From Passover to Pentecost, From Fire to Boldness, and Now... Go!

Today Is A Special Day

So as I have been praying and reflecting on the word that God wanted me to bring today I found myself at a loss. Anyone ever felt like God wasn’t listening or like you couldn’t hear from him?

Sometimes the world is so loud that we cannot hear God’s voice

Sometimes we hear God’s voice and our flesh is not disciplined enough to listen

Sometimes God has not spoken again because we have not completed the last assignment

As I began preparing to write a new message for today, something profound happened. I felt in my spirit to not go for something new but to remind us of what God has already spoken through me and through His word in previous messages.

As the seasons change every year I have noticed that fall seems to be sort of a dry season or a season of cutting back and reflecting

In the past I have not looked forward to the fourth quarter of the year because I know in my spirit that it will be a time of quiet reflection instead of a time for forward growth.

This year something has changed and for the better: I am looking forward to the beauty of this season, there is something extremely beautiful in the change of the seasons: the color popping in the leaves as they release their grip on the trees, the refreshing briskness in the the wind as it blows, the exceptionally bright evening sunsets and the anticipation of the holiday season to come. And of course Spartan Football! GO GREEN! :)

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”

So in this season of change and reflection I bring to you the Word God has placed on my heart today and pray it fills you up.

“Church, today is a special day. This is my last time preaching in this pulpit for sometime. Our senior pastor will be finishing out the rest of this season, and I honor him for the Word he will bring.

But before I step back from this pulpit, I want to do something important. Instead of giving you a brand new message, I want to remind you of the journey God has already taken us on this year.

Peter said in 2 Peter 1:12, ‘So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.’

Sometimes the most powerful word is not a new word, but a reminder of what God has already spoken. And as I look back at what God has given us this year, I see a story — a thread — that has been preparing us for where we are right now.

So let’s take a journey together. And then I’ll leave you with the final charge the Lord has placed in my spirit: Mark 16:15, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”

1. April – Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday… Now What?

“Back in April, we remembered Jesus as our Passover Lamb.

John the Baptist said in John 1:29: ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 5:7: ‘For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.’

We discussed how Jesus did not abolish the law — He fulfilled it. He set us free from oppression, from bondage, from slavery to sin.

But we didn’t stop there. We looked at Pentecost — when the Holy Spirit was poured out.

Jesus promised in Acts 1:8: ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

We saw in Acts 2:42–47 that the early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer — and God responded with multiplication.

And in Ephesians 4:11–13, Paul says Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers ‘to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.’

The takeaway was this: Pentecost gave us empowerment, community, and spiritual gifts. And God multiplies a church that walks in unity and fellowship.”

2. June – Keep the Fire Burning

“On Father’s Day, we talked about fire. I shared how the Fire Triangle reflects the Trinity:

God the Father is the wood — the source and foundation. Ephesians 1:4 says: ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.’

God the Son is the spark — the one who ignites life. John 5:19 says: ‘The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.’ And Colossians 1:15–16 tells us: ‘The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created.’

God the Holy Spirit is the oxygen — the breath of life. John 14:26: ‘But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.’ Romans 8:26: ‘The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.’

I challenged us to check our spiritual fire — is anything missing? I ask you to reflect on that again today and everyday!

And I gave you an illustration: A raw piece of chicken can make you sick or even kill you. But once it has been through the fire, it can nourish and sustain life.

Church, the same is true of us. Without the fire of God, we are dangerous and incomplete. But when God sets us on fire with His Spirit, we become food for the hungry, light for the lost, and warmth for the broken.”

3. July – From Bitterness to Boldness: Building Together in Love

“Then in July, I brought what was maybe the hardest message of all — From Bitterness to Boldness.

Hebrews 12:15 warns us: ‘See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.’

Bitterness doesn’t just affect you — it spreads. It divides. It poisons. James 3:14–16 says: ‘But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth… For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.’

But we saw that there is a better way:

Ephesians 4:31 says: ‘Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.’

Romans 8:28 reminds us: ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.’

And we declared together that we would release bitterness, ask God for a fresh heart, and commit to unity.

Finally, we saw that boldness is the fruit of unity.

In Acts 4:29–31, the disciples prayed for boldness and the place was shaken.

In Daniel 3:16–18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood boldly together, saying, ‘The God we serve is able to deliver us… But even if he does not, we will not bow.’

The message was clear: A united church will be a bold church. And a bold church will change the world.”

4. Today – The Final Charge (Mark 16:15)

“And now, church, here is the final word the Lord has placed in my heart for this year:

Mark 16:15: ‘He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”’

Do you see it? All year, God has been preparing us:

From freedom and fellowship (Passover and Pentecost)…

To fire that sustains…

To boldness that unites…

And now the call is simple: Go.

Go doesn’t always mean moving to another country. Sometimes it means going across the street. Sometimes it means going across the room. And sometimes it means going upstairs into the children’s ministry.”

My Assignment – The Next Generation

“Last Sunday, I stepped into our children’s ministry. I watched those kids learning Scripture, and the Spirit whispered to me: ‘This is where I need you.’

So while this is my last sermon in this sanctuary for awhile, it is not the end of my ministry — it’s a refocusing. God is calling me to pour into our children, our youth, and our young adults.

Because they are part of the ‘all creation’ Jesus spoke of. They are not the church of tomorrow — they are the church of today. And if we do not preach the gospel to them, the world will gladly preach a false gospel of identity, success, and pleasure.

But I believe God is raising up a generation that will be bold, that will burn with fire, that will walk in unity, and that will carry the power of Pentecost into their schools, their homes, and their future.”

Introduction

“This has been a year of building foundations. Each message God has given me has been about preparing us for the work ahead. Today, I want to tie it all together through Mark 16, the closing chapter of the Gospel of Mark — a chapter about resurrection, commissioning, and legacy.”

Remind the congregation: “This is not an ending but a new beginning — especially for our children, youth, and young adults.”

Point 1: He is Risen — Our Hope is Alive (Mark 16:1–8)

Scripture: Mark 16:6 “but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.”

Tie back: At the start of the year, we talked about faith and identity in Christ. The resurrection is the foundation of that identity — our hope is not in traditions, buildings, or positions, but in the living Christ.

Jesus Christ is also the spark in our new life with God as we talked about on Father’s Day

Supporting verse: John 14:6 “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Everything we’ve preached this year flows from this truth: Jesus is alive.

Because He lives:

We can walk in faith over fear 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

We can stand in unity as His body Ephesians 4:3–6 “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”

We can live out forgiveness and grace Colossians 3:13 “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

The resurrection is the foundation of our identity and mission.

Application: The reason we pour into the next generation is because Jesus is alive and His mission continues.

Point 2: Go and Tell — The Commission is for All (Mark 16:9–15)

Scripture: Mark 16:15 “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”

Tie back: Many of my past messages have been about unity, outreach, and growth. This is the clear command — not to keep the Gospel inside, but to release it.

Supporting verses:

Romans 10:14 “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”

Matthew 19:14 “But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.””

Luke 10:2 “These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

This verse connects with what our children learned last week — and it reminds us that the mission of the church has not changed.

Preaching is not only from the pulpit:

Parents preach by living the gospel at home Deuteronomy 6:6–7 “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”

Kids preach by showing the love of Christ at school Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Young adults preach by standing for truth in a culture of compromise 1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

The whole church is called to carry this message outward.

Application: We are called to every generation — adults, youth, and children. The harvest is plentiful, and we must sow into the young if we want the Gospel to outlive us.

Point 3: Signs Will Follow Those Who Believe (Mark 16:16–18)

Scripture: Mark 16:17–18 “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.””

Tie back: In messages this year, we’ve talked about God’s power and presence in His people. The church is not powerless — God confirms His Word with action.

Supporting verses:

Acts 2:17 “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

When we step in faith, God shows up.

Signs follow the preaching of the gospel — healing, deliverance, transformation.

This reminds us of the messages this year about prayer and the Holy Spirit:

James 5:16 – prayer is powerful and effective.

Acts 1:8 – the Spirit empowers us to be witnesses.

Application: We should expect God to move in our children and youth just as He does in adults. Signs, wonders, boldness, and callings will come out of the next generation if we equip them.

Point 4: The Lord Works With Us (Mark 16:19–20)

Scripture: Mark 16:20 “And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”

Tie back: We’ve learned this year that ministry is not done in our own strength. Whether preaching from the pulpit or teaching in the children’s ministry, the Lord works with us.

Supporting verses:

Matthew 28:20 “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Application: As I focus more on children, youth, and young adults, I am confident that the Lord is not leaving me or refusing to speak. He is simply expanding the work so that the whole church — young and old — is moving forward in His mission.

Point 5: Passing the Mission to the Next Generation

📖 Mark 16:7 “Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.””

Notice: Jesus doesn’t just reveal Himself; He sends a message that includes individuals by name. The mission is personal and generational.

The baton of faith must be handed down.

That’s why God has stirred in my heart to focus on children, youth, and young adults — because the mission must continue in them.

Proverbs 22:6 “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

If we neglect the next generation, we stop the movement of the gospel. But if we invest in them, the church’s future is strong.

Conclusion: Our Part in the Story

📖 Mark 16:19–20 “When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”

Jesus ascended, but the mission continued — and it continues now, through us.

This year, God has been preparing us through messages of faith, unity, forgiveness, prayer, and discipleship.

Now, we are being called to take that foundation and pass it on to the next generation, while living out the Great Commission together.

Conclusion: Passing the Baton of Legacy

Restate the year’s theme: We’ve spoken about faith, identity, unity, outreach, and harvest. All of it has been leading to this — the Gospel must continue through the next generation.

Challenge: “Who will step up to teach, mentor, disciple, and love the young among us? The Lord is calling us all to invest in the future.”

Call to Action: “Let us finish this year not just as hearers of the Word, but as doers — going, telling, teaching, and pouring into those who will carry the Gospel farther than we can.”

Final Charge to the Church

Believe in the power of the resurrection.

Live out the Great Commission in your everyday life.

Trust God to confirm His Word with power.

Invest in the next generation so the mission continues.

📖 1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

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