More Than a Jack of All Trades

In a strategy called “authority positioning,” corporate leaders recommend that businesses present themselves as possessing expertise on one or two particular topics. The idea is that a business does not attempt to be knowledgeable about all things, but rather shows focus and depth on a few topics. In this way, the public comes to consider them the authority on that particular topic and seeks out their business.

In contrast to this strategy is the authority expressed by Jesus. Because of His death and resurrection, He received authority over all things— including the leadership of His church on earth. This means that regardless of the position one holds in the church, all authority flows from Jesus. The work of salvation that He began led to His authority to establish different positions in the first place: “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11).

In order to maintain this authority appropriately, Christ gave the Scriptures to prevent any one person in the church from abusing power. The authority received by Timothy in the early church was based on and guided by his knowledge of salvation through Jesus. This was recognized by the apostle Paul: “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15–17).

This meant that for Timothy, and any other member, the Scriptures were enough to empower and guide any particular work in the church. While not everyone is called to the same kind of work, every person is to rely on the Scriptures.

Apply It:

Ask church leaders and fellow members what type of work in the church fits you best.

Dig Deeper:

Ephesians 4:7–10, 12, 13; John 16:13–15; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29

Key Bible Texts

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18 KJV)