There is a correlation between "authority & service."  I have tried in times past to address this subject especially when speaking of the role of husbands in the home and elders in the local church. I read a good article some time back by a fellow whose last name is Wuest who resides in California. I shall draw freely from some of his illustrations in this article. If you will think seriously and study along with me, I believe it this will be very beneficial to you. Kenneth E. Thomas.

 The first "person" in the Godhead has inherent, total authority over His creation. He has ordained that there are to be others who exercise a measure of authority over their fellows, in 1. Government. 2. In the home or marriage relationship. 3. In parental responsibilities. 4. In the local church of Christ. It is true that there must be authority exercised by some one or ones in every aspect of life for order rather than disorder to exist.

 Wuest wrote "There is a problem that is a continual obstacle to the establishment of authority; people do not like any one in authority over them.  They do not want any one to tell them what to do (including God ket). Therefore they resist authority."

   "There is a strange paradox with authority. The more that those under authority accept and submit to the authority, the less demands those in authority place upon them.  The more they submit, the easier the burden.  The less they submit, the more those in authority feel the need to assert their authority. Therefore the less they submit, the heavier the burden. There is a cry that civil liberties are eroded by government. There may be some element of truth in this. The other side is that civil liberties are eroded by citizens that refuse to submit to authority and the governments add laws to control the citizenry.  Laws are added because of transgressions just as the law of Moses was added to the Patriarchal system due to the people's sins (Galatians 3:19)."

 Authority is not just a position of dominance, it is actually a position of service. Many, maybe most, do not understand authority, what it is, where it comes from, what it is for, or how to use it.  This is often even true of those in authority.  Many see authority in the same sense the writers  of Ralph Kramden of  "The Honeymooners" saw it, "I'm the boss, and you're nothing." With this lack of understanding, added to the fact that many in positions of authority have abused their position, it is not surprising that so many are opposed to it. Some in the brotherhood have run so far from elderships who have "lorded it over the flock" that they are advocating no such thing as an organization known as the local church with her elders, deacons, and saints, and are teaching that elders actually have no authority whatsoever over other Christians, in contrast to the following passages of holy writ (Philippians 1:1-2; Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-21; Hebrews 13:7,17; Acts 20:17-28, 32).

 Business management and employees.
 Military officers and the enlisted men/women.
 Government & Citizens.
 Husbands & Wives.

 There was a commercial in 1995 that depicted a wedding in which the preacher emphasized "And Obey" in the ceremony! The next scene depicted the bride to be racing off in her new car leaving the "just married" sign in the dust, with the words "And Obey" echoing in the background. Such shows society's idea of authority in marriage in particular, as well as authority in general, as if being under authority was some undesirable position in which to find one's self. I still put that phrase in my marriage ceremonies, some, in fact most, now leave it out.

 Authority is more than just a position of dominance wherein "I get to give the orders." Being in authority is actually a position of service to those over whom such authority is given. This the world will never understand, it is too bad that many Christians do not understand authority as they should!

 "Jesus called them unto Him, and said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles (nations ket) exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28). The word "minister" means to serve. This is how God views authority. These passages alone should forever remove the idea of "I'm the boss and you're nothing" among Christians. Kramden's TV wife would say something like "well that's great, so you're boss over nothing." We all laughed at such, but it isn't a laughing matter in the spiritual realm.

 The Jews were under the authority of the sabbath law, but it was not to be received as some kind of a taskmaster, rather as a blessing or servant for their own good as well as their animals and servants, etc. Not understanding this idea the Pharisees said to Jesus, "Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?" (Mark 2:21). "And He said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:" (Mark 2:27). The intent of that law was so they could rest and be refreshed as well as being used to remember their escape from Egyptian bondage (Deuteronomy 5:1-15). The traditions of the Jewish leaders had made the sabbath a thing of bondage to the Jew. Why, they could not drag a stick behind them on the sabbath for fear of violating the law, for that would make a furrow and that would be plowing.

 Weust used the illustration of an aquarium with tropical fish with which I could certainly identify having served a few tanks full of them in the past myself. First you must prepare the tank for the fish and make it suitable for their survival (a hard task ket). The water must be suitable. You need to get a filter and a heater etc. You go buy the fish and get everything ready for their comfort and health before you place them in the aquarium. You must feed the fish or they will perish. By doing all of the above you may have the fish. Oh yes, the tank will need cleaning from time to time. Yes, you are now in a position of authority over those tropical fish. If you desire, you may add more fish to the tank. If you wish you may remove some fish. Yes, you are in authority, but who serves whom I ask you? Can you not see this principle? If you want healthy fish in your aquarium you need to understand you have put yourself in a position to serve the fish. So likewise it was when God made man.

 God, who made all things, and by Him they all exist, as creator stands in a position of unquestionable authority.  The whole creation depends upon Him. Without Him we would perish. But it is God who serves us. "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;" (Acts 17:24,25). Our service in return to Him should be one of a reciprocal response to His love, service, and provisions for us, "for in Him we live and move and have our very being.." (Acts 17:28). John said it thus: "We love Him because He first loved us.."(1 John 4:19). His great love caused him to sacrifice His only Begotten Son for our sins (John 3:16-17).

 Parents, who give life, care, protection, and love to their children stand in a position of unquestionable authority, so much so that in the Old Testament, it was a capitol offense not to render due reverence to one's parents (Exodus 20:12; 21:15,17; Deuteronomy 21:15-17). Again, however, it is the parent who serves the child. Nothing is more dependant on the parent than a human baby. Paul said it is the parents who lay up for the children, not the children for the parents in (2 Corinthians 12:14b). So here the principle is found again, the parents serve the children who depend upon them even though they are the ones "in charge." (Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:8,16).

 If folks aren't totally rebellious to the system, they recognize the school teacher to have unquestionable authority. Without this authority he/she cannot teach. Still, it is the teacher that serves the students. They serve them in time, effort, and preparation to be able to impart information the students need to make it in life. How many hours do you suppose the good conscientious teacher puts in preparing lessons, grading lessons, and actually worrying and hopefully even praying (if they are Bible class teachers) for their students? Even in secular education the dedicated teacher serves the students in ways they actually can rarely appreciate, especially in their youth. I awoke and wrote some of my dedicated teachers from high school who had put so much time and effort in serving me without me knowing how much I should have been appreciating it.

 Immediately we think of what Paul wrote to the Romans when this subject arises (Romans 13:1-7). God has ordained Civil government to have authority, to serve. He tells us "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.  Wilt thou not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister (servant ket) of God to thee for good. but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: (that means he has the right to take life under law ket). For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers. attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: Tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."  When we understand that authority is in fact a position of service, our whole view of authority changes drastically.  To be under authority is not, of itself, a bad thing, but rather a good thing. It is the abuse of authority that makes it undesirable.

 We had a little to say about this point earlier, but consider with me a little more concerning these, the greatest of servants to God's people in the local congregation. The New Testament makes it plain that something is "lacking" when there are no elders and deacons in a local church of Christ (Titus 1:5). Elders are to be shepherds, feeders of the flock, serving under Christ the chief shepherd.

 As shepherds they are to nurture and care for those under their authority. A good case to read of shepherds service to their flock is Psalm 23. Peter wrote, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:1-4).  "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account! that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for this is unprofitable unto you" (Hebrews 13:17).

 If a man desires to be an elder, he desires a good work, (emphasis upon work) (1 Timothy 3:11). Elders are to be men of integrity, willing to serve the spiritual needs of the Lord's children on the local level. This work of watching for souls and giving an account doesn't mean they must answer for the Christian's sins. No, it means they must give an accounting of how well they have served the spiritual needs of the membership. Each one of us shall give an account of himself before Christ (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11).

 Along with the oversight and service to the flock of elders in each local church of Christ, the subject of headship, oversight, and service to his wife and children by the one so charged is among the most misunderstood of all New Testament teaching in this scribe's estimation. Couples who are Christians and who properly understand the role each must play in the home they began when they each "leave and cleave," their father and mother's house hold, are among the happiest of people on the face of God's green earth. Those who do not, are often among the most miserable!

 When a man marries a woman, does he say or think, "Oh boy, let us get married so I can boss you around?" To which she answers, "All right, I have been waiting and hoping for someone to boss me around and tell me every move I can make." I don't think so! It is more like the following: "My dear, I love you. I want to share everything I possess with you. I want to care for you." To which she replies, "because I also love you, I will relinquish authority to you to enable you to care for me, for I trust you not to abuse nor misuse this authority."  How beautiful marriage would be if only it were that way; the way God intended it to be.

    "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it unto Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle! or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church. For we are members of His body! of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: But I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband" (Ephesians 5:22-33).

 Do you love sufficiently so as to serve others? Are you willing to forego your desires for the good of those under your authority?  God ordained authority that some might be in a position to serve others. Jesus Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18); He gave us His all.  There is no higher authority than God (1 Corinthians 15:27); yet He serves us all. We depend on Him for the very air we breathe, our very being, for "every good and perfect gift comes down from above" (James 1:17). Therefore love for God demands that we serve also.
 
 The one with "all authority in heaven and on earth," has served and continues to serve us in ways we cannot even fathom. "He upholds all things by the word of His power' (Heb. 1:3).

 When we love someone sufficiently, their desires of us become our wish  to fulfill.  The New Testament speaks of the commands of Jesus as not being grievous. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3).
 
 In yet another place Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep my commandments. And, He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, it is he that loves Me: and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him" (John 14:15,21).

 Loving and serving Jesus go hand in hand. He has loved us and so serves us each day. He is seated at the right hand of the Father on high as the Christian's high priest, where He "ever lives and makes intercession for us.." (Heb. 7:25). Are you His servant? You can be and when you do He will serve you.