Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. You must be strong and wise in the Lord. And from Easter 4, we're going to learn this very, very important lesson. And it is this: in the defining moments of life, do the right thing. and leave the consequences to God.
Welcome to the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. At some point in each of our lives, we come to a crossroads, a decision point, which will have a tremendous impact for ourselves and others. It could be an exciting opportunity, or perhaps how we respond to a terrible crisis. God places these events in our lives for a reason. and today we're learning how to be ready for these defining moments.
Here's Pastor John Monroe to continue his message for such a time. The Book of Esther takes place in a culture, time, and setting very different from our own. Yet, there are unmistakable principles which are applicable to us. Although the name of God is not mentioned in Esther, we see the evidence of his invisible hand. God.
is at work. evil Haman is plotting against Mordecai and the Jewish people. but God has placed in the palace this young Jewish woman, Esther. She faces one of the most important decisions of her life. What would you do?
Will she take the easy road and just look out for herself? Or Is she prepared to step out in faith for such a time as this? As you listen to this message, I know you will be personally challenged.
Now, let's read first of all the first three verses. Of Esther chapter 4 And we think of Mordecai's Response. to what's happened in chapter three. When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Remember Haman plotting against the Jews? When he learned all that had been done, Mordecai, tore his clothes.
And he put on sackcloth and ashes, and went into the midst of the city. And he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth. And in every province, Wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes. When we looked at chapter three, we saw that Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman.
the king's prime minister, the very powerful man, Haman. And Heman is so furious. that he plots to kill Not only More decay. But according to chapter 3, verse 6, all the Jews. The people of Mordecai, who were throughout the whole kingdom, of Ahasuerus, that is the kingdom of Persia.
So on hearing the edict to totally annihilate The Jewish nation, this is genocide. Mordecai tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth and and ashes and wails loudly and bitterly.
So Esther hears of this national mourning. She's in great anguish. And it is clear that Esther now is informed of all that is going to happen. And Mordecai pleads with her. to go to the king.
Her answer? Versus 10. Then Esther said to Athak and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law to be put to death. Except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come into the king these thirty days.
And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. In other words, Esther is saying to Mordecai: It's easy for you to say that I'm to plead with the king. But I need to explain to you the protocol of the king. that no one can go before the king. unless he holds out the golden sceptre.
But here is her second response. Verses thirteen through the end of the chapter. Then Mordecai Told them to reply to Esther. Do you think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews? 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? Here's the famous part of Esther, isn't it? Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom? for such a time as this.
And Esther told them to reply to Mordecai. Go gather all the Jews to be found in Susa and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young woman will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king. Though it is against the law.
Notice that. She's saying, I'm going to the king. Even though it's against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered.
Yeah. Mordecai, in other words, is telling Esther, this is your moment. This is your defining Moment. He reminds her that you are Jewish. And there is no way that she personally can escape the king's edict.
Because it is for all of the Jews to be annihilated. And if that is the case, Esther, you will not be spared. And Mordecai also knows the promises of God. And he believes in the sovereignty of God. He is confident, verse 14, that relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews.
Probably referring to the Abrahamic covenant. that God always takes care of his people. The promises of God are incontrovertible. God never goes back on his promises. In spite of Haman's hatred, In spite of the king's decree against the Jewish nation, Mordecai is confident.
That the Jews will not be obliterated, that they will not be annihilated. That there will be delivered. He knows God is in control. And God is true to his promises, and God will take care of his people. And Mordecai says here in verse 14: the defensive doesn't rise to the occasion.
If she doesn't understand Can I say to use Churchill's phrase that she's walking with destiny and that all of her past life has been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial? God will use someone else. Because purpose says we'll stand. God will deliver his people. In other words, nothing can thwart the purposes of God, Mordecai is saying.
However, she, Esther, and her father's house. will perish. Mordecai gives a wonderful statement on the doctrine of the providence of God at the end of 14. Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom, some translations have royalty, for such a time as this. That's the providence of God, isn't it?
that God oversees our lives. And God oversees the timing. of situations. Not just what is going to happen, but the exact time, down to the millisecond God is in control. Baldwin writes.
Without explicitly spelling out in detail how he came to his convictions, Mordecai reveals that he believes in God. in God's guidance of individual lives and in God's ordering of the world's political events, irrespective of whether those who seem to have the power acknowledge him or not. That's true. Remember Proverbs 21, verse 1, the king's heart. Is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord.
He turns it. Whatever he will. Do you believe that? I do. that God is sovereign.
And there is no force in the whole universe that can stand. against the purposes. And Esther makes this wonderful reply in verses 15 to 17. She gets word to Mordecai to assemble all of the Jews so that they can fast. demonstrating a seriousness of the situation.
She purposes in her heart, verse 16, I will go to the king. Though it is against the law. Yes, sometimes as followers of Christ we are to disobey the law. when it is against the law of God? I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I Perish.
She seizes the moment. She knows this is her defining moment. Her life has been a preparation all. for such a time as this. She's come.
to the defining point. of her life. She is to understand that this is why God and His sovereign purposes has placed her in this palace as Queen Esther. She now can either identify with her people, the Jews, Or Continue. to be a Persian pagan.
This was her defining moment. and doing what is right. She is prepared to risk her life. She assesses the risk. She knows that the king may well kill her.
She's prepared to die. She knows this is the right thing to do. And she seeks deliverance for her people from the satanic edict to annihilate the whole Jewish nation. What courage! of faith.
Do you have faith like that? Do I have faith like that? That you're prepared to do the right thing. Even If it's going to mean your death. Down through the centuries, haven't they?
Hundreds, thousands of men and women have died for the cause of Christ. martyred. Continues today, isn't it? People told they can't worship. People told not to preach the gospel, not to assemble together.
and throughout the world. Men and women have said no. This is our moment. This was the time for Esther. God had been sovereignly working Behind the scenes.
His invisible hand was at work in deposing Queen Vashtai. And arranging for Queen Esther to be at the palace at the right moment, at the right time. And now, in the defining moment of her life, she does the right thing. And she leaves the consequences to God. That's what God requires from you.
to do the right thing. And to leave the consequences to God. That's what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. And pagan. Babylon, you remember when they were told to worship the image of the great Nebuchadnezzar, who was so proud, who was so arrogant, If they didn't worship him, they would be thrown into the furnace.
They say, we believe that God can deliver us from the furnace, but even if He doesn't, we're still not going to bow before you. That was their defining moment. They did the right thing, they left the consequences to God. They knew the power of God. And they were submissive to the purposes of God.
In their defining moment, they did the right thing. think of throughout scripture. God using individuals and defining moments. He uses a little girl to tell Naaman. The leper about the prophet.
He uses David to kill Goliath. He uses Daniel to challenge the might of Babylon. He used Stephen, the first Christian martyr, to declare the gospel in the midst of the most hostile of circumstances. Here he uses Mordecai, he uses Esther. He uses you.
And me, Edward Burke said, all that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Are you doing something? Or are you doing nothing? When Christ has come, Don't opt out. Don't live just for yourself and your family.
Don't make life easy for yourself. Do what is right. What does God require for you to do? I don't know. in your particular circumstance, but I know for all of us We are to take a stand.
For Jesus Christ. We need boys, girls, students, young men. Young women, older men, older women saying, I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it's the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Will you stick a stand for Christ?
To be ridiculed, to be isolated. To use to lose that promotion possibly, to use the f The favour of France. Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms on 18 April 15. Twenty-one said, Here I take my stand, I can do no. other.
I was the privilege of being there in Germany last year. and saw where Luther took his Stand. for the truth of the gospel. The truth of justification by faith alone. Based on God's grace alone, make a difference for Christ.
You say, Well, what can I do? Edward Everett Hills writes, I'm only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What can you do?
At your home? And your family? unbelieving siblings. An unbelieving spouse, parents. Friends?
What could you do in your neighborhood? What can you do at your school? What can you do in that office? What can you do among your circle of friends? You know what you should do for Christ.
Stand firm for what you believe. Take a stand in a college class. Take a stand in the school when Christianity and the Bible are belittled. Young man, take a stand for purity and righteousness. Businessmen, businesswomen, take a stand against unethical business practices.
Be bold, take courage, take a stand for God. Witness of the love of God. Tell people about the transforming power. of the grace of God, who is our mediator. Not just before an earthly king as Esther was.
But our great God, who as we thought this morning, is the mediator between a holy God and us who is our advocate. are mediators through the blood. of his cross. What am I saying this evening? I'm saying something very basic, something that we all understand, but.
May have difficulty doing in a particular circumstance of life. in the defining moments of life. Do the right thing. and take a stand. for God.
and leave the consequences. To him. Father. We do that. We thank you for your grace.
We thank you for the power of the gospel. We thank you for the example of this young woman, Esther. who did a very difficult thing and yet did the right thing. And she was raised up for such a time. as that.
Father, we Here today as we look at our lives. We acknowledge that these times come for all of us, and for some sitting here, they know exactly what they should do. And perhaps a relationship has to be broken. Perhaps Some stand has to be taken at work. Perhaps they need to witness.
to a family member. They need to be courageous. They need to stand. Fast. for God.
Father, help us. We want to Glorify your name. We want to do the right thing. We want our lives to count. For Christ.
Not to live life like everyone else, not to be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing. of our mind. For that, Father, we need the filling of your Spirit. We need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We need that.
Wisdom which comes down from you.
So help us and encourage us, Father. We pray. In Christ's name. Amen. This is the verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe.
There's still more to hear when John returns in just a moment, so stay with us. From matters of truth and identity, to the subjects of love and grace, our world seems more confused than ever. But to find truth and certainty about who we are, and find peace, we find We must turn our attention away from the world and look to the Word of God. To help you do that, John wrote a booklet titled Eternal Security, Finding Certainty in a Chaotic World. Through this special resource John shares his personal testimony, along with a careful examination of Scripture, to offer us clarity on matters of eternity.
Get your copy today by visiting our website at theverdict. org. While you're there, consider making an investment in this Bible teaching ministry. Whether it's $5, $50, or more, your gift today helps cover the cost of sharing these gospel messages to listeners around the world. And if you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to The Verdict Podcast, featuring John's weekly podcast exclusive called Avizandam.
It's available wherever you get your podcasts, or simply go to our website. Again, that's theverdict.org. The verdict is a ministry of Calvary Church in South Charlotte. We're located on the corner of Highway 51 and Ray Road. If you've been looking for a church home or a community to help you grow in your walk with Christ, We invite you to join us for our Sunday services.
For more details about Calvary and our service times, visit theverdict.org.
Now, here's Pastor John Monroe.
Well, what's your verdict? Don't you admire Esther and the challenge given by Mordecai? And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. God is orchestrating events to protect his people. The challenge is given.
This is Esther's defining moment.
Well you do the right thing. Do it. and leave the consequences to God. It may seem that evil is winning, but our God is always in control. Trust Him.
And next time, we'll see how Esther acts as the plan of God continues to unfold. Thanks, John. And today we have the opportunity to include a Q ⁇ A feature that we'll have from time to time and hear from John on questions and timely topics. John, as a pastor, I know you receive many questions about Scripture. What would you say is one of the most common?
I would say, Michelle, eternal security. I find that many people find it difficult to think. That they can know with a certainty that when they die they'll go to be with the Lord Jesus. They're unsure if their sins are forgiven. And many people are uncertain as to whether they are good enough To be received into heaven.
So, this whole question. of security I think is one of the most common I deal with. Others who ask this question are, I believe, authentic followers of Jesus, but Wonder if in some way they can lose their salvation. They've sinned, they've fallen away from following Christ.
So I've learned. in dealing with this subject to get back to the basics, the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be a Christian? What is an authentic follower of Jesus? There's a tremendous confusion.
on this subject. Michel, you know, I recently wrote a book on eternal security as I wanted to give help to those who were struggling in this important area. Absolutely. In fact, in the Eternal Security booklet, you go into further detail about your testimony. You explain the biblical basis for the confidence we can have in Jesus Christ.
And I found it so helpful that you also explain and discuss the rich promises of salvation, which go beyond the forgiveness of our sins and include the privileges of becoming sons and daughters of God.
So I would definitely commend the Eternal Security booklet to anyone who has wondered about these questions, or perhaps you have a friend or family member who's been struggling with these questions, or even find themselves experiencing doubt. Because as you explained, John, doubt and faith are not mutually exclusive.
So, John, for those listening right now who may have questions about their eternal security, are there some particular verses of Scripture that you would refer people to?
Well, there are many. John ten, verses twenty eight through thirty one. were very central to my own conversion to Jesus Christ. and there are verses which I found to be very helpful. When I came to Christ out of camp, Michelle, I'm very thankful that the leader of the camp came to me that night.
and he went over the gospel, and then he opened his Bible, And he read these verses. They're in the chapter where Jesus is the good shepherd. And he says he gives to his sheep. eternal life and they shall never perish. Think of that.
We're given eternal life. Will never perish. And then Jesus goes on to say that no one can snatch them out of his hand. Here is the picture. It's not so much us holding on to Jesus.
Is Jesus holding on to us? And then he says that My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Here is a wonderful security, a double security.
I'm held by Christ, I'm held by the Father, and the Father and the Son are one. in keeping me safe and bringing me safely home. To eternal life.
So you're saying if someone is truly saved, they can't lose their salvation? But what about people who fall into serious sin?
Well You know, we could approach this in different ways. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't mean that we're sinless. But it does mean that we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. And the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives is greater than these desires.
So, When the true believer falls into sin, What are they to do? They must confess their sins. The blood of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John says, cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
Now, that doesn't mean that we lose our salvation.
However, if someone consistently throughout their life professes to be a Christian, and there's no evidence of the new life in them, there's a strong possibility that they were never saved in the first place. On the day of judgment, Jesus Jesus speaks of those who will say to him, Lord, Lord. But he will say to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. That's very serious, isn't it?
So While our good works don't save us, they are evidence. that we are truly Following Jesus Christ. John, thanks so much. And if you'd like a copy of John's booklet on eternal security, we do still have a few copies available. Simply visit calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict to request your free copy.
And if you have a question that you'd like John to consider for future broadcasts, Be sure to email us at the verdict at calvarychurch.com to submit your question.
Well, that's all our time for today. I'm Michelle Davies, and you're listening to The Verdict with Pastor John Monroe. Today's program was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
