We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

1. While we will regret setting the bar below the standards of Scripture in recognizing men called to the eldership, we can also in our zeal set it artificially higher than the Scriptures, and fail to recognize that some of the best gifts grow in ministry. 2. Especially remember that “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:3), with its corollary of being able to “rebuke” (Tit. 1:9, i.e. to use the Scriptures for the ends for which they were given [2 Tim. 3:15-16]) does not specify an arena. Some are “able to teach” who are not suited to regular public preaching. 3. Look for men whose lives exhibit the spirit of, as well as an intellectual grasp of, sound doctrine. Orthodoxy with approachability is a great desideratum in an elder (approachability being the very least that “hospitable” means; Tit. 1:8). 4. Pose the most neglected question—”Do outsiders think well of him?” (1 Tim. 3:7)—and ponder why that question is important. 5. Choose those who are already “among” the flock, and the flock “among” them (1 Pet. 5: 2). Moral, domestic, occupational, didactic qualifications being met, ask, “Does this man love the flock and is he beloved by them?” Commitment to corporate prayer is often a litmus test. 6. Avoid appointing those who would commit to loving the flock if they were asked to be elders. Better by far to have men who love the sheep than men who love being shepherds (the former will become the latter, but not vice-versa). 7. Seek men who are simultaneously gentle but prepared to be courageous, and prepared to suffer if need be—to get in front to protect as well as behind to follow! An elder must be capable of both biblical rebuke and gentle restoration (Gal. 6:2). Quieter men, with quiet hearts, are worth their weight in gold and may astonish us by their wisdom. 8. Ask the question, “Would our church be willing, if need be, to pay this man a stipend to labor among us as an elder?” The answer may tell a great deal about his ministry in the flock and his esteem in their eyes. 9. Consider how well a man’s life echoes the principles of the Lord’s shepherding in Psalm 23.

Sinclair Ferguson

We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Grilled Sweetbreads

January 23, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Meats		Meats	4	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4	lb	Sweetbreads
1	ts	Powdered mustard
4	tb	Soy sauce
2	tb	Pernod (optional)
2	tb	Honey
1	pn	Ground allspice
		Lemon wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

THE DAY BEFORE grilling, place sweetbreads in a pot of cold water, place
over high heat on the stove and bring to a boil. Immediately drain the
sweetbreads and rinse them in cold water. Trim any fat and membrane.
Prepare the marinade. Combine mustard, soy sauce, Pernod, honey and
allspice in a bowl or plastic bag and mix well. Place the sweetbreads in
the marinade, cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. Light a grill
or preheat a broiler. Place the sweetbreads on the grill or under the
broiler and cook 15 to 20 minutes on each side. Arrange sweetbreads on a
platter, surround with lemon wedges and serve immediately.
From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

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