January 28th, 2026
by Watermark Church
by Watermark Church
In a world that often celebrates chaos and champions the idea that everyone should do what's right in their own eyes, there's something profoundly countercultural about the concept of order. Yet throughout history, movements that have rejected structure and leadership have inevitably faded into obscurity. The New Age movement of decades past stands as a testament to this truth—its refusal to organize or establish any form of leadership ultimately led to its decline.
This principle extends far beyond social movements. It touches the very fabric of how God has designed our world to function.
Three Pillars of Authority
God has established three legitimate authorities in our world, each with its own divine purpose and responsibility.
Government stands as the first pillar. While it's easy to criticize political decisions and leadership failures, the existence of just government is a gift we should not take for granted. When we look at countries blessed with legitimate, just forms of governance, we see God's hand at work in establishing order and protecting citizens. The authority to create laws, including those governing immigration and maintaining public safety, comes from God Himself. When we see a police officer enforcing traffic laws or maintaining order, we're witnessing the exercise of God-ordained authority.
However, not all government systems honor this divine design. Socialism and communism, throughout history, have consistently failed—not merely because of economic principles, but because they attempt to replace God with the state. These systems inevitably suppress the church, placing it under governmental control or eliminating it entirely. History bears witness to this pattern repeatedly. Any governmental system that seeks to become god will ultimately crumble under the weight of its own pride.
The Family represents the second pillar of authority. Parents hold a God-given responsibility and authority over their children. This isn't a power to be abused, but a sacred trust to raise children in godly wisdom, teaching them the precepts and principles of the Lord. The goal is clear: equip children with faith and character so that when they leave home, they can follow Christ independently.
When any organization—whether governmental or otherwise—attempts to supplant parental authority, it oversteps its bounds and becomes unjust. Parents who follow Christ have the right and responsibility to raise and educate their children according to biblical principles, and any attempt to undermine this authority contradicts God's design.
The Church forms the third pillar of divine authority. This institution, purchased with Christ's own blood, has been given a specific structure and order that enables it to fulfill its mission effectively.
The Structure of the Church
Within the local church, God has established three distinct roles, each essential for the body to function in unity and health.
Elders and Pastors: Leading by the Word
The first office consists of those called to shepherd, oversee, and protect the flock. These leaders don't operate on their own authority—they exercise borrowed authority from Christ Himself, who holds all authority in heaven and on earth.
First Timothy 3 outlines clear qualifications for these leaders. They must be "above reproach," meaning there are no credible, verifiable accusations against them. This doesn't mean accusations won't come—wherever God's work advances, the enemy will attack, particularly targeting those in leadership. But these accusations must be credible, supported by multiple witnesses, not rumors or unfounded claims circulating in the community.
These leaders carry three primary responsibilities:
First, they shepherd the flock—teaching God's Word and praying consistently for those under their care. Second, they guard sound doctrine, protecting the church from false teaching that inevitably leads to division and confusion. Third, they watch over souls, providing spiritual protection through prayer and biblical teaching.
This spiritual covering doesn't mean believers won't face trials, but it does mean they don't face them alone. There's power in having spiritual leaders who know your specific struggles and can bring targeted, informed prayers before God's throne.
Deacons: Servants Protecting Unity
The book of Acts reveals the origin of this office. As the early church grew, practical needs threatened to distract the apostles from their primary calling to prayer and teaching. The solution? Select qualified servants to handle these practical matters, freeing the spiritual leaders to focus on the Word.
Deacons exist to meet practical needs and preserve unity. They take the load off pastoral leadership, ensuring that while souls are being shepherded, physical and organizational needs are also being met. When this role functions properly, the Word of God spreads, and the church increases.
Problems arise when these roles become reversed—when deacons begin directing pastoral work while pastors handle only practical matters. This reversal, often occurring during pastoral transitions, undermines God's design and limits His blessing on the church.
Church Members: The Body in Action
The third group encompasses everyone who has surrendered their life to Christ and joined the local body. Ephesians 4 paints a beautiful picture of the church as a body, "fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament," with each part working properly to build itself up in love.
Church members carry three vital responsibilities:
Submitting to godly leadership means recognizing and respecting the borrowed authority that spiritual leaders exercise. This isn't blind obedience, but a willing placement under spiritual covering.
Serving through spiritual gifts acknowledges that every believer has been given abilities to contribute to the body's health. From greeting at the door to teaching children to organizing events, every role matters. The church cannot function as God intended without volunteers exercising their gifts.
Building one another up in love requires us to look beyond our own struggles to encourage others. Yes, everyone faces challenges, but followers of Christ are called to something countercultural—denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. This means sometimes putting our own concerns aside to truly listen, encourage, and uplift a brother or sister in need.
The Called-Out Ones
The Greek word for church, ekklesia, means "the called-out ones." Believers are called out of the world's system, though they remain in the world. This distinction matters profoundly. We're different because we house the Holy Spirit—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. This divine presence gives us the capacity to love sacrificially because we've first been loved by God.
Anyone claiming to follow Christ while refusing to come under church authority should raise red flags. We weren't designed to function as isolated individuals, each our own authority. We're designed for community, accountability, and mutual edification within the structure God has ordained.
A Call to Order
In these tumultuous times, the church's ordered structure provides stability and strength. When everyone operates in their God-given role—leaders leading by the Word, servants meeting practical needs, and members actively participating—the body thrives, and God receives glory.
The question for each of us is simple: Are we functioning in our role? Are we submitted to godly authority? Are we using our gifts to serve? Are we building others up in love?
God's design isn't arbitrary—it's intentional, purposeful, and effective. When we embrace His order rather than resisting it, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of life in Christian community, prepared and ready for Christ's return.
This principle extends far beyond social movements. It touches the very fabric of how God has designed our world to function.
Three Pillars of Authority
God has established three legitimate authorities in our world, each with its own divine purpose and responsibility.
Government stands as the first pillar. While it's easy to criticize political decisions and leadership failures, the existence of just government is a gift we should not take for granted. When we look at countries blessed with legitimate, just forms of governance, we see God's hand at work in establishing order and protecting citizens. The authority to create laws, including those governing immigration and maintaining public safety, comes from God Himself. When we see a police officer enforcing traffic laws or maintaining order, we're witnessing the exercise of God-ordained authority.
However, not all government systems honor this divine design. Socialism and communism, throughout history, have consistently failed—not merely because of economic principles, but because they attempt to replace God with the state. These systems inevitably suppress the church, placing it under governmental control or eliminating it entirely. History bears witness to this pattern repeatedly. Any governmental system that seeks to become god will ultimately crumble under the weight of its own pride.
The Family represents the second pillar of authority. Parents hold a God-given responsibility and authority over their children. This isn't a power to be abused, but a sacred trust to raise children in godly wisdom, teaching them the precepts and principles of the Lord. The goal is clear: equip children with faith and character so that when they leave home, they can follow Christ independently.
When any organization—whether governmental or otherwise—attempts to supplant parental authority, it oversteps its bounds and becomes unjust. Parents who follow Christ have the right and responsibility to raise and educate their children according to biblical principles, and any attempt to undermine this authority contradicts God's design.
The Church forms the third pillar of divine authority. This institution, purchased with Christ's own blood, has been given a specific structure and order that enables it to fulfill its mission effectively.
The Structure of the Church
Within the local church, God has established three distinct roles, each essential for the body to function in unity and health.
Elders and Pastors: Leading by the Word
The first office consists of those called to shepherd, oversee, and protect the flock. These leaders don't operate on their own authority—they exercise borrowed authority from Christ Himself, who holds all authority in heaven and on earth.
First Timothy 3 outlines clear qualifications for these leaders. They must be "above reproach," meaning there are no credible, verifiable accusations against them. This doesn't mean accusations won't come—wherever God's work advances, the enemy will attack, particularly targeting those in leadership. But these accusations must be credible, supported by multiple witnesses, not rumors or unfounded claims circulating in the community.
These leaders carry three primary responsibilities:
First, they shepherd the flock—teaching God's Word and praying consistently for those under their care. Second, they guard sound doctrine, protecting the church from false teaching that inevitably leads to division and confusion. Third, they watch over souls, providing spiritual protection through prayer and biblical teaching.
This spiritual covering doesn't mean believers won't face trials, but it does mean they don't face them alone. There's power in having spiritual leaders who know your specific struggles and can bring targeted, informed prayers before God's throne.
Deacons: Servants Protecting Unity
The book of Acts reveals the origin of this office. As the early church grew, practical needs threatened to distract the apostles from their primary calling to prayer and teaching. The solution? Select qualified servants to handle these practical matters, freeing the spiritual leaders to focus on the Word.
Deacons exist to meet practical needs and preserve unity. They take the load off pastoral leadership, ensuring that while souls are being shepherded, physical and organizational needs are also being met. When this role functions properly, the Word of God spreads, and the church increases.
Problems arise when these roles become reversed—when deacons begin directing pastoral work while pastors handle only practical matters. This reversal, often occurring during pastoral transitions, undermines God's design and limits His blessing on the church.
Church Members: The Body in Action
The third group encompasses everyone who has surrendered their life to Christ and joined the local body. Ephesians 4 paints a beautiful picture of the church as a body, "fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament," with each part working properly to build itself up in love.
Church members carry three vital responsibilities:
Submitting to godly leadership means recognizing and respecting the borrowed authority that spiritual leaders exercise. This isn't blind obedience, but a willing placement under spiritual covering.
Serving through spiritual gifts acknowledges that every believer has been given abilities to contribute to the body's health. From greeting at the door to teaching children to organizing events, every role matters. The church cannot function as God intended without volunteers exercising their gifts.
Building one another up in love requires us to look beyond our own struggles to encourage others. Yes, everyone faces challenges, but followers of Christ are called to something countercultural—denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. This means sometimes putting our own concerns aside to truly listen, encourage, and uplift a brother or sister in need.
The Called-Out Ones
The Greek word for church, ekklesia, means "the called-out ones." Believers are called out of the world's system, though they remain in the world. This distinction matters profoundly. We're different because we house the Holy Spirit—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. This divine presence gives us the capacity to love sacrificially because we've first been loved by God.
Anyone claiming to follow Christ while refusing to come under church authority should raise red flags. We weren't designed to function as isolated individuals, each our own authority. We're designed for community, accountability, and mutual edification within the structure God has ordained.
A Call to Order
In these tumultuous times, the church's ordered structure provides stability and strength. When everyone operates in their God-given role—leaders leading by the Word, servants meeting practical needs, and members actively participating—the body thrives, and God receives glory.
The question for each of us is simple: Are we functioning in our role? Are we submitted to godly authority? Are we using our gifts to serve? Are we building others up in love?
God's design isn't arbitrary—it's intentional, purposeful, and effective. When we embrace His order rather than resisting it, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of life in Christian community, prepared and ready for Christ's return.
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