"How To Live Afterwards"

The message is a continuation of the season of Purim. During the week leading up to this message some were called to a 3 day - no food/ no water- fast. Why? Sometimes God calls leaders to do something that is outside the normal. It stretches our faith. However, the ultimate reasoning is to get past our flesh and put our focus on Him and others.

That is what Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews living in Shushan did. Esther used her delegated authority and asked them to fast for her and her people. Esther had to risk her life to approach the king due to the order of the kingdom. This was a serious moment for her, she was smart to approach the real King (God), she approached humbly and setting her own flesh aside. She sought wisdom and guidance, even though it isn't mentioned, I believe God gave her specific instructions on how to approach the king.

Throughout this whole story there was Mordecai, he was in a position in the kingdom to lead, but lead from a distance. He was able to lead Esther as a child and raise her up in the way she should go. He was able to sit at the king's gate and hear of evil plots against the king. He was able to instruct Esther throughout the decree declared by Haman. He led without seeking recognition and as a servant. The end result, he was given the power of delegated authority by the king. He was able to lead from a different position and serve his people in a greater magnitude.

After Mordecai's new position, he was able to issue new decrees that included all the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of Persia. So, even though all the other Jews weren't called like those in Shushan to fast, they still had a part to play in the saving of the Jews. It was time for them to rise up and take their place of authority to protect. So, God has a place for everyone of us. The question is, have you heard a decree from a righteous leader to know your place, and know what God is saying you should do? There is a place for everyone under authority.

God placed many people in a leadership role throughout the Bible and even today. Jesus was the greatest example of how to lead as a servant. Solomon started out wanting to serve the people as king. According to the Message Bible, he asked for a "God Listening Heart," so he can lead God's people correctly. However his own fleshly desires caused him to loose that heart. The end result for Solomon is, God took his authority away and gave it to someone else. Let's not be like Solomon. If we don't want to be like Solomon, look at the scriptures, it even talks about how we are to lead as a servant and how to continue throughout our life. Today, God is giving us the power of delegated authority, are you going to receive it, say "yes and amen" to it? If so, we need to know how to live and lead with that authority.

Questions?

1. What does, "A Place For Everyone Under Authority" mean to you?

2. How are we to live with the power of delegated authority?

3. How are we to serve and why?

4. There were a lot of "One Liners" throughout the message, what was some of your favorites? Or, the part of the message that stood out to you the most.