LIFE’S GREAT MOMENTS
Esther 4:14
Synopsis of Esther
• Persian Queen Vashti is deposed
• Esther chosen to succeed her
• Uncle Mordecail uncovers a conspiracy
• Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews
• Mordecai persuades Esther to intercede
• Esther’s request to the king
• Mordecai is honored by Haman
• Haman hanged
• King’s edict on behalf of the Jews
• Triumph of the Jews
• Feast of Purim established
Key Verse: Esther 4:14: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
There are the ordinary events of life and then there are the special, significant events that occur in our lives. Let me share 6 with you.
1. The Moment of Birth
Your moment of birth was great because of the door of opportunity it opened for you. You were created in the image of Almighty God. You were made for His delight, and with great potential.
We didn’t choose when we would be born or where we would be born, or who our parents would be. But, on the other hand, we are not bound by the circumstances of birth.
Perhaps we would have preferred to have been born into a wealthy or famous family. But we also remember that a Baby was born in a stable and became the Savior of the world! Another baby was born in alog cabin and became president of the United States. History is replete with the stories of men and women who overcame defeating circumstances of birth.
Someone said, “When you came into this world, you made love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank rolls smaller, the home happier, past pain forgotten, and the future worth living for.”
Just think, if you hadn’t been born, you would never had the opportunity to see a sunset or taste ice cream or fall in love or smell a rose or love God or experience and number of things that we could mention today.
The second great moment in our lives is when we…
2. Realize That Someone Loves Us
Fortunately, for most of us that comes very early in our lives. Some say it begins the very moment our mother holds us and talks softly to us and feeds us and sings to us and rocks us to sleep.
But what I’m speaking of is that moment when we consciously become aware that we are loved and cared for. That’s a great moment—that feeling of belonging, ob being protected and secure—of knowing that someone cares deeply for us. Certainly to be pitied is the child who grows up without love. Our prisons and mental institutions are filled with just such.
Do you remember that first time that you became aware that you were loved and cared for? Maybe it was on your birthday or at Christmas. Maybe it was when your mom kissed that “owie” and tenderly put a band-aid on it.
Maybe it was when you had a nightmare and your folks let you come and sleep with them.
I know this: the earlier it comes, the better, because we tend to carry such moments with us into adulthood. To be raised in a home where love abounds is one of life’s greatest joys.
The THIRD great moment in life is when you realize that…
3. There Is a God Who knows You, Forgives You, and Gives You a Purpose For Life
That moment didn’t come for me until I was 18 years old. I believed in God. I knew He existed and was all-powerful and that He had created everything. But what I didn’t understand was that He cared about me and that He had a plan for my life.
How old were you when you first realized that God loved you personally and in fact suffered an awful death to pardon you and take you into His forever family?
Its hard for me to understand how anyone could resist such love and yet I know that there are multitudes of folks today who have such a realization and yet do not yield to the Father’s will.
Down in Louisiana, on I-10, there is a large billboard which catches your eye. It stands high above the city just as you start up the Mississippi River bridge. On it is a picture of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross, head bowed. The caption underneath says in bold letters, ITS YOUR MOVE!
If you have never prayed to receive Christ into your life, you are missing out on the greatest moment of your life. It your move.
The FOURTH great moment in life is when you…
4. Decide What You Intend To Do With Your Life
God made us in such a way that if we don’t have a purpose for living, we will shrivel up and die inwardly. We must have dreams, goals—a reason to live.
When I talk about deciding what to do with our lives, I’m not speaking about making a living. I’m talking about making a life!
There are many people who give their lives to worthy and noble causes such as helping the poor, ministering to the elderly, providing health care. These are good purposes and will result in a degree of satisfaction and fulfillment. But the best purpose in life is to carry out the plan of God, and share His love in as many ways as He directs.
Of course there doesn’t have to be any tension between this and any career. We can fulfill God’s mission right where we are as He opens the door.
If your main purpose in life is to glorify God then you have made on of life’s greatest decisions. All work is dignified when it is used to glorify God.
Do you remember what happened in Eden? As soon as God created man, He gave him a job—Head Gardener!
Cotton Mather said that pagans mistakenly called the early believers, “Chreastians.” Perhaps the reason was because the Greek word “chreastos” means useful. They were considered “the useful ones.”
Some of our churches need to begin putting fewer saints in stained glass windows and more of them in shoe leather.
Someone said that there are two kinds of church-goers: pillars and caterpillars. They either crawl in and out of church or they hold it up by their involvement and giving. How would you classify yourself?
Having a cause bigger than yourself—that’s one of life’s great moments.
5. Life’s Fifth Great Moment: When You Get Married
The reason it is such a great moment is because you choose your companion, your helpmeet, and your best friend.
Not everyone is meant to be married. Some are called of God to remain single and that in itself can be very fulfilling and has certain advantages.
But for those of us who have chosen married life, it is truly a great moment—unless you marry too young, or without proper counseling, or outside of Christ or whatever other choices go up to make an unhappy marriage.
I know one man who has been unlucky in both of his marriages. His first wife left him and his second won’t.
One woman said, “The best person to marry is an archaeologist. The older you get, the more attention he pays to you.”
The reason marriage is great is because it enhances your character. You learn interpersonal skills. You learn to compromise, to depend on one another. It teaches you the value of communication and you learn to adjust to another personality and become tolerant and flexible.
And, if you are blessed with children, you have the opportunity to help influence and shape their character.
The SIXTH and final moment of your life is…
6. When You Die
Notice that I didn’t say it was a great moment because it all depends on what we have done spiritually.
For the Christian it’s a great moment because it means we are going home. We are leaving this world of sin, hatred, war, crime, disease, pain, turmoil, and sorrow.
It’s a great moment because it will mean seeing the Lord we have loved face to face.
It’s a great moment because we will see loved ones who have gone on before.
It’s a great moment because we will know eternal rest, joy, and peace.
But for the unbeliever, the Christ-rejecter, the day of death will be horrible, for it will mean eternal separation from God and family and anything good. It will mean eternal suffering and pain. It will mean fellowship with sinners and demons forever.
Matthew Henry, the 18th Century Bible commentator left the following statement to be read at his funeral:
Would you like to know where I am? I’m at home in my Father’s house, in the mansion prepared for me here. I am where I want to be—no longer on the stormy sea, but in God’s safe harbor. My sowing time is done and I am reaping: my joy is as the joy of harvest. Would you like to know how it is with me? I am made perfect in holiness. Grace is swallowed up in glory. Would you like to know what I am doing? I see God, not as through a dark glass, but face to face. I am engaged in the sweet enjoyment of my precious Redeemer. I am singing hallelujahs to Him who sits upon the throne and I am constantly praising Him. Therefore, weep not for me!
The six great moments in life. Are you ready for the 6th? Are you prepared for what could be the greatest moment of your life?
If not, why not? You can settle the matter right now. Please don’t wait. Run to the Savior while there’s still time.
