Podcast
[0:00] Hallelujah! We thank God you've tuned into this message by David Entry at Caris Church. No hand can help you with the fulfillment of your destiny but the Word of God. May God's hand align you further into your destiny through this Word.
[0:15] Pathway to effective Christian service. Number one, understanding. Your understanding of spirituality will play a major role in the quality of your service to God.
[0:28] What has given me advantage is my understanding. Oh yes, my understanding. Before I became a pastor, and I still do, I serve Him. I love serving.
[0:39] Some of the places you go, and it's not that you are going to gain any benefit. The only advantage is you get to serve the people of God. That's our motivation. The way I have escaped the wickedness from my past, the disadvantage that my past could have given me, the way I have escaped it is by this shieldedness to God.
[1:03] And to do that one, you need understanding. Number two, spirituality. Some people are not spiritual at all. Your threshold of offense is the reflection of your spirituality.
[1:17] You get offended so quickly. Spirituality. Serve God. Romans chapter 1 verse 9. It said, for God is my witness, whom I serve how? How do you serve God?
[1:29] How do you serve God? I can hear you. How do we serve God? With my spirit. It starts from your spirit. For God is a spirit. John chapter 4 verse 24.
[1:40] And they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. God is a spirit. Revelation chapter 1 verse 10. I was in the spirit on the Lord's day. Revelation chapter 4 verse 1 and 2.
[1:53] It took me in the spirit. I was in the spirit. I was in the spirit. Verse 2. Revelation 4. Immediately, I was in the spirit. I was in the spirit. I think Revelation chapter 17 verse 3.
[2:05] The same. It carried me in the spirit. In the spirit. In the spirit. He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit. Revelation chapter 2 verse 7.
[2:18] Chapter 2 verse 11. Chapter 2 verse 17. Chapter 2 verse 29. Chapter 3 verse 6. Chapter 3 verse 13.
[2:28] Chapter 3 verse 22. He who was and he had let him hear of the spirit. Revelation chapter 22 and verse 17.
[2:38] The spirit and the bride says come. Praise the Lord. The spirit. The spirit. He carried me in the spirit.
[2:49] So spirituality is what it takes. To be able to. The pathway to effective Christian service. Spirituality. Because you know what?
[3:01] This thing we are doing is a spiritual work. The more you get involved. The more Satan will target to discourage you. Because the more you get involved. The more you get the best of God.
[3:14] The more you get involved. The more you get the best of God. Don't forget this. Most of us are enjoying the best of God. Because of our commitment.
[3:25] It doesn't matter the demons in my background. Every background has devils. And not all of us have glorious backgrounds. Some of us have disadvantages. Your background will disadvantage you.
[3:37] Some of us have background. You know it. Things you have done. Lies you have told. Things we have done in the past. Sometimes you didn't know better.
[3:49] And sometimes circumstances didn't help. Sometimes your family. The wickedness of your grandfather. Which is making everybody in your family suffer. And you are next in line.
[4:00] Sicknesses. Because your grandfather was a witch doctor. Who killed many people. If you have an occultic background. You should serve God fully. Because it's always transgenerational.
[4:10] The replication said. Visiting the iniquities of the father. Unto the third and fourth generation. Of those who hate me. Exodus chapter 20.
[4:22] Verse 3-4. So. So. This thing is spiritual.
[4:33] It's like a spiritual warfare. Pastor. A lot of people think spiritual warfare is. Kabe, kabo, kabo, shkabe, kabe, kabo, shkabe. Akaya, abai. Akaya, abai.
[4:45] That is not the actual spiritual warfare. That's what we are taught to think. That's not the actual spiritual warfare. If that's the actual spiritual warfare. Why do we have so many prayer warriors. Who are impoverished.
[4:57] And. Prayer. I've seen. There are people who. Can be prayer warriors. And they fail in ministry. Because character issues. I know some prayer warriors. You grew up with some of them.
[5:09] Character issue. And it is biting. Now. So there are things to know. And you have to know that. This church work is spiritual. Some people. Because of.
[5:20] The demons in your background. They want to destroy you. They'll make you be very offended. Very quickly to leave the choir. It's coming again. Every good thing. You get your hands involved. Look at what happened with your former girlfriend. Great woman.
[5:32] Your anger. Anger issues. Made you lose that girl. And now. A monster has come. They are coming again. Determine. I will stay. I won't be upset. I won't be upset. That person who is interpreting things that are.
[5:44] The leader said. That the anxious leader said. He's interpreting it to you. Satan is. There's a demonized person. Satan is using them. Satan is using them. So block them from calling and telling you.
[5:56] Why did she talk to you like that? Why did you allow him to talk to you like that? Block them. They are reinterpreting things. In a way that can hurt your future. Because look at your sister. Who is not doing church. Look at where she is.
[6:07] Look at your brother. Who is not doing church. Look at their state. And you started doing church a little bit. Look at how things are getting better for you. They are about to spoil this one too. The devil is a liar. Take responsibility. Take responsibility.
[6:18] Determine. I won't be offended in my leader. I won't be offended in my church. I know this is God. I understand I'm doing the work of God. And I'm going to serve. So it's spirituality.
[6:28] Take spirituality. Number three. Number one is what? Number two. Spirituality. And then number three. Thank you Jesus.
[6:39] I like this one. A heart of service. A heart of service. If you don't have a heart to serve. You can't serve all. Because you know. Some of you. You are more loyal to your employers.
[6:52] Than God. Oh yes. An employer can send you somewhere. And you are happy. Because of salary. Some people get so excited.
[7:03] Some are loyal. Unless. I have work. I have work. I have work. My work. And even when you can make adjustments. You are not interested. Please. I beg you. Remember.
[7:13] God is a rewarder. And those are the things he watches. Those are the things he watches. A heart of service. Some people can't stand to serve.
[7:24] They just don't want to serve anybody. They are very important. So. Even though they are looking. They look like they are serving. It's not. Their interest is not service.
[7:36] Their interest is taking a box. You cannot serve for a certain type of reward. Without having a heart of service. The heart of a servant. The heart of a servant. You serve without strings attached.
[7:49] Number four. Number one is what? Number two. Number three. Number four. Humility. Humility. It's only those who are humble who can serve.
[8:04] Oh yes. If you are not humble. You can't serve. Humility. Bible says God gives grace to the humble. Humility. I see God giving you humble.
[8:16] I see God giving you grace. Sometimes. You can come to church. And you are. A senior manager at work.
[8:28] And one of your subordinates in work. Is your departmental leader. They give you instruction. Okay. Today you are doing this. Take it like that. Just do it. Don't even do it for you to feel. Okay.
[8:38] Okay. No problem. I'll work. There's no. There's no actually no problem.
[8:49] So don't say no problem. Because there's no problem. Once I say no problem. They mean that. I don't mind. Humility. Humility. That's what I don't like.
[9:00] Everybody has what they don't like. If you can't serve through what you don't like. You don't have humility. Humility. If you can't serve through what you don't like. You don't have humility.
[9:11] Humility. Are you trying to suppose that. The fact that I'm in church. People should treat me anyhow. Never. I didn't say that. That's not the case. But sometimes you be so focused on yourself.
[9:22] Where there's no problem. You even be seeing problems. I've been a pastor for a while. By God's grace. And I've been a servant for a long time. I've been in church services. Serve different capacities.
[9:33] Don't incur the negative feelings. Of someone who is graced ahead of you. It's not worth it. That leads me to the next point. Sacrifice. Sacrifice.
[9:44] Some people sacrifice. Sounds like a swear word. In their ears. Sacriwhat. Sacriwhat. Sacriwhat. Fice. Sacriwhat. Fice.
[9:55] Sacriwhat. Fice. You can never gain heaven's attention. Outside of the realm of sacrifice. Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.
[10:09] Most of us like. Do sing a song. I brought myself. And I am your sacrifice. You know what you're lying. No. I have more than. You don't have more than a song.
[10:21] Today. Today. I brought myself. You are not bringing yourself. I am your worship. You are singing. It's just. You are only singing. Receive the living sacrifice.
[10:35] I am your worship. Listen to. I want. I want. I want. I want to challenge you. To move you out of the realm. Of just giving offerings.
[10:46] To live a life of sacrifice. For God's work. Do you understand that? Because it would be easy. To be giving offerings in church. Without a dedicated life of sacrifice. You have to sacrifice.
[10:57] To understand that. Sometimes. You take. A low paying job. Because. The higher paying job. Is interfering with your worship. So you.
[11:08] Downgrade. Or some shifts. They give you. You turn it down. Because you want to. Give God your best. You think God will forget it? It's very childish.
[11:19] And naive. To think that you are doing it for me. That's when you can't. You can't be offended with me. And then you say. I won't do it. But when you know. I'm not doing it for a man. God said. You did this for me. Okay.
[11:30] He will test you. He will try you. To see if you are really doing it for him. Sacrifice. It will cost you something. Catherine Coleman was asked. What does it cost to have the anointing?
[11:42] He said. My brother. It will cost you. Everything. Everything. Everything. Everything. To cost you your ego. Some of us. We have big egos.
[11:53] But for the sake of the gospel. Let go. To cost you everything. Sometimes when you look at somebody. Who is giving you instructions in church.
[12:05] This one. I didn't be for church. Where would this person have even met me? But that's where humility comes in. And then you sacrifice. Sometimes sacrifice.
[12:16] Not just to give. To the work of God. But sacrifice. To lose money. Because of commitment. To God's work. Do you understand what I'm saying? You lose money.
[12:27] On purpose. You embrace it. I'm not saying that. Because of the mandate. Say I'm not working on Monday. So that I can go for evangelism. Please. You can do it otherwise. You can do it otherwise.
[12:37] There are times you can. You can. You can rearrange stuff to do. Usually when people are trying to buy a house. Get. Do wedding. That's when they. Take God's time. To get more money. And they said.
[12:50] We'll pay you more. To do just two hours extra. So no. I have work. They said. Oh no. How much we pay you. We pay you 500 a day. We'll pay you another 500. If you can work two extra hours.
[13:01] And he looks. Oh this is good. They said. No. I have commitment. That's the sacrifice I'm talking about. Please sit down. Thank you. That's the sacrifice I'm talking about.
[13:11] So it's not like you are out of employment. Don't go out of employment because you want to do ghost work. It's a shortcut or it's another expression of form of expression of laziness.
[13:24] Sacrifice. Say sacrifice. Number six. Consistency. Zambi people today they are here. Next time you see them. Somebody wrote something in an envelope and he said.
[13:37] You've changed my life and I'll be here to my last breath. I'm in this for life. You know it's just a statement but I didn't see it as just a statement. I saw it as an expression of intention.
[13:49] And I pray that may God give you the grace to be able to do it. You must have the intention that I am in this for life. We have seen a lot of people who show up and vanish.
[14:01] We have seen them. Hit around spirit. Nothing is ever constant in your life. You. Being committed to a church is a reflection of character.
[14:13] If they want to hit you they move you from safety zone. Yeah. Consistency. So pathway to spiritual service.
[14:25] A proper true service. Effective service. Rewarding service. Consistency. Consistency. Somebody say consistency.
[14:36] Consistency. And some of you I see you going very far. Amen. Let me add this quickly. Consistency. Dedication. And last two.
[14:50] Dedication. So dedication is the next point. Dedication. Dedication is you know when you are devoted. Dedication. Like some of you in setup.
[15:01] Your devotion. Is that dedication. Another word for dedication in this sense. Is that you are devoted yourself. You can always be counted on.
[15:12] You can be counted on. And it's taking a lot from you. That's why there cannot be devotion without sacrifice. You come from workers meeting like this. And you are not complaining. Even though you are not getting food.
[15:24] The church is running on the back. The track of devoted people. The church is running on the track of devoted people. Devoted people. Ask somebody. How deep is your devotion?
[15:37] We will be able to tell your level of devotion in the time of crisis. When crisis hits. Then you withdraw. We call you. We don't get you. I'm stressed. I'm stressed. No one can get you. I want to be off for a while.
[15:49] Devotion. You want to be off from your commitment. Your service. Devotion. Sacrifice. Okay. Let me add the last two. Purpose of heart.
[16:02] Purpose of heart. Bible says they encourage them with purpose of heart. Acts chapter 14. I think 21 or so. With purpose of heart. They should continue.
[16:13] Purpose of heart. Purpose of heart. In other words. You have. Determine. Acts 11. Chapter 13. When he had come and seen the grace of God.
[16:24] He was glad. And encouraged them all. That with. Because there's grace here. You have to do this. With purpose. They should continue with the Lord. You have to. Don't let any.
[16:34] See. When you have a purpose of heart to do it. You don't easily get discouraged. Discouragement will come. But you won't stop. When you see somebody who has been married for a long time. It's because with purpose of heart. They determine that this thing will work.
[16:46] Yeah. Church is like marriage. Most people who cannot be properly committed to church. It always shows in their marriages. Wow. Yeah.
[16:57] Church is a form of marriage. You are married to that thing. You are destined for life. Kings come and kings go. But you are committed. And the last point.
[17:07] So what's the first point? Pathway to effective Christian service. Number one. Number two.
[17:18] Three. Let's all say that. Number one. Number two. Three. Number three. Number four. Number five. Number six.
[17:31] Number seven. Number eight. Number nine. Number nine. Expectation of reward.
[17:41] You know that your redeemer lives. You know God will reward you. Focus on the reward. Bible says that looking unto Jesus. Hebrews chapter 12.
[17:53] Verse two. Looking unto Jesus. The altar and the finisher of our faith. Who for the joy that was set before him. Endured the cross. Why did he. How did he enjoy the cross? Because of the joy that was set before him.
[18:06] Joy. Joy. He was keeping his focus on the joy. So he was able to endure the cross. And despise the shame. Despise.
[18:16] There are things you have to despise. If you want to go far in Christ. You have to despise. People will tell you things. Be careful who you are talking to. Be careful.
[18:27] I mean this for life. You. You. Say that and go and talk to the wrong people. You will see. You will be short lived. The way you are determined to serve. In a department. And you are happy.
[18:39] And you wait. Some of you. You couldn't wait to join Carrey's choir. You couldn't wait. Your biggest dream was to join the praise team. To stand in front. Now when they rotate. I show you.
[18:49] I'm not. I'm not quite sure if I even want to come. You. You. If I were. An African man. I would have said. The cheek of it. You.
[19:01] Today you are so much part. That you are bluffing. Remember how you were so desperate. Even just to be. Allowed to come for rehearsal. We easily forget. Sir.
[19:12] We easily forget. People who couldn't wait to join prayer team. You forgotten how desperate you were. For marrying.
[19:23] Now look at the way you are treating this woman. Look at the way you are treating this man. When he was about to change his mind. You prayed to God. You vowed. You fasted.
[19:34] Sowed seeds. Did everything roll in the floor. God. This might just will not pass. Now look at the way you are treating the guy. You have insulted him and added his mother. We can easily have short memories.
[19:49] But you have to have a purpose of heart. Most people who don't divorce. Don't divorce. Not because it's always rosy. They don't divorce because they have a purpose of heart. That I'll be careful how I handle my wife.
[20:02] I'll be careful how I handle my husband. Even when I'm upset. I have to be careful. It's children who display when they are upset. One of the signs of infantileness is you throw tantrums at will.
[20:16] In spite of the consequences. So it's important you have a purpose of heart. That no one can talk me out of this. And then expectation of the reward.
[20:29] God will reward you. He said be steadfast and unmovable. That's a powerful scripture. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 58. Be steadfast and unmovable.
[20:42] Be steadfast and unmovable. Always abounding what? In the work. Because God rewards work. Knowing that your labor is not in vain. Anytime you serve God to a certain dimension.
[20:53] Guess what? On earth. Your health benefits. Number two. Your children become major beneficiaries. They become major stakeholders of your service.
[21:03] Even if you don't have a child. Anybody important around you begins to benefit. They don't have to serve at your dimension. Yeah. Abraham, you didn't have to worship God and know God like Abraham did.
[21:18] All you must do is be in his line. And the thing will be speaking for you. Praise God. So, I would like to end on this. That your labor in God will never be in vain.
[21:33] Some of us, we don't have all that it takes to get to a certain level. All you have is your work with God. That's your biggest advantage. Don't forget it. Sometimes don't look too far.
[21:44] Look at your siblings. Look at your family. It will tell you that your biggest advantage is hide under the cover of the covenant.
[21:55] It's not just I'm a Christian. Your level of commitment to God is a covenant relationship. And you stay under it, you'll be immune. You don't need deliverance to stay safe.
[22:08] You need the covenant. You need the covenant work with God. I've never undergone deliverance. Since I got born again. Now, I'm going for deliverance. Come for deliverance.
[22:19] Come out. I've never undergone. They've just laid hands on me to bless me. But to deliver me from my devil, no. I've never gone to deliverance. So, why are people running for deliverance?
[22:29] Instead of facing their devil by walking with God. It's a hoax. Shortcut to no way. Going for deliverance.
[22:40] For what? When it comes to the blessing of God, you have to procure it by a certain level of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. And it will change your story.
[22:52] Those of you who are believing God for marital testimonies. Those of you who are believing God for family testimonies by virtue of maybe miracle children. And your children to do well. The health of your children.
[23:03] Your actual health. Listen. There's a blessing in your actual health when you walk with God. Yeah. That I was thinking. Most of the big, big men of God that we grew up to know.
[23:14] They are still strong and going. They are still strong. At least. There are a lot of them. At least. Some should die by heart. No. None of them. None of them. They are still strong.
[23:25] And they have been serving. And you look at them. They are looking agile. Yes. This is what service can do. I've been young. According to David. Now I'm old.
[23:36] Never have I seen the righteous forsaken. Nor is he dead. Psalm 37 verse 25. I have been young. And now I'm old. Yet I. Now I'm old.
[23:47] Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken. Not only the righteous. Nor is he seed. Become handicapped in life. Your service is going transgenerational.
[24:00] It's not everything you can do for your children. But there's a lot your service can do. People who are always committed to this house. It begins to show very early in their children. Look.
[24:11] Who told you. When you serve God. He won't settle you. Who told you. When you serve God. He won't settle you. Listen. Your future is taken care of. I'm an evidence of what God.
[24:23] What I'm doing. Is not from my background. They're not giving me from my background. Anything you see in me. Is because. Of what. Serving God can do. I'm an evidence of what genuine service can do.
[24:36] I'm an evidence of what genuine dedicated service to God can do. And it hasn't stopped. So we didn't start church. Because we are looking for relevance. We started church because God told us to.
[24:49] And then number two. We started church because it will give us a better opportunity to serve. Based on what God told us. We love to serve. I'm an evidence of what true service can do.
[25:01] Please serve God. Don't forget. That God is a rewarder. And just in case. Just in case. You die. Just in case you die. Now.
[25:12] What you have done. Who is going to speak. Don't forget. If you forget about everything. Remember. That God is a rewarder. And then when Christ comes. There's a big reward. Did you receive something?
[25:23] Amen. Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry. We pray you have been strengthened and enlightened.
[25:35] You can connect with David Entry on all relevant social media platforms. Including Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also hear more messages from David Entry on all relevant streaming platforms.
[25:46] And the Caris Church app. Don't forget to like and share the message. Be blessed.