Matthew 9:35-38                                                                             Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

1.     Servant hood  define  by Webster:  a person who is devoted to or guided by something; A servant of the truth; One who serves  others.                                                                                                   ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few… He meant there were many people ready to be harvested for the Kingdom. All around us there are broken, bleeding, hurting people, ripped apart and left to die, they are ready to be reached if only someone will go to the harvest fields. If only someone will tell them about Jesus. So where is the harvest fields today?   It’s outside these doors.

So to be this servant, How must one act? Phil 2:1-4               Now if you have known anything of Christ’s encouragement and of his reassuring love; if you have known something of the fellowship of his Spirit, and of compassion and deep sympathy, do make my joy complete–live together in harmony, live together in love, as though you had only one mind and spirit between you. Never act from motives of rivalry or personal vanity, but in humility think more of each other than you do of yourselves. None of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people’s interests also.

Have the Attitude of Christ Phil2:1-5                                          Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.  Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

How To Get Ahead In The Kingdom Of God…Mat 20:27-28  ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”                                                                                                   John 12:25-26 (NIV) “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

In John 13:12-17 Jesus had washed  his disciples feet,  In this scripture he set an example that we all  should  follow.   He said, do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Psalm 23:1-4 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.   He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.   He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.   Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Being that this is the second day of 2011.  I know many of us had trouble times in 2010.  The question is how did you handle it and what are you going to do when trouble come knocking at your door in 2011?  What do you do in times of trouble?

J. Stephen Lang said it best, Quote; “What does God promise his people? Relief from all troubles in the next world, relief from some troubles in this life. Faithful people throughout the centuries witness to dramatic deliverances from sickness, from financial woes, from all manner of troubles. Flesh-and-blood human beings have testified to miracles. They happen.  But not always. Sometimes we aren’t relieved by God. Sometimes we merely endure. This isn’t such a bad thing. We are never nearer to God than when we are troubled. In times of comfort and ease we forget him. In the worst of times, we suddenly remember, “Ah, what if I asked God for help?” Sometimes the answer is the help we pray for. Sometimes the answer is “Lean on me, and you will survive and thrive.”  Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Unquote.

So let me ask you these questions:                                                     When Christ was betrayed by Judas was He in trouble? No! When Christ stood before Pilate was He in trouble? No! When Christ was on the cross was He in trouble?  No! When Christ was in the grave was He in trouble? No!

No! Christ was not in trouble because his father was watching and with him all the time.  God was looking after him,  Jesus knew that he was not along. God was always with him, and he is always with you! Satan seemed to be victorious in the Garden of Eden and at the cross, but Jesus turned Satan’s apparent victory into defeat when Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

Hebrews 2:14-15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Jesus Christ is given us power over the devil/satan,  He’s  taken the fear from death.  Christ over came death and one day we will also over come death.

We need to trust and lean on Jesus and we to, will be victorious. Psalm 30:5 (King James Version)  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Let us make  2011 the year that God is our Strength, God is our stronghold, God is our refuge.  Remember this:   “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew: 11: 28-30