1. Jim Beasley August 7, 2011 Matthew 20:25-28

2.  Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

3.  2 Timothy 2:4 – “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”  Servants make themselves available to their masters  Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule to God

4.  Servants are sensitive to others’ cries  Galatians 6:10 – Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  Opportunities pass quickly

5.  Servants don’t make excuses, procrastinate, or wait for better circumstances  Ecclesiastes 11:4 – Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. (NIV)  Ecclesiastes 11:4 – If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done (TLB)

6.  Colossians 3:23 - “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”  Galatians 6:3 – “If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.”  Jesus specialized in menial tasks  John 13:15 – “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

7.  Servants do not leave a job half undone.  Matthew 25:23 – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

8.  Servants “put on the apron of humility, to serve one another.” (1 Peter 5:5, TEV)  Eye service is serving in order to impress people.  “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.” (Matthew 6:1, The Message)  Real servants don’t serve for approval or applause.  Galatians 1:10 – “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

9.  1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.