What Would You Say to Fellow Christians in a Farewell Address?

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” –Acts 20:32 (ESV)  [Read Acts 20;17-17-38]

The context of our focal scripture verse for today is Paul the Apostle’s farewell address in the seaport town of Miletus in Ephesus as he had called the elders and other Christians together to bid them farewell.  In this speech, Paul referred to his own ministry among them as an example.  He was not boasting but rather appealing to the Christians to be faithful and to hold steadfastly to the teachings and doctrines he had taught them and lived out in his own life.  At this point he had “set his face steadfastly toward Jerusalem,” where those diametrically opposed to the Christian faith and the spread of the gospel awaited to accuse and arrest him.  Paul knew this appearance would likely be the last he had with the Ephesian Christians.  He wanted to give them directions and lessons they could hold onto and live by.  He invited them to observe his example and live as he had lived in a steadfast manner (20:18-21).  He spoke of future prospects for himself and the church, declaring that he had been faithful to deliver the message Christ had given him to preach, and he wanted the Ephesian brethren to do the same (20:22-27).  He warned them to be aware of false doctrines and coming heresies (20:28-31).  He encouraged them to have a proper attitude toward material goods, helping the weak and putting more priority on giving than on receiving (20:32-35).  Then came the tearful goodbye and his departure for the rest of the trip to Jerusalem (20:36-38).

What would you say to your fellow Christians if you knew it would be the last time you might teach a Sunday School lesson, your last opportunity to address any of your fellow Christians?  We don’t normally like to think about any situation being our “last,”  or our final opportunity to encourage Christians to be steadfast and immovable, abounding in the grace of God.  It’s sad to think about “last opportunities,” last times to admonish and encourage. But we know this could happen any time, in the twinkling of an eye.

Being a part of a pastor’s family  I have in the past had opportunities to hear my preacher husband give his last sermon to a congregation.  I myself have had occasion to teach the last lesson to a particular Sunday School class.  On June 1, 2014, I  heard my son, the Rev. Keith Jones, preach his last sermon as pastor to the congregation at Morganton Baptist Church as he retired after being in professional Christian work for forty-four years.  A very touching part of that service was son Keith calling two young men from his congregation who had been led to the Lord under his ministry and had just returned from a volunteer mission trip to Peru.  They gave their testimonies of work there and of having the privilege of seeing sixty people come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The message was strong that the work of preaching, witnessing and missions would go on, for others had been disciple to continue the work of witnessing, preaching and teaching.

Saying goodbye in situations where a minister or teacher has worked faithfully are both happy and sad.  Happiness emanates from the opportunities for service with any given group, whether a congregation or a Sunday School class.  But sadness occurs when the one leaving realizes that this may be the last time to drive home an important lesson while leaving those beloved Christians with a positive thought and an avid anticipation that there is more yet ahead for the faithful.  Maybe, as with Paul at Miletus in Ephesus long ago, the people will remember the person and his example more than his farewell address.  For we know how true the adage is:  “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.”  Unless the practice supercedes the proclamation and stands as a lofty example of “do as I do,”  then the words are of little effect.  Paul was right on target with his farewell address (Acts 20:32):  “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”   Amen!  --Ethelene Dyer Jones  06.29.2014