Scripture: Matt.  20: 20 – 27

INTRODUCTION

Building the body of Christ requires Christian leaders and followers
A well-built church automatically influences the outside world
The main function of the church (outside the walls) is to communicate the
Gospel wholistically.
For Jesus, in our passage today, greatness is service
What is true greatness? It is four things:

1. Greatness that is eternal is of God.

There is no greatness other than that of God, not a greatness that brings eternal position and honor.

2. Greatness is not dominion over people.

The disciples still thought the Messiah’s kingdom would be the restoration of Israel as an earthly nation and power.

3.  Greatness is serving others.

The great are they who minister.

The greatest, the first among all, are they who are bond-slaves.  
What Christ was saying is this: among His disciples, the person who serves is great, but the person who is a slave is the first. The idea of the person who serves is that of occasional service; whereas the slave is a person who is bound to the Lord every moment of life, always serving, regardless of the hour or call or difficulty.

4. This greatness was demonstrated by Christ in three supreme acts:

a. The act of coming to earth
b. The act of ministering
c. The act of giving His life
Hence Jesus requires servant-leaders to serve in the building of His Body
In our context today we are talking about office of a deacon.
In the church a good deacon will fulfill the requirements in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3
The summary of our passage today as far as Jesus concerned is that servant –leaders “don’t have any power or authority at all; they just have a job to do– chosen and elected to carry out that job”
Who then are such deacons?

- Men & women of the Word – who rise above the norm in Bible Study

-  Men and women of faith (real and mighty)
-  Faithful supporter of the church ( in attendance and finance)
-  His only reason for missing church service must be excusable before God
-  Involve in physical maintenance and projects of the church
-  Encourage the lagging church members to faithfulness
-  Directly involved in reaching the prospects for the Lord (e.g. Stephen and Philip)
-  Exercise any talents that God has given him/her in the ministry of the church
-  Ready and willing to step in and fill any task he/she can accomplish
-  Do what he/she can do to root out any discord and settle it properly
-  Always in communication with the Pastor in resolving matters

Conclusion:

Peter’s Admonition:
“Look Among You”