Some Final Word's to the Church

(Acts 20:17-38)

I have chosen to use this passage of scripture as a template for my final sermon to our church because it does give us a guide to close out one chapter of ministry so that we can open another.

Paul begins by pointing out the completion of his ministry with the Ephesian church.

Acts 20:17–24 KJV 1900

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Then Paul addresses the church elders concerning the church.

Acts 20:25–34 KJV 1900

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

Then the church said good by.

Acts 20:36–38 KJV 1900

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

I. The Completion of My Ministry

Though I will not be fool hardy enough to compare all things in my life to the Apostle Paul, I will recognize that like Paul, my ministry here has come to an end.

I have been a member of this church for 18 years (since 2006). I have served in a pastoral role for 9 years (since 2015). During that time period I did the math have delivered somewhere close to 1,400 sermons and lessons. Averaging somewhere around 45 minutes per message that’s close to 1,050 hours of speaking time. Averaging 5.5 pages per sermon that’s over 7,000 pages of written content.

I have preached/taught completely through 26/66 books of scripture:

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Esther

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Jonah

Haggai

Matthew

Mark

John

Acts

Romans

I Corinthian

II Corinthians

I Thessalonians

II Thessalonians

I Timothy

II Timothy

Titus

James

Revelation

During my tenure in a pastoral role we have:

Vacation Bible Schools

Helped organize community outreach events

Seen people saved, baptized and discipled

We hosted camp meetings

We celebrated anniversaries and big days

We ran teen rallies

We ran a junior camp

We hosted rural clinics

We hosted a food bank

We provided a space for non profits to come for help

We have provided benevolence to the needy

We have celebrated holidays

Helped facilitate the Living Last Supper and other dramas

We weathered 2020

We became debt free

We have accomplished a lot together in these years. We built on a foundation that was laid of good members and pastoral teaching as this church will soon celebrate 24 years together.

Now I am ending my ministry here. Like Paul, I do believe I have done my best to teach the whole counsel of God. I have not withheld saying anything profitable to you. I even initiated change that was not received by some, but I believe that I have stuck to Scripture, allowing the Bible to speak for itself as often as possible giving my commentary only to expound on the truth that was already before you.

This is not to say I have been without mistakes. My first three years I was in transition to the senior pastor role. My middle three years I was an arrogant young preacher with something to prove. My last three years, I finally became a pastor, one who fed the sheep and ministered to the body.

Like Paul I have endured tears, temptations, depression, insecurities, betrayals, setbacks and disappointments. These things do not make me special, nor do they give me a higher authority. They merely testify that I have experienced life and that I have done it with you and for you.

Now, like Paul, I am commending you into the hands of others who will love you and care for you in my place.

I commend you first into the hands of the Great Shepherd. It is not up to Rick or me or any future pastor to ultimately oversee your welfare. You are Christ’s church. We have only been undershepherds doing His work.

I commend you secondly into the hands of the leaders that I leave behind: Rick and the deacons. These are men of integrity and compassion. They are a unified team and will do there best to care for the church and guide it to find the next leader.

II. Some Words to the Church

1. Do Not Change

A. In your Love for God

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 KJV 1900

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Your love for God is foundational and will keep you grounded in the days to come.

B. In your Love of the Scriptures

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 KJV 1900

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Dive into the Bible. Let the Bible speak for itself. Let the Bible be the final authority.

C. In your Love for the brethren

John 13:33–35 KJV 1900

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

We did not know how to love the brethren when I first became pastor. We have increased in understanding how to exercise brotherly love. Over the last three years we have not had a single case of gossip. We have very little division. When there has been a disagreement between members, for the most part, those members have been able to work it out at the church the next Sunday and hugged out the door.

D. In your love for outsiders

Romans 14:8–10 ESV

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

Love your community, and don’t just talk about it, do it. Go out and do outreach. Be willing to take in strangers. Meet needs when possible. Pray for God to bring opportunities your way and for wisdom to best steward those opportunities.

We have not always done this. There was a time where we sat around and complained about how bad the world was and how much people did not want the Lord, the most we did for our neighbors outside the church was knock on their doors and try to get them to take a gospel tract. We can do better, and have been learning how to do better.

2. Do Not Resist Change

We should hold fast to doctrine, Scripture, love for the brethren, the gospel, yet there are also things that this church should not be locked into.

A. Personal changes

Each should be growing in the Lord. Face your personal demons, your besetting sins, your inner battles. Address your own past hurts that have been hidden and untended. Grow in your personal knowledge of scripture. Develop a reading plan; have goals for what you want to learn from the Bible this year. Personal growth is not easy. It is costly, but it is essential to becoming a disciple. Each must learn to bear their cross, give up their preferences and agendas, die to self and follow Jesus.

B. Personnel changes

The next pastor will not be me. Don’t compare him to me.

C. Practical changes

Don’t be locked into traditions. Traditions are healthy and right and should be maintained when dictated by scripture. But when we lose sight of why we have a particular tradition, we should be willing to let it go. Don’t try to put the new wine of the gospel into the old wineskins of men’s tradition.

Don’t be locked into events, activities, or ways of conducting ministry. These should all be regularly evaluated and challenged. Even our by-laws should be evaluated and challenged in the light of scripture.

Don’t be afraid of changing these sorts of things.

III. Some Words to Rick

1. Be bold

Don’t be afraid of what people think of you. Serve an audience of one.

2. Be more tender

You tend to think of everything in black and white as you see it. Slow down and try to consider another’s viewpoint. Think through how your actions will affect others.

3. Be a listener

James 1:19 KJV 1900

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Proverbs 18:13 KJV 1900

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame unto him.

You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Especially in this transition time people need to be listened to. Often even they won’t need you to fix a problem for them, just to listen and show that you care.

4. Be a husband

Your wife is your first priority.

5. Be a leader worth following

Don’t try to force loyalty. If you will grow as a man of God, others will see and they will follow as you lead them through this transition period.

Close out the sermon by putting hands on Rick and praying. Rick then leads the Lord’s Supper