I.　The elders are not higher than the brothers and sisters in the church; rather, according to the Lord's teaching, the elders are lower because they are the slaves—Matt. 20:25-28.

II.　In Philippians 2:5-8 Christ is presented to us as our pattern, as a model of a proper human life:

A.　This pattern is not of one who occupies a high position but of one who is a slave.

B.　Those who would follow this pattern need to empty themselves and humble themselves to be slaves.

III.　To be a slave is to have the spirit of sacrifice—Exo. 21:1-6:

A.　A slave does not stand on his own rights.

B.　A slave is always willing to serve others and to sacrifice himself for others.

C.　According to the type in Exodus 21:1-6, where the slave is a type of Christ, if we would take Christ as our pattern, we must learn to be slaves, those who sacrifice everything for others.

IV.　Love is the motive and prerequisite of being a slave—vv. 4-5:

A.　Continuing as a slave is not a legal requirement—it is a matter motivated by voluntary love.

B.　Love requires sacrifice; without sacrifice there can be no love—Eph. 5:2.

V.　Our position as slaves of Christ should be at the doorpost, with an ear opened to listen to the Master—Exo. 21:6.

VI.　Every elder must be a slave—Matt. 20:25-28:

A.　God's people need the spirit of a slave.

B.　The elders in the churches need to realize that if they are not willing to be slaves, they cannot be proper elders.

C.　In the church life there is no rank; we are all brothers, and we all must serve as slaves.