Seize the Moment - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

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Seize the Moment

Esther 4:14 “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Intro: Never in church history has the child of God had a more exciting time to be alive!

Tonight, we are sending a rocket and 4 astronauts to the moon.

I. Unprecedented Resources

Esther had access to a king's palace, a king's treasury, and a king's authority — resources that positioned her uniquely to save her people.

God in His sovereignty had miraculously placed her in that place AT THAT TIME.

In the same way, this generation of believers has access to resources that previous generations could not have dreamed of.

We have:

• Financial resources to fund global missions.

• Technological tools to produce and distribute the Gospel at a lower price and quicker turnaround than ever before.

• Translated Scriptures available in more languages than ever before.

• Media platforms, podcasts, broadcasting, and digital publishing — all at practically zero cost.

• The accumulated knowledge of centuries of Bible students at our fingertips.

• Christian films; Christian documentaries.

• We can translate anything in minutes with AI.

The question is not whether we have enough — the question is whether we will use what God has already placed in our hands.

Mordecai reminds Esther that God’s work will go on—with or without her. “Enlargement and deliverance” would come from another place if she refused.

That truth reveals something powerful: God is not limited in His ability to accomplish His purposes.

We are living in a generation with resources previous generations could not have imagined.

We have the completed Word of God in abundance.

We have:

• churches

• Bible colleges

• missions boards and missionary networks

• technology

• convenient and affordable transportation

• communication tools that can mobilize the Gospel instantly.

The question is not whether God can get the job done—the question is whether we will step into the opportunity He has placed in our hands.

II. Unlimited Reach

Esther had access to the king.

She was strategically positioned in a place others could not go.

Her opportunity was unique.

We still have freedom here in America.

·        We can witness.

·        We can preach.

·        We can stand on the streets and share the Gospel.

·        We can knock on doors.

·        We can print and distribute literature.

·        We can run ads in the magazines and newspapers.

·        We can build websites and livestream our services.

·        We have access to radio and TV.

·        We can print tracts, books at will for pennies.

·        We can buy Scriptures by the cases and hand them out anywhere, anytime.

We are living in a day when the Gospel can go anywhere in the world.

·       We can travel across continents in hours.

·       We can be just about anywhere on this planet in 48 hours or less.

·       We can communicate across the globe in seconds for virtually free.

Through missions, media, and technology, there is virtually no place we cannot reach.

·        Every continent is accessible

·        Every language group is being targeted

·        Every barrier — political, geographical, cultural — is being penetrated

·        The Great Commission has never been more achievable than right now

Esther could only reach those within the walls of the palace — and even then, she had to risk her life to gain an audience.

This generation faces very little limitations.

·       The Gospel can travel to the remotest village on earth through a smartphone signal.

·       We can preach in closed countries without ever crossing a border.

·       We can disciple a believer in a persecuted nation without ever boarding a plane.

·       We can hold Zoom meetings with groups of Christians anywhere in the world.

God has placed us in a position of incredible access.

Just like Esther, we are not where we are by accident.

We are here on purpose; with the ability to reach farther than any generation before us.

III. Unavoidable Responsibility

·       “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Mordecai calls Esther to recognize the moment, and SEIZE IT!

This was not just any time—this was her time.

A decisive moment in history that demanded action.

There was a limited window of opportunity.

We have seen more, we know more, and we understand more than any generation before us.

·       We have the full revelation of Scripture.

·       We have the testimony of church history.

·       We have seen both the blessings of obedience.

·       We are witnessing the horrible consequences of compromise.

·       We know that the Rapture is imminent.

·       The days for the New Testament church to reach the world are limited.

With that knowledge comes responsibility.

• This is not a time for silence.

• This is not a time for the church to keep her head down.

• This is not a time for hesitation, fear, intimidation or second-guessing.

• This is a time for action.

• This is a time for assuming our God-given responsibility.

• This is a time for awareness.

• This is time to recognize that God has placed us in this exact moment in history for a reason.

Conclusion:

How much more time do you need?

How much more Bible knowledge do you need?

How much more of an open door do you need?

How many opportunities must be presented for you to get involved?

Esther had a choice: stay silent and miss her moment, or step forward and seize it.

We have that same opportunity.

Will the church SEIZE THE MOMENT?