Getting Your Lost Loved Ones saved
Esther 8:3-6 Read Text.
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
SETTING OF ESTHER:
The events of Esther take place in the Persian Empire (modern day Iran) during the fifth century BC. Israel has gone into captivity and the Jews were deported by their conquerors to the east. Among those deported Jews were a maiden named Esther and her Uncle Mordecai.
One of two books in the Bible named after a woman (the other- Ruth).
Never quoted or referred to in the New Testament.
The Book of Esther records how God preserved the Jewish nation while in captivity in Persia. Haman, the prime minister of King Ahasuerus, is identified as "the Jews’ enemy" (Esther 3:10). He conspired a diabolical plot to have all Jews destroyed on a particular day (3:13).
1) In the providence of God, a Jewish maiden named Esther is promoted to the position of queen (2:15-17).
Jews who are slated for termination. (4:6-16). Something had to be done to save their people!
3) In desperation, Esther pleads for her people in our text (8:3-6).
There is a message for all of us today in Esther’s words (8:6). We must have that same passion in our soul for our lost loved ones if they are going to be saved.
NOW LETS LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN LEARN
#1 The CONDITION OF OUR LOST LOVED ONE
We will never do much about them until we are gripped by the awful plight of their condition. We must see them as God sees them…
WHAT IS THAT CONDITION?
#1 Under the sentence of death . Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 5:12; 6:23).
Hellbound (Rev. 20:14-15).
ILL.-
Baptist Preacher A. W. Rainsbury wrote: “Time was when the doctrine of hell caused men to tremble, but it no longer does so, for the doctrine of hell has been relegated to the rubbish heap by the Modernists. They think they are wiser than the Lord Jesus. They do not believe in hell any more; indeed, most are more concerned with the dangers of nuclear war than the dangers of hell. I tell you that the danger of hell is far more real, far more certain, infinitely more terrible, and for some far more imminent than the danger of nuclear war.”
Lost (Luke 19:10; 2 Cor 4:3). Perhaps the saddest word in the English language.
Jesus pictured the unsaved as a lost sheep in the wilderness (Luke 15).
Question. Whose heart hasn’t gone out to a lost child in a department store?
.#2 Blind (2 Cor. 4:4). In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Question —What would you do if you saw a blind person wandering out into heavy traffic without a cane?
The CONCERN for lost loved ones.
Esther was desperate, heart-broken, burdened, and determined.
She could have said, “Who am I? What can I do? I’m only one young woman in the midst of 127 provinces.” Yet she did not allow her fear to come in the way of doing what she could to save her people.
Paul was concerned (Rom. 9:1-3). 1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
1. Great heaviness—Burdened (His heart ached)
2. Continual sorrow—Broken (It would not go away; He couldn’t escape from it.)
3. Could wish that myself were accursed—Bold
Paul’s heart was so moved for his kinsmen that he was willing to give up his own place in heaven for their sake. He was willing to go to hell himself if his kinsmen would get saved.
Moses’ prayer (Ex. 32:31-32).
31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
One preacher announced: "My sermon has three points:
Point #1: People without Christ are going to Hell.
Point #2: Most Christians live like they don’t give a damn.
Point #3: Most of you are more upset by what I said in Point #2 than you are about Point #1."
Ps. 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
Aren’t you glad someone cared for you!
Esther 8:6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
#3 The COMMITMENT to win your lost loved ones.
Esther was committed to saving her people. She got out of her “comfort zone,” and stuck her neck out!
It going to take deliberate action.
1. Souls are not won by accident. We cannot expect souls to be saved if we do nothing about it.
2. (1 Cor. 9:22—“I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”)
A farmer must sow seed if he is to reap a harvest.
.
A fisherman must cast his net or bait in the sea to catch a fish.
It’s going to take determined intercession.
(Rom. 10:1). Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
It’s going to take designed cooperation. Esther and Mordecai planned and worked together to save the Jews from extermination.
SUMMATION: The thing that is closest to the heart of Jesus is the salvation of the lost (1
Tim. 1:15).
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
I read of a young Christian artist who painted a depiction of hell. In the flames he painted the faces of several of his lost loved ones. He painted his lost father crying out in agony. There was also his lost brother, and a lost neighbor burning in the flames of hell. When he showed it to his pastor, the pastor was appalled and disgusted. The pastor said, “What a revolting painting! How could you paint such a horrid picture of your loved ones?” The young artist answered with tears in his eyes, “Yes, it is horrifying… but I painted it as a reminder to me—This is the destiny of my loved ones if they are not won to Christ. When I look at this painting, I am reminded how I need to pray and make every effort possible to win them to Christ.”
Maybe we all need to have such a picture painted on the walls of our heart—A picture of your unsaved loved ones burning in the lake of fire.
Esther 8:6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
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AMEN
