A Time for Consideration
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
(Background) During this time, the COI were under the rule of the Persian king Ahasuerus. King Ahasuerus was married to queen Vashti, but she was a rebellious, stubborn woman, so the king put her away and sought another. The queen that he selected would be a Jewish orphan named Esther.
Before she was selected to be queen, we’re introduced to her and the man who raised her. A man by the name of Mordecai in Esther 2:5–7 “Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”
In Chapter 3, we’re introduced to a wicked man by the name of Haman. Ch. 3 tells us a few things, namely:
How Haman rose in rank with the king
How Mordecai refused to bow to him
Because of this, Haman hatched a plot to have all the Jews destroyed by the end of the year.
This brings us to chapter 4, which will largely be our focus today.
As we begin this year, I believe it’s worthwhile for us to take a minute and pause to consider some things. Proverbs 4:26 “Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established.”
I always say that one of the best things that you can do during Bible study is sit & meditate. Just sit there and consider. Allow the Holy Spirit time to reveal truth to you.
Proverbs 21:5 “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But of every one that is hasty only to want.”
So today as we begin this new year, I want to take a few moments just to consider and think on some things.
The first thing that I want us to consider - and I desire to be the focal point of our year, is to Consider Time
I. Consider Time
I. Consider Time
Just as last year we focused on building, this year I want this church - and all in it, to consider time.
The concept of time as well as the use of it.
My prayer this year for you is that you gain a greater understanding of time, and learn to a greater degree the value of it.
So let’s consider a few Biblical concepts in regards to time:
It’s Limited (Heb. 9:27)
Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
One concept of time that I want us to ponder is the fact that time is limited.
I’m not speaking about time in general, I’m speaking about time relative to us personally.
Though we don’t see it
Though we don’t know it
Every one of us has an expiration date stamped upon us. God has given each one of us an appointment that we’ll not miss, nor will we be late for.
As I stand here and preach this message unto you, every one of you is breathing at a regular pace. Your heart’s are all beating in a unique rhythm. You are not controlling either of these, God has set them in motion. In like manner, there is coming a time when everyone under the sound of my voice, God will cause their hearts to stop beating and they will take their last breath - and there’s nothing any of us can do to stop it!
Time - time on this earth here is limited for each of us.
It’s Fleeting (Jam. 4:14)
James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Time is not only limited, but it’s fleeting. In other words, it passes very quickly.
(Ill.) This is hard for the young to comprehend, but easy for the elderly. By the time one reaches my age, they look back and wonder where did the time go? It seems like yesterday my baby girl slept upon my chest, now my baby is carrying a baby.
(Ill.) I’ve been here 6.5 years now. Those who were in elementary school when I came are driving now. Those in Middle school are now in college. All Mrs. Rena did when I came here was hiss at me. And some who I saw every week, I’ll not see again until I reach Heaven.
James was right when he said ‘It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away’.
There’s times when I have to remind myself that I’m not a young man anymore - and if I don’t, my body does it for me. Time has run through me and seems to accelerate the further I go.
Every young man thinks they’ll live forever and every old man wonders how forever went by so fast.
Time is fleeting
It’s Priceless (Luk. 12:16-20)
(Read Luk. 12:16-20)
In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a man. In the story we gather that the man has many things:
He had money
He had property
He had plans
The one thing that he didn’t have was time.
And it didn’t matter then how much money he had.
It didn’t matter how much property he had
It didn’t matter what his plans were
No amount of money, property or plans could by him one more second of time!
(Ill.) When I consider this, my mind always goes to Steve Jobs. (Founder of Apple). This man had money, power, fame, accolades - he was seen as a revolutionary. He was on the cover of magazines, his profile silhouette is almost as famous as Alfred Hitchcock’s. His net worth as 10.2 BILLION dollars. Yet Steve Jobs died at the tender age of 56. Even with 10.2 Billion dollars, he couldn’t buy another minute of life.
Time is Priceless
It’s Irreplaceable (Joh. 9:4)
Jesus said in John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
Jesus understood the simple truth that Time was Irreplaceable.
What I mean by that is, once it’s spent, you can’t get it back. Once you spend it, you spend it.
There is no refunds
There are no returns
There are no exchanges
There is no do-overs
There is no reset button
There is no pause switch
Whatever you do with your time, is done. There’s no going back!
(Ill.) The lives of each one of us can be represented by this hourglass here. There are some here that have more sand in the top than the bottom, and some with more in the bottom than the top. But NONE of us can stop the flow thereof! Unlike this hourglass, none of us can set it on it’s side, nor can we flip it upside down. We all have some up (top) but as I speak, it’s flowing into eternity. AND THERE’S NO GETTING IT BACK!
Our time is irreplaceable
We’re Called to Redeem It (Eph. 5:15-16)
Ephesians 5:15–16 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Circumspectly (def) Literally, looking on all sides; looking around. Hence, cautious; prudent; watchful
Redeem (def - in this sense) Rescue from loss
And in everything we do, we are exchanging time in order to do it. It could be Work, it could be Leisure, it could be School, it could be Play. It could be meaningFULL or meaningLESS - but whatever it is, we’re EXCHANGING
God is calling for us to be cautious with our time. To watch and be prudent with it.
God is calling for us to rescue our time FROM LOSS!
This thing called TIME that is:
Limited
Fleeting
Priceless
Irreplaceable
God says ‘Don’t lose it! Rescue it! Satan wants you to waste it on meaningless things! Don’t let that happen! Redeem the time!’
GOD is calling us to Redeem the Time
As we Consider Time, I want next to Consider THIS Time and how we can Redeem the Time during THIS Time.
II. Consider this Time
II. Consider this Time
As we consider this time, I think it’s good to note that the thing going on in Esther’s time are not unlike today.
In that day it was a day of Uncertainty
One of Uncertainty (3:15)
When the commandment went forth, the Bible says that the city of Shushan was ‘perplexed’. In other words, they had no idea what was going on!
Church, we live in a day & age of uncertainty. Who among us could look at America and guess what’s going to happen next.
We can’t in our country identify the most basic of things.
We can’t tell if a boy is a boy
Even if we think we can tell, we can’t assume what their preferred pronouns are.
We’re even to the point to where we’re addressing singular people by the plural pronoun ‘they’.
We can’t tell if the man who was president, who’s leading in all polls to BE president will be in jail 6 months from now - nor do we know if the current president in 6 months will be able to form complete sentences.
We live in a day of uncertainty
One that is Perilous (3:13)
Esther’s day was a Perilous time. The Jewish people were under persecution simply for being Jews.
Today is growing more perilous for the Christian. Christianity once was the dominant force in America has become ostracized and vilified.
If you believe the Bible you’re now labeled:
Misogynist
Homophobe
Transphobe
Old-fashioned
Out of Touch
You name it, we’re called it.
So it’s a perilous time to be a Christian, but it’s even worse for those who aren’t - but we’ll speak to that in a minute.
It’s a Perilous Time
One of Opportunity (v14)
But as we consider the truth that it’s a time of Uncertainty & one that is Perilous, it’s also a time of Opportunity.
Mordecai told Esther ‘who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’
In other words he’s saying: “Esther, look you are in a prime position to do something amazing! You can make a difference!”
And I say here to you - Yes, I know that we live in uncertain and perilous times, but we are in a position to do something amazing! We can make a difference for the cause of Christ in these last days!
We have SUCH an opportunity here IN this church and THROUGH this church to reach not only our community, but all across the world! We can reach the old, young, rich & poor. The children in the basement or the elders in Africa! There are so many ways that we can make an impact in this world!
We have a time of Opportunity
One for Self-Denial (v16a)
We see that during this time of opportunity that Esther - through great wisdom - proclaimed a collective fast. What they were doing was denying the flesh so that the Spirit would move!
Church, this time that we have is a time for self-denial.
If we focus on ourselves, and what our flesh desires, we will fail. But if we deny ourselves, and our flesh, and let the Spirit of God rule our hearts during this time of great opportunity - we can be used to do amazing things for God!
We must stop focusing on our wants and look to what Jesus wants for us!
This time is one for Self-Denial
One for Action (v16b)
Esther said "no matter the cost I'm willing to pay it"! She was ready to take action!
Now is not the time for you, and I to be sitting on the sidelines.
Now is not the time for you, and I to sit back at our leisure and watch others labor.
Now is the time for action!
Jesus said it right! John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
It’s a Time for Action
We’ve Considered Time, and we’ve Considered THIS Time. Lastly today, I want to Consider the Cause
III. Consider the Cause
III. Consider the Cause
WHY must we Redeem the Time
WHAT is so Important?
A People Under Judgment (3:13)
I’d said a few moments ago that it was a perilous time being a Christian. Not near as bad in America as it is in many other parts of the world. However, as I said there’s a much more perilous position to be in and that is when you’re under Judgment.
There’s a people who are under the Judgment of a Holy God.
They are lost and dead in their trespasses and sin.
They have no hope outside of Jesus.
And who will tell them if we don’t? Who are you counting on to reach the lost & dying?
Are you hoping that the preacher does it?
Are you hoping that another church will do it?
Are you counting on other members of the church to do it?
Lamentations 1:12a “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?…”
There’s a People Under Judgment
An Enemy on the Loose (3:1-2a)
We see in the history of Esther & Mordecai, the enemy of the story is a man by the name of Haman.
Haman was exalted and roaming to & fro seeking to devour. Does this remind you of anyone?
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
There’s an enemy running loose in our country & our community. He’s devouring our children, he’s eating up the next generation.
There’s an Enemy on the Loose
Only Few Will Stand (3:2b)
Our country is bowing down - but not unto Jesus. Our nation is bowing unto Satan. There’s very few that are willing to stand such as Mordecai.
Because so few are standing, it makes it that much more important for you and I to stand.
Paul said: Ephesians 6:10–14 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…”
Stand church, Stand! Don’t bow down to pop culture! Don’t bow down in face of pressure from satanic forces! Stand UP and Stand AGAINST! In these last days!
Only Few will Stand. The question is, will you?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Church remember: Our Time here to make a difference is:
Limited; Fleeting; Priceless; Irreplaceable.
Our God has called us to be wise and Redeem it. RESCUE IT FROM LOSS!
This time is Uncertain & Perilous - but it’s a great time of Opportunity! And it’s high time to take Action!
Will you be one of the few to Stand? Is there not a cause? Are people dying and going to Hell not enough to move us to action?
What will you do?