Who Knows But That You Have Come
To A Royal Position For A Time Like
This

PIWC Graceland observed this month’s communion service on the theme “Who knows but that you have come to a royal position for a time like this”, with scripture reference from Esther 4:13-14. The word was ministered by Elder Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong

Elder Dr. Agyepong began the sermon by informing the Church that Esther’s character study was not only valuable to women but men as well. He stated that like Esther, everyone has a story which may be relevant to the salvation of someone around them. Prominent characters from Esther’s story were used to espouse the day’s message.

Beginning with King Xerxes, Elder Dr. Agyepong established that in the days of his rule, the norm was for royalty to marry royalty, hence the King married Queen Vashti. Yet Queen Vashti’s disobedience to appear at the invitation of the King during his festivities, led to the King’s decision to marry a new wife to replace her. The King acted in anger and terminated his marriage at the counsel of his elders. Elder Dr. Agyepong advised that men must be wise to know whose advice they heed in relation to their marriage. Husbands are advised to know how to handle situations involving their wives. The position of a husband is a rare and delicate one as such husbands must recognize that wherever they seek advice could be the making or unmaking of their marriages. Elder also advised women to be humble and understanding of their husbands.

From Esther 2:3-4, Elder Dr. Agyepong explained how Esther became the Queen of Persia. Esther was an orphan living in exile with her uncle Mordecai. The preacher explained it was unlikely that Esther should be selected to be Queen of Persia as she was neither of a royal lineage, nor was she Persian. But with counsel from her uncle Mordecai, Esther was accepted into the group of young ladies being groomed for the King’s pageant from which he would select a new queen. Esther found favour in the sight of Hegai, the eunuch who was in charge of preparing the ladies. She paid heed to his advice and did what he suggested when she appeared before the King. She went as she was before the King, like Esther, we are admonished to appear in our natural state when we appear before Christ’s table. We must open up and let our vulnerabilities speak to the King. Superficial beauty only goes this far, we must present our true selves to Christ and He will accept us. Like King Xerxes accepted an undignified orphan, Christ accepts our humble and undignified selves and brings us into His royal fold.

Like Mordecai, we are advised to treat the people under our guidance with love and dignity for they could be our kinsmen redeemer. The orphan Esther now Queen, was used as an instrument to save the Hebrews from persecution when Haman schemed against them. The destiny of the people we encounter daily is determined by God and may be tied to our salvation.

From Haman’s character, Elder Dr. Agyepong advised the Church not to allow pride and the love of worldly position lead us to destroy innocent people. We all have been at a disadvantaged position but for salvation in Christ. Mathew 15:23-26 reminds us we were only entitled to the crumbs from the King’s table but through Christ we have been given a seat at the royal table. Our Christian heritage is a royal position we must exploit to bring others to Christ. As we eat from the King’s table, we must proclaim His salvation to the world so they share in our privileged position.

To conclude, Elder Dr. Agyepong referred to Esther 4:14 to remind the Church that we must not remain silent in our position as Christians. Our reluctance in sharing the good news of Christ will only be detrimental to ourselves. Yet, when we do share our salvation with the world, Christ will not leave us neither will we lose our place as children of the Most High King.

Like Esther, we must fast and pray as we embark on the journey to preach the gospel of salvation to the world. For our royal position in Christ comes with a mandate of introducing Christ’s saving grace to the unsaved. The Church observed the Holy Communion after the Word Ministration