My Farewell Sermon

Stand Firm

 (Phil. 4:1)

Intro:

            A.  After almost 24 years I am not going to preach a traditional sermon.  Today is my last time bringing you God’s message as your minister and I want to share my heart with you as we prepare to say good-bye.

            B.  Paul was accustomed to saying good-bye.  He traveled so much and never knew if he would see the Christians who became the church again.  He would write letters hoping to see them, but as time goes on, he knows that his likelihood of seeing them in person diminishes.  So the letters are there to encourage them to stand firm the faith.  For Paul, preaching truth central to the ministry.  He knows that there are many out there that want to manipulate and lead these groups of Christians so that they become self-important.  For Paul, Jesus is the only thing that is important.  He wants to make disciples of Christ not just baptize people and leave them on their own.  His letters rebuke, exhort, encourage and he does so with great love for the churches.

            C.  How do I say good-bye after 24 years?  I come to Phil. 4:1 and take my theme for today. Phil. 4:1 (NASB)

I.  Brothers Whom I Love

            A.  I used the NASB because Paul uses the same word at the beginning and end of this verse.  He doesn’t just say brothers, or church family, he calls them beloved, or deeply loved by him.  When calls them to action he ends with the same word, beloved, or deeply loved.

            B.  The church Paul helped to start in Philippi was a church that he seemed to be connected to a little differently than many of the other congregations.  It feels more like his great love the church in Ephesus.  Both of these churches are places where Paul connected to the people.

            C.  I love you.  There is a connection that Kerri and I have with you that is deep and spiritual.  I have always known that I am loved by all of you.  I have not doubted it.

            D.  When you love someone deeply you hurt deeply at the parting.  When Paul was heading to Jerusalem after his last journey in the book of Acts, he knew that he would not see most of these Christians again.  His trip back was one filled with good-byes.  The Holy Spirit made that clear to him.  It was also one filled with tears.  (Read Acts 20:36-38).

            E.  While Paul was told he would not see them again in this life, I hope and pray that we will see one another again.  But what they did was spiritual. The prayed together.  They remained connected through Jesus Christ even if in this life they would not be sharing each other’s company.     

II.  My Joy and Crown

            A.  Paul makes the statement that the church in Philippi is “my joy and crown.”  That’s high praise.  But it is also much of how I feel about you.  This church has been my joy for 24 years.  There is no doubt that if I could use the word “crown” as far as how I feel about my ministry, then you are my crown.  You have made my ministry effective. 

            B.  Think about the achievements that have happened over the last 24 years.  We have been blessed with numerous baptisms where people turned to Jesus in salvation and became a part of this church home.  We have been blessed with many fellow Christians who moved to this area and wanted, desired, to call this church their home.  Many of you are those “transplants” that God has called to this church family and you are working hard to make it God’s church.  Over the years we were blessed to have Howard Sharps, Sid Hatfield and Bill Nichols work as our shepherds and helped us think in a more spiritual manner while showing us how to live a Christian life.

            C.  How can you look at this church and not be proud of our children over the years.  While I love that my kids were raised here, your kids are part of my pride and joy.  I have been blessed to share some good times with most of the kids in this congregation.  Our singing time on Wednesday nights over the years makes me smile.  I lean on Jocelyn and Tessa to make sure I do all my hand actions right.

            D. When we moved to PowerPoint my Joshua and Thomas Kennedy began to help, over the years we added Bobby Kennedy, Connor Brenneman and most recently Bennett Hill.  These guys have become my right hand.  I thankful for our kids, my joy and my crown.

            E. The Young Adults (who are now passed middle-age) have also been my joy and crown.  I remember early on when we went to the Top of the Triangle restaurant and had a fancy dinner together.  To all of our game nights at various homes to just hanging out.  You are my joy.

            F.  I understand what Paul meant when he told the church in Philippi that they were “my joy and crown.”  I cannot say thank you enough to our “older members.”  You know who you are.  Many of you were here when I came 24 years ago.  You have been like parents to me.  You allowed this young man grow up and I thank you for your guidance. 

III.  Stand Firm

            A.  So let me preach for just a moment.  Paul’s statement to this church that he loves is simply, “Stand firm.”  The idea behind this phrase that Paul, and other writers, is to keep Jesus the center of your life.  Stand strong against temptation.  Stand strong as you boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus.  Stand strong when you get tired and want to quit.  Stand strong in the Lord for He is able to make you stand.  God gives us strength to face today and tomorrow. 

            B.  It is my prayer that you run the race all the way to the end of your days.  I love to tell stories.  One of my favorite stories was told by John Williams Smith.  It’s called “Run, Tami, Run.”

Conclusion:

            A.  My encouragement to you is to run.  It’s about finishing the race, not about who you think may come in first, but you finishing the race.  Let your light shine and be the church that Jesus has called us to be here at Whitehall.  We love you and will always thank Jesus for you.  May the grace of God be with you always.  Amen.