Embracing Divine Purpose and Individual Responsibility

 

Summary

In the story of Esther, we find a powerful message about individual responsibility and divine purpose. Esther, a Jewish queen in a foreign land, is faced with a choice that could save her people from destruction. Mordecai's appeal to Esther is not just a call to action but a reminder of her unique position and the potential impact of her decisions. This narrative serves as a profound metaphor for our own lives, urging us to recognize the opportunities and responsibilities that come with our circumstances.

As individuals, we are often tempted to separate our personal interests from those of our community or faith. However, true salvation and fulfillment come from aligning our lives with the purposes of God and the well-being of others. We are reminded that our personal well-being is intricately linked to the collective health of our community and the church. If we choose to isolate ourselves, we risk spiritual ruin and miss the blessings that come from being part of a greater mission.

God's work will continue with or without us, but we are invited to be active participants in His divine plan. This is both a humbling and empowering truth. It challenges us to consider how we are using the talents and opportunities God has given us. Are we hoarding them for personal gain, or are we investing them in the kingdom of God? The story of Esther encourages us to aspire to greater things, to rise to the challenges before us, and to trust in God's provision and purpose.

In times of uncertainty and challenge, we are called to confide in God's sovereignty. If He has placed us in a particular position, it is for a reason. We can move forward with confidence, knowing that His plans are unstoppable and His purposes will be fulfilled. Our role is to be faithful, to act with courage, and to trust that God will use us in ways we cannot yet imagine.

Key Takeaways:

- Individual Responsibility and Divine Purpose: Each of us is placed in our unique circumstances for a reason. Like Esther, we must recognize our potential impact and act with courage and faith, knowing that our choices can have far-reaching consequences. [00:27]

- Interconnectedness of Personal and Collective Well-being: Our personal salvation and well-being are tied to the health of our community and church. Separating our interests from those of Christ and His church leads to spiritual ruin. We must live in unity with Christ and His mission. [08:30]

- God's Work Continues with or Without Us: While God invites us to participate in His work, He is not dependent on us. This truth humbles us and challenges us to use our talents and opportunities for His glory, knowing that He can raise others if we fail to act. [16:36]

- Aspire to Greater Things: We are called to rise to the challenges before us, aiming to fulfill our calling to its fullest potential. Our limitations are not barriers to God's work; rather, they are opportunities for His power to be displayed through us. [36:05]

- Confidence in God's Sovereignty: Trusting in God's sovereignty allows us to move forward with confidence, knowing that His plans are unstoppable. Our role is to be faithful and courageous, trusting that God will use us in ways beyond our imagination. [43:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Mordecai's Appeal to Esther
- [01:04] - England's Divine Purpose
- [02:05] - The Responsibility of Nations
- [03:11] - The Warning to Churches
- [04:30] - Personal Responsibility in the Church
- [05:32] - The Call to Individual Action
- [06:37] - Hearken to God's Call
- [09:02] - Union with Christ
- [12:29] - The Danger of Selfishness
- [16:20] - God's Work Without Us
- [19:26] - The Risk of Neglecting Opportunities
- [24:35] - Consider Your Position
- [29:25] - Stewardship of Resources
- [36:05] - Aspire to Greater Things
- [43:42] - Confidence in God's Sovereignty

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Esther

#### Bible Reading
- Esther 4:13-14: "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" [00:11]

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Mordecai's message to Esther, and how did it challenge her position as queen? [00:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of individual responsibility in the story of Esther? [05:32]
3. What are the potential consequences mentioned in the sermon if Esther chose to remain silent? [00:27]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the interconnectedness of personal and collective well-being using Esther's story? [08:30]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Mordecai's question to Esther, "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" challenge individuals to consider their own divine purpose? [00:27]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's work will continue with or without our participation? How does this impact our understanding of personal responsibility? [16:36]
3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of aspiring to greater things in the context of Esther's story? What does this mean for believers today? [36:05]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, especially in times of uncertainty? [43:59]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were in a unique position to make a difference. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How might Esther's story inspire you to act differently in the future? [00:27]
2. Consider your current circumstances. What opportunities do you have to align your personal interests with the well-being of your community or church? How can you take action this week? [08:30]
3. Identify a talent or opportunity you have been given. Are you using it for personal gain, or are you investing it in the kingdom of God? What steps can you take to shift your focus towards God's purposes? [16:36]
4. In what areas of your life do you feel called to aspire to greater things? What practical steps can you take to rise to these challenges? [36:05]
5. Think about a situation where you need to trust in God's sovereignty. How can you move forward with confidence, knowing that His plans are unstoppable? [43:59]
6. How can you ensure that you are not isolating yourself from the community and missing out on the blessings of being part of a greater mission? What changes can you make to foster unity with Christ and His church? [08:30]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to a specific purpose. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply those lessons to your current situation? [00:27]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Our Unique Position and Impact
In the story of Esther, we see a profound example of individual responsibility and divine purpose. Esther, a Jewish queen in a foreign land, is faced with a choice that could save her people from destruction. Her cousin Mordecai reminds her of her unique position and the potential impact of her decisions. This narrative serves as a metaphor for our own lives, urging us to recognize the opportunities and responsibilities that come with our circumstances. Each of us is placed in our unique circumstances for a reason. Like Esther, we must recognize our potential impact and act with courage and faith, knowing that our choices can have far-reaching consequences. [00:27]

Esther 4:14 (ESV): "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Reflection: What unique position or opportunity has God placed you in today, and how can you act courageously to make a positive impact?


Day 2: Embracing Our Interconnectedness with the Community
As individuals, we are often tempted to separate our personal interests from those of our community or faith. However, true salvation and fulfillment come from aligning our lives with the purposes of God and the well-being of others. Our personal well-being is intricately linked to the collective health of our community and the church. If we choose to isolate ourselves, we risk spiritual ruin and miss the blessings that come from being part of a greater mission. We must live in unity with Christ and His mission, recognizing that our personal salvation and well-being are tied to the health of our community and church. [08:30]

1 Corinthians 12:26-27 (ESV): "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the well-being of your community or church today, recognizing that your personal growth is linked to the collective health of the body of Christ?


Day 3: Participating in God's Unstoppable Work
God's work will continue with or without us, but we are invited to be active participants in His divine plan. This truth humbles us and challenges us to use our talents and opportunities for His glory, knowing that He can raise others if we fail to act. While God invites us to participate in His work, He is not dependent on us. This is both a humbling and empowering truth. It challenges us to consider how we are using the talents and opportunities God has given us. Are we hoarding them for personal gain, or are we investing them in the kingdom of God? [16:36]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: What talents or opportunities has God given you that you can use today to contribute to His kingdom work, knowing that His plans will succeed with or without your involvement?


Day 4: Rising to the Challenges Before Us
We are called to rise to the challenges before us, aiming to fulfill our calling to its fullest potential. Our limitations are not barriers to God's work; rather, they are opportunities for His power to be displayed through us. The story of Esther encourages us to aspire to greater things, to rise to the challenges before us, and to trust in God's provision and purpose. In times of uncertainty and challenge, we are called to confide in God's sovereignty. If He has placed us in a particular position, it is for a reason. [36:05]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: What challenge are you currently facing that you can view as an opportunity for God's power to be displayed through your life?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Trusting in God's sovereignty allows us to move forward with confidence, knowing that His plans are unstoppable. Our role is to be faithful and courageous, trusting that God will use us in ways beyond our imagination. If He has placed us in a particular position, it is for a reason. We can move forward with confidence, knowing that His plans are unstoppable and His purposes will be fulfilled. Our role is to be faithful, to act with courage, and to trust that God will use us in ways we cannot yet imagine. [43:59]

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust more in God's sovereignty, and how can you take a step of faith today, believing that His plans are unstoppable?

Quotes


The appeal of morai in this pressing time of distress was to one single person namely to Esther I believe that I shall do better this morning by making my sermon an address to individuals than by speaking of Nations or churches I assuredly believe that England has been raised up as a nation and brought to her present unique position that she may be the means of spreading the gospel throughout all the nations of the earth. [00:45:14]

I would urge them to remember that there is something for each believer to do a work which he cannot delegate to another a task which it is his privilege to be permitted to undertake which it will be to his solemn disgrace and detriment if he do not execute but which will be to his eternal glory unto God if he be found faithful in it. [00:55:38]

Will you argue in this selfish manner will you follow the wicked policy of separating your own personal interests from those of your Redeemer and his church if so your ship is wrecked before it leaves the harbor you are no child of God if this principle holds the Mastery over you your salvation lies not in your separation from Christ and his church but in your union with them. [00:08:03]

Remember for your humiliation that God can do without you enlargement and deliverance will arise to his people from another place if it come not by us if the Lord were tied up to any one man or any one church or any one nation it would treasonable for that person church or Nation to be negligent but as the Lord waiteth not for man neither Tarth for the sons of men it becomes them to mind what they are at he can do without us. [00:16:27]

Consider to what some of you have been Advanced you have been raised to Salvation youve been lifted from the dungill and set among princes I have uttered the word salvation but what an Infinity of goodness lies hidden there in the music of that word all sweetnesses meet together what are the obligations of one elected according to the fulln knowledge of God Redeemed by the heart's blood of Christ and quickened by the Holy Ghost what manner of persons ought we to be. [00:24:40]

You are saved that you may save you are taught that you may teach you are confirmed in your faith that you may confirm others talents are allotted to you that you may turn them over and bring in Heavenly Usery for your lord whatever you have is yours not to hoard for yourself or to spend upon yourself but that you may use it as a good Steward of God. [00:27:43]

Rise to the utmost most possible height fulfill your calling to its loftiest degree not only do all that you are sure you can do but aim at something which as yet is high up among the questions say to yourself who knoweth that is what the ambitious man says when he aspires to be great. [00:36:05]

Who knows does anybody know what God may do by are you does anybody know what capacities Slumber within your bosom I suggest the inquiry and I will help you to An Answer who knoweth whether Thou Art come to the kingdom for such a time as this nobody knows to the contrary I cannot tell but what God May bless you to this entire nation. [00:36:12]

If God has brought Esther to the throne that she may go in unto the king and save her people go in good Esther fear not the risk fast and pray your three days before you go but be not dismayed if the Womanhood in you trembles at the prospect of a possible death let confidence in God override your fears. [00:43:59]

If God has a purpose to serve by a man that will live live out his day and accomplish the Divine Design the more resistance he experiences the more surely will his life work be achieved if all the devils in Hell Rose up at once against a true devoted servant of God who has a work to do in the name of the Lord he would drive them away as smoke before the wind. [00:44:42]

Settle it in your mind that the Lord has called you to the work and then Advance without question or fear put your hand to the plow and pause not do the work with your might do not stand asking how do it as you can do not stand asking when do it directly do not say but I am weak the Lord is strong. [00:46:50]

When you become so fanatically insane as to be absorbed by a passion for the glory of God the salvation of men the spread of truth and the reclaiming of the Fallen masses there shall be about you the truest sanity and the mightiest Force may you feel such a passion concerning missions today may you feel that the gospel must be preached to all nations. [00:48:39]

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Transcript
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