God's Opportunities 3

God’s Opportunities For Selflessness

Text: Ester 4

Introduction

In light of this veteran’s day, the war in Israel, the distasteful disconnect and lack of support people and leaders of our nation are contributing and even our the outcomes of some of our local elections, I want to think on this thought — “God’s Opportunities To Be Selfless.”

I cannot stand here today celebrating our Veterans and not think of the selflessness they offered to protect the freedoms we hold so dear! Selflessness is an outward expression of you willing to expend your resources and even your life for something far bigger than yourself. As our veterans have displayed this attribute in service to our nation, let us go forward just the same as God’s children for the purpose of something far greater than this country; Preparing people for eternity!

I want to highlight this God given opportunity by briefly examining the impact Ester and Mordecai had on an entire nation.

Before I do that let me pose this question to you: What level or acts of selflessness are you offering up to God in order to worship Him, serve Him, walk with Him, and tell others about His grace?

1) Never Underestimate Doing Right

A. Mordecai stepped up and took care of his family

When it comes to family, there should be only one thought: What can I do to help?

Your family is God’s first opportunity for you to serve with selflessness.

If you can’t pause your life to help up someone in your family, you my friend are pushing away some of the very ones you will need one day!

Illustration: A truly humble man is hard to find, yet God delights to honor such selfless people. Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of this truth. Shortly after he took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her. Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady. The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. “It’s perfectly all right, Madam,” he replied. “Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it’s always a delight to do something for a friend.” She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute.

The act of selflessness should never be underestimated to the future impact it could have on an individual, community or the world.

B. Mordecai was a captive yet he protected the king.

It is an amazing thing how we can sometimes think that because of my circumstances, I can relent from doing the most right thing.

Would Mordecai have broken one of the king’s laws by withholding the info regarding the plot to kill the king?

How would of anyone known?

God would have known!!!

Mordecai would have been foolish to have used this opportunity to get even or serve some other emotion he had going on in the back of him mind.

He lived with a worldview that helped him continue to do what was right.

God is sovereign and works good out of every situation for those who love Him.

This act of selflessness was put into the hands of His all powerful and all knowing God.

*Give brief detail about Haman’s anger toward Mordecai and plot

2) Never Trade Faith For Fear

Ester had heard of Mordecai’s lamenting and sent one of the king’s eunuchs to inquire from Mordecai why he was in such mourning.

Ester responds to Mordecai with a mind of logic and fear.

Notice how Mordecai responds to Ester — 4:13-17

Mordecai and Ester were both worshipers of the one true living God.

Let this be an example to us all that even though you have confessed a believing faith in Christ, you must daily decide to set fear aside!

Fear comes in when a love for self outgrows a love for God and others.

We all need a Mordecai in our life!!!

He knew God’s covenant with Abraham and He would never allow His people to perish.

Someone who always keeps God’s promises close to their heart and is there to put them back in your heart when you forget.

To live in fear is equal to self worship.

You will always focus on self preservation over everything else.

Notice the amazing, sensible and spiritual reaction of Ester.

She asked for prayer!

People can help you pray whatever amount of pride, selfishness, or fear that may be getting in the way of living selflessly.

She realized that living sacrificially was not something she could escape or pass to someone else.

Don’t miss-understand Ester’s words “If I perish, I perish.”

Not the cry of a martyr, but an awesome testimony of a genuine believer willing to give up everything for her God and His people.

She presented herself to the king, and he showed her great favour.

She requested a grand banquette be held for Haman, but with only her and the king present.

Proverbs 21:1 “1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever he will.”

God has a way to bring the secretive believer out from the shadows.

You keep secrets in the shadows, but you live loudly in the light!

Satan is a destroyer of millions of people!

Going to Hell if not rescued.

Are you like the king, enjoying life without any concern (or) like Mordecai, deeply concerned for those who are living condemned?

YOU don’t have a secret to keep, YOU have a message to tell and a work to do!!!

3) Always Trust God’s Sovereignty

A. The fall of wickedness

The decree was written, the money available, the position given, and the 75ft tall gallows for everyone to see were built.

The king could not sleep — 6:1-3

God turns the heart of the king late one night to read through the chronicles. He is reminded of Mordecai reported a planned threat on the kings life to the king through Ester after she was made queen.

Without knowing who this person was the king wanted to show great favor too, Haman recommended that this person be dressed with a royal robe the king had worn, ride upon a horse the king had ridden, and one of his most noble men to lead him around for the people to delight in.

The king drops the bomb that is was Mordecai!!!

Mordecai’s small gift of selflessness came back around to his benefit.

Following Mordecai being rewarded and Haman humiliated, it was time for Haman to attend the banquette.

Haman walked in with great pride, but was later carried out in a pine box.

Notce: 7:6-10

Proverbs 11:8 “8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked cometh in his stead.”

B. The rise of peace

The king granted Ester and Mordecai to write a decree that would supersede Haman’s.

What a grand picture of what is true in the Christian life.

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has superseded the law of sin and death!!!

The decree of protection and peace for the Jews was to be distributed IMMEDIATELY.

A wonderful picture of the spreading of the Gospel.

A matter of life and death.

This message (decree) of grace carries with it the King of Heaven’s seal!

How many more souls would turn Jesus by faith you became a little bit more selfless?

Conclusion

As the veterans of this great land were willing to do, so must you rise to the occasion by taking the focus off of you and place it on the over-rulling power and providence of God.