40.939 heart and 00:18:40.939 --> 00:18:41.639 it's revealed 00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:42.439 that when 00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.019 you're confronted 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.679 by others 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:44.059 who don't 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.339 have the 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.039 same values 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.460 that you 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:45.859 have, 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:46.819 you get 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.439 angry with 00:18:47.439 --> 00:18:47.679 them. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.480 You become 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.319 judgmental. 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.019 That's the 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.659 outworking of 00:18:54.659 --> 00:18:55.579 self-righteousness. 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.259 And there 00:18:59.259 --> 00:18:59.659 is another 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:00.259 danger here 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.559 and that's 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.299 overreaction. 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.599 This is 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.159 where you 00:19:03.159 --> 00:19:04.599 give everything 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.019 away, 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.559 go home 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.079 right now, 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.299 right now, 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:06.740 out all the 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:06.960 checks, 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.539 get everything 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.359 and put on 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:08.859 sackcloth 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:09.299 and mourning 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:10.000 and go 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.279 and sit 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:10.519 in the 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:10.799 mall. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.559 You do 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.859 anything, 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.139 give away 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:17.500 everything 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.019 without any 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.419 thought, 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.039 any wise 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.579 stewardship. 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:20.559 Now, 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.000 let me say, 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.379 there is a 00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:21.799 time to 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.079 throw a 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.440 band in 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:22.759 the air 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.099 and there 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:23.599 are also 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.319 times to 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.000 pull back 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.279 and to 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.759 regroup. 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.139 You know, 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.859 let's be 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.379 clear here, 00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:28.839 it took 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.559 Esther a 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.279 little while 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.399 before she 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:31.799 actually 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.480 approached 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:32.919 Xerxes 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:34.259 and when 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:34.779 she did 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.200 approach 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.079 Xerxes, 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:37.119 he had 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:37.599 to ask 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.119 her three 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.159 times what 00:19:39.159 --> 00:19:39.779 her request 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.339 was. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.839 Three times. 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:43.679 It's almost 00:19:43.679 --> 00:19:44.359 like she's 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:44.759 about to 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.220 say it, 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.679 come to 00:19:46.679 --> 00:19:46.859 dinner. 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.119 You see 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:52.419 that in 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.220 chapter 5. 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.279 My point 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.159 is if you 00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:55.939 just look at 00:19:55.939 --> 00:19:56.559 Esther as an 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.179 example, 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.259 it will wear 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.539 off or 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.019 you'll become 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.639 more and more 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.399 self-righteous 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.060 and more 00:20:03.060 --> 00:20:04.540 pharisaical or 00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:04.980 you'll just 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.840 become stupid 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:08.580 if you just 00:20:08.580 --> 00:20:09.019 look at her 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:09.560 as an 00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:10.000 example. 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.480 But what 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:12.740 if you 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.220 didn't just 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.540 look at 00:20:13.540 --> 00:20:13.880 Esther as 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:14.400 an example 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:14.860 but saw 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.540 her as a 00:20:15.540 --> 00:20:16.360 signpost? 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.060 Esther 00:20:19.060 --> 00:20:20.740 saved her 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.360 people by 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.259 two things, 00:20:23.060 --> 00:20:23.420 by 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.220 identification 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.960 and by 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.680 mediation. 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:28.740 Identification 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.500 and mediation. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.119 She 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:30.640 identified 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.400 with her 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:31.819 people. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.880 She didn't 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:34.299 take the 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.000 safe way. 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.319 Her 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.000 people were 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.480 condemned 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.539 and she 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.000 identified 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.700 with them 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.400 and in 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:40.839 fact came 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.339 under the 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:41.660 same 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.500 condemnation. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.380 She 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:43.920 risked her 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.460 life and 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:44.920 she says 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.420 if I 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:45.819 perish, 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.599 I perish. 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.440 And because 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.259 she identified 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.960 with her 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.420 people, 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:51.799 she could 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.420 mediate. 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:55.200 She could 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.240 go before 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.000 the throne 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.839 of power 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.539 in a way 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.119 that no 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.579 one else 00:20:59.579 --> 00:20:59.979 could. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.579 She went 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.039 before the 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.439 throne of 00:21:03.439 --> 00:21:03.939 power and 00:21:03.939 --> 00:21:04.539 because she 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.579 was favoured, 00:21:07.179 --> 00:21:08.079 that favour 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.939 was attributed 00:21:09.939 --> 00:21:11.000 to her 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.319 people or 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:13.479 imputed to 00:21:13.479 --> 00:21:14.079 her people. 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.919 She saved 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:17.379 her people 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:17.599 through 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.179 identification 00:21:18.179 --> 00:21:19.039 with them 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.599 and mediation 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.379 for them. 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.779 Now Esther 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.259 was a 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.599 flawed 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:24.199 saviour, 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.839 a very 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.219 flawed 00:21:26.219 --> 00:21:26.779 saviour, 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.500 but she 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.000 points us 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.279 to a 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.460 far 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:28.859 greater 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:29.380 saviour. 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.279 Jesus 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.960 lived in 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.420 the ultimate 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:32.900 palace, 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.259 the very 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.819 presence of 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.160 God in 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.619 the kingdom 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.440 and as 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:35.740 the son 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.119 of God 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.380 he had 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:36.819 ultimate 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.279 beauty 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.920 and glory 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:40.000 and he 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.579 left it. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:41.900 No one 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:42.220 had to 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.579 manipulate 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:43.039 him, 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:43.359 no one 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:43.980 put pressure 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.359 on him, 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:44.640 no one 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:44.900 had to 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.480 convince him 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.859 for it, 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.220 he wasn't 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.440 getting 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:46.960 pedicules 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.539 and manicules 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.140 and facials, 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.180 he wasn't 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.599 backed into 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.019 a corner, 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.839 Philippians 2 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.799 says that 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.059 he had 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.740 equality with 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.319 the father 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:53.960 but he 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:54.440 did not 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.120 hold on 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.579 to it, 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:57.000 he emptied 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.500 himself, 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.519 became down, 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.299 he identified 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.279 with his 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:00.720 people, 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:01.720 he took 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.079 on their 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.900 condemnation, 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.700 he didn't 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.220 do it 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:04.880 at the 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.339 risk of 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:06.019 his life, 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.420 he did 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:07.940 it at the 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.440 cost of 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:08.859 his life, 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.240 he didn't 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.740 say if 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.240 I perish 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.740 I perish, 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.220 he said 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:11.819 when I 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.259 perish, 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.620 I perish, 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.279 he went 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.539 to the 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:15.920 cross, 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.839 there he 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.440 died and 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.160 made atonement 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.579 for our 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.579 sins and 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:19.960 now the 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.720 Bible says 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.059 that he 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.839 stands before 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.380 the throne 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:22.680 of the 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:24.180 universe and 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.759 his favour 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:27.299 is our 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:29.039 favour in 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.839 front of 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.660 the king of 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.100 kings, 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.980 the lord of 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.559 all the 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:32.880 world. 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.380 You see 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:37.720 if, 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.160 you see 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:39.740 Esther as 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.480 an example 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.839 and say 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.539 be like 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.019 Esther, 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.559 it will 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.380 crush you 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:46.900 because you 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.420 could never 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.980 do it. 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.220 But if 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:51.620 you see 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.500 Jesus as 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:52.720 your 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.339 saviour, 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:53.880 not as 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.480 an example 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:54.819 doing 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.360 something for 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.059 someone else, 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:56.900 but as a 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.420 saviour 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.079 rescuing 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.779 you, 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:01.039 it changes 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.920 your identity. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.980 He becomes 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.799 your security, 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.920 he becomes 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.700 your value, 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.539 he becomes 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.940 your worth 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:11.380 and suddenly 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.420 everything else 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.000 in your life 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.640 just becomes 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.819 stuff because 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.380 you've got 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.019 everything when 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.339 you've got 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:16.759 Jesus. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:19.619 you're set 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.339 free to 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.400 risk stuff, 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:21.839 you're set 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.319 free to 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.379 lose stuff 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:25.700 because 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.680 your self-worth 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.200 is not 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.779 your net 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:30.740 worth and 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.140 when you 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.960 lose stuff 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.579 in Jesus, 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.160 you don't 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.879 lose 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.740 yourself. 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.579 If you 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.039 see what 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.720 Jesus has 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.200 done for 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.579 you in 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.140 losing the 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.440 ultimate 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.039 palace for 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.319 you, 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:47.139 then and 00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:48.460 only then 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.679 will you 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.179 have the 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:50.939 freedom to 00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.559 risk for 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:51.919 God's 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:52.319 glory in 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.679 the sake 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:53.319 of others. 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.399 When you 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.879 see Jesus 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:58.139 risk for 00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:58.639 you, 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:00.319 there are 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.059 at least 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.399 four implications 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.079 for that. 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.439 At least 00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:04.899 four. 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.220 So let me 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.599 go through 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:06.759 them. 00:24:06.919 --> 00:24:07.319 Firstly, 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.480 if I perish, 00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:10.500 I perish 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.559 is the 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:13.119 language that's 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.179 calling you, 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:14.720 Christian 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:16.059 person to 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:17.360 identify with 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:17.940 the poor 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.319 and the 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:18.980 oppressed in 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.539 this world. 00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:21.920 Just like 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.680 Esther did, 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:25.680 identifying with 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.200 her people, 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.600 those in 00:24:27.600 --> 00:24:28.480 great desperate 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.000 need. 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:30.420 So if I 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:30.819 perish, I 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.319 perish is the 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.039 language calling 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.640 you, Christian 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.539 person, to 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.240 identify with 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.740 the poor and 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.120 the oppressed 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:35.740 in this world. 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.579 If this is a 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.279 call for us 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.839 as believers, 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.220 having seen 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.200 what Jesus 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.059 has done for 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.980 us to 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.660 identify with 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.200 the people 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.840 who are 00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:44.800 outside the 00:24:44.800 --> 00:24:45.279 palace. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.519 Scottish 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.100 minister 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.700 Robert 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.040 Murray 00:24:49.040 --> 00:24:49.560 Mishane 00:24:49.560 --> 00:24:50.840 preached this 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.700 message to 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.120 Scottish 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:52.720 Christians 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.840 living in 00:24:53.840 --> 00:24:54.200 Scottish 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.160 cities in 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.160 1838. 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:56.880 He said, 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.560 I fear 00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:58.500 that there 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.120 are some 00:24:59.120 --> 00:24:59.740 Christians 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.740 among you 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.400 to whom 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.279 Christ will 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:02.980 not be able 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.820 to say on 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.380 the last 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:04.820 day, 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:06.040 well done, 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:06.540 good and 00:25:06.540 --> 00:25:07.300 faithful servant. 00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:08.340 He's referring 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:08.799 there to 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:10.519 Matthew 25. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.139 Your 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:13.779 hearty 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.319 dwelling 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:16.059 rises 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.559 amongst 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.639 thousands 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.659 who have 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:21.019 scarcely a 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.599 fire to 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.639 warn themselves 00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.539 at and 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:23.919 have but 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.740 little clothing 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.299 to keep 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.679 out the 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:26.980 biting frost 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.000 and yet you 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.699 don't darken 00:25:28.699 --> 00:25:29.159 their door. 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:31.720 You heave 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.639 a sigh, 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.079 perhaps at a 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:34.679 distance, 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.059 but you do 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.459 not visit 00:25:36.459 --> 00:25:36.720 them. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:38.160 My 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.660 friends, 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.779 I'm 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.319 concerned 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.759 for the 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.140 poor, 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:43.019 but I'm 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.720 actually more 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.539 concerned for 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:44.799 you. 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.339 I don't 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:47.700 know what 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.120 Christ will 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.539 say to 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:48.799 you on 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.100 the great 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.400 day. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.900 You say 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.319 you follow 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:52.880 Christ, 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.360 but you 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:53.980 don't care 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.440 for his 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:54.880 poor. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.059 I fear 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.380 that there 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:56.720 may be 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.440 many hearing 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.140 me who 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.420 now know 00:25:59.420 --> 00:25:59.920 well that 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.299 they may 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.680 not be 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.259 Christians at 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.839 all because 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.480 they don't 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.079 love to 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.640 give. 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.120 To give 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:06.640 largely, 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.400 and generously, 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.319 not begrudgingly, 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.220 requires a 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.360 brand new 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:13.180 heart. 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.980 An old 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.279 heart would 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.059 rather part 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.519 with its 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.400 lifeblood 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.460 than its 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:19.839 money. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.039 Oh, my 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.660 dear Christians, 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.980 if you 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.460 would be 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.319 like Christ, 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:26.660 give much, 00:26:27.120 --> 00:26:28.019 give often, 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.279 give freely 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.200 to the vile 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.980 and the poor 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.460 and the 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.079 thankless and 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.940 the undeserving. 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.660 Christ is 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.720 glorious and 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.519 he is 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.680 happy and 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.500 so will 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.100 you be. 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.559 It is not 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.420 your money I 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:42.920 want but 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.700 your happiness. 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.380 Remember his 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:45.860 word. 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:46.779 It is more 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.380 blessed to 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:48.720 give than 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.320 receive. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.720 That's the 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.880 first bit of 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:54.039 if I perish, 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:54.660 I perish. 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:56.860 Secondly, 00:26:57.580 --> 00:26:58.480 if I perish, 00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:59.420 I perish is 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.519 the language of 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.640 exciting mission. 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.700 Wherever you 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.440 are right 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.900 now, 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.900 you've got 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.759 certain gifts, 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:08.960 certain 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.920 abilities, 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.080 certain 00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:11.940 experiences, 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:12.860 certain 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.600 opportunities, 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.140 certain experiences 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.600 even of 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.340 hardship and 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:16.800 suffering 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:18.879 that make 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.980 you uniquely 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.519 ready, 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:21.960 uniquely 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.419 ready 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:24.359 to help 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:24.740 certain 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.419 people in 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:26.000 this world 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.779 that no one 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.180 else can 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.559 help. 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.579 Ephesians 2 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.379 verse 10 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.519 says that we 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.119 are God's 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:33.700 workmanship 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:35.419 created in 00:27:35.419 --> 00:27:36.379 Christ Jesus 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:38.159 to do good 00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:38.980 works that God 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.539 has prepared 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.319 in advance 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.919 for us to 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:41.159 do. 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.259 And the 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.119 word workmanship 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:44.039 there carries 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.000 the idea 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.940 of 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:47.640 the original 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:48.180 root meaning 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.940 is poem. 00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:49.440 It's where we 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:49.799 get our word 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.519 poem form. 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.340 And the idea 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:51.960 is that we 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.600 are God's 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.220 artwork. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.059 We have been 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.279 uniquely crafted 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.299 by God with 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.900 gifts and 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.440 talents and 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.000 positions and 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.460 strengths and 00:27:59.460 --> 00:27:59.820 weaknesses, 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.180 even weaknesses 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.200 and blessings 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.860 and sufferings 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:04.900 that make us 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.039 uniquely placed 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.120 by God to 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.920 do unique 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.539 works for 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.220 other people. 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.240 Every one 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.660 of us. 00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:13.000 You've been 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.460 brought to 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.380 whatever place 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:14.799 you've been 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.600 brought to 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.659 for such 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:17.480 a time 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.519 as this. 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.179 Ask God 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:21.500 what it 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:21.819 is. 00:28:23.459 --> 00:28:24.039 Ask God 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.319 what it 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:24.599 is. 00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.459 Thirdly, 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.899 if I 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.359 perish, 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.139 I perish 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:30.379 is the 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.119 language of 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:31.659 unconditional 00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.319 obedience. 00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:34.099 It means 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.519 I'm going to 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.179 follow God 00:28:36.179 --> 00:28:36.639 whatever 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.299 happens. 00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.779 And it's 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.539 really essential 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.000 for us to 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.099 understand who 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:43.659 it is that's 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.320 calling us 00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:44.800 to 00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:46.279 unconditional 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.400 obedience. 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:53.500 Imagine 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:55.540 the distance 00:28:55.540 --> 00:28:56.380 between the 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:57.000 earth and 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:57.660 the sun, 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.340 approximately 00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:01.380 149.6 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:01.779 million 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.240 kilometers, 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:05.100 is represented 00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:05.800 by the 00:29:05.800 --> 00:29:06.620 thickness of 00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:07.000 this sheet 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.460 of paper. 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:10.700 that represents 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.200 149.6 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.640 million 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.180 kilometers. 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.539 The distance 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.299 between the 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.240 earth and 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.779 the nearest 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.500 star to 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.059 earth 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:23.720 is, 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:24.340 would, 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.120 a stack 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.579 of paper 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.480 like that, 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.840 360 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:33.340 reams of 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:34.160 paper high. 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:36.180 that's the 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:36.600 distance from 00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:36.920 the earth 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.180 to the 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.400 nearest 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:37.759 star. 00:29:40.580 --> 00:29:41.140 That's 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.620 about a 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:42.019 20 meter 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.640 high stack 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.080 of paper. 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.920 The distance 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.560 across the 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.640 little galaxy 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.180 that we 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.900 exist in 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:51.480 would require 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:55.940 3.456 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.740 million 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.600 stacks, 00:29:58.040 --> 00:29:58.420 reams of 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:58.680 paper. 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.519 That's a 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.259 stack of 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.599 paper, 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.119 I think, 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:04.740 roughly 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:08.259 192 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.700 kilometers 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.180 high. 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.019 This 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.119 universe is 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:15.779 but a 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.240 little 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.980 speck 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.559 amongst 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.200 all the, 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.920 this galaxy 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.259 is a little 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.779 speck amongst 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.240 all the other 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.859 galaxies in 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.299 our world, 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.500 our universe. 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.779 It's pretty 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:27.059 impressive when 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.519 you consider 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:28.400 this is the 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:29.200 thickness between 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.720 here and the 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:29.940 sun. 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:30.279 Frankly, 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:30.680 the sun 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.240 wasn't close 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.660 enough this 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.119 morning to 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:32.319 us. 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:35.720 And the 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.339 point is that 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.200 Hebrews 1, 00:30:37.439 --> 00:30:38.700 2 and 3 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.339 says that 00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:40.259 this Jesus 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.700 is the 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.220 one who 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.799 spoke it 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.159 all into 00:30:43.159 --> 00:30:43.659 existence 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:45.159 and he's 00:30:45.159 --> 00:30:45.619 the one 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:46.339 who upholds 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.779 it by the 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.159 power of 00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:47.819 his word. 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:49.939 Or another 00:30:49.939 --> 00:30:50.579 way, my 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.079 translation, 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:51.839 he holds 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:52.259 it up by 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.879 his pinky. 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.279 This is the 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.079 Jesus who 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:57.159 calls you to 00:30:57.159 --> 00:30:57.899 unconditional 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.700 obedience. 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.400 This is the 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:02.660 one who 00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.200 calls you to 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:03.640 unconditional 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.140 obedience. 00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:04.840 This is the 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:05.220 one who gave 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.740 his life for 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:05.980 you. 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.180 He's not 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.019 your personal 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.600 assistant. 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:15.200 He doesn't 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.920 fit with your 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.780 program and 00:31:16.780 --> 00:31:17.720 follow you when 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.240 you can fit 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.600 him in. 00:31:20.080 --> 00:31:20.840 You don't 00:31:20.840 --> 00:31:22.120 RSVP with 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.820 Jesus and 00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:23.460 wait for a 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.019 better offer. 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:28.420 friends, 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.859 take your 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:30.900 hands off 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.920 your life 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.079 because you 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.539 don't have 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.079 control of 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.599 it anyway. 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:37.879 You don't 00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:38.319 have control 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:38.639 of it. 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:39.980 It seems to 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.519 me that God 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.220 intends for 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:42.099 us to live 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.379 with uncertainty 00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:44.980 and risk in 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.539 our lives, 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:45.960 whether we're 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.460 Christian or 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:46.759 not. 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:48.039 James 4 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:50.039 verses 13 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.000 to 15 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.940 says this, 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.359 now listen, 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.279 you who 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.279 say today 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:55.979 or tomorrow 00:31:55.979 --> 00:31:56.639 we will go 00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:57.059 to this 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.479 city or 00:31:57.479 --> 00:31:58.039 that city, 00:31:58.459 --> 00:31:58.979 spend a 00:31:58.979 --> 00:31:59.659 year there, 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.439 carry on 00:32:00.439 --> 00:32:00.979 business and 00:32:00.979 --> 00:32:01.559 make money, 00:32:01.939 --> 00:32:02.599 why you 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.439 don't even 00:32:03.439 --> 00:32:04.359 know what 00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:04.740 will happen 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.159 tomorrow. 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:06.659 What is 00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:07.459 your life? 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.839 You are a 00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:09.740 mist that 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.759 appears for a 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.339 little while 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.819 and then 00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:12.479 vanishes. 00:32:13.219 --> 00:32:13.659 Instead, 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:14.699 you ought to 00:32:14.699 --> 00:32:15.419 say if it 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:15.740 is the 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.539 Lord's will, 00:32:16.919 --> 00:32:17.359 we will 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:17.939 live and 00:32:17.939 --> 00:32:18.699 do this or 00:32:18.699 --> 00:32:19.039 that. 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:19.839 You don't 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.319 know, 00:32:21.459 --> 00:32:21.819 frankly, 00:32:21.979 --> 00:32:22.279 friends, 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:22.919 if your 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.539 heart is 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:23.820 going to 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:24.460 stop before 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:24.980 this meeting 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.360 is over. 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.140 You don't 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:29.140 know if 00:32:29.140 --> 00:32:29.880 some 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.680 oncoming 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.759 driver will 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:33.060 swerve on 00:32:33.060 --> 00:32:33.360 the wrong 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:33.820 side of the 00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:34.200 lane and 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.720 hit you on 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.220 the way 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.620 home. 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:36.940 You don't 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.400 know if the 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:37.759 food that 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.180 you've eaten 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:38.779 this morning 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.200 is some 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.539 sort of 00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:39.759 wicked 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.720 bacteria and 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.340 virus thing 00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:41.880 in it that's 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:43.019 going to 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.340 kill you. 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:43.640 You don't 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.220 know if a 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.740 man with a 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.080 gun is 00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:45.320 going to 00:32:45.320 --> 00:32:45.720 shoot you 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.060 down the 00:32:46.060 --> 00:32:46.380 mall in 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.920 Chatswood 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:47.700 before the 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.300 afternoon's 00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:48.720 over. 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:50.039 We are 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.759 not God. 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.359 we do 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.000 not know 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.799 what tomorrow 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:54.900 is and 00:32:54.900 --> 00:32:55.279 risk, 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:55.759 therefore, 00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.420 is built 00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:56.799 into the 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.559 very fabric 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:57.960 of our 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.539 lives. 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:01.000 You cannot 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.879 avoid risk 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:02.379 even if you 00:33:02.379 --> 00:33:02.900 wanted to 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.799 avoid risk. 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.379 All of our 00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:06.900 plans for 00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.379 tomorrow's 00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:08.180 activities can 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.720 be shattered 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.799 by a thousand 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.599 unknowns. 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.299 Whether we 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.180 stay at home 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:14.220 in bed or 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:14.779 we walk 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.220 along a 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:15.960 footpath, 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.819 we need 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.920 to explode 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:19.120 the myth 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:20.140 of safety 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:20.860 and to 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:21.680 somehow be 00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:22.819 delivered from 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:23.640 the seduction 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.579 of security 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:26.480 that exists 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.819 in our 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.200 culture. 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.059 It's a 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.680 mirage. 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.220 Security 00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:33.140 doesn't 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:33.640 exist. 00:33:34.620 --> 00:33:35.140 Don't 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.799 listen to 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.380 the retirement 00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:36.900 ads. 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:41.019 It 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.420 doesn't 00:33:41.420 --> 00:33:41.960 exist. 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:47.079 And the 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.819 tragedy is 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:48.140 that in 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.539 the myth 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.240 of security 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.279 we are 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.319 paralyzed to 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.039 take any 00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.640 risk for 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:53.059 the cause 00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:53.660 of Christ 00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:57.380 because we 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:57.920 are deluded 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:59.220 and we 00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.740 think it 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:01.160 will jeopardize 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:01.840 the security 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.539 that doesn't 00:34:02.539 --> 00:34:03.079 exist. 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.240 Take your 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.740 hands off 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.340 your life 00:34:07.340 --> 00:34:09.179 and put 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.539 them 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.940 into his 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.340 pinky. 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:15.920 fourthly, 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:17.820 if I 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.320 perish, 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:18.659 I 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.159 perish 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:19.800 is the 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.300 language 00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:20.720 of 00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:21.280 greatness. 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.019 There 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.840 are 14 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:25.760 times in 00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:26.059 the book 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.599 of Esther 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.659 where 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.659 Esther is 00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.400 referred to 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.179 specifically 00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:31.220 as Queen 00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:31.780 Esther. 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:35.019 13 of 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:35.619 the 14 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:37.039 times 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.559 occur 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:38.019 straight 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.980 after she 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.380 says, 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:39.820 if I 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:40.139 perish, 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:40.340 I 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:40.699 perish. 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:45.139 she 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:45.720 becomes a 00:34:45.720 --> 00:34:46.240 person of 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:46.619 greatness 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:48.019 by letting 00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.619 go of 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.320 her life 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.619 and placing 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.280 it in the 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.740 hands of 00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:54.059 God for 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:54.820 his glory 00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:55.679 and the 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.460 joy of 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:57.199 all others. 00:34:58.820 --> 00:34:59.619 If I 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.000 perish, 00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:00.780 I perish. 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:00.800 perish. 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:02.580 It's 00:35:02.580 --> 00:35:02.900 the language 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.460 of risk. 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:04.480 It's 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:04.780 the language 00:35:04.780 --> 00:35:04.960 of 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.260 greatness. 00:35:05.260 --> 00:35:05.380 It's 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:05.660 the language 00:35:05.660 --> 00:35:06.100 of 00:35:06.100 --> 00:35:07.400 greatness.