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.
The doctrine of assurance looks into eternity past to the eternal purposes of God, looks into history to the accomplished work of Christ, and looks to the future toward the perfect fulfillment of God’s purpose to redeem a people through His Son.
Placed sliced onions in bottom of roasting pan. Place roast on top of
onions. Mix sauces together and spread over roast. Bake, covered, all day
(at least 5 hours) at 225 degrees or in a crockpot for six hours, or until
tender. One half hour before serving, shred meat, remove bones and put back
in sauce. Continue cooking for 1/2 hour. Serve on buns. Venison can also be
used.
From Mom
Posted to KitMailbox Digest by KrisE56749@aol.com on Sep 2, 1997
A Message from our Provider:
“Lust and selfishness do not equal love”
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