How to Change Culture By Mentoring Leaders

Although the Book of Esther does not mention the name of God, there is perhaps no greater book that more clearly illustrates the ways of God and His sovereign hand! Those who read this book will quickly realize how Mordecai is one of the unsung heroes of the Bible. The following principles were utilized by him to save a whole race and transform a nation’s laws and customs.

I. Mordecai Raised Up a Leader Fit to Stand in the Presence of a Secular King (Esther 2:7-8)

One of the mistakes that many pastors make is that we are only raising up church leadership instead of preparing folks in our church to “rule in the gates” as the greatest and most faithful servant leaders communities, cities, and nations have ever seen! 

II. Mordecai Stayed Close to the King’s Gate (Esther 2:21-23)

1. God is looking for Christ-followers He can trust to continually stay close to the gates of power.

• This will give us prophetic insight and discernment of the times.
• This will give God’s people the platform for the right opportunity to come along for kingdom influence. 

III. Mordecai Refused to Compromise His Faith While in the Gates (Esther 3:1-5)

Often, men and women of God who get involved politically prostitute themselves for power and lose their salt, but not Mordecai! 

IV. Mordecai Was Aware of All the King’s Edicts (Esther 4:1-9)

1. Those serious about city and national transformation must have the Scriptures in one hand and the newspapers in the other. They have to be people of the Word and people of the world.

2. Those serious about social transformation must be willing to be in secular places of influence so that they may garner the information needed as an insider to circumvent the enemy’s schemes to destroy the work of God. 

V. Mordecai Knew When to Access His Insider’s Influence to Change Ungodly Laws and Systems (Esther 4:13-14; 8:3-6)

VI. Mordecai Was a Man of Fasting, Prayer, and Humility (Esther 4:1, 16)

I have found that the more I am involved in the so-called secular arena, the more prayer and fasting I need to stay spiritually sharp and focused on the Lord.

VII. Mordecai Waited on God to Promote Him (Esther 6:1-3)

1. Too many leaders in secular arenas fall into the trap of politicking or attempting to promote themselves instead of allowing God to be the one to exalt them (Psalm 75:6-7).

2. Those who are humble and wait on God are eventually honored even by their enemies (Esther 6:10-13). 

VIII. Mordecai Was Positioned in Power Through the Leader He Nurtured (Esther 8:1-2)

Those who give themselves to pouring into and releasing leadership for the social realms of power will themselves be placed in positions of influence by the very people they poured into.

IX. Mordecai Rewrote Ungodly Laws (Esther 8:7-14)

Christian leaders shouldn’t just preach against ungodly laws but be learned enough to help rewrite legislation to better reflect the kingdom of God. 

X. Mordecai’s Influence Gave God’s People a Place of Favor and Power (Esther 8:17; 9:1-5)