Sunday 13th July

Occupy till I come

By Pastor Akin Akinyede
Text: Luke 19:11-13
Now as they were listening to these things, He proceeded to tell a parable, because He was
approaching Jerusalem and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to be
brought to light and shown forth immediately.
He therefore said, A certain nobleman went into a distant country to obtain for himself a kingdom
and then to return.
Calling ten of his [own] bond servants, he gave them ten minas [each equal to about one hundred
days wages or nearly twenty dollars] and said to them, [a]Buy and sell with these [b]while I go and
then return.
(Luke 19:11-13, Amp)

What is kingdom service al about? It is about serving the purpose of God, serving the will of God.

David was buried after he had served Gods purpose in his generation.
How did David serve Gods purpose? He advanced the kingdom of God. When Goliath brought
reproach to the Kingdom of God, David decided to stand up. (Full story in 1 Samuel 17)

David could not stand and watch while shame was being brought unto the nation of God.

And David said to the men standing by him, What shall be done for the man who kills this
Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he
should defy the armies of the living God? (1Sam 17-26)

And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles
(special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists
(preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and
teachers.
His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that
they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christs body (the church)
(Eph 4: 11-12, Amp)

When people see us, they see Jesus so we need to be aware of the image that we are projecting.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them
(Eph 2:10, KJV)

In kingdom service, we need to fully yield our body, our spirit and soul to the service of the
kingdom. Once we've yielded ourselves to him then yielding what we have will not be a struggle.
(Rom 12: 1, 2 Cor 8:5)

Jesus gave the ultimate ransom. Jesus was the perfect example of someone who gave himself
wholly to the service of the Kingdom. He made the ultimate sacrifice. (Mat 20:28)

Kingdom service needs to come from our hearts. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Our
motivation to serve God needs to be propelled by our love for Him (Deut 6:4; Rom 5:5; Josh
24:14-15, 19-21)

The love of God is what drives our passion for God. When Jesus saw the people defiling the
temple and trading and selling within it, he was enraged.

God touched by Davids passion to build the temple even though it wouldn't be David who would
eventually build the temple, but his son Solomon. (1 Chron 29:3, Psalm 132:5)

What service are we rendering to the body of the church? What are our skills and talents that we
are withholding?

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(1 Cor 2:9)