Farewell Brethren

2003036

Introduction:

A. Been thinking about this day for almost 6 months & wondering how I can put my thoughts/emotions into words.

1. I hope I can adequately express my love for all of you.

2. my appreciation for your spiritual service

3. The joy I have experienced as all of us have grown together spiritually.

B. Never been too successful in containing my emotions at times like this.

1. What can one say when he leaves people he’s grown to love?

2. There’s so much to say – but it can be summarized simply by saying “I love you.”

C. In 2 Cor. 13 as Paul is closing his letter to the Corinthians he tells them “farewell.”

1. The NASV translates the word as “rejoice.”

2. Basically, Paul encourages these brethren to “go on prosperously.”

D. This is my wish for you: “Go on prosperously.”

1. Since this is my last sermon here as the located preacher

2. I want to spend some time looking at what Paul told the Corinthians to do in order to go on prosperously.

I. Be complete.

A. Being complete suggests the idea of perfection or completeness.

1. Ask: am I striving to become spiritually mature?

B. Which describes me?

1. Heb. 5:12-13 – weak? Going nowhere? Life characterized by “sluggish” Christianity?

2. Or Heb. 5:14; 6:1, 11-12, 15?

3. Is serving God; imitating Him my most important priority?

C. We understand becoming complete is a process.

1. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen overnight!

2. While we will never become sinless, being made complete in Christ is something we must strive for.

a) 1 Pet. 2:21-25

D. How exactly may we be made complete?

1. Rom. 10:17 – it starts with faith!

a) By being exposed to teaching.

b) Ask: How do I take advantage of the teaching & preaching opportunities offered here?

c) The frequency of my attendance at worship and bible classes says a lot about my desire to become complete in Christ.

2. 1 Pet. 2:2 – by desiring His word.

a) Where is my desire? Do I find myself truly desiring to be like Jesus?

b) Do I truly desire to become stronger? To grow?

c) To set a proper example?

3. Col. 2:6-7 – by walking in Christ.

a) Put your faith into action!

b) Quit talking about what a great Christian you could be and get busy being God’s kind of Christian!

II. Be comforted.

A. Brethren at Corinth went through many things together.

1. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 – division over leadership.

2. 1 Cor. 5:1-8 – sexual immorality defiled the church.

3. 1 Cor. 12:13-26 – coveting of spiritual gifts.

4. Almost one thing after the other with them. Could have been greatly discouraging.

B. However, if they were to be made complete, they would be comforted by the things they endured.

1. Js. 1:2-4 – going through trials makes one stronger.

C. We’ve been through some trials here over the years.

D. But yet, God was there for us – every time! Each situation was overcome successfully with His help!

1. No doubt there will be more problems confront this congregation in future.

2. Remember God has delivered you each time in the past & use that knowledge to help you deal with the next trial in confidence!

3. 1 Pet. 5:7 – God is real! He knows! He cares! He will take care of us! See also Psa. 139:1-12.

E. How comforting this can be!

III. Be Like Minded.

A. To have success here requires that we will concern ourselves with obedience.

1. It means to be of one mind. Eph. 4:1-6

a) This must be our goal! It is expected behavior for a congregation that wishes to conduct itself according to God’s plan.

2. It means following the example of the Bereans – Acts 17:11

a) Examine what is taught – if it is truth – stand together on it.

b) Doing this will lead to unity w/in the body of Christ.

B. To be of the same mind helps us to live in peace.

1. There are plenty of brethren who need to be reminded of striving for peace.

a) Know of some who look at division & problems as a “badge of honor.”

b) The kingdom is NOT about dividing & conquering!

c) Gal. 5:15

2. Not to boast – but one of the greatest successes here in last 6 years has been that for the majority of time we’ve been at peace.

a) Again, peace not a bad thing – it is to be desired!

b) Let me encourage you to continue striving for peace!

C. How so?

1. Being unified on doctrinal matters. There can be no compromise here.

2. Knowing when to stand down on certain matters of opinion & judgment.

3. Being together more often – getting to know each other better.

4. Constantly praying for unity.

D. Remember this too, peace comes by being “Complete” Christians. By striving to be mature.

1. When we stray from “the same mind” differences will arise.

IV. Personal words:

A. To the men of the congregation:

B. To the bible class teachers:

C. To parents/kids:

D. To teenagers:

E. To the congregation:

Conclusion:

A. Being of one mind causes us to have harmony in the Lord’s body.

B. Are you doing your part to ensure harmony in the body of Christ?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Farewell Brethren 2003036 Introduction: A. Been thinking about this day for almost 6 months & wondering how I can put my thoughts/emotions into words. 1. I hope I can adequately express my love for all of you. 2. my appreciation for your spiritual service 3. The joy I have experienced as all of us have grown together spiritually. B. Never been too successful in containing my emotions at times like this. 1. What can one say when he leaves people he’s grown to love? 2. There’s so much to say – but it can be summarized simply by saying “I love you.” C. In 2 Cor. 13 as Paul is closing his letter to the Corinthians he tells them “farewell.” 1. The NASV translates the word as “rejoice.” 2. Basically, Paul encourages these brethren to “go on prosperously.” D. This is my wish for you: “Go on prosperously.” 1. Since this is my last sermon here as the located preacher 2. I want to spend some time looking at what Paul told the Corinthians to do in order to go on prosperously. I. Be complete. A. Being complete suggests the idea of perfection or completeness. 1. Ask: am I striving to become spiritually mature? B. Which describes me? 1. Heb. 5:12-13 – weak? Going nowhere? Life characterized by “sluggish” Christianity? 2. Or Heb. 5:14; 6:1, 11-12, 15? 3. Is serving God; imitating Him my most important priority? C. We understand becoming complete is a process. 1. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen overnight! 2. While we will never become sinless, being made complete in Christ is something we must strive for. a) 1 Pet. 2:21-25 D. How exactly may we be made complete? 1. Rom. 10:17 – it starts with faith! a) By being exposed to teaching. b) Ask: How do I take advantage of the teaching & preaching opportunities offered here? c) The frequency of my attendance at worship and bible classes says a lot about my desire to become complete in Christ. 2. 1 Pet. 2:2 – by desiring His word. a) Where is my desire? Do I find myself truly desiring to be like Jesus? b) Do I truly desire to become stronger? To grow? c) To set a proper example? 3. Col. 2:6-7 – by walking in Christ. a) Put your faith into action! b) Quit talking about what a great Christian you could be and get busy being God’s kind of Christian! II. Be comforted. A. Brethren at Corinth went through many things together. 1. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 – division over leadership. 2. 1 Cor. 5:1-8 – sexual immorality defiled the church. 3. 1 Cor. 12:13-26 – coveting of spiritual gifts. 4. Almost one thing after the other with them. Could have been greatly discouraging. B. However, if they were to be made complete, they would be comforted by the things they endured. 1. Js. 1:2-4 – going through trials makes one stronger. C. We’ve been through some trials here over the years. D. But yet, God was there for us – every time! Each situation was overcome successfully with His help! 1. No doubt there will be more problems confront this congregation in future. 2. Remember God has delivered you each time in the past & use that knowledge to help you deal with the next trial in confidence! 3. 1 Pet. 5:7 – God is real! He knows! He cares! He will take care of us! See also Psa. 139:1-12. E. How comforting this can be! III. Be Like Minded. A. To have success here requires that we will concern ourselves with obedience. 1. It means to be of one mind. Eph. 4:1-6 a) This must be our goal! It is expected behavior for a congregation that wishes to conduct itself according to God’s plan. 2. It means following the example of the Bereans – Acts 17:11 a) Examine what is taught – if it is truth – stand together on it. b) Doing this will lead to unity w/in the body of Christ. B. To be of the same mind helps us to live in peace. 1. There are plenty of brethren who need to be reminded of striving for peace. a) Know of some who look at division & problems as a “badge of honor.” b) The kingdom is NOT about dividing & conquering! c) Gal. 5:15 2. Not to boast – but one of the greatest successes here in last 6 years has been that for the majority of time we’ve been at peace. a) Again, peace not a bad thing – it is to be desired! b) Let me encourage you to continue striving for peace! C. How so? 1. Being unified on doctrinal matters. There can be no compromise here. 2. Knowing when to stand down on certain matters of opinion & judgment. 3. Being together more often – getting to know each other better. 4. Constantly praying for unity. D. Remember this too, peace comes by being “Complete” Christians. By striving to be mature. 1. When we stray from “the same mind” differences will arise. IV. Personal words: A. To the men of the congregation: B. To the bible class teachers: C. To parents/kids: D. To teenagers: E. To the congregation: Conclusion: A. Being of one mind causes us to have harmony in the Lord’s body. B. Are you doing your part to ensure harmony in the body of Christ? C. I N V I T A T I O N