Instantiating a component from a stand alone class?

All,

I want to know whether one can instantiate a Merlin component from a stand
alone java class?
Whether it is possible or not?
I am able to lookup one component from another by defining the dependencies.
Since, the Service Manager class is used to lookup for components, I used it
in my stand alone java class to lookup for the component.
But how do I get the instantiated ServiceManager now (in the stand alone
class)since it is giving me nullpointer exception.
I tried implementing the Servicable interface and defining the service()
method but it does not get invoked at all. Is it that  the service method is
invoked only if the class is a component and implements Serviceable
interface?
Any help,on this would be great.

Regards,
Harvinder