2. Pastor Ambrose Nyangao

3. The Story

4. One of the things that people desire in their life is to be great. The Lord Jesus had to deal with this kind of desire with his disciples. He gave them some teaching and basically summarized it by saying that for one to be great they have to be a servant of all. Service is a great honor in the Kingdom of God. The Lord Himself gave us the example by becoming a servant and giving His life on the cross as a ransom for many. There are all kinds of opportunities to serve and it is my prayer that we shall seek in this month opportunities to serve.

5. At times service can take on interesting turns. People seek the best with their offers to serve, but at times they create blunders. Here is an interesting story from someone called Bruce Thielmann. A woman answered the knock at the door to find an obviously destitute man who wanted to earn some money by doing the odd jobs. She was touched by his need and asked, Can you paint? Yes, he said. I am a pretty good painter. Well, here is a gallon of green paint and a brush. Go around the house and you will see a porch that needs repainting. Be very careful. When you are done I will look it over and pay you what its worth.

6. It wasnt more than an hour before he knocked again. All finished, he reported. Did you do a good job? she asked. Yes. But lady, theres one thing I would like to point out to you. Thats not a Porche back there. Thats a Mercedes. We dont always get what we expect when we invest in the lives of others. Imagine that. He had good intentions, but did not listen to the instructions well. We have been called to serve and to serve well.

7. The Word

8. Mk 10:35-45For one to be great he must become a servant of all. For the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many Lk 9:62No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the service in the Kingdom of God Phil 4:4; II Cor 9:7Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. God loves a cheerful giver Ezra 7:23Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence Rom 15:17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God

9. Rom 12:6-7If a mans gift is service, let him serve I Cor 12:5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord Eph 4:12He gave gifts to men…to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up Eph 2:10We are Gods workmanship, created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do Col 3:23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men I Peter 4:10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering Gods grace in its various forms

10. The declarations

11. We decree and declare it is an honor to serve in the Kingdom of God. We have been equipped and empowered to serve the King and His Kingdom in the name of Jesus Christ We decree and declare that we have been raised and made to sit with Christ in the heavenly places. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works that have been prepared for us to do We decree and declare that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Therefore there is no obstacle on earth that can stop us to give Kingdom service effectively in the name of Christ We decree and declare that we have been anointed by the Sprit of God to serve. We proclaim good news to the poor. We proclaim freedom to the captives and an open prison door to those who are bound. We proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

12. We decree and declare that we have a willing and a cheerful heart as we serve. We do not serve under compulsion. Indeed, we are motivated by the love of Christ for us. We serve with joy We decree and declare that we do not serve alone. We are the body of Christ and each one in this body is gifted in their own unique ways. We join our efforts and talents together with others so that we can serve the body of Christ effectively We decree and declare that we serve in the knowledge of the word of God. We do not serve to be people pleasers but God pleasers. We serve in faith knowing that God rewards those who diligently seek Him through their service We decree and declare that we serve with humility. We cast pride aside. We do not seek our way, but consider others better than ourselves. We are serving the Lord Christ

13. The Reflections

14. The will of God for us is that we serve in an extraordinary way. We do not serve the way the world serves. We serve not to get but to give. We are an extension of the love of God to humanity The purpose of God for us is that we serve with an extraordinary empowerment. We are not drunk with wine but with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit in us causes us to be witnesses for Christ wherever we go. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us The favor of God is upon us as we serve in extraordinary circumstances. Joseph was blessed and favored in his service in the land of Egypt for the Lord was with Him. The Lords favor is with us and doors open for us such that no man can shut out. We serve with confidence

15. The grace of God is ours as we dispense extraordinary service to the world. In all that we do in our service we are confident of the fact that the grace of God is sufficient. His strength is made perfect in our weakness The miracle power of God is with us as we serve despite extraordinary challenges. The Lord told His disciples to feed the multitude. They immediately checked what they had and found it was too little. Jesus simply took that which they gave Him. He turned towards heaven and gave thanks. The little in His hands was multiplied and thousands were fed to their fill. That miracle power is ours today. The love of God is within us as we give our lives through extraordinary sacrifice. We serve those who may not receive the love of Christ, yet we keep serving knowing that in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. We are compelled to serve by the love of God.

16. The Prayer

17. Heavenly Father, it is a great honor to serve you in this world. Your Son gave us a great example when He said that He did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. He washed the disciples feet. He attended a wedding in Cana and changed the water into wine. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He blessed the little children who were brought to Him.

18. He spent time with the Samaritan woman and caused a whole town to be revived. Wherever the Lord Jesus went, He was doing good. Thank you for empowering us to serve in the same way. May we be alert to the opportunities that come our way so that we can serve on behalf of the Kingdom of God. Cause us to be discerning as we do this. May we have a joyful heart as we serve your people in the name of Jesus Christ.

19. AMEN!