Esther 4:14
God accomplishes His purposes through human instruments who submit and dedicate themselves to Him.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that God's purposes are accomplished through human instruments, as illustrated in the story of Esther. He highlights how Esther's life was divinely orchestrated for a pivotal moment to save her people, reminding us that our own lives are also part of God's greater plan. Smith encourages submission and dedication to God's call, stressing that we must be willing to act even in the face of fear. He reassures that even if we fail, God's plans will prevail, and we are here to glorify Him through our obedience. Ultimately, we are reminded that our existence serves a divine purpose, and we should embrace the opportunities God provides.
Text
"FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS"
I. GOD'S PURPOSES ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH HUMAN INSTRUMENTS.
A. Threatened annihilation of Abraham's seed, before God's promise
was fulfilled.
1. "Through thy seed shall all nations of world be
blessed."
2. "There shall arise a branch out of the stem of Judah."
3. God must preserve this tribe to fulfill His Word.
B. God's advance preparations.
1. Vashti's disobedience and de-thronement.
a. What sparked the mind of the drunken King to
issue the order that she disobeyed?
2. Esther chosen over all other to be new queen.
a. You say her beauty - who gave her such
beauty - God working in womb of mother.
b. God's purposes begin even before birth.
Paul - "Separated unto the Gospel from mother's womb."
C. Esther's whole life was being led to this psychic moment "such
a time as this."
1. Why was Esther born?
a. To save Judah from destruction?
b. To please God through obedience.
2. Why were you born?
3. Note years of preparation for a two-day task.
a. Despise not the days of preparation.
4. The time of revelation.
D. How can we become instruments for God's use?
1. Submission.
a. "I will go."
b. "Present your bodies as living sacrifices."
c. When the call of God comes we must go and trust
the circumstances to Him.
2. Dedication.
a. "If I perish I perish."
b. Many ventures for God forsaken for lack of
courage, which comes from total dedication.
1. What have you got to lose?
My neck!
What's so precious about your
neck? -
"Fear not him who can kill the
body . . ."
E. What if we fail God.
1. "If you hold your peace there enlargement and
deliverance shall come."
2. What faith in the purposes of God.
a. "But you and your fathers house shall be
destroyed."
3. We have been placed here on earth for one chief
purpose. All others spring from Him.
a. To glorify God by our submission and obedience
to Christ.
b. God gives us many opportunities throughout
life.
c. Longsuffering and patient.
d. He doesn't let us go.
e. He pursues after us.
Sermon Outline
- I. GOD'S PURPOSES ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH HUMAN INSTRUMENTS
- A. Threatened annihilation of Abraham's seed, before God's promise was fulfilled.
- B. God's advance preparations.
- C. Esther's whole life was being led to this psychic moment 'such a time as this'.
- D. How can we become instruments for God's use?
- E. What if we fail God.
Key Quotes
“Separated unto the Gospel from mother's womb.” — Chuck Smith
“If I perish I perish.” — Chuck Smith
“Fear not him who can kill the body . . .” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must submit to God's call and trust Him with the circumstances.
- Dedication to God is essential to becoming an instrument for His use.
- God gives us opportunities to glorify Him, even when we fail.