Mordecai

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Mordecai

• An Honorable Man

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Introduction

• Have you ever heard someone called an honorable
  person?
• What is meant by that probably varies
• But it denotes someone who displays some standard
  of virtue in their lives
• Mordecai, Esthers cousin, was an honorable man
• Lets look at what made him honorable and see if
  we can learn any lessons as well

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A man of responsibility

• Esther 27
• He took his orphaned cousin in and raised her as
  his own daughter
• No requirement that he do so
• He saw what needed to be done and did it
• 1 Tim 58 We are responsible before God to care
  for our families
• Too often today the responsibility is cast on
  government
• Too often men abandon even their own children
• Too often the children arent raised, but just
  allowed to grow up (Eph 64)

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A man of loyalty

• Esther 221-23
• Mordecai found out about a plot against the
  kings life
• He didnt forget it or ignore it
• He didnt say I dont want to get involved
• He acted by informing the king through Esther
• 1 Pet 217 Fear God. Honor the king.
• We have another King as well (Mt 624)
• Are we loyal to Him?
• Do we ignore sins, forget them, or act?
• Are we afraid of persecution? (Mt 510-12)

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A man of discernment

• Esther 31-5
• We are not told why Mordecai refused to bow
• Several examples show it was not sinful
• Ruth 210 Ruth bowed to Boaz
• 1 Sam 2041 David bowed to Jonathan
• 2 Kings 113 a captain bows to Elijah
• But bowing in worship was forbidden
• Rev 228-9 John forbidden
• Since he refused, he must have known the required
  bowing was worshipful
• He discerned between good and evil and held his
  ground (Heb 513-14)
• 1 Thes 521-22 Be picky!

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A man of brotherly love

• Esther 41-4
• Mordecai genuinely distressed over the plot to
  kill his people
• John 1334-35
• Genuine love is a sign of Christians
• 1 Jn 420-21 for brethren
• 2 Cor 511, 20 for the fate of the lost

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A man who provokes righteous action

• Esther 413-14
• Mordecai took action
• He didnt allow Esther to put herself before the
  needs of others
• His words provoked her to do right
• Eph 429 edify, impart grace
• Heb 1024 stir up, provoke
• 1 Tim 412 be an example

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Christians

• 1 Pet 211-12
• Be honorable even if the world is not
• Grk kalos Beautiful, noble, good, virtuous
• 2 Cor 137
• The honorable thing is to not sin
• After all we have been purchased at a price
• We shouldnt scorn the blood of Christ
• Matt 516
• good is kalos
• Honorable works

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Conclusion

• Mordecai shows us what it is to be honorable
• Responsible
• Loyal
• Discerning
• Loving
• Encouraging
• Are we honorable people?
• Do we let the world see the light of God through
  our honorable actions?

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