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ESTHER 4:13-16

"FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS"

Intro: Through an unusual chain of events, Esther, a Jewess, was made
       Queen of  Persia.

I. IT WAS A TIME OF NATIONAL PERIL.
        A. An irreversible edict to kill all Jews had been sent out.
                1. This massacre was to occur on the 13th day of the
                   12th month.
                2. The Kings favorite aide had offered an 18 million
                   dollar bribe to accomplish this.
                        a. The terrible cost of pride.
                        b. You can't afford it.
        B. God's chosen people facing extermination.
                1. The promised blessing still unfulfilled.

II. IT WAS A TIME OF PERSONAL DECISION.
        A. Esther could plead to the King for mercy.
                Problems:
                1. King did not know her nationality.
                2. You do not go before King uninvited.
                        a. Though Queen, it had been 30 days.
                        b. Penalty was death.
                3. Possibility the King ignored her plea.
                Possibilities:
                1. Keep quiet & hope she might be spared while
                   others all killed.
                2. Risk going in and perhaps saving her people.
                Things to consider:
                1. Maybe all these circumstances not accidental.
                        a. God's hand there guiding.
                        b. This is His purpose in having her there.
                "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdom for such
                 a time as this?"
                        a. God has a plan and a purpose for each life.

III. IT WAS A TIME OF TOTAL DEDICATION.
        A. If I don't go I will perish. Deliverance will come, God's will
           shall be performed. Name be held in scorn.
        B. If I do go in I might perish, but I might also affect salvation
           for my people.
        C. "I will go in before the King, which is not according to the
            law: and if I perish, I perish."  "If I live, well, praise the
            Lord."

IV. IT IS A TIME OF PERSONAL PERIL.
        A. Unbeliever. You because of your sin have been condemned to die.
                1. "For the wages of sin is death."
                2. The appointed day unbeknown unto you has been set "for
                   it is appointed unto men."
        B. God's Word shall be fulfilled.
        C. World about you dying.

V. IT IS A TIME OF PERSONAL DECISION.
        A. Unbeliever. You can plead with God for mercy.
                1. "He will have mercy and will abundantly pardon."
                2. "If we confess our sins He is faithful & just."
                3. Talking with man who had just attempted suicide.
        B. If you don't call on God for mercy you will die in your sin.
        C. Christian. I can seek to warn my friends; reveal my
           identity - they may laugh yet they might also listen.

VII. TIME FOR TOTAL DEDICATION.
        A. "For to me to live is Christ & to die is gain."