Edna Lister’s Sermons, 1931

Your Royal Birth
Edna Lister outline, November 30, 1931, Edinburgh, Scotland. Esther 3:12-13, 4:10-17, 7:1-6.

  “There was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.”–Esther 3:12-13.
  “Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; all the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 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? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.”–Esther 4:10-17.
  “So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.”–Esther 7:1-6.
  To be of royal birth is a high heritage to live up to, and implies an inheritance; for example, a kingdom to inherit. One must be well born to inherit or wear a crown. One must be born to it and live up to it.
  The story of Esther holds two important ideas, preparation and renunciation. Your preparation must begin early in life and be constant throughout life. It includes obedience to all commands, self-discipline and mastery of the self.
  Renunciation requires consecration to a life of service, and thinking first of what is best for all. For example, Abraham had to be willing to serve God, not holding onto anything, even his own son.
  “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”–Romans 8:16-18.
  According to this proclamation, we are joint-heirs with Christ to the kingdom of God. We may share in his life, wisdom, love, companionship, health, wealth, success and power. For example, you breathe life from the Holy Breath of Life as you inhale. Health is simply a matter of having enough life fill you.
  When you give enough love, love then fulfills the law. Companionship involves being with someone to whom you may give understanding and empathy, as well as to receive it.
  Wealth is your inheritance. Success is persevering despite any obstacle, taking life’s blows on the chin without quitting or turning back to old ways.
  What do you think about life? How do you view it? Some people see only the lack, not having enough when the money is all spent. “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal [generous] soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”–Proverbs 11:24-24.
  Some people are spendthrifts, others are so addicted to saving that they give resentfully and grudgingly. They so want to hold onto what they have that they can let nothing go. Grasping and holding onto the past, they have no room for the future.
  “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”–Luke 6:38. You receive in the same way that you have given, by quality and quantity, according to the emotion behind your giving.
  What are you looking for now, today? What do you expect? What are you planning to have when Christ comes? “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”–Revelation 3:11.
  Esther’s story proves that being born into an earthly royal lineage is not necessary, for if you live up to your royal heritage as a joint-heir with Christ, you will be promoted and exalted. Yet, you must hold an expectant attitude every second. Renunciation of the world’s values is your consecration to live a kingly life. Obedience to all commandments, spiritual and temporal, is essential. You must live as a king or a queen where you are. Remain in command of your temper, never doing anything mean to demote your own soul.
  The fellow who must tell everyone who he is, needs the recognition and adulation. If you know who and what you are, it never occurs to you to talk about it. When you know who and what you are, you live it because you are it. So, hold fast to your royal birth and live royally.

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