Ten ways to serve your generation.

( Rescued for what?)
By Pastor Amos Dada PhD; P. Eng
“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.