Greg Lorry and Harvest Ministries recommend a new resource from best-selling author Max Lucato dealing with your thought life.
So many people have Max Lucato books already in their library, but this is his brand new book to help you learn how to team your thoughts. Our thoughts really ultimately affect pretty much everything. And folks, we want to offer you this book by Max Lucato. Team Your Thoughts. for a gift of any amount at harvest.org.
Can God reach lost people without us? Yes. But does he want to reach lost people without us? No. Today, Pastor Greg Laurie points out: God reaches people through people.
And we each need to be available to reach out on his behalf. Did it ever occur to you that cranky neighbor? that that difficult to deal with co-worker. That person that you come into contact with on a regular basis could be your mission field leader. This is the day when the lost are found.
This is the day for a new beginning. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Again, you hear all the angels are singing. This is the day, the day will lie in. People often ask one of the big questions.
Why are we here? What's the purpose of life? Ask a dozen people and you'll get a couple of dozen answers. But God put us here, and He knows exactly why we're here. Today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out where to know God and to make Him known.
And today we'll follow one of the great dramatic stories of the Bible. where a person's heart for God and the providence of God come together. in spectacular fashion.
Well, let's all grab our Bibles and turn to the book of Esther. And I'm going to ask you to turn to one other book of the Bible in addition that we're going to jump over to, and that is the book of Ephesians.
So we're turning to Esther chapter 3. And we're also turning to Ephesians chapter one. Why don't we start with a word of prayer? Father, we're thankful. for your word because your word is true And in your word, you tell us that you love us.
And in your word, you tell us that you chose us. And we're thankful for that.
So, Lord, as we open Scripture, we ask you to speak to us now. And we ask all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. The title of my message is Why God Chose You. Imagine for a moment If you could know the future.
You know, if I could have a superpower. Uh I don't know if I would really want this one in particular. But imagine for a moment if you knew the future. You knew everything that was about to happen. You knew you would both play in and win the next Super Bowl.
You knew how your favorite show was going to end. You knew who was going to be elected to office. You knew how the stock market was going to go.
Okay, if you had this knowledge, do you think it would affect the choices you would make?
Well, of course it would. Because, well, for starters, you would make wise choices based on the facts. If you knew that if I walk into the street, a giant truck is coming, you probably wouldn't walk in the street at that moment. If you knew the stock market was going a certain direction or which stocks should be bought where you could make the most money, you would probably choose the right stocks, I would think. And so consider this.
God knows the future. And not only does he know the future, but he has a plan for the future. Think about this. When Jesus walked this earth, he knew everything about everyone. He had their number.
He knew their thoughts. In fact, sometimes Jesus would say to people, why are you thinking this in your heart?
So, if you were hanging around Jesus, he could read your mind.
So, you couldn't even think a bad thought without him knowing about it.
So, he knew all things, and here's what's amazing. He chose Simon Peter. And yet he knew that Simon Peter would fail him. In fact, Jesus said to Peter, Peter, Peter, Satan has been asking for you to be sifted as wheat, but I have prayed for you that when you fail, you will return again and strengthen your brothers.
So Jesus was not only predicting the fall of Peter, but he was predicting the return of Peter as well. I bring this up. Because sometimes it looks like God chooses losers. But God knows the big picture, and he knew Peter would come around. That brings us back to Esther.
She was chosen by God. Handpicked by the Lord to literally not only save her nation. but really in effect to save the Jewish people.
Now, when we last left Esther, a bad moon was rising. the villain of the story, Heman, Emerges on the scene, and now he has come into power, as you recall. The king has put him as second in command, and not only that, but the king has given to Haman his signet ring. That would be like giving someone your credit cards. or giving them your passwords.
Haman had access to all the power of the king, and he hatches this wicked plot. to eradicate the Jewish people from the face of the earth. Why?
Well, as we discovered together, Haman was an avowed enemy of Israel, descended from the Amalekites. King Agag was spared, and the Agagites. A race of people, and Haman was an agagite.
So he had a blood feud with Israel. And of course, our good friend Mordecai and Esther were Jews.
So they would be on his hit list now with this plan. Let's look at Esther 3, starting in verse 5. When Haman saw. that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect. He was filled with rage.
He had learned of Mordecai's nationality.
So he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire world. Empire of Xerxes.
Now that would be the Persian Empire.
So he's in power. He wants to wipe the Jewish people out, and he gets the king's approval.
So more to KI. A catches wind of this plot. And so he, being a government official himself, sends word to Esther saying, you've got to do something.
Meanwhile, Esther is living in the literal lap of luxury there in the palace of the king. She was secluded and isolated and knew nothing about the plight of her people.
So Mordecai is standing outside of the walls of the palace, covered in sackcloth. He's in mourning because of this threat against the Jews. And someone notices him and says, Hey, Esther, your cousin's outside. Not dressed very well. He looks pretty unhappy.
She says, Well, send him some new clothes. And they send him some clothes. Talk about missing the point altogether. And so now Mordecai needs to tell Esther what's really coming down. And I have to say, this reminds me a little bit of some people in the church.
You know, we can be isolated in our little Bible bubble and our holy huddle. And we don't really care all that much about people that don't know the Lord. We're thinking, well, that's. Their problem. Why should I put a door hanger on their door?
Why should I give them an invitation? I know I'm saved. I know where I'm going when I die. Yeah, but. Wait.
You can't just stand around in indifference while people are dying without God. God has put you where you are for such a time as this, just as surely as God put Esther where she was for such a time as this. Remember, Cousin Mordecai said to Esther when she went into the palace as the new queen, he said, Don't tell anyone you're Jewish. But now he's saying it's time to step up your game. You need to play your hand and declare.
Who you are and do something to save your people. That brings us to Esther chapter 4. Look at verse 13. Mordecai said to Esther, Don't think for a moment that because you're in the palace, you will escape when all the other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die.
But who knows if perhaps you are made queen for such a time as this? Very interesting. Statement. that Mordecai makes to Aster. Here's what we need to remember.
God does not need us.
Sometimes I've heard people say, God needs us. The reason God created humanity is because he was lonely up there in heaven and wanted some companionship. Nonsense. God doesn't need anything or anyone. But having said that, It is true that God wants us.
It is true that God Loves us. It is true that he longs for relationship and friendship with us.
Now, here's the question: Can God reach lost people without us? Yes. But does he want to reach lost people without us? No. Because the Bible says, how will they hear without a preacher?
And how will they preach unless they are said? Uh, how beautiful are the feet of those that bring good tidings of peace?
So, here's what Mordecai is saying to Esther: Girl, listen. If you don't act on this, God will raise up somebody else, but don't think you're off the hook here. Because you'll die along with the rest of your fellow Jews. But did it ever occur to you that you are where you are because God put you there? I mean, did it ever occur to you that cranky neighbor?
that that difficult to deal with co-worker. That person that you come into contact with on a regular basis could be your mission field. Did you ever stop and think about praying for that person by name and praying for an opportunity to engage them in a conversation to lead them to Christ? And so she was chosen by God, and we've been chosen by God. We'll get some additional insight on the fact we're chosen by God.
As Pastor Greg takes us to the words of Jesus in just a moment. Stay with us. Hey everyone, I want you to know about our app called Harvest Plus. Think of it as a harvest version of Netflix. We have all of our resources in one place.
We have our movies like Steve McQueen, The Salvation of an American Icon, Johnny Casher, Redemption of an American Icon, A Rush of Hope, and much more. Then we have our television program, daily devotions, and much more.
So go and download the Harvest Plus app.
Well, Pastor Gray continues now with today's study called Why God Chose You. A message available at harvest.org. That brings us to Ephesians. Pop over there, really quick. Ephesians chapter 1.
Why did God choose us? How many of you believe you've been chosen with God? Raise your hand up. That's good. Why do you think God chose you?
We hear's the answer in Ephesians 1, verse 4. Just as he chose us. Before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestined us to adoption, you might underline those words, adoption to adoption, as sons by Jesus Christ Himself. according to the good pleasure of his will.
Listen to this. Before the world was made. Before sin came in. God chose you to be with him through all eternity. You say, but how do you know that?
Because Jesus said, You have not chosen me. But I have chosen you.
Now, the question that comes to our minds when we read that is: well, but why? Why would God choose me? What goodness or merit did God see in me? That he would choose me as his child. I hope you're not disappointed by my answer.
None. There was no goodness. There was no merit. It's not even because you were lovable. The fact is, he chose you despite you.
Despite Your sinfulness, despite my shortcomings, he chose us. Despite our high opinions that we hold of ourselves, God's choosing had nothing to do with our value per se. It was based on his love. Why did God choose us? The answer is the same reason He chose a nation, Israel.
The Lord said to Israel, He didn't set His love upon them or choose them because they were more in number than other people, for they were the fewest. The Lord chose them because. He loved them. That's why he chose Israel. That's why he chose you because he loved you and he loves you.
You say, but I don't understand that.
Well join the club. Who understands it? Just rejoice in it. And that brings up the subject of predestination. And by the way, the greatest theological minds have grappled with predestination for hundreds of years, and I'm going to settle it right here, right now.
Because I have it all figured out. No, I'm just kidding. I don't. But I'll take my best shot at how I see it. It's been said, quote, try to explain election, that's predestination, another word for it.
Try to explain election and you may lose your mind. Try to explain it away and you may lose your soul, end quote.
So how does God Predestined us? How does he choose us? What is the basis for that choice?
Some who would identify themselves as Calvinists or being Reformed would say it's irresistible grace. Irresistible grace is the teaching that no matter what you think, You cannot resist the grace of God. It's a done deal. It's decided in eternity. Irresistible grace.
You couldn't say no, even if you wanted to. By the way, I disagree with that. And then there's even what might be described as double predestination, which means God has chosen that certain people go to heaven and certain people go to hell. He's chosen it. You have no choice in the matter.
God just decided on whatever basis he chose. You're going to heaven, heaven, hell, hell. That's not personal, by the way. I don't mean anyone, but. Hell, how heaven, heaven.
I reject this teaching. Completely. By the way. And a part of this is also limited atonement, which means Christ only died for the elect. In other words, Jesus only died for the ones that He predestined.
He only died for the chosen ones. You have nothing to say in the matter.
Now, listen, this is incorrect. Because the Bible clearly says That God loves the world. Christ did not just die for the elect, he died for the world, all sinners. Because Jesus said, For God so love what? The world.
that he gave his only begotten son. Over in Romans 5:6 to 8, it says, When we were without strength, in due time, Christ died for us. For the ungodly. It doesn't say He died for only the elect, for scarcely for a righteous man one will die. Perhaps for a good man some would dare to die.
But God demonstrated His love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Now, whether you like it or not, the Bible teaches both predestination and free will. The Bible teaches that God chose you, but it also tells you that you must choose Him. It's sort of like this: you're in your car, you're cruising down the freeway of life. And there's an off-ramp. And the off-ramp says, Whosoever will, let him come.
And you've had a lot of people tell you they pull up in that off-ramp and it's changed their life, and you just don't want to break your routine. But week after week, month after month, you go out by that off-ramp and you go, What's going on over there? I wonder if I should take that turn and see what's going on. Whosoever will, let him come.
So one day you pull your car off the off-ramp, you park it, you get out, and there's a door. Whosoever will let him come, you open the door, you walk in, you shut the door behind you, and on the other side of the door it's written, chosen in Christ from the foundation of the world. How do you know if you're chosen by God? Believe in Jesus Christ, and you'll prove that you were. How do you find out if you're not chosen?
Don't believe. It's really, in many ways, up to you. See you. You have a role to play in all of this. You see, you choose.
So, will you choose him? Spurgeon said, It's a good thing God chose me before I was born. Because if he had waited until afterwards, he would have changed his mind. But Spurgeon was saying that tongue-in-cheek. Which means he meant it sarcastically.
The fact is, God knew. Exactly who you were. D. L. Moody, the great evangelist, put it this way: quote, The whosoever wills are the elect.
The whosoever won't Are the non-elect, end quote. It's not as though God predestined some people to heaven and predestines others to hell. He wants all to believe. And you could look at it this way: God predestines every person to be saved. In effect, the devil predestines every person to be damned.
Man has the casting vote. You decide where you will spend eternity. But when you make that decision and follow Christ, you prove. You were chosen. You say, Greg, you've just confused me even more.
I know. I didn't say I would make it make sense, I'd just take a shot at it. But uh but here's what it comes down to.
Sometimes people get so wound up. in sort of reformed Thinking that they can't even say to a person, God loves you. Because they think, well, what if I say God loves you to one of the non-elect who's been predestined to hell?
So, I can't just say God loves you.
Well, any theology that would stop you from saying to a non-believer, God loves you. Any theology that would stop you from sharing the gospel is a false theology. Because biblical theology says to share the gospel.
So Esther Rena choice. She could just sit in luxury and forget about the problems of the world, or she could put it all on the line and act. And we have a choice too. We don't have to share our faith. God can save people without us.
There's a story in the book of Acts about a guy from Ethiopia that went to Jerusalem searching for God. Remember that story? He didn't find God. He did get a copy of the scripture, Isaiah. And by the way, back in those days, there was no printing presses.
That was quite a gift they gave to him, but it was probably because he was a foreign dignitary. Handlettered by a scribe, the scroll of Isaiah.
So he's reading it, trying to figure it out, leaving Jerusalem on his way back home. And meanwhile, the Lord speaks to a guy named Philip and says, go to the desert. And when Philip goes to the desert. Then he sees the men from Ethiopia and his entourage and Philip engages them with the gospel. But it's interesting: an angel of the Lord told Philip to go to the desert to talk to this man.
Why didn't the angel of the Lord just go directly to the man from Ethiopia and give him the gospel? Because the job of angels is not primarily to deliver the gospel. That's our job. That's what we're supposed to do.
So God will orchestrate events and put things in place so you can have those opportunities to lead people to Jesus Christ. Pastor Greg Laurie. Making it clear just how important it is we follow through and share the good news with those around us. And of course, our mission statement here at A New Beginning is knowing God and making Him known. It's our goal to equip you to share your faith.
But Pastor Gregg, it's not only appropriate we speak to those who need to share that truth, but also those who need to hear that truth. What would you say to the person listening who is not sure if they've ever come to the Lord and asked him to be their Savior? Yes, I think they need to make this commitment to Christ. Here's what the Bible says: whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
So you need to. Reach out to God. Not just think about it, not just say, one of these days I would like to, just do it. In fact, you can do it right now. You say, well, how do I call out to the name of the Lord?
You do it through prayer. God is just a prayer away. He desires a relationship with you. He wants you to know him. He wants to reveal himself to you.
So you just need to call out and say, Lord. Save me and help me. How about if I lead you in a prayer? And you could pray this prayer after me. You can pray it out loud if you like.
You can pray it quietly in your heart, but. Direct this prayer toward God, and you could pray it after me right now. You ready? Pray this after me, Lord Jesus. I know that I am a sinner.
But I know that you're the Saviour, And I want a relationship with you, So as your word says, I am calling on the name of the Lord. I'm asking you to save me from my sin. And I'm asking that we begin a new relationship today. Thank you for loving me and sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin and then raising him from the dead. I now put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ, And I ask this In Jesus' name.
Amen. Amen. And listen, if you have just prayed that prayer along with Pastor Gregg, and if you've meant those words sincerely, let us be the first to welcome you into the family of God. And we want to help you get started off right in this new daily walk with the Lord. Pastor Greg would like to send you his New Believer's Bible.
It's a special edition of God's Word for those who are new to the faith, with scores of helps for new believers, written by Pastor Greg.
So get in touch and ask for the New Believer's Bible. We'll send it your way free of charge. Just call us at 1 eight hundred eight two one thirty three hundred one eight hundred eight two one three three zero zero or write us at a new beginning box four thousand riverside california nine two five one four. Or go online to harvest.org and click the words Know God. And then let us say a word of thanks to those who support us financially, those who make it possible for us to bring you these studies each day.
We're definitely a listener-supported ministry. It's the generosity of listeners that help us be here with these programs.
So if you've partnered with us, thank you. And if you have yet to partner with us, well, I hope you'll get in touch today and let us know that you're standing with us. Even a small investment would help. It's actually an investment in changing lives. Thank you for partnering with us.
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Well, next time, more insight about the confidence we can have being men and women chosen by God. More from our studies of ester. Join us here on A New Beginning with Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Loring. This is the day, the day when life begins.
