Portrait Of A Great Man

Tomorrow we commemorate Memorial Day. Memorial Day is the day when we commemorate the sacrifice of many great people who died serving our country. We would not be here were it not for the sacrifice of these great Americans. Many people have sacrificed to make it possible for us to enjoy the many blessings we enjoy. I believe the need for great Americans is still present! As a nation we are facing some of the greatest challenges in our history. I want to mention a few that I see.

* The family is under attack

* Globalization is affecting the economic

structure of our country

* Apathy among our citizens

* Ideological division- we are a divided country

* Liberalism in our courts

* Removal of Godly influences such as the Bible

and prayer from the public arena

I do not mention these problems to be negative. I mention them to under-score the presence of many significant issues. Throughout history God has raised individuals who play a part when challenges arise.

• When He needed a spokesman and servant prior

to the flood He raised Noah.

• When He needed a man to establish a Godly

nation He raised Abraham.

• When He needed a man to lead the Israelites

out of Egypt He chose Moses.

• When He needed a spokesman to speak to His

people He raised the prophets.

• When He needed a spokesman to prepare the

path for Jesus he raised John.

• When He needed a preacher to start the world

wide spread of the gospel He raised Paul.

He still needs individuals who will make themselves available to be used in His service.

I want to show you a Biblical portrait of a great man. God used this man to save the lives of His people, the Israelites. The man’s name is Mordecai. He is found in the book of Esther. Mordecai is overshadowed by his cousin, Esther, for whom this book is named. Mordecai and Esther were among the group of Israelites who were living in captivity in Media/Persia. It was while living in bondage that Mordecai’s portrait came to be seen. Look at what the Bible has to say about him. “Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well-received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his kindred.” (Esther 10:2-3) Notice the words used in describing Mordecai: “power”; “might”; “greatness”. There is an interesting fact that surrounds Mordecai’s life. One Bible dictionary said his name means “little man.” He was far from a little man. He was a great man. There is a Jewish religious celebration that is still celebrated today, as a result of Mordecai’s heroic life. It is the Feast of Purim and it is celebrated in March. It commemorates the deliverance that Mordecai and Esther brought into the lives of God’s people. What was so special about the life of Mordecai? I want you to look at the portrait of a great person, as seen through the eyes of God. Mordecai was the man and you can be the same.

1. A Great Man has a Servant Heart (10:3). Look at chapter 10 verse 3 again. “Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well-received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his kindred.” Mordecai sought the good of his people. He served the Israelite people. Jesus said “He who would become great must be your servant.”

President John Kennedy once said “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

The greatest thing you can do in this life is to serve your fellow man. The human tendency is to desire to be served. However, the most miserable people alive are the people who selfishly wait for others to cater to them.

Throughout America’s great history we have witnessed political, religious and civic officials who served the needs of our country. God needs those kind of people in our government, in our schools and in our churches.

2. A Great Man is a person of Faith. A person of faith is not merely a person who believes in God. I believe we use the term “man of faith.” too casually. In our society if someone professes to be a believer we identify him as a man of faith. That is not the way the Bible uses this phrase. A person of faith is a person whose faith has changed the individual. In addition, that person is being used of God to change things in their corner of the world. Mordecai was such a man. Mordecai was in a difficult situation. He was a slave in a foreign land. However, God used him to change things.