A Baptist Sermon Outline on Esther's Story

Today, we provide an effective Baptist sermon outline on the Book of Esther which teaches that ultimately, the victory is ours, as followers of Jesus Christ.

As regular readers understand, it is needful to provide this content in search digestable form which means I will, for this webpage's purpose, provide a "script" style over view of the actual outline.

However, the "outline" can be downloaded here in pdf form, and directly to any electronic device. However, and to gain clarity with respect to the sermon outline's direction and intent, read this post as well.

To begin our script, imagine a young Jewish woman, standing at the threshold of a grand throne room, her heart pounding as she prepares to risk her life. The image of Esther approaching King Ahasuerus, adorned in a flowing, ethereal gown, captures a moment of profound bravery and faith.

God’s deliverance often lies in our decision to act, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Today, we’ll explore the story of Esther, a queen who faced a life-altering choice, and uncover the powerful themes of faith, courage, and God’s ultimate victory woven throughout her narrative.

Our story begins in the Book of Esther, a text where final judgments unfold, revealing God’s providence in unexpected ways.

Esther was a young Jewish woman living in Persia, a descendant of the Jews who chose to stay behind after Ezra and others returned to Jerusalem about 30 years earlier.

Despite her people’s exile, Esther’s life took a dramatic turn—she became queen, the wife of King Ahasuerus.

Yet, her position was precarious. As a Jew in a foreign land, she lived under the shadow of potential persecution, a reality that would soon test her faith. Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, played a pivotal role in her life.

He raised her as his own daughter and became her guide during a time of crisis. The Book of Esther contains two of the most well-known verses in Scripture, both centered on a dire moment for the Jewish people.

A wicked man named Haman, an enemy of the Jews, had devised a plan to annihilate them. Mordecai, aware of the danger, urged Esther to act.

He spoke words that echo through history: “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?” (Esther 4:14).

Mordecai’s message was clear: if Esther remained silent, deliverance might come from elsewhere, but she and her family would face destruction.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Esther faced a dilemma we can all relate to—a situation where she was “darned if she did, and darned if she didn’t.”

Her response was resolute: “Then I will go to the king, which is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). In that moment, Esther made a life-altering decision, not knowing the outcome but trusting in God’s unseen hand.

Esther’s story teaches us a profound truth: God’s deliverance often lies in our decision to move forward, not in our choice to “wait and see.” Too often, we use God’s name to justify inaction, saying things like, “We just need to keep praying,” or “God will take care of it,” or “I’ll wait on the Lord.”

While prayer and waiting on God are vital, what if you are the answer God has positioned for the problem? What if, like Esther, you hold the key to solving the crisis?

Scripture reminds us that faith without action is incomplete. James 2:14-16 declares, “Faith without works is dead.” Deuteronomy 31:6 urges us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of them.”

And Jesus Himself asks, “Why call me Lord and you do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Sometimes, we keep waiting for God, but He is waiting for us to believe Him enough to act.

Consider the consequences of inaction in history. In the mid-1950s, what if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had only prayed for change and never marched for justice? Where would we be if Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, had continued to pray for another way and never went to the cross (Luke 22:42)?

What if Franklin D. Roosevelt had not taken bold action to address the Great Depression in the 1930s? In each case, action—rooted in faith—changed the course of history.

Esther’s decision to approach the king, despite the risk, reminds us that God often calls us to step out in faith, even when we can’t see the outcome.

Point 1: God’s Enemies Cannot Win

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Book of Esther is that God’s name is never mentioned, yet His fingerprints are everywhere. God had made a promise to Abraham, His friend, that his descendants would be blessed (Genesis 17:3-5).

Esther and the Jews in Persia, though far from Jerusalem, were still part of God’s people. This reminds us of a comforting truth: wherever you are—whether at home, work, or even on vacation—God is with you.

As Psalms 139:8 declares, “If I ascend to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there.” You may feel abandoned by others, but God has not left you behind.

You may think you’re hiding from Him, but He is never hiding from you.

Because of God’s promise, His enemies cannot win. The victory has already been secured through His sovereign plan. Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews seemed unstoppable, but God was working behind the scenes to ensure His people’s deliverance.

Point 2: God Defines Winning

Haman, like many of God’s enemies, believed he had the upper hand. But God defines winning, not our enemies. Scripture is filled with examples of this truth. Pharaoh thought he had the Israelites trapped at the Red Sea, but God parted the waters and delivered His people (Exodus 14:1-31).

Naomi, returning home as a widow with no descendants, seemed defeated, yet her daughter-in-law Ruth became the grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:17).

And Jesus on the cross appeared to be a victory for His enemies, but God turned death into life, bringing salvation to the world (Luke 23:26-46).

In each case, God snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. When all seems lost, God has yet to intervene. When things look desperate, He waits for the perfect moment to deliver.

When hope feels distant, God specializes in restoring it through faith. Esther’s story mirrors this pattern—Haman’s plan seemed foolproof, but God turned the tables, ensuring the Jews’ survival.

Point 3: The Trap Set for You Will Catch the Trap Setter

Haman’s downfall is a powerful reminder that the trap set for God’s people often ensnares the one who set it. Haman built a gallows to hang Mordecai, but when his plot was revealed to the king, Haman himself was hanged on it.

God would not allow His people to be destroyed, and Esther and Mordecai, as Jews, were under His protection. As believers, we are grafted into God’s family, and we can trust that our enemies cannot ultimately win.

Closing: Victory Through Christ

Esther’s courage, rooted in faith, led to the deliverance of her people. Her story reminds us that victory has already been won through Jesus Christ.

As 1 Corinthians 15:57 declares, “Thanks be to God, that we have victory through Jesus Christ.” Proverbs 11:14 assures us that “in an abundance of counselors there is victory.”

First John 5:4 proclaims, “For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.” And Romans 8:37 reminds us, “In everything we have won more than victory, because Christ who loves us makes us more than conquerors.”

The image of Esther standing before the king captures a moment of decision—a moment where faith met action, and God’s deliverance followed. Let her story inspire you to trust God enough to act, knowing that He is with you, defining victory, and ensuring that the plans of your enemies will not prevail.

Victory is yours through Christ—step forward in faith and claim it.

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