CHRISTIANS NEVER SAY GOODBYE
Acts 20:17-38
The pastor had a kitten that climbed up into a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, called to it, and got catnip…he tried everything but that kitten would not come down.
The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.
So he secured a rope near the top of the tree and tied that rope to his car. Then he began to slowly drive away from the tree carefully watching his progress. With only a little bit further to go to bend the tree enough for him to reach the cat, he kept moving the car slowly. Just as he was about to stop – the rope broke, the tree flipped back and the cat went flying into the air out of sight.
The pastor felt terrible! He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they’d seen his cat. Nobody had seen the cat, but assured him that if they saw it they would let him know. So the pastor prayed, “Lord, I just commit this kitten to your safe keeping,” and went on about his business.
A few days later at the grocery store, the pastor ran into one of his church members. While they were talking, he happened to look in her shopping cart and was surprised to see she was purchasing some cat food as well as other items to be used in the care of a cat. The reason he was surprised is that this woman absolutely hated cats and she made everyone aware of that fact whenever cats came up in a conversation.
So the pastor curiously asked her, “Why are you buying stuff for a cat when you hate them so much?”
She replied, “Pastor, you will not believe this,” and began telling him how her little girl had been begging her and begging her for a cat. But she kept telling her, “No!” She said, “This went on for days. Her daughter would not stop begging her for a cat. Finally, out of frustration, she told her daughter, “If God gives you a cat, then and only then, will I let you keep it.”
She said, “I watched my daughter go out in the backyard, get on her knees and ask God for a cat. Pastor, you won’t believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. As my daughter was praying, suddenly a kitten came flying out of the clear blue sky, its paws outspread, and landed in front of my daughter! So this is why I am buying all this stuff for her!”
This story has a common theme – facing life with new beginnings –
The pastor – life without his kitten.
The Mom – having to overcome her prejudice of cats.
The little girl – now had a kitten.
The kitten – had a new owner.
Just as those in this story, we also are at a new juncture of our lives as pastor and a church for we also are facing new beginnings.
Today is my last Sunday in this pulpit as your pastor. Therefore, tomorrow will bring to each of us new opportunities, new hopes, new memories, and new beginnings.
Among the things I wish I had done is to keep better records but I have preached well over 3,500 sermons from this pulpit. Of all those sermons that I have prepared, this one has been the most difficult to prepare. For starters, it is an emotional one because this is the last time I will preach to you from this pulpit as your Pastor. If you hear me again, it will either be that I have been invited back as a guest speaker or you’ll be hearing me in another congregation where I will be a visiting speaker.
Another factor that makes it difficult is what do I talk about? How does a Pastor go about summarizing his thoughts as he leaves a congregation he has served for over a quarter of a century and people in it he has come to know and dearly love?
How do you say “goodbye” when you exit someone’s presence?
- “Gotta go. Bye.”
- “It’s been fun. Take it easy.”
- “Adios Amigo.”
- “See you later, gator.”
- “After while, crocodile.”
- “So long. Catch you later.”
- “Toodle-oo.” (that’s an old one).
- “Goodbye and God bless.” Red Skelton’s
- Perhaps Paul Harvey’s “good day.”
- “Have a good day” or “have a good one”.
Few of us like goodbyes. Perhaps it is that final hug as you send your child off to kindergarten, college, or off to the military, or before they head off on their honeymoon. Maybe it is the painful good-bye to someone you know is dying and you will not see them again. It may be the goodbye of a teacher or coach who has worked with a student for many years; the goodbye of a beloved employee who has taken another job or has decided to retire; the goodbye of college roommates who have graduated and are now heading in their different directions. Goodbyes often are not much fun.
Down through the years, many people have made a farewell address. The book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell sermon.
February 11, 1861, when Abraham Lincoln left Springfield, Illinois, to start his inaugural journey to Washington, D.C. he paid an unforgettable tribute to his friends and neighbors in what is known today as the farewell address.
“My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”
In this text Paul is found at a similar juncture in his life with the church of Ephesus.
1. He was soon to leave for another direction in his ministry of the Lord Jesus.
2. However, before he departs he calls the elders of the church at Ephesus together and addresses them in this passage.
I want to use this passage for us to think about saying goodbye to this phase of our life together, and it is a different phase. It is not like you will never see me again…you will. I am still living just down the road. While I will not be your pastor, I hope I will continue to be your friend.
I want to use this passage to organize our thoughts. I hope you will forgive me as I will be a little more personal in my comments than I usually am.
Body
I. LOOKING BACK. (20:18-21)
Paul said, “You know how I lived among you.” He was looking back.
One man said to his friend: “Say, you look depressed. What are you thinking about?” The quick answer of his friend was, “My future.” “What makes it look so hopeless?” His answer was, “My past.”
Warren Wiersbe said, “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past but not live in the past.”
Still Paul looks back to remind them of how he served the Lord with humility and tears, how he was severely tested, and how he did not hesitate to preach anything that was helpful to them.
What I have tried to be is real. I have not wanted to be different in private than I was in public. Whether I have succeeded in that I don’t know.
I have sought to serve the Lord with humility and tears. I spent quite a bit of time asking the Lord why I had a neuro-muscular disease that weakens me, leaves me so exhausted at times and with aching muscles. I think God wanted to do something in me and in you.
He wanted us both to see that His strength is made perfect in weakness. As the paraphrase The Message puts it (2Co 12:9) and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.
You have seen me in my weakness. You have seen me fall. You have seen me walk across this parking lot on Sunday nights, leaning on Nancy because I was exhausted. You have seen me with a cane and with sore muscles and maybe God wanted you to know that when you think you can’t, just maybe you can because His grace is enough. His strength comes into its own in your weakness.
I have hurt with you. I have cried over you and with you. I have sought to carry the burdens along with you over loved ones and yourselves. Like Paul, I have been with you in weakness and in tears and I haven’t begun to experience anything like Paul when he was tested by the plots of the Jews but I have taken a few shots. But you have been so supportive and loving that it has been a wonderful journey.
I have tried to be like Paul and not hesitate to preach anything that would be helpful to you. I think the only book I haven’t really preached through is Leviticus and I have even dabbled in that from time to time.
Paul understood what his purpose was: to impart God’s Word to God’s people. Paul preached on anything and everything that would be helpful to the people. He taught deep theology and addressed practical issues of Christian living. He talked about sin, commitment, obedience, and many other things that people find unpopular today. Paul knew people would rather talk about blessings than repentance, but Paul was not concerned about getting people into church. He wanted to lead them to Christ.
Paul taught them in a variety of ways. He taught them publicly and from house to house. He taught in formal and informal settings. He used a variety of teaching styles. He debated, he preached, he answered questions, and he discussed. He used every means at his disposal to communicate the message of salvation.
He taught a variety of people. He declared the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. He reached out to the rich, poor, slave, free, men, women, powerful and those who felt powerless.
He had a simple message. Paul told people that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith. Paul did not water down the requirements of the gospel in order to get a crowd. Paul wasn’t interested in getting people to LIKE Jesus. He called them to trust and follow Him. We would be wise to do the same.
While I have always sought to keep the message true to Scripture, I wish I had done a better job at bringing people to the Savior.
Looking back I can’t say I have done the best job but I have tried to be faithful to the task God has given me.
II. LOOKING AROUND. (20:22-24)
Paul begins with the phrase, “And now…” After speaking of his faithfulness in the past, he says what he is presently doing is marked by that same faithfulness.
Whatever the cost and trouble, he is only conscious of fulfilling the course God has set for him. He is “bound in spirit”. He is conscious of an inner compulsion…a spiritual necessity which makes the journey to Jerusalem inevitable. This in spite of the dire warnings of trouble he will have there.
Devotion to Christ had already bound his heart to the pathway he was on. Paul knew it wasn’t the easiest way, but it was the way God was leading him and he was committed to following the Lord’s will.
A college man walked into a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend. He wanted the picture duplicated. This involved removing it from the frame. In doing this, the studio owner noticed the inscription on the back of the photograph: “My dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day. I will love you forever and ever. I am yours for all eternity.” It was signed, “Helen,” and it contained a p.s.: “If we ever break up, I want this picture back.”
That is not commitment! And this is something we often see in America and in American churches. Just as Jesus steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem fully knowing the suffering that would involve, Paul’s pathway was not clear but he knew it involved the fellowship of His suffering.
All that matters is faithfulness to God, all the way to the end. (vs.24) In 1912, marathon runner Shizo Kanakuri was chosen to represent Japan in the Summer Olympics at Stockholm, Sweden. He began the race with the rest of the runners, but along the way was overcome with heat. He stopped at a garden party for some refreshments, but he stayed a little too long – more than an hour. He thought that now it was too late to get back in the race. He took a train to his hotel and caught a boat back home, too ashamed to tell anyone he was leaving.
For more than 50 years, Shizo was listed as a missing person in Sweden, until a journalist finally found him. He had spent the last several decades living a quiet life in southern Japan.
In 1966, The Swedish Public Television network called him with an offer. Would you like to finish your run? The 85 year old Kanakuri accepted and he traveled to Stockholm to finish the race he had started so many years before. This time he crossed the finish line. His final time was 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 8 hours, 32 minutes and 20.3 seconds.
Our reward is not for starting the race, it’s for finishing the race. Paul said, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.”
It is never too late to get back in the race. You can start running again today. The finish line is still where it used to be.
Most of us ask the wrong question when we are asked to serve. We want to know, “What do I have to do?” Instead, we should be asking, “How can I contribute?” We focus on the personal cost and want to know, “What’s in it for me?”
Paul focused on the eternal gain. Paul was willing to sacrifice his life if that is what was required to fulfill his purpose. I’m not sure what to call this phase of life I’m entering into. Most people are calling it retirement and it is not retirement! I’m applying for disability because physically I just cannot do what needs to be done as pastor, but I’m not retiring! I’m going to stay involved in ministry but of what sort I’m not sure.
I hope I can supply preach in churches and even perhaps be interim pastor from time to time. Nancy and I aren’t sure where we will “land” in our membership.
We cannot stay here because if and when you call a new pastor, he doesn’t need me looking over his shoulder! He needs the chance to establish himself as pastor without me here. But I plan on increasing my prayer life ministry and encouraging other pastors. Like Paul, I want to finish my race and complete the task the Lord has for me.
God doesn’t show us what is ahead. He only shows us the next step. I don’t know what the future holds for this church or for Nancy and I. I am confident this is what God wants me to do right now and that is enough.
If you were to make a list of the ten most important things in your life, where would God be in this list? Don’t answer too quickly. We know the right answer is to say, “Serving Christ is the most important thing in my life. That is the right answer but is that the honest answer? Where does he rate in comparison to
· Your children?
· Your favorite hobby? (If you had to choose between serving the Lord and attending a big game, or shopping with your friends, which would win?)
· Your job? (If you had to choose between worship and work, what wins?)
· Your need to sleep? (When you are tired in the morning, do you hit the snooze button or get up to spend time with the Father?)
If you had one evening and had to choose between giving it to the Lord or to one of the things above, what would get your time? If you had $500 and had to decide between investing it in the Lord’s work or one of the above things, what would get your money? If you met a friend on the street, would you talk about the Lord or something else? Paul always chose the Lord…we do not.
III. LOOKING AHEAD. (20:25-38)
Soon Paul will be gone. Faithfulness to God must be continued. Paul cannot be blamed for any failure on their part to stay faithful. He has not shrunk back from giving them all of God’s counsel. So they now stand or fall to God alone. Sooner or later there must come a time when the faithful father must allow his spiritual children to stand on their own just as an earthly parent must do. And it is not easy or comfortable, but it is necessary. No servant of Christ can cling forever to any ministry but must discern when it is time to move on.
They can now be left to take up the responsibility that is theirs.
The flock is now theirs to shepherd. Their task is to lead, feed, guard and care for the flock.
Let me give a few thoughts for the future.
BE ON GUARD OVER YOURSELVES AND ONE ANOTHER.– vs.28-30 I have heard some express concern such as “Who will do the visitation and prayer and care for those sick and such?” You will…each of you will! That task has never and should never be the exclusive task of the pastor. You are to encourage each other and pray for each other and minister to each other.
Be on guard over yourselves as well. It can be easy to drop out at a time such as this. Don’t do it! Be on guard. This can be a time you can grow and minister more than you ever have before. Be more faithful than you ever have in service, giving and attendance.
Remember the scene from the gladiator. “Hold together! We cannot be defeated if we hold together!”
STAY DEPENDENT ON GOD’S WORD AND HIS GRACE. – vs.31-32.
God’s grace gives you what you do not deserve. Grace is what saved you and what strengthens you. Grace is what empowers you to do more than you ever thought you could.
I commend you to God and the word of His grace. I have described what Nancy and I are entering as “an adventure in trusting God”. That is what you are entering into as well. I am applying for disability but Nancy and I are not dependent upon a job, a church, an insurance company or government agency for our future. God is our source of supply!
You are not dependent upon a pastor and certainly not on me! I comment you to God and the word of His grace who is able to build you up.
REMEMBER GOD’S LOVE – 33-35. He encouraged them to work and share with others in need. Don’t grow selfish as a congregation.
PRAY – vs.36 Pray for us. Pray for this church. Pray for your deacons. Pray for your Sunday School teachers. Pray for the Pastor Search Committee.
BEGIN ANEW – VS.37-38.
Story of the old man and the young man with a bird in his hand. “That’s easy Son. The answer depends upon you.”
I didn’t want to make this message about saying goodbye. I took the title from a story concerning C.S. Lewis. Sheldon Vanauken’s wife died and in his grief he sought out C.S. Lewis. They became friends. Vanauken tells about meeting C.S. Lewis for lunch one day. They talked about heaven and what it would be like to be there and be reunited. As they prepared to leave and go their separate ways, C.S. Lewis said they should be sure to keep in touch with one another. With a grin, he said, “At all events, we shall certainly meet again – here or there.” They went out of the restaurant on the sidewalk. Lewis said, “I shall not say goodbye for we shall certainly meet again.” He crossed the busy street and then lifted his voice to be heard above the traffic. “After all, Christians never say goodbye.”
