Sermons on Tearful Farewell:

Loving All The Way Until It Hurts Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 14, 2025

Remember that the letter to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus Himself was made perfect through suffering. If we, too, want to share in His glory, we must also be prepared to suffer, perhaps a lot. And loving can involve suffering too, can't it?

Fifth Sunday of Easter 2025 Pope St. John Paul II looked at Our Lord Jesus as the fulfillment of what we might call “human potential.” He was and is the man that Adam was created to become. Lamentably, Adam and Eve tried the Satanic shortcut, attempting to become divine by disobeying a direct ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:21-27, Psalm 145:8-13, Revelation 21:1-5, John 13:31-33, John 13:34-35, Hebrews 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Acts Of The Apostles # 29 Of 39

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 14, 2022

In chapter 19 we read where Paul's ministry reached its climax in Ephesus.

God worked in a marvelous way! New converts actually forsook their former practice of black magic, and in a public burning, they destroyed over $10,000.00 worth of occult scrolls and magic charms, thus openly proclaiming their faith in the Lord Jesus. Illus: Wilmington states, "It is often ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:1-38

Denomination: Baptist

Final Exhortations

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Aug 3, 2007

*(Revised: December 2010) Paul exhorts us not to rest on our laurels, but to keep improving on what we are doing as a church. (Can also be used as a "farewell" message for Pastors leaving their church)

EXHORTATIONS ARE UNIQUE EPILOGUES THAT ANNOUNCE THE JOYS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WELL-DOING WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SOUNDING THE ALARM TO WARN AGAINST GROWING CONTENT WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF FRUITFUL MINISTRY. THE CHURCH IS A LABOR OF LOVE AND CANNOT SEPARATE THE TWO BY LABORING WITHOUT LOVING OR ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Power Of One

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Dec 27, 2014

A perspective on John 17: 20-26. When we pray, we are not alone. Jesus, who is in us prays with us. Can you imagine that?

John 17: 20-26 The Power Of One It’s time for my family and I to depart, time to say good-bye. No doubt, there will be mixed emotions as we say good-bye. Nonetheless, God’s plans are greater than our own. He is the one that closes and opens doors, he is the one that calls and sends so ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Meanwhile

Contributed by Monty Newton on Nov 30, 2015

Hope is why we persevere in a long obedience in the same direction.

Title: Meanwhile Text: I Corinthians 15:50-58 Thesis: Hope is why we persevere in a long obedience in the same direction. Explanation: In 1980 IVP published Eugene Peterson’s book, “A Long Obedience In The Same Direction.” Thirty-five years ago Peterson had picked up on a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Leadership During Tough Times Series

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Nov 16, 2010

Paul's farewell speech to the church at Ephesus presents a picture of what Christian leadership should look like.

Walking through a supermarket, a young man noticed an old lady following him around. He ignored her for a while, but when he got to the checkout line, she got in front of him. "Pardon me," she said. "I'm sorry if I've been staring, but you look just like me son who died recently. "I'm sorry for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-38

Denomination: Baptist

God's One Veil, Our Many Veils

Contributed by Lawrence Bradford on Sep 22, 2012

TEAR DOWN YOUR VEIL!

“GOD'S ONE VEIL, OUR MANY VEILS” SERMON TEXT: MATTHEW 7: 1-5: 1. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2. For you will be treated as you treat others.The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3. “And why worry about a speck in your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fellowship Is More Than Food 2

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jan 25, 2007

Exposition of Rom 12:9-21 regarding fellowship within the body of Christ

Text: Rom 12:9-21, Fellowship is More Than Food, part 2, Date/Place: NRBC, 1/28/07, PM A. Opening illustration: In C.S. Lewis’ book, The Four Loves, he says there are four basic kinds of love. He gives them their Greek names: agape -- the God-like self-giving love even toward enemies; philia -- the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Final Proclamation To Pastors

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 23, 2021

Paul gives a farewell sermon to the pastors at Ephesus. We consider the relationship of sheep with shepherd on a Good Shepherd Sunday.

4.25.21 Acts 20:28 28 “Always keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. This is part of Paul’s farewell speech to the pastors in Ephesus. He was on his way ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28

Denomination: Lutheran

Maintaining Balance In Practice And Doctrine

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 9, 2006

Six areas of balance essential to as successful Christian walk are discussed in this Pastor’s farewell address.

Maintaining Balance in Practice and Doctrine Eph 4:14-15[1] 1-8-06 Intro This morning and next Sunday will be my last two messages as Pastor of this church. Two opportunities to speak—and then I must entrust you to others. That reality weighed heavily upon me as I sought the Lord for this ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-15

Denomination: Charismatic

Characteristics Of A Good Leader

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Dec 31, 2015

In his farewell speech Paul advises the leaders at Ephesus how to become good leaders of the flock.

Imagine after spending nine years in missionary work being asked by God to leave your ministry area to go to a place where persecution and then prison are guaranteed! Instead of being concerned of his own welfare Paul was genuinely concerned for the leaders of the church at Ephesus. He spent ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:13-38

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer & Parting Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Jul 6, 2003

Final in the series "Patterns for Prayer." Looks at Pauls farewell with the Ephesian elders as a pattern for praying together as we say goodbye.

Prayer & Parting Text: Acts 20: 22-38 Introduction This sermon was scheduled before I knew with certainty when or even if I would be leaving Heidelberg. So perhaps it is providential that here just about exactly one month before my departure as we conclude this series of sermons on prayer that we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:22-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Wept

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Feb 18, 2020

Have you ever stopped to wonder what could possibly bring tears to the eyes of God? Can you imagine the face of Jesus, moist with his own tears? Are they tears of weakness or of strength? Of fear or compassion?

TITLE: JESUS WEPT SCRIPTURE: ST. JOHN 11:35 This is the shortest verse in the Bible -- “JESUS WEPT.” But for all its grammatical simplicity, it’s packed with unfathomable complexity. No book has a higher Christology, the study of Christ, than the Gospel of John. His persistent focus on ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35

Denomination: Baptist

"The God Who Wipes Every Tear” Revelation 21:4

Contributed by David Cramer on Dec 8, 2025

A message of hope in the times we are living in.

Good Morning. Stand with me and hold up your Bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught more of the Word of God. I boldly confess: My mind is alert, My heart is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is For Me

Contributed by Dr. Scott Caudill on Apr 1, 2002

How did David make it through one of the darkest valleys of his life? By knowing that God was on his side!

GOD IS FOR ME!! Psalms 56:1-13 The 56th Psalm has somewhat of an interesting subscription to say the least. If you’ll notice just over verse #1 of this particular Psalm, we can gather that it was addressed to the chief musician. And then notice these words, “Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim,”. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:1-13

Denomination: Baptist