1. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20061

2. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20062 4Many want to just SQUEAK by in their service to God!! 4God does NOT Accept minimal effort and service – Mat 25:14-30 4What are some things we CAN do to rise above mediocrity?

3. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20063 Philip. 1:9 (NKJV) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

4. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20064 1 Thes. 3:12 (NKJV) And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

5. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20065 2 Thes. 1:3 (NKJV) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

6. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20066 Col. 2:6-7 (NKJV) As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, [7] rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, [7] rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

7. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20067 1 Thes. 4:1 (NKJV) Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

8. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20068 2 Cor. 8:3-7 (NKJV) [3].. according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,... [5] And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God....

9. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 20069 2 Cor. 8:3-7 (NKJV) [7] But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also.

10. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 200610 1 Cor. 15:58 (NKJV) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

11. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 200611 Titus 2:14 (NKJV) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

12. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 200612 4Seek God – (8-13) 4Submit To God – (14-19) 4Trust God – (20-24) 4Respect God – (25-27) 4Worship God – (28-30) 4Rejoice In God – (31-33) 4Give Thanks To God – (34,35)

13. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 200613  We have control over our belief’s, attitudes, and actions!!  Our effort to “abound” in the things God has given us to do is directly related to our love, (or lack thereof) for Him, ( 1 John 5:2 )!  The amount of success and growth achieved is related to the combined, cooperative efforts of those who seek to excel!

14. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 200614  Let us ALL determine to rise above “minimal” service and ABOUND in our work for the Lord!! (2 Pt. 1:5-10; 2 Cor. 15:58)  Have you ever yielded yourself to God, to serve Him from the heart? (Rom 6:16-18)  Have you yielded to the temptation of minimal service? (Mat 25:14-30)

15. Don McClain W 65th St church of Christ – May, 14, 200615