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. For 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 knows 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 4:12-17 (NIV)
How do I as a Christ follower courageously respond to “Kingdom opportunities?”
Rely on my ________________________.
Die to _________________.
Embrace __________________.
Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
The Bibles tells us amazing stories that have characters who either model remarkable character to emulate or awful character to avoid. The four main characters in the Book of Esther, King Xerxes, Mordecia, Haman and Esther, are very unique and interesting. Two have little Christ-like character and two have remarkable Christ-like character. We will look at each character to glean how God might form our character to be more Christ-like.
Ed Horne was born and raised in Fort Myers. His grandparents were charter members of Central UMC when it started in 1922. He grew up in the church, and gave his life to Christ in 1972 at a Vacation Bible School. After high school he took a job managing movie theaters. God used his time there to develop his leadership skills. Ed spent the next 17 years seeking after success and money. In 2001 God got his attention when he lost the theater job. He came back to the church and made his walk to Emmaus in 2005. He finally let Jesus have his full life and became a lay speaker at Central. He was there when the it was adopted by Grace Church, and became part of the Guide Team.
Shortly after he received a call into the ministry. He served in Charlotte Harbor at Trinity UMC. During his three years there, the church experienced growth and in 2017 was awarded the One Matters award by the Conference for the greatest increase in professions of Faith and attendance.
He has now returned home to Grace Church Central Campus.
Ed is also very involved in The Kairos Prison Ministry, which brings the love of Christ to the incarcerated. He also serves on The District Leadership Committee.
Ed is married to Jami and has three children. Son's Lin and Chris, and daughter Lea. He has two grandsons, Xavien and Cas.
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. For 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 knows 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 4:12-17 (NIV)
How do I as a Christ follower courageously respond to “Kingdom opportunities?”
Rely on my ________________________.
Die to _________________.
Embrace __________________.
Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
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