For Such A Time As This

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Insert picture)

Insert Picture of Bonhoeffer

The Defining Moment

As Adolf Hitler rose to power in the 1930s, many churches in Germany either aligned themselves with the Nazi regime or chose to remain silent. Bonhoeffer, however, saw the dangers of the Nazi ideology early on. He openly opposed Hitler’s policies, particularly the persecution of Jews and the state's attempt to control the church.

In 1939, as World War II escalated, Bonhoeffer was given an opportunity to stay in the United States, where he would be safe from Hitler’s reach. It was a tempting option—he could continue his theological work in safety, far from the dangers of Nazi Germany. But after only a few weeks in America, he made a courageous decision: he would return to Germany to stand with his people and actively resist Hitler’s tyranny.

The Price of Courage

Back in Germany, Bonhoeffer joined the underground resistance and became involved in a conspiracy to overthrow Hitler, even playing a role in a plot to assassinate the dictator. His moral conviction that faith required action led him to risk everything. He also worked to help Jews escape persecution.

In April 1943, the Gestapo arrested Bonhoeffer. After two years in prison, he was executed on April 9, 1945—just weeks before Germany surrendered.

His Legacy

Bonhoeffer’s defining moment—choosing to return to Nazi Germany instead of staying safe—demonstrated his deep conviction that Christian faith is not passive but calls for bold action in the face of evil. His writings, particularly The Cost of Discipleship, continue to inspire people to stand courageously for truth and justice, no matter the cost.

He choose to do something uncomfortable for the Kingdom instead of what was comfortable.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you knew you had to step up, but fear held you back?

At work, on of the guys makes an inappropriate comment about one of your lady coworkers.

In school, a group of kids picking on one of the other students.

In the church, God calling you to serve in a new ministry—maybe leading a small group or joining the worship team. You doubts himself: ‘I’m not good enough. I don’t know enough Bible verses. What if I mess up?’ Instead of stepping up, he lets fear keep him in the background.

Tension: Fear has a way of paralyzing us. It’s on the biggest ways our enemy can keep us away from our calling. B/c fear has a way of ruling over you. It becomes your master if you allow it.

Mr. Bonhoeffer didn’t allow fear to stop his calling and I’m here to tell you you cannot either. Fear is a lousy master.

We’re going to see someone overcome their fear and step into their calling.

Truth

Esther happens after the exile and some people return to Jerusalem, others do not. Nehemiah and Ezra rebuild the wall and Temple, Esther and Mordaci do not.

Recap Esther 1-3.

Queen Vashti removed. King says he’s looking for a new wife a beautiful wife.

Mordaci tells her she should give it shot. Try out to be queen.

She did it, “she earned everyones favor.”

She becomes the Queen but she is silent about being an Israelite.

Esther 3:1–2 NIV

1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.

Mordecai would not bow b/c he bows only to the Lord, not man.

Esther 3:3–4 NIV

3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.

Esther 3:5–6 NIV

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

So now the man sets out to destroy the Isrealites, Queen Esthers people, BUT no one knows they are the queens people. The king is bribed by Haman without knowing of Queen Esthers race the king allows Haman to start hunting Israelites in the kingdom.

Mordacia puts on sackcloth (a sign of mourning) and he can’t into the court. b/c he’s wearing it. Esther sends Hathaka eunuch out to learn why is he acting this way.

Esther 4:7–8 NIV

7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

Hakath takes it back to the Queen Esther.

The Queen hears this and there is a problem with this request. You did not just go to the king, you were summoned. If you went to King Xerxes and he didn’t call you and he wasn’t in a good mood then you could quickly end up dead. We saw how unstable this king is when he got rid of his first queen b/c she refused to come show everyone how pretty she was. Uncle Mordecai, he hasn’t called me in 30 days.

Her fear is standing in the way - if she says yes, she could die.

Esther 4:13–14 NIV

he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

In other words, God is going to provide. It might be a while but I have faith Esther that he will provide. But when the king finds out that you are an Israelite, you will die by that time.

Esther 4:14 NIV

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther - you might believe in coincidences, I do not. What if you have been placed here, by the divine hand of God.

Esther 4:15–16 NIV

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Did you see what happened? If you move too fast through the text you’ll miss it. Esther wrestle with and conquered her fear right here in front of us. In one breath she is resistant to seeing the king and the next she is ready to step out into her calling.

No she steps up not because she’s fearless but because she trusts God more than she fears the unknown.

Again, fear is paralyzing and her first response was to give into the fear - BUT Mordacia stepped in and encouraged her.

GROUP PUSH >>> This is why you need a Mordacia. You need someone who is going to step up to you and call you to something higher. Challenge you in your faith. Push along in your calling. You need someone who is not going to settle for where you are but wants to see you go to the higher place the Lord has called you. That’s why we have Life Groups.

Application

“So let me ask you: Where has God placed you right now?”

What if God has you in your workplace, not just for a paycheck, but for a purpose?

What if you’re going to reach people in that organization?

What if you’re going restore some relationships?

What if your family isn’t just an accident, but an assignment?

What if God is going to use you break years of generational sin?

What if God is going to use you to raise the next leader in the church or the next CEO that changes the world?

Maybe you sitting here today and you see the Lord’s hand, you recognize that’s he's got you here on purpose for a purpose… but you’re afraid to take that next step. The Lord generally calls you in these 3 areas.

Personal, Professional and the Pew.

1. Personal

Lead the family (my mom was bad I’m a bad mom)

Give up the addiction (runs in the family, can’t change)

Have a more intimate relationship with Him (don’t have the theological understanding)

Be a present Father/Mother (don’t have the right temperament)

2. Professional

Accept the position (a lot of work, not qualified)

Start the project (don’t know what to do)

Accept the contract (not sure I can deliver)

Start the business (don’t have the leadership skills)

3. Pew

Become a DM at the church (not enough time)

Join a LG (not enough time, don’t know enough Bible)

Give (not enough money)

Start the ministry (don’t have the theological understanding)

God has uniquely equipped and uniquely positioned you.

What if the things you’re afraid to step into are the very things God is calling you to?

Fear is a horrible master >>> as a follower of Jesus you already have a master.

Here’s the truth...this is what I want you to remember when fear sets in.

If He’s called you to it, He’ll get you through it.

Some of you feel like Esther— your wrestling with fear of your call and maybe today, God is saying, ‘This is your moment. Step up.’

“For such a time as this.”

You don’t have to be the most qualified—just the most obedient.

What are you running from that you’re called to?

Keeps coming up

Feels right but fear is holding you back

Afraid to fail so you don’t do it

Inspiration

"Imagine if we actually lived this out. Imagine if every one of us said, ‘God, I don’t want to miss my moment.’"

What would our church look like if we all stepped into our calling?

What would our families look like if we led with faith instead of fear?

What if we saw every moment as an opportunity to be used by God?

Closing Challenge: "This week, pray this simple prayer: ‘God, show me why I’m here. Show me the opportunity in front of me. And give me the courage to step up.’"

Closing Prayer: "God, we don’t want to miss what You’re doing. Give us eyes to see, faith to trust, and courage to step up when our moment comes."

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