Lessons From Paul's Farewell Sermon

We're going to begin the reading of God's word at Acts 20 verse 13 and read through the end of the chapter.! This comes near the end of Paul's third missionary trip.

! When he met us at Asos, we took him aboard and went on to Mytilene.

The next day we set sail and from there and arrived at Chios. The day after that, we crossed over to Samos and on the following day arrived at Miletus.

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them, You know how I lived the whole time I was with you.

From the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you, but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

However, 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, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he brought, which he bought with his own blood.

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

So be on your guard. Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work, we must help the weak. Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was the statement that they would never see his face again.

Then they accompanied him to the ship. I stopped my brother on the way asking how many minutes should I preach. It's because when last week I was at, or the previous week at the Banner in Leicester in UK.

And I was given five minutes to speak, to give a report about Kenya. And then I realized Ian Murray coming slowly to where I was telling me that time is over.

So if you need to do that, please walk slowly and I will know my time is over. But dear friends, with great delight, I am among you.

And especially that I can bring God's word to you. Again, may I just say that I will try to speak a little slower so that you can pick my accent.

But if really there is something that you fail to pick, then after the service, definitely let's talk more about it.

But again, a joy that we can look at God's word together. And so the passage has been read. And Paul, on his third missionary journey, on his way back to Jerusalem, has opportunity, a brief opportunity, to speak to the elders.

And I would like us, looking at this passage, to draw some lessons for us. It is very easy when you read a passage like this to say, oh, well, I suppose he's going to speak to our pastors here.

Because anyway, Paul called the elders in Ephesus. But while I trust the preachers of God's word in this church, including myself, I trust will benefit from what we will see.

Indeed, this is God's word to all of us. And that may the Lord help us to draw some lessons that will be truly for our encouragement.

Let's think of a mother, a good mother. A mother who is just about to set off to the market and is leaving behind little children.

Think, for example, Millicent, the wife of Julius, in the photo that we had earlier seen. And she wants to go to the market.

She may take a little long there. But she leaves behind those little children. Think of a situation where, then, they live in this single room.

And so, at the corner somewhere, there is a stove with water in the pot on the fire. What would a mother tell her children?

You can guess. And especially in my context, a mother would say, no going out of the house.

Stay indoors. You know, just in case someone abducts you, someone hijacks you. Stay indoors. But also, while therefore they must stay indoors, the mother would say, no touching the fire.

No trying to open the lid of the pot. Because a mother is concerned. She sets before her dear children instructions to follow for their own good.

A mother is not mean when she does that. But she longs for the safety of the children. She longs to see her children grow up to maturity.

To a time when, then, they will be able to leave the home and start their own families. But, therefore, that makes her lay very clear instructions for them.

Well, I bring that simple illustration to show us that Paul here is acting as a good mother.

And Paul, having been in his missionary journey, and anyway, he had spent quite some time in Ephesus, he is going away.

What is it that Paul sets before these people as he is going away? He sets before them very important instructions.

He wants these people to remember these things among other things. Well, I'm not planning to go away.

I'm here till Thursday, so that illustration may not quite fit my situation. And I'm only here briefly. I've not stayed here for three years.

However, recently, when your pastor was going to Philippines, I suppose when he preached the last, he may have preached something that he would have wanted the church to remember.

But also, as he was going, we thank God for the great safety measures that he's taken in our flights, you know, in travel arrangements.

But it's never guaranteed that when one leaves, they will come back. And so, Paul wants to set before these people things they should remember.

I would like us to learn some lessons, because these lessons are for all times, not only for Paul and his people, not only, I trust, when pastor was going away and for you, but here we are standing back and looking at Paul's instructions and seeing, oh, okay, so we can learn a few things from Paul's instructions to these elders, and therefore, by extension to the church in Ephesus.

What are some of them? We will draw out some four things that Paul sets before these people. But all these four things, they seem to have, or they're not the same, they have a thread that runs through them.

One single thread runs through them and ties them together. That thread is the gospel.

The first thing that, therefore, Paul tells these people, a lesson we can learn, is Paul's own experience. Paul tells these elders, and therefore, again, by extension, the church in Ephesus, he tells them how he handled his own life and ministry while he was among them, and that through that, they may be able to conduct themselves.

There, from verses 18 to 21, just to remind you again, I have before me New King James Version, and so as I read just those few verses, this is what we find.

When they had come to him, he said to them, you know from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews, and how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and that is the thread of the gospel there.

But Paul really is saying, listen, Ephesian elders, listen, you believers in Ephesus, my own experience among you is something I want you to remember.

Paul always lived what we would call an open life, so that all believers, and non-believers, but all in Ephesus saw and witnessed, and that is why Paul says, you know how I lived from the first day among you.

You know it. It was not hidden. And that he says, he lived among them in humility. Now friends, let's remember who Paul is or was.

He was the great apostle. And ordinarily, that would have caused Paul to talk in some boastful way, or in some lofty way, not in humility.

However, Paul lived in humility. And he says, listen, I did that, and you know, but along with that, Paul says, with many tears.

Paul, who knew the blessings of God, Paul, who could preach, and people, even could be healed, just a handkerchief from Paul, who would bring great changes in people's lives.

Paul tells us, that he lived among these people, not only in humility, but with tears. In other words, there are things in the lives of the Ephesians, that caused him pain, and therefore made him to weep.

And that it's not only, did it happen in Ephesus, but apparently, wherever Paul went, among people he labored, Paul was taken up so much, by the things that were happening in people's lives, that he shed tears, in more than one place, and more than, in different situations.

You think of the book of Philippians, Paul writing to them, and there in Philippians chapter 3, verse 18, if we pick it from verse 17, Paul says, brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern, but in verse 18 he says, this is because many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you with even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

There are many things that caused this preacher, this man of God, this shepherd of the flock, tears to roar from his eyes.

And so, it happened to him in Ephesus. And apparently it wasn't just once, it wasn't just at some corner, but this characterized his ministry, including, those who hated him, those who plotted for his death.

earlier in verse 3, he tells us, verse 2, Luke records for us, chapter 20, verse 2, now when he had gone over that region, and encouraged, listen, he encouraged, he spoke things to encourage people, with many words, he came to Greece, verse 3, and stayed three months, and when the Jews plotted against him, and so we see, the plot there against Paul, and that characterized his ministry.

But Paul moves on, and he says, listen, these things obviously happened to me, with many tears, trials, which happened to me, by the plotting of the Jews.

Verse 20, and how I kept back nothing, that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house.

And that was Paul's experience. Both publicly, in private, Paul spoke, and Paul spoke of things which were good, things which were helpful, things which he knew, would do good to his hearers.

And he says, he proclaimed them. He didn't just wish, that his hearers would know, but he proclaimed them, and so that is the idea of, without any shame, standing, and speaking of these things.

And then he goes on, and he says, listen, you want to know the content, of what I taught, and preached publicly, and privately, verse 21, testifying, to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward, our Lord Jesus Christ.

And Paul really, is telling us here, that he spoke, to these people, whether privately, or publicly, as a man, under oath. He spoke, as a man, who stands, at a court of law, to be able, to tell, the judge, that yes, I saw what happened, and I heard what happened, and I stand by my word.

And this is how, Paul viewed the gospel. Paul was, fully convinced, of the gospel, and that he spoke, testifying.

And that's a very strong word. And we take note, Paul did not switch, the content, of his ministry, when he's speaking, to one group, and then he turns around, and speaks to another group, in a different way.

No, he says, that he spoke, both to the Jews, and to the Gentiles, one truth. And what is it? Repentance to God. Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

And so, because all have sinned, Paul says, the only way, we can get, back to God, is if we repent. Repentance, therefore, is a must.

For all, for the Jews, who are religious, and for the Gentiles, who had, as it were, no hope, there is only one way, to God, repentance. And so, that is the end, result, repentance.

But how do we reach God? Well, it is, through faith, in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Trusting, that which, the Lord, Jesus Christ, in Christ, for that which, he has done.

Taking, our place, dying, our death, paying, our penalty. Saying, Lord, I cling, to that. Amen.

I faith, Christ, will lead us, to the very end. That is why, in the book of John, he says, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one, reaches to the Father, but through me.

And so, we see, therefore, Paul claims, or brings us, really, appeals to his own experience. How he lived, and how he ministered, among these people.

Paul was, characterized by the gospel. But in the second place, Paul, like a good mother, about to leave, his children, you know, her children, Paul, then, tells us something.

We may ask him, Paul, what, what works you up, like that? Paul, what motivates you, to so speak like that, to so stand, on your ground, like that?

What motivated you, Paul, when you are among us, all these years, to make you, labor the way you did? And so, we see then, in this second place, the motivation. And as we think of the motivation, what motivated Paul, we actually, move a little, and we realize, that Paul is, being motivated, from an angle, or from some, other place.

Paul was being, controlled, through, another, a greater, through the Lord, almighty. And so, we are seeing, as we think of the motivation, in the life of Paul, we could well, be asking this question, or stating this, how God, handled Paul's life.

How God, handled Paul's life. That is where, his motivation, came from. Look with me, verses 22, to 24. And see now, Paul tells them, I go, bound in the spirit, to Jerusalem, not knowing the things, that will happen, to me there, except that the Holy Spirit, testifies in every city, saying that chains, and tribulations, await me.

But none of these things, move me, nor do I count, my life dear, to myself, so that, I may finish, my race with joy, and the ministry, which I received, from the Lord Jesus, to testify, to the gospel, of the grace of God.

There, we see Paul again. Do you see, how this thread goes? Not only in his life experience, was the gospel, that thread.

But now, in his motivation, he tells us, it's the gospel. I'm doing all this, for the sake of the gospel. But let's see it then, in a little, let's expound it a little.

You see, Paul the great apostle, admits here, that he did not know everything. Definitely, Paul did not know, his future, as he says in verse 22.

However, he says, and he declares, that God, not only knows, but God has planned, his future. And that, that plan, also includes, suffering.

Now, that beats, close to my heart, at the moment, when I, I talk about, God's plan, in our lives, including, suffering, or includes, suffering.

I say, it beats close to me, because, back in Kenya, the, word of faith movement, the, prosperity gospel, is causing, so much, damage, to the church, of Christ, where, preachers, would stand, and tell you, you don't need, to suffer.

You don't need, to suffer, whether it be, financially, or, health wise. After all, you're the child, of the king. And Christ, anyway, suffered for you, so you don't need, to suffer, to have any pain.

And I say, it's close to my heart, because I'm, writing, some paper back, in my studies. And I'm trying, to look at, the impact, the negative impact, that the, prosperity gospel, is impacting, on our, kind of churches.

And causing, my own colleagues, in a wider sense, those who, stand for, the complete, counsel of God.

And as we preach, these people are preaching, in the neighborhood, saying, come to us, and all your problems, will be gone. And of course, after so, many weeks, and years, in some situation, those who have, gone to them, and their problems, persist, then come to us, when they are, worn out.

And of course, then we have, to teach them, that yes, your problems, are a part of, God's plan, towards you, reaching, glorification. And Paul, is telling us, I don't know, the future, but the Lord, is telling me, the future, is in his hand, he has planned it, but this includes, suffering.

And you see, dear friends, I know you know this, but we need to, hammer this home. You see, the experience, of Christian life, as we move, to heaven, suffering, is a part of it.

and in Acts, chapter 14, verse 23, verse 22, 23, this is what Paul says, or Luke records, that then, Paul and others, they went back, strengthening the souls, of the disciples, exhorting them, to continue in the faith, and saying, we must, through many tribulations, enter the kingdom of God.

And so, tribulations, or suffering, are very much, a part of our, Christian experience. You see, when Paul knew, that yes, as he goes, he doesn't understand everything, but he knows, problems are ahead.

How did Paul respond? How did he react? And Paul, when God told him, Paul, you will suffer, but it is all in my hand.

And my plan must stand, Paul. I've called you, I have a mission, Paul. And I've called you, as a part of that mission, to go, and carry out this, and suffering will be a part of it.

Paul's response, as we could paraphrase, God, I will do it. And I will want to finish, my race, with joy.

That's really what Paul is saying here. And you see, Paul was going, Paul was saying, God, I will do it gladly. Why? Because it is, the gospel, of the grace, of God.

And so, friends, the sovereign God, who has called us, and is pleased, that we may move on, to the very end, motivates us, by seeing that the gospel, must be preached.

The gospel, of the grace, of God. Again, just to remind you, it's this thread, running through, not only, in his experience, but that which motivates him. And this comes, from God himself.

I have a plan, and I've called you, in that plan. And Paul says, God, I will do it, whatever, the cost. this is, and this must be, our motivation, in our Christian life, but also, in our ministries, as we preach, and serve God's people.

Let the gospel, motivate us. But then, I move on, and time is catching up, very soon. And, we see, Paul's experience, we see, Paul's motivation, but we also see, Paul's warning.

Paul warns, the Ephesians. Paul, tells them here, listen, this is the way, you should handle yourself.

I've shown you, how I've handled myself, among you. I've shown you, how God has handled me. But now, I am showing you, how you must, handle yourself. And we see there, that single thread, running through, that is the thread, of the gospel.

And now, as it were, Paul is saying, your safety, if you would listen, to my warning, your safety, lies in the gospel.

Every time, I have flown, a few times, but they always, tell you, even if you have been flying, for so long now, please listen to this, you know, measures, and then they tell you, should there be a need, you know, there will be this, mask that will drop, and then you'll also have, this jacket over you, and, and they take you, through that procedure, for your safety, should there be a need, in the flight.

and so, Paul, brings a warning, and shows them, that, their safety, really, is the gospel. Look at verse 25, as we move on, to 31, and indeed, now, I know, that, you all, among whom, I have gone, preaching the gospel, of the kingdom of God, will see my face, no more.

Therefore, I testify, to you, this day, that, I am innocent, of the blood, of all men, for I, for I have not, shunned, to declare, to you, the all counsel of God.

Therefore, take heed, to yourself, unto all the flock, among which, the Holy Spirit, has made you overseers, to shepherd, the church of God, which he, purchased, with his own blood.

For I know, that, this, that after my departure, service, jewels, will come in, among you, not sparing, the flock. Also, from among yourselves, men, will rise up, speaking, perverse things, to draw away, the disciples, after themselves.

Therefore, watch, and remember, that for three years, I did not cease, to warn every, one night, and day, with tears. And so, Paul says, listen, I've been, among you, but now, I will be, among you, no more.

Paul says, and listen, to these words, I am, innocent, of your blood. Thus, that, that phrase, may appear, rather unkind, sharp, but no, is like, a good mother, leaving the family, leaving the little children, behind, and saying, listen, my last point is, don't touch the fire.

But Paul, like a good mother, says, I know, I won't be among you, anymore, but I want you, to bear this in mind, take heed, take heed, to yourself, and of course, he goes on, take heed, to the flock, and it's because, the flock of God, is precious, here, it is said, in these words, the church of God, which he bought, or purchased, with his own blood, is so precious, to God, and Paul, is saying, take heed, Paul, why are you, so serious, why are you, bringing such words, why are you, even threatening, that look, I won't be here, anymore, and honestly, now I'm innocent, I've taught you, all these years, I'm going, take heed, but why are you, talking like that, you, by the way, you'd remember, Ezekiel, the same, and God, told Ezekiel, Ezekiel, one, one, but if you stand, if you won, but they do not, take heed, then, it will be upon them,

Paul had warned, the people in Ephesus, the time now, has come, that he must go, why, this serious warning, is because, people will come, false teachers, will come, and he had described, in some, very interesting way, not just wolves, wolves, but savage wolves, wolves that are bad, bad intention, would cheer you to pieces, if they can, but we are told, that their intention, is to then, draw people, to themselves, very much opposed, to what Paul stands for, Paul says, look to Christ, I have, not shunned, but gave you everything, so that you'd look to Christ, but these people, will cheat you, so that they have people, to themselves, and so Paul says, no, take care, watch, in many churches, in my country, there are those, who do not, pay close attention, to who occupies, their pulpit, but you see, the problem begins there, if one who occupies, the pulpit, and therefore brings,

God's word, is not, properly known, or trusted, scripturally, then the beginning, that's the beginning, of problems, well it's very humbling, that I should be trusted, to stand before you, bringing God's word, but really I say, it is those, who are allowed, to stand here, that must be guarded, because, dear friends, you're precious to God, and he would not, want you to go astray, and therefore he says, those who teach you, definitely publicly, but then those, who teach you, privately, must be those, who can be trusted, and Paul is telling, these people, take heed, take heed, to yourselves, and may, may the Lord, raise among you, those who are, genuinely qualified, and therefore, those who, when, your pastors are away, on duty, or laid aside, because of illness, then you have, a body of, others, who can occupy, this pulpit, at the moment, it's been a challenge, for me, to have someone, to stand for me, thankfully, by the way,

I have four men, who will be occupying, and even today, earlier, Samuel, from Kisumu, preached last week, someone else preached, and the two Sundays, others will preach, men who, I truly trust, in God's word, but we need, to be careful, so that, the sheep, are not, exposed, however, I also say this, Paul, actually, is able to say, I am innocent, of your blood, now that, that phrase, can be, shocking, but you see, dear friends, and now I, apply this to you, may the Lord, so have mercy, on you, who hear the preaching, in this place, to act upon it, to believe it, of course, a few months ago, God called home, your senior pastor, he's gone to be, with the Lord, he could not be here, forever, and we don't know, who will be next, but a time will come, when your pastors, will not be here, any longer, may it not be, that they would say, you know, almost in a negative way,

I am innocent, of so and so's blood, but may it be said, in a way, God, I know I have preached, God, they have received, your word, and joyfully, I'm innocent, of their blood, friends, let's make sure, that when the gospel, is preached, we heartily, receive it, then it will help us, then, there will be, no regret, for our pastors, yes, I know, there may be, those individuals, oh, I have pleaded, with that particular individual, that particular family, Lord, I give up on them, but that would be very sad, and so friends, while it is called today, and you hear the gospel, preached from this pulpit, receive it, receive it, and believe it, I must hasten on, and then in the fourth place, I just want to say this, if that is where, we ended it, Paul ends, it would have ended, in a rather sharp note, almost frightening, no, thankfully,

Paul ends, with a word of encouragement, and I want to also, leave this word of encouragement, to every one of you, and what is the encouragement, the encouragement, is what promise, there lies, for those who would obey, this word, again, this thread, still running through, and now we see it, as the anchor, the anchor, the solid rock, and we see it then, in verses 32, and on, but we'll just speak, the first part, of that remaining portion, where Paul says, in verse 32, and now brethren, I commend you, to God, and to the word, of his grace, which is able, to build you up, and give you, an inheritance, among all, those who are, sanctified, and that surely, is a note, of encouragement, I commend you, to God, and that would, have been sufficient, but he goes on, he says,

I commend you, to God, and to the word, of his grace, and what is that, but that is the gospel, it is the gospel, and he says, God is able, to keep you, by his word, by his power, the gospel, is able, you Ephesians, the gospel, is able, to build you up, against the storms, of false teachers, and dear, friends, in, Grace Fellowship Church, Bremen, the gospel, is able, to build you up, don't, feel you have, had too much of it, let it be, that which you, feast on daily, I know, many children, don't like spinach, but a good mother, would say, no you need, a little spinach, oh mommy, I had it yesterday, you need it today, again, and gospel, of course, is better, many times, than a spinach, but friends, we need it, oh yes, we need it, many times, you see, just as, when we began, with the gospel, and we were saved, through it, and we see our lives, running, and this thread, running through, it is the gospel, that will lead us, home, it is the gospel, through which, we will be able, to join with the others, to receive our inheritance, and that of course, is talking of heaven, and so it is, the gospel, through, and through, through, through, through, to make sure, that my dear brother,

Jason, does not walk, and pat me on the shoulder, I must now, come to a conclusion, dear Christian, leaders here, pastors, and those who have opportunity, to have an impact, in the rest, of the people, in this place, I do want to plead with you, as I plead with myself really and remind myself that Paul must be our example for faithful labor even when we suffer.

Even when we suffer. I would not be a good example but in a little way the Lord has allowed me to go through a little bit of a dose of suffering in one way or another.

But I've seen the gospel proving to be ever so that which I have needed. And in God's goodness I was here among you just at a time such as this so that these past few days I joined a host of other men and women and I was greatly blessed being reminded it is the gospel that I must stand on and still move forward in.

And I encourage every teacher and preacher here to be faithful taking after the example of Paul. And please may the mission of God and our calling constantly be a motivating factor.

That God who has this great plan and then in a little way he has allowed me to serve him and move that plan forward.

God I want to be faithful to you. And what is this grand plan that the gospel may be made known. And so may this push us forward.

May it motivate us. May we be like Job. Even if he kills me I will trust him. And may that be our prayer.

And then for you dear professing Christian I do want to plead with you and really all of us take heed. Watch and be on your gird that you are not swayed away that you are not pulled away.

Let the daily constant dose of the gospel being prescribed from this pulpit be yours to take.

And surely that then means at every means of grace you want to be here. You want to know what is it that the Lord is telling me through his servants here through our pastors here and you be there and receive such as is taught.

Because that is the life jacket that you need to be able to safely reach heaven itself. But then as I close I know among us a time like this in God's goodness there are those who are listening to God's word but again you know you are not saved.

Maybe you are admiring the believers in this church and you are saying maybe someday the Lord will save me but I still don't understand these things anyway. But let me come to church and so you are at church this morning.

Do you know there is no secret agenda there is no special diet there is no extra prescription given to the rest who have embraced the gospel.

and so they have become members of this church through being saved and being baptized. Don't stand outside don't wait for something else don't say if only I know what is it that made them be saved then I would you know it now it is the gospel.

God so loved sinners like us that he sent his only begotten son and that we then may be saved through him and in this small space of time Paul making reference to his experience to his motivation even in his warning Paul tells these people it is the gospel that will lead you home and I want to encourage any who is not a believer here this morning it is the gospel you need to know that Christ died for sinners even like you and like the rest of us and that if you should trust him you should just say then Lord Jesus I don't understand much of what he has said his accent has kind of made me be lost a little but he is pressing one point home believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and if you catch that you have it oh that the Lord may have mercy upon every one of us so that we would realize that oh it is the gospel we have to live in the experience of the gospel it must motivate us we must stand as it were constantly be reminded of it as when you fly every time

I know some of the people who have met in the flight of course they look like they have always been flying so they don't pay attention but we need it ourselves the gospel and then by God's grace that's in gospel the Lord will use it to reach us home it's all by grace as explained in the gospel may the Lord's name be praised let us pray oh our father we thank you very unworthy people as we are but whether they are in Eldorate far away from here or right here at Grace Fellowship Church you have loved us sinners you sent your son the Lord Jesus who carried our punishment but who also now brings us all that we need in a positive way to be your children and to safely arrive home in heaven itself we are privileged we are thankful that it is one thing that all of us can reach by your grace and that is the gospel and so we pray that this will be in a new way in a fresh way encourage every one of us oh God and I plead

I plead with you for the unsaved among us Lord may they not move away from this church just the same as they came in oh Lord may your Holy Spirit work to change them to show them that Christ has done it all and they need to trust him so hear us so bless us together we commend ourselves to you these things we pray in Jesus name Amen