Serving God with Joy and Peace: A Sermon from Pastor Khen in Laos
Serving God is an honor, Pastor Khen says, but it can wear a person down. Exhaustion, money worries, family problems, and being misunderstood all come with ministry. His sermon is about serving through all of that with joy and peace.
He sent the full outline with these photos of him preaching at a wooden pulpit in Laos, bamboo crosses on the wall behind him. In it he asks: if no one sees our work or thanks us for it, will we still serve joyfully?
Here is his sermon in full, in his own words.
How to Serve God with Joy and Peace and Become a Blessing to Others
Main Scripture Passages: Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:6-7
Key Message
Serving God joyfully does not mean living without problems or never experiencing weariness. Rather, it means serving with a heart that loves God, depends on Him, and experiences inner peace, so that we can share His love with others.
1. Introduction
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Serving God is an honor and a great blessing. However, in ministry, we may experience exhaustion, family problems, financial difficulties, disappointment, and misunderstanding from others.
Therefore, the most important question is not, “How much do we serve?” but rather, “What kind of attitude do we have as we serve?”
If we serve with love, humility, and dependence on God, we can experience joy in our service and share that joy as a blessing to others.
2. Objectives of the Sermon
- To help Christian servants understand the right attitude they should have toward God.
- To learn how to serve with joy and peace in the midst of difficulties.
- To encourage believers to become a blessing to their families, churches, and communities.
3. Main Message: Five Attitudes We Should Have in Serving God
Point 1: Serve with Love, Not Out of Obligation
Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
Explanation
- We should serve because we love God, not because we want people to praise us.
- We should not measure the value of our service by our position or by human recognition.
- We should carry out both major and minor responsibilities with a sincere and faithful heart.
Question for Reflection:
If no one sees our work or thanks us for it, will we still serve joyfully?
God sees our faithfulness, even in the smallest things.
Point 2: Serve with Humility, Not with Pride
Scripture: Philippians 2:3-5
Jesus Christ is our perfect example of humility. He did not come to be served, but to serve others.
How should Christian servants conduct themselves?
- Listen to others’ opinions and accept correction.
- Do not boast that you are better than others.
- Respect everyone, whether rich or poor.
- Be willing to help with tasks that no one else wants to do.
The Blessing That Results
Humility helps reduce conflict, builds trust, and makes others feel safe and accepted in the community.
Point 3: Serve by Depending on God to Maintain Peace
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7
Many times, Christian servants feel stressed because they try to solve every problem through their own strength. However, God invites us to pray and surrender our worries to Him.
What should we practice?
- Begin each day with prayer and Bible reading.
- When problems arise, do not react hastily out of emotion. Instead, pause, reflect, and pray first.
- Learn to surrender to God the things that are beyond our control.
- Know when to rest and ask for help when necessary.
Remember, peace does not mean that there is no storm. It means that God is with us in the midst of the storm.
Point 4: Serve with Joy, Not with Complaining That Discourages Others
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 9:7; Psalm 100:2
God delights in service that comes from a willing heart. The joy of serving does not depend on how many material possessions we have, but on how we value what God has entrusted to us.
How can we cultivate joy in serving God?
- Thank God for the opportunity to serve Him.
- Do not compare your ministry with the ministries of others.
- Celebrate even the small steps of progress made by the people you serve.
- Share responsibilities and build a ministry team instead of carrying every burden alone.
A joyful servant often creates an atmosphere of encouragement for others. However, when we feel discouraged or exhausted, we should acknowledge our feelings and allow God to care for us. We do not have to pretend to be strong all the time.
Point 5: Serve to Be a Blessing, Not for Personal Gain
Scriptures: Acts 20:35; Matthew 5:16
Jesus taught His disciples to be the light of the world. Therefore, the lives of Christian servants should demonstrate the love of Christ through their actions.
How can we become a blessing to others?
- Encourage those who feel discouraged.
- Help families who are struggling financially or facing difficult circumstances.
- Visit the sick and pray for their encouragement and healing.
- Teach the Bible and train new believers so that they can continue serving others.
- Speak kindly, act sincerely, and be willing to forgive.
Sometimes, being a blessing does not require doing something great or extraordinary. Simply listening to someone who is troubled, smiling at someone who feels lonely, or extending a helping hand to someone in need can become a way God uses us to bless others.
4. Things Christian Servants Should Be Careful About
1. Do not allow jealousy to destroy your joy.
Do not compare the number of church members, ministry achievements, or recognition received by other servants of God.
2. Do not use words that hurt others.
Ephesians 4:29 teaches us to speak words that build others up and benefit those who listen.
3. Do not carry every burden alone.
Ministry should include teamwork, adequate rest, and proper care for our families.
4. Do not forget that we also need God’s grace.
Christian servants are not perfect people. Rather, they are people who continually allow God to transform and improve their lives.
5. Practical Application in Daily Life
Let us develop five small habits that can help us build a joyful life of service.
- In the morning: Pray and commit the new day into God’s hands.
- Before beginning our work: Ask ourselves, “How can I serve with love today?”
- Every day: Do at least one good thing for someone else.
- When facing problems: Pause, pray, think carefully, and respond wisely.
- At night: Thank God for three good things that happened during the day.
6. Questions for Personal Reflection
- Am I currently serving God with joy or out of a sense of obligation?
- What is taking away my peace?
- How can I change my attitude or the way I speak to promote unity?
- Who can I be a blessing to this week?
7. Sermon Conclusion
Dear beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
If we desire our ministry to bear fruit and bring blessings to others, we should remember these five principles:
- Love God: This is the foundation of our service.
- Be humble: This is the attitude of a faithful servant.
- Depend on God: He is the source of our peace.
- Serve with joy: Joy gives us strength and encouragement in ministry.
- Love and help others: These are the fruits that should be evident in our lives.
Remember, we do not serve God merely to carry out His work; we also serve to demonstrate God’s character through our lives.
When we have love in our hearts, peace within us, and humility in our actions, others will see Christ through our lives.
May the Lord help us to serve Him faithfully, joyfully, and peacefully, so that our lives will become a blessing to our families, our churches, and the communities around us.
Pastor Khen also sent a video the same day. Watch it on YouTube: A Sermon on Serving God with Joy in Laos.
Traveling Apostles for Christ is a 501(c)(3) mission serving Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. No salaried employees. No paid directors. Donations go to the field.