THE POWER OF SERVICE – PART I – II

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Text: Eph. 4:11 – 12, Eph. 2:10, Romans 12:3 – 11, 1 Cor. 12:28

Definition. To Serve

(a). To work for
(b). To perform duties
(c). To attend to as assistant
(d). To be of use to
(e). To minister etc.

Why Service?

1. A church strength is not measured in how many show up for services (crowd) but how many serve in the (core).
2. You are shaped to serve God. You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry. We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
3. You don’t pray into leadership you pay into leadership and it comes through faithful service.
4. Your master key to success is service.

The greatest injury you can do to yourself is not to serve in your local church. All great leaders both contemporary and in bible were once servants/great followers.

INGREDIENTS OF SERVICE

You can’t talk of service without the following seven ingredients: –
1. Sacrifice: – Romans 12:1
You make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Life is not about duration but about donation.
God will not respond to your needs but your seeds.
You must give up to go up. The higher the level of leadership you want to attain, the greater the sacrifice you must give.

2. Enthusiasm: Rom 12:11
You must be ready to serve the Lord with joy (fruit of the spirit)

3. Respect Ephesians 6:5 – 7
Without submission there is no service. You really haven’t submitted until you disagree.

Evidence of lack of respect.
(a) An independent spirit
(b) Failure to admit mistakes
(c) Lack of a teachable spirit
(d) A rebellious attitude toward those in authority.
(e) Failure to accept a lowly place.

4. Value: Thinking to create value.
You can’t talk of service if you are not creative. There must be little extra. Good thinking, good products. Look carefully for where and how you can add value in your calling.

The things that make people outstanding are things that other people overlook.

5. Integrity. Proverb 11:3
Integrity is defined as quality of being honest and having strong mind.
The bedrock of service is integrity.
When money is lost, nothing is lost.
When health is lost, something is lost.
When character is lost, everything is lost.
As a leader, people will not follow you if you lack integrity.

6. Commitment:
Every great endeavour has a price tag. The greater he job, the higher the price. The price tag is known as commitment.
Commitment gets you started while others stand and keeps you going while others quit.

M. Luther “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothings and suffers nothing is worth nothing.”
Commitment involved setting order of priorities.
(a) Relationship with God
(b) Relationship with spouse
(c) Relationship with children
(d) Relationship with work.

Keys to commitment
1. Loyalty and faithfulness 1 Cor. 4:2

Characteristics of a faithful person: –

(a) He knows how to keep his mouth short. (Prov. 11:13)
(b) He ministers strength to his pastor and church (pro. 13:17)
(c) He always speak the truth (Proverb 14:5)
(d) A faithful man is a humble man. (Proverb 20:16)

2. Do not be too big or too small. Don’t be too big to do small or to small to do the big. (Proverb 16:18, Roman 12:13)
3. Committing to the ministry as you are committed to your marriage.
4. Always do your best. Col. 3: 23 & 24)
5. Stay with something until the job gets done.
6. Never quit or give up.

7. Excellence in service:
Whatever you do today, do it better tomorrow. Excellence will put you ahead.

What you can serve God with:
(1) Talents
(2) Time
(3) Treasure
(4) Testimonies

God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, gifts and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory.

There is no area of service that is less important or second fiddle.

Rendering An Acceptable Service

1. Serving with Gladness. Psalm 100:12
Serve the Lord with Gladness, come before his presence with singing.
2. Serving with a perfect heart. 1Chronicles 28:9
3. Serving God continually. Daniel 6:16

PART TWO

REWARDS OF SERVICE

Your reward in life will be in direct proportion to the value of your service to others. Every one of us works on commission.

1. Service Brings Anointing: 1 Kings 19:19-21
Salvation is free but anointing is costly. The mantle of service had to come upon Elisha before the mantle of exploits.
II Kings 2:9 “Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee before I am taken away from thee”.

2 Service Brings Blessings: Proverb 10:22
The blessing of the lord maketh rich and He added no sorrow with it. Exodus 23:25 “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread and water and will take sickness away from the midst of thee”.

3. Service Brings Supernatural Deliverances: Daniel 6:16
Thy God whom thou servest continually will deliver thee. Our service speaks in times of need.
Paul and Silas were delivered from prison. Acts 16:25-26

4. Service Brings Promotions: Gen. 41:39-42
Service is by choice but position is by appointment. No one retains his position until he has faithfully gone through service.
Joseph’s faithful service elevated him to the position of prime minister in Egypt.

5. Service Brings Distinction
Service distinguishes you and singles you out of a crowd. Malachy 3:17
God distinguishes between those who are serving him and those who are just occupying space.

6. Service Leads to Sonship: John 1:12
If a servant remains faithful, he will some day be granted their right of sonship. If you allow your master to bring you up delicately, you will eventually become a son of his. – Proverbs 29:21, Proverbs 17:2

7. Service and Fruit Eating: Proverb 27:18
“Whosoever keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit therefore, so he that waiteth or (serves) his master shall be honoured. (with fruit eating).

8. Service Speaks In Time of Trouble: Esther: 6:1-2, 10, Isaiah 38: 3-5.
The book of remembrance will be opened because of your service. As in case of Modeca.

You can also lay hold on your service to pray for God’s intervention. As in the case of Hezekiah.

9. Faithful Service Secures your Future Generation: 2 Samuel 9:1.
“And Daniel said is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan sake” Proverb 13:22

10. Service Gives you Access To God’s Favour and Grace:
Favour is what makes a man receive without asking and Grace makes a man function without struggle. If you are looking for favour and grace, service is the secret.
A woman whose business was not doing well experienced a remarkable turn-around when she started evangelism in her shop.

11.Service Opens Windows of Heaven: Malachi 3:10
The only key that can open the window of heaven is serving God with our treasures. If you want finacial breakthrough sow seed of service.

12. Service Brings You Before Kings.
A man’s gift makes room for him. If you want to dine with Kings, serve faithfully.

Dr. Udoh
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