“We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live” Lk 1:74-75
Those who have followed my writings will notice that some terminologies and vocabularies tinkle my fancy or better said fascinate me or better said resonate with me. Words like fresh, rescue, power, anointing etc . The word rescue eventually emerged as a key word in one of my books that I believe will define me and my legacies - To The Rescue( Say No To Corruption ).
So this morning the word Rescue caught my attention as I delightedly enjoy my quiet time.
What does it mean to Rescue?
It means to save (someone) from a dangerous or distressing situation. Synonyms include :
Deliver, redeem, ransom ,reclaim,. Set free from confinement . Rescue means freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.
So you and I were rescued by a vigorous action of Jesus facing, the religious leaders of his days, who ensured he was crucified, died, buried , but thank God he resurrected .
What it means is that your life is not cheap. It cost someone . The scripture above says you were rescued from your enemies !
In our modern Christianity we most times belong to two extremes , the school of thought of those who see enemies in all things, let a cockroach or ant pass by, they know it is an enemy from their village or work place or household. The other extreme are those millennia generation who think the word enemy should be deleted from English vocabulary because they do not believe that enemies exist. Well the bible has not shied away from using the word enemies, you should use it albeit appropriately . It will be foolish to think enemies don’t exist . For all you know if you are a born again child of God, Satan is your enemy and he manifests its enmity towards you and I though the instrumentality of human beings. But the good news as we read from above concerning John the Baptist even before he was born he was rescued from his enemies , you and I belong to that phylum too.” In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Col 1:14 says it cost Jesus his blood!
But what are you rescued for ?
Meaning what is your purpose ? Jesus did not die in vain for you. It is good to celebrate Christmas but it’s also good to know he was born for a purpose so are you and I.
We were told in that scripture to serve.
John the Baptist we were told served his generation by being a wittiness to Herald and pronounce the coming of Christ . To identify him to the world and a good read of the synoptic gospels especially that of Matthew and John shows how John served his generation :
Let me give you some areas you can serve your generation as we approach the new year 2019.
But before I do that let me point your attention to Vs 75 which says “he served in fear , holiness and righteousness “ so it is not just serving that matters, the way you serve matters, but that will be a discussion for another day. Jesus served in obedience even to the death on the cross . Phil 2:5-9.
So lets look at the areas you can serve in?
1.In the area of your profession. Eccl 9:10 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Janitorial , Carpentry, plumbing, farming engineering , health sector , construction , administration, you see, service is not only a matter of being in full time pastoring , your career path is an area of service to humanity . If there were no farmers what would we eat, if there were no builders where would we live ?
2. In the area of ministering : Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;" Man is a tripartite personality , much as food, shelter,clothing are necessary the souls and spirit commonly referred to as inner man are of critical importance . Without them you are gone . So some are called to serve in that capacity . Eph 4:11. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” The only warning is that all are not called to serve in those offices, and there are many in our generation who are not serving in their area of gifting.
3. In the area of ministry of helps.1 Cor 12: 28. In our churches and ministries we need people to serve in the area of worship, administration , ushering , media, drive, give food to the underprivileged , volunteers during events, . It is generally called “behind the scene ministry “
4.In the area of teaching? "Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;Rom 12:7. From kindergarten to tertiary institutions , teaching is a veritable area for humanity to serve.You need to be taught, some ague that they are self trained, I rejoice with them ,but some one designed what you used to train yourself , someone wrote the books.
5.In the area of innovation.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Gen 1:1-3
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. We can see the pace at which creativity and innovation is making life more livable, easier and accommodating. See what aircrafts ,ships and automobiles are doing to humanity . Not to talk of the computer generation, the advancement of social media . You are rescued to serve.
6.In the area of enforcement and protection. The military, Air Force , Marine, Police, Fire Department , etc. Choose the area you want to serve.
Deuteronomy 20:1-4 ESV / 21
“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
7.In the area of writing. Joshua 1:8,Writing makes the world go round. Imagine if the Bible was not written and other religious books. Imagine all the books for different subjects , mathematics, medicine, architecture . Go ahead in the coming year, put your experience on paper. You are indirectly serving even a generation unborn . You are also throwing more light in an area that would probably have remained unknown . Writers serve the world in special ways you can develop that skill and serve your generation . Do you know your story is peculiar and has the potential of helping people ? There is a lady Preacher call Joyce Meyer, she is a global preacher , but one of the areas that has help her ministry and endeared her to a large fellowship is the forgiveness she gave to her dad who abused her in her infancy and she has put this into writing that has helped many to overcome all kinds of abuse particularly from close relations.
8.In the area of giving money .Lk 6:38, MARK 12:44 “FOR ALL THEY DID CAST IN OF THEIR ABUNDANCE: BUT SHE OF HER WANT DID CAST IN ALL THAT SHE HAD, EVEN ALL HER LIVING.”. Learn to support NGOs, programs like World Vision, Good Samaritan Purse, Red Cross and many humanitarian agencies. You can support our own NGO - Say No To Corruption Movement of Nigeria. There are many orphanages, motherless and fatherless shelters, rehabilitation centres. You can give money to research centres . Every year to the glory of God I donate to more than 20 agencies, Cancer, Arthritis, Alzheimer’s , etc. Give scholarships. There are many indigent students that have potential to be great. I know a young man who was an orphan whom my My father spent his resources to serve by sending him to school and he rose to the pinnacle of his banking career. Today he is a consultant to world bank ! You read it well! You are rescued to serve, go ahead and serve.
9.In the area of governance.
First Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
We are short changing ourselves by just carrying the bible and not being involved in governance. You are smart you made a first class you go and read medicine you go for PhD, then you are not so smart you go for another course. Then those who have no certificate, those who have no degrees vie for political positions and they rule you. I read something about nigeria. We were divided into three geopolitical group, the north ,west ,east. The writer said ,the west,love education, the east , love money, the north love power. With all the education of west the north rules them, with all the money of the easterner the north rules them. What is the solution. See where you fit in in the political arena and vie for office.
10. Serve in the area of evangelism Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:20. This Christmas season go and preach the gospel.
--
O taste and see that the Lord is good.(Psalm 34:8). I have tasted and found that the Lord is good. I do testify that the Lord is good.Join me to taste him.
