MY FINAL SERMON AT POLE CREEK

“But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.  And now I know that none of you will ever see my face again — everyone I went about preaching the kingdom to.” (Acts 20:24-25 HCSB)

This could be my final message to Pole Creek Baptist Church.  Although I have no current plans for leaving to pastor another church, I cannot predict the future, and I must always be open to the will of God wherever He may lead.  The fact is disease could debilitate me or death could dispatch me.  None of us are assured of another day.  One thing is certain there will come a time when I am no longer the pastor of this church.  Some sermon will be my final one—this could be it.

If I knew this would be the last message I would give you, what would I want to say?  I can’t think of anything I had rather communicate than what Paul delivered in this passage in Acts 20.  It reveals the heart of Paul so vividly and conveys the passion of any true shepherd for the flock God has placed under his care.

Paul shares THE MANNER OF GOSPEL MINISTRY in verses 17-21.

“You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time” (Acts 20:18b)

The manner of Gospel ministry is thus to be one of CONSISTENCY, “from the first day…the whole time” (v.18) 

Some have spiritual lives like the stock market—up one day and down the next—perhaps, even at some point soaring, only to eventually crash.  That was not Paul’s manner.  He had a steady climb.  This consistency was clear to those he led.  Paul was the same wherever you found him.  He wasn’t one way with one group and a different way with another.  The Apostle wasn’t one way in public and another way in private.  He was real—and that’s what I want to be.  Like Popeye, I want to simply say, “I yam what I yam.”

Consistency marks the manner of the faithful Gospel minister, but also there will be HUMILITY, “serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews” (v.19)

Tears and trials mentioned here have a way of humbling us under their heavy hand wielding the hammer of hardship on the anvil of adversity.  Paul had been shaped by these.  Once he was a proud Pharisee who could boast of his religious pedigree, but he was brought to his knees and would testify later to the same group of Ephesians in a letter to them, “I was made a servant of this [gospel] by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power.  This grace was given to me — the least of all the saints — to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah” (Eph.3:7-8).

Ambition and arrogance have defiled many shepherds and driven away many sheep.  A proud preacher is an oxymoron.  If it requires difficulties to drive us to our knees, let us rejoice every day, for encountering discouraging circumstances is to be preferred to exhibiting disqualifying conceit.

The third facet in the manner of Gospel ministry is INDUSTRY, “and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house.  I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.” (v.20-21) 

Publicly and privately—in the church house and in people’s houses—Paul preached the Gospel.  He did it with sermons to a large group and soul-winning one on one.  He evangelized the sinners and edified the saints with relentless faithfulness.  So long as God gives me breath, I intend to do likewise.

The message demands that kind of effort—for it is a matter of life and death—eternally so.  Therefore, I am spending several early morning hours in this medium of communication, calling those who may read to “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.”  This is an imperative that calls for industry because this is the only way to enter Heaven and evade Hell!  You must repent—to turn from your way and submit to the Lord’s will.  You must believe in the Lord Jesus—His death and resurrection—which alone can save.   This might be my last occasion to share the Gospel with you, and this may be your last opportunity to come to Christ!  Please, I beg you—don’t reject Jesus!

Paul’s effort in evangelism was evident, but so was his encouragement of believers.  Consider some examples recorded in Acts 20:

“After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and after saying good-bye, departed to go to Macedonia.  And when he had passed through those areas and exhorted them at length, he came to Greece and stayed three months.” (v.1-3a)

“On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he extended his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on speaking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead.  But Paul went down, fell on him, embraced him, and said, ‘Don’t be alarmed, for his life is in him!’  After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul conversed a considerable time until dawn. Then he left. They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.” (v.7-12)

By the way—here is a warning about going to sleep in church!  If you do, make sure it isn’t sitting in a second-story window!  Once this “minor” interruption was cared for—and the boy was raised from the dead—Paul commenced his sermon.

The ministry of the Apostle was one of encouragement.  He was warm and engaging—a hugger—and we find him embracing others throughout his ministry.  Paul kept driving and driving, pedal to the metal, nothing left in the tank when he crossed the finish line under the checkered flag!

He would conclude his service with a challenge to his young protégé Timothy concerning industry in ministry with these words, “But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim.4:5-7)

May God grant me spiritual strength and physical stamina to do likewise!

Paul’s fitting farewell to the Ephesian elders focused on the manner of Gospel ministry, and, moreover, THE MOTIVE OF GOSPEL MINISTRY in verses 22-27.

“But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” (v.24)

The Apostle not only had the right manner, he had the real motive for ministry.  For one thing, he was motivated to have A COMPLETED COURSE.

“And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.  But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.  And now I know that none of you will ever see my face again — everyone I went about preaching the kingdom to.” (v.22-25)

Paul knew that Christian ministry wasn’t a sprint but a marathon—a grueling race of endurance.  Starting fast is fine, but one must finish strong in order to win.  Many a preacher has been like a meteor streaking in brilliant light across the sky, soon to flame out and crater.  The church world “ooohs” and “ahhhs” as they look up at them, and then shakes their heads and sighs when these falling stars plummet into the dirt.

God help us not to worry about the press clippings and becoming a church celebrity, but rather to consistently chart a course where in the end God will greet us with, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”  Pray that I will be faithful to the finish and never make God regret that He chose me.

The proper motivation for Gospel ministry is to have a completed course, and also to have a CLEAN CONSCIENCE.

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of everyone’s blood, for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God.” (v.26-27)

The word, “innocent” literally means, “clean.”  Paul was saying his conscience was clear concerning doctrinal purity.  The Apostle had not ticked their ears—he never sugar-coated the truth to make it more palatable to their carnal desires.  He gave them the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth with the help of God.  The words fidelity and integrity marked his message and ministry.

They received a balanced diet of the whole plan of God.  He didn’t just give them dessert, he gave them fiber.  He not only gave them milk, he fed them meat.  For some preachers, there are pet doctrines and personal prejudices that cause them to ignore vast swaths of Biblical revelation and concentrate on just a few portions that they like—or often which their audience demands.

Paul was sensitive to the listeners he addressed, but he was not driven by their desires.  He wanted their attention and didn’t try to be obnoxious in his presentation, but neither would he compromise by caving to the carnal wishes of the congregation.  Ultimately, he gave out the truth and let the chips fall where they may!

When a preacher does this, he is innocent of blood—that is, the blood is off his hands and on the listeners’ heads.  The preacher has done his duty in sowing the seed and the hearer is now responsible for how they receive the seed and respond in fruitful obedience or not.  These words remind us of Ezekiel’s ministry as described in chapter three of his prophecy.

I am just the pizza delivery guy—I didn’t make the message, I just bring it.  If you don’t like the taste, take it up with the Manager.

This powerful passage presents the manner and motive of Gospel ministry.  Furthermore, it points to THE MULTIPLICATION OF GOSPEL MINISTRY in verses 28-31.

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” (v.28)

Paul knew he couldn’t do it all.  His ministry would be multiplied if he enlisted and equipped these elders to care for the flock as well.  If I want to finish my work at Pole Creek successfully, then I must leave behind a leadership legacy—those who are trained and true, ready to step in and step up to the task of Gospel ministry.

We are reminded of THE PASTOR’S WORK, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock” (v.28a) 

You can’t lead others if you can’t lead yourself.  Elders must not go astray, or they will lead the people astray.  A lack of character undermines the foundation of Gospel work. 

It is vital for a shepherd to nourish his own soul with the Word of God and if he does then he will always know where to lead the flock to green pastures.

There are two key words Paul uses here that describe the essence of the work of ministry: “overseers” and “shepherd.”  (v.28). 

As an overseer, we are to lead the flock.  Someone has to be in charge.  “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”  I first heard John Maxwell say that.  The phrase might be his, but the principle is as old as eternity—it is Biblical.  Many churches are in a state of anarchy, when God calls the elders to be leading with proper authority.

As a shepherd, we are to feed the flock.  Preachers are called preachers because that is what they do!  Doing the Gospel ministry is preeminently about delivering the Gospel message.  God’s sheep need to be fed—and the Word of God is their diet.  All the Lord’s work is important, but for the pastor, the ministry of the Word is indispensable—he cannot be distracted from this priority for other church matters which other church members may do (see Acts 6:1-7).

The pastor’s work is to be accompanied by THE PASTOR’S WATCH (v.28-31)

“Be on guard” (v.28) and “be on the alert” (v.31), Paul warns.

The wolf is always on the prowl, looking for a vulnerable lamb he can devour, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.  And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them.” (v.29-30)  A pack of them can decimate an entire church.  They come as wolves in sheep’s clothing.  They give out deviant doctrines that are alluring to the immature who have not learned to avoid feeding on sweet tasting, yet toxic weeds.

If this were my last message to you—and someday my final sermon will be preached—I warn you, “Stay on guard!  Make sure the next shepherd you call is not a nice sounding, sharp dressing wolf!  You snooze, you lose!” Paul would not always be with them, and so the other church leaders had to be alert for apostates, heed any hint of heresy and detect any deviation from sound doctrine. 

Paul’s tearful pleas should have arrested their attention as to the seriousness of their duty, “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.” (v.31)  This is a solemn obligation!

The final feature in this fitting farewell sermon focuses on THE MODEL OF GOSPEL MINISTRY in verses 32-38.

“In every way I’ve shown you,” is how Paul stresses his personal example.  People need to see a sermon as well as hear one.  Actions speak louder than words.  Paul’s emphasis in his messages to the churches was to call them to faith, hope and love.  He was a model of these virtues as well.

I hope that I have been a model of FAITH as Paul was.  See it in this verse:  “And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.”

The Apostle had faith in the grace of God, working through the Word of God, to build up the church of God, and bring them into the inheritance of God, as those set apart for the purposes of God.  What worked in the first century will still work in the twenty-first century!  If the Word won’t do it, it won’t get done.  The preacher is to sow the seed in faith—and trust God for the harvest.

Summer before last, I left for vacation after planting some rose bushes.  One of our church ladies, Mary Kepner, who does a lot of landscaping around our church property, came over just before I left and mixed up her magic formula for healthy roses.  When I pulled back in the drive way a week later, I was astonished—the bushes were full of beautiful blooms!  Do you know what that stinker had done?  She went over and took silk blooms and put them all over the bushes to fool me!  We all got a good laugh, and the real buds and blooms followed in time. 

But, here is the serious point—the pastor must be wary of trying to artificially produce only what God can grow.  A church may look good from man’s perspective through the use of marketing techniques and other manipulative efforts, but when the Gardener examines it at the Day of Judgment, it will be exposed for what it is—fake!  We must have faith that if we do God’s work, His way, that we can leave the results to Him.  There is often more than meets the eye.  We may be surprised at the reward given to some obscure country preacher in glory, called to the head table, as the big-name mega-ministers are in the back of the dining hall.  Who knows?  That’s God’s business.

I trust that I have been a model of HOPE as Paul was.  Notice, “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.  You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me.”  (v.33-34)

His hope was not grounded on the sands of the material world, but was built on the solid Rock of the Eternal One.  He didn’t have a passion for riches, but a pursuit of the Redeemer.  There is always a danger the pastor will become a hireling—a professional doing a job, advancing a career, with the amount of his paycheck a prime consideration.

While it is appropriate for the pastor to care for his family—Paul was a single man and did not have this concern—nevertheless the leader must realize that if needs are provided that is enough.  The hope of heaven leads us to look to the future for the true payday! 

Then I pray that I have been a model of LOVE for Paul certainly was.  The closing verses of this scene show the magnitude of his love:

“‘In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’ After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.  There was a great deal of weeping by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.” (v.35-38)

Love is about giving, and Paul had an open heart and open arms that also opened his purse.  I have sought to be an example of generosity also. 

Look at the tenderness expressed in their tears, as they mingled them together.  See the tenacity evidenced in their embrace, as they held each other tight—then weeping as they waved goodbye.

Cane River, Oak Grove, Centerview, Sugarfork—names that may mean little to you, but those were churches I previously served.  They represent precious people that I have loved and that loved me, and when I preached my final sermon and walked away, there was much weeping. There were probably a few members that were glad to see me go, and some maybe even mad that I would go, but for most, they were sad to see me go.  When I leave Pole Creek—and it is certain I will—then I hope those same tears of joy will be shed.

It might be at my funeral.  Well, weep that you will see me no more in the pulpit.  Weep for my family.  Do not weep for me!  I will be with Jesus and how awesome is that!

It might be that I resign, being called to another location, or retire, age forcing me into a different phase of ministry, and so I pray you do weep.  I want a love so great between us that we will grieve when we are separated.

This was how the Ephesians felt, “grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again.”  But, they were wrong.  It may be true they never saw his mortal face again in this world, but they have since been reunited in heaven—and will be together forever!

The Christian never has to say, “Goodbye” as in a final farewell.  He or she can part saying, “I’ll see you later.”  That’s always the case—if not in this lifetime, in the life to come—for “Love never ends.” (1 Cor.13:8a)