Have you ever felt like staying quiet was easier than standing up for what you believe? God hasn’t called us to blend in—He’s placed each of us exactly where we are to live with courage, trust Him with the outcome, and boldly share the hope of Jesus. As we remember His faithfulness and stay connected to people who strengthen our faith, we can step into every opportunity knowing He’s already gone before us!
Notes 📓✏️:
“All the king’s officials of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in their inner court without being summoned the king has but one law. That they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But Thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape, or if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who know but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king even though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions
Esther 4:11-17
A hidden light won’t change a dark room.
The Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people…”
Esther 3:8
But you are a chosen generation, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9
We are ambassadors for Christ…
2 Corinthians 5:20
Many of us have become experts at hiding what God intended to highlight.
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on a sackcloth and ashes, and went into the midst of the city and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry… the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth
Esther 4:1-4
She want to change how the problem looks.
Instead of confronting darkness… We manage appearances.
“You are the light of the world… a city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.
Your position was never meant for your comfort. It was meant for God’s purpose.
Boldness costs, but the cost is worth it.
Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me… When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.
Esther 4:16
Boldness is confidence in who God is.
Boldness = to confide in, or set one’s hope and confidence in.
Your boldness will only be as resilient as the thing you place your hope and confidence in.
Biblical Boldness is what naturally rises within us when our confidence is placed in God.
1. REMEMBER those who were bold before us.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1
2. SURROUND ourselves with a confident community.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25
3. UNDERSTAND that our future is held by God.
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony
Hebrews 10:24-25
What is God calling you to do today that feels like it’s too big, too scary, or too much to ask?
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- Pastor Eddie pointed out that Haman could clearly see that God’s people were ‘different’ – not because they advertised it, but because they simply carried it. What does it look like in everyday life to by ‘noticeably different’ as a follower of Jesus without being weird or obnoxious?
- Ether’s first reaction to the crisis was to send Mordecai new clothes – she wanted to change how the problem looked rather than deal with it directly. Why do you think it’s so easy to manage appearances instead of confronting what’s really going on, both personally and spiritually?
- Pastor Caden explained that biblical boldness in Hebrew means to place your hope and confidence in something – and that your boldness will only be as strong as whatever you place it in. What are some common things people place their confidence in today, and why do those things eventually fail to produce lasting boldness?
- Pastor Caden used Hebrews 12:1 to talk about remembering those who were bold before us. How does knowing that others have faced fear and still trusted God help you face your own fears?