This lesson is one of the “farewell sermons” I put together. I have a bibliography for those who would like it.This sermon became the last one I preached in my previous church. The title was inspired by the tagline of a comedian who was popular when I was a kid and I have a series (unrelated to preachers relocated) that I am working on using the tagline “I’ll Tell You This”
To start with, I quoted “so long, farewell” from the Sound of Music (I think that is the title of the song), then I go into the lesson.
I’ll tell you this. Today, is my last sermon here at CHURCH NAME as your full time preacher. If I ever preach to you again, it will be as a guest at something like homecoming or if you visit a congregation where I am preaching.
I. I’LL TELL YOU THIS: Remember Why God Sent Me Here
A. Acts 20:21 Paul talks here about how he served them with humility, how he was tested, and then he sums up his purpose very nicely in verse 21: “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
B. My twofold purpose being here:
1. My first purpose for being here was first of all to share with you some bad news: that all (me included) are sinners. We all deserve the wrath of God and that you ought to turn to your God and ask him to forgive you.
2. My other purpose for being here was to share with you the good news – the Son of God has died on a cross as a sacrifice for your sins, that he has risen from the dead, and that God offers you the forgiveness of sins and eternal life freely, because of Jesus Christ.
II. I’LL TELL YOU THIS: Fulfill Your Ministry
A. II Timothy 4:1-5 Paul told Timothy to ‘preach’ the word, Himself, to speak what God has spoken.
1. Timothy’s (and ours) responsibility is not just to hear it and to believe himself, now he is to preach it to others.
2. That means preach the good news of salvation for sinners.
B. I Timothy 4:2 Remember, the urgency of the gospel.
1. I Timothy 4:2 The verb ephistemi, In our context, the word means insistence and urgency. ‘Never lose your sense of urgency’ It is no good preaching in a listless or lackadaisical manner.
2. Sinners need to know their plight under the judgment of God and the saving action of God through the death and resurrection of Christ, and the summons to repent and believe.
III. I’LL TELL YOU THIS: Proclaim the whole counsel of God
A. Acts 20:26-27 Note the link in verse 27 “for” which makes this one thought instead of two. IMPORTANT to note the details of the text!
1. Ezekiel 33:7-9, The background of Acts 20:26-27 is reminiscent of Ezekiel’s watchman charge.
a. Like Ezekiel, warn the wicked that their sins lead to death.
b. Ezekiel 33:8b. Like Ezekiel, our responsibility is to warn the wicked, do not be quiet.
B. You all are called of God to share and warn unbelievers of their peril in not treasuring Christ above all things.
1. We are not to pick and choose the parts we like and dislike, or only preach the parts that people want to hear. And we all have our soapboxes, but we are called to preach it all.
2. That is one reason why you can count on what you hear being from Him. Not to preach the whole counsel of God subverts Christ’s authority as head of the church.
IV. I’LL TELL YOU THIS: Watch Over Each Other
A. Acts 20:28a The next thing that Paul charges them to do is to spiritually watch over lives.
1. This especially applies to church elders. We don’t have elders here, but you must still look out for one another. “Take heed,” Paul said, “therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock.” Notice the order.
a. Yourselves first, then the flock. It is possible that even an elder or other long term Christian who has known the Lord for many years may be tripped up by some snare of the enemy.
2. The idea is not that we are all up in everyone’s business,
but that we lovingly watch for signs of spiritual sickness in others.
B. Galatians 6:1-2 Paul stressed one primary truth in the brief instructions presented in Galatians—we are each responsible for one another. Refusal to accept this responsibility is evidence that an individual is not spiritual.
V. I’LL TELL YOU THIS: Defend Against Coming Attacks
A. Acts 20:29-31 With or without elders, a congregation must be alert and watchful so as to defend the flock.
Paul also said that men would rise up from among the Elders and/or rank and file and seek to lead people astray by twisting or perverting the truth so as to rip disciples apart from the flock.
B. Using the shepherd illustration, Paul forewarned the Ephesian elders of the coming attack on the flock by vicious wolves.
1. Some would attack from outside the church. These false teachers would invade the church after the departure of Paul and, like wolves, ruthlessly attack the flock. The false teachers would bring with them their fine-sounding words, not sparing a soul who would believe and follow them.
2. Other attacks would come from inside the church (even some of you). Paul warned that some of their own members, in order to build a following, would distort the truth and lead away a portion of the flock to their own doom. False teachers did, in fact, hound the church at Ephesus (from The Life Application Commentary Series)
CONCLUSION: Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that one of their major roles was to guard the flock (20:28). Churches are susceptible to all kinds of dangers — false teaching, satanic attack, spiritual disease, sin, laziness, apathy, deception, distraction, and divisiveness.
Let’s not get lazy or apathetic or distracted. With or without me, you will still have a lot of work to do in this community. As I leave this place and move on, Let me tell you this:
I’ll Tell You This: Remember Why God Sent Me Into Your Life
I’ll Tell You This: Fulfill Your Ministry
I’ll Tell You This: Proclaim The Whole Counsel Of God
I’ll Tell You This: Watch Over Each Other
I’ll Tell You This: Defend Against Coming Attacks
