FINAL WORDS
A farewell message to Trinity Fellowship Church (Greer, SC) — Sunday, May 28, 2023
Numbers 6:22-26
INTRODUCTION:
Well, what a week this has been. Of all the sermons I’ve ever prepared to preach — this may have been the most challenging one I’ve ever written. And the reason, is because its really impossible for me to wrap up everything I feel for you in one simple message.
Truly, it’s been a challenge. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written — and re-written — and re-written this message over the last 6 weeks. But, if you’ll bare with me — I’ll do my best to share my heart and express my thoughts (in a way that honors God and blesses you) this morning.
I’ve often said, “There may be a BIGGER church around, but you’ll never find a BETTER one!”
I want take just a few moments to bless you — and say GOODBYE! But know this, I’ve never really been very good at GOODBYES! In fact, I’ve never really liked them. I think that’s primarily because saying goodbye has always seemed so final! It feels like a harsh conclusion to shifting season of life. It feels like an abrupt end to something good. And, I’m not a big fan of that kind of thing! I much prefer GREETINGS over GOODBYES!
I like beginnings — but I’ve always disliked goodbyes! But sometimes it just seems necessary to say GOODBYE! And so, knowing this day was coming — I began preparing several weeks ago. And one way I did this — was by RESEARCHING the roots of our practice of saying GOODBYE. I wanted to know why we say it, and how it began.
And here’s what I discovered:
First of all — SAYING GOODBYE is not really a biblical concept. At least not in the way we do it.
I mean, there are times when people would part ways, or seasons of life would change. There are places where people would bid their friends and family farewell — but not in the same way we THINK OF “SAYING GOODBYE!” The word used most often in Hebrew to do this is the word SHALOM. Which is a way of blessing someone with peace. It’s a way of wishing them a full and meaningful life.
In the New Testament, there are a few places where people say farewell, but again — the context is different than what we think of with the word GOODBYE! And, that’s because…the word GOODBYE is an exclusively ENGLISH word and concept. In studying the etymology of the word GOODBYE, I discovered that doesn’t actually mean what I thought. It’s not really a word of closure. Or finality. Or a word of ending.
It was never meant to be a summary or conclusion of a season or relationship. What I discovered is that the word goodbye was first penned in a publication in 1590. When an author wrote it as short hand for something else. It was actually used as an abbreviation for another phrase. And, here’s how he spelled it:
“GODBWYE”
Again, this was the FIRST TIME IT WAS EVER USED…and it was actually an abbreviation for the phrase, “GOD BE WITH YE!”
While it was used as a farewell greeting. The point wasn’t to close a season or end a relationship. But rather, to offer a WORD of promise, and a BLESSING of hope to someone else! The writer wrote this NEW WORD as a sort of “short-hand” for saying, God be with you! Well, over the years — the spelling would change…as would the meaning. And eventually we would be left with theempty and sad modern version of, “GOODBYE”! But this morning, if you’ll allow me — I’d like to return to the original meaning of this word.And instead pronouncing a PARTING OF WAYS — instead, I’d like to proclaim a BLESSING over you.
I’d like to say — as you venture into a new season of life as a church and new opportunity to accomplish GOD’S DREAM under the guidance of a new pastor and family…MAY GOD BE WITH YOU!
So, if you have your Bible — turn with me to Numbers chapter 6.
It’s here that we find a story that sort of aligns with your journey as you embark on a new season and move towards the future and God’s promise for you as His people..
In Numbers 6, we find a story that tells us of a journey and a blessing. It describes Israel’s preparations for leaving Mt. Sinai (where they had been encamped for nearly a year). This story serves as sort of a LAUNCHING of God’s people into a NEW SEASON. A season of moving from where they were — into the PROMISED LAND (of Canaan).
3500 years ago God instructs Moses to speak to Aaron (his brother and Israel’s high priest) and also his sons —and have them issue a beautiful and divine promise of blessing upon the people as they continue their journey forward. This is a blessing that we’ve already sung about this morning, but know this — it was at it’s roots, to be a blessing for a new journey! A journey under new leadership. And a journey for an incredible future!
If you’ve turned there — follow along as I read. Beginning in verse 22, we’re told: 22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ — Numbers 6:22-26 (NIV)
As Moses begins this blessing — he states 3 different times, that this blessing is one that would come from the Lord. So don’t miss this — while I want to bless you today, I remind you that the BLESSING really comes from the Lord.
So, here’s what I want to say…
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU…AND,
1. MAY HE KEEP YOU!
Moses said, 24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you…”
In our culture, the word “bless” is often overused. We sometimes use this word to express gratitude (so when we gather around a table, we might ask someone to say a blessing, or to bless the food.
We often sing songs about it — like, “Blessed Assurance”, or “Bless the Lord.”, “come thou fount of every blessing,” and on and on we sing.
Maybe the most common way we use this word is when someone sneezes and we respond by saying, “Bless you.” Thats really a custom that dates back to 6th century. When “Gregory I became Pope. In the year 590AD, an outbreak of the bubonic plague swept through Europe, making its way to Rome. In hopes of fighting off the disease, he ordered unending prayer and groups of chanters to roam the streets calling on God to save and protect.
Well, at the time people thought sneezing was an early symptom of the plague. So the people began responding to sneezes by saying “God bless you!”, hoping that would stop the disease.”
I find that I use it the most when I write letters, email, or message to others, I often write it as a salutation — as a way to say goodbye.
But proclaiming a blessing upon someone is godly…it’s BIBLICAL!
The Hebrew word for “bless”— is the barak, and it means to kneel down. To come close.
So, just as a loving father might kneel down — to get close to his young child, so also God, when comes close and kneels down to us. Not out of worship — but out of a heart of love. He kneels down, or gets close. And I’m doing so, He blesses his children.
I know it sounds strange that aged would kneel, and that was hard for the people of the Jewish faith to understand too. They thought, why would God condescend Himself to mankind’s level?
But as believers in Christ — we know that, that’s exactly what Jesus did when He came from heaven to earth. He knelt down on our level.
As Paul says in Philippians 2,
Jesus “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” — Philippians 2:6-7
And again in Ephesians 1, he said,
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” — Ephesians 1:3
Jesus has already come — and He has already gotten down on our level — to BLESS OUR LIVES.
And this phrase “the Lord bless you” implies that he would care for you physically as much as He would spiritually. And that’s why this blessing also asks that God would also KEEP YOU!
Meaning, may God continue to provide for you and hold you close. Because sometimes it’s easy to wander when we’ve been blessed.
The Jewish Rabbis used to teach about this from a book called the Talmud, sort of their Hebrew commentary on scripture. And what they said was we first ask God to bless us. And provide for us. But then we ask him to keep us, because if he does give us material blessings, we need to be protected from the evil results such prosperity may bring.
So, the Lord bless you — and KEEP YOU. Protect you. Watch over you. Guard you from becoming too enamored by the gift and not the giver. If we aren’t careful, the blessings can become distractions from God Himself. So may he bless you…and KEEP you. May He make it His priority to provide for you and guard your heart as well. May you never forget — every good gift has comes from His hand.
As James tells us in the New Testament, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:22). Every good thing we receive in this life comes as a gift from God.
And my prayer is that God would be with you all in the days to come — and one of the ways He would do this, is to meet your needs. To bless you and this church, beyond measure. That He would supply you with everything you need to live well and fulfill His call on your life.
And, I know He will. But even so, that’s my prayer for you.
Secondly, my hope for you is this… MAY GOD BE WITH YOU…AND,
2. MAY HE BE GRACIOUS TO YOU!
As Moses’ prayer continued, so does mine.“May…the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you!”
When Moses prayed, “May…the Lord make his face shine on you…” He was saying, may you encounter God, come to know him personally and closely, and may you experience His loving approval in your life. In ancient days, a shining face (in ancient terms), referred to the countenance of someone. And so, a shining face was a smiling face. A face revealing God’s delight and approval of you.
And so, my prayer for you — is that God would always look upon you with splendor and goodness and that you would recognize His loving favor of you. And that you’ll always walk in the confidence that He is with you and for you. Because, He loves you.
But more than that, I pray that you would also experience God’s amazing grace in greater measure (with each passing day).
One amazing thing about this prayer of blessing, was that — when it was first given (in Numbers 6), it was shortly after they people of Israel experienced that incredibly bad lapse of judgment. Remember they had lived at the base of Mt. Sinai for a year — and during that time, they lost focus and choose to create their own idol of gold. And like the Egyptian people they had left — they made an idol (a Golden Calf), and the worshiped it.
And while God could have rejected them, or abandoned them for their senseless betrayal, instead, He showed them mercy, andgave THEM GRACE! And now, through this prayer of blessing — Moses is reminding them that God’s ability to show grace was far greater than their ability to sin against Him.
And, that’s what I want to remind you of today. Because, there will most likely be days when you’ll lose focus and you’ll make poor decisions…but even then, God will give you grace! And no where is His grace more prominent — than in the cross of Jesus.
So, what I’m really praying for you — is that you’d always remain CROSS-CENTERED (both personally — and corporately). And as you do…that GOD’S GRACE would abound in you!
Well, my final prayer for you is this… MAY GOD BE WITH YOU…AND,
3. MAY HE GIVE YOU PEACE!
As Moses said in verse 26, “May…The LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace.” This is the crowning touch of God’s blessing upon you. Don’t miss the prophetic reminder here ofGod’s plan to send Jesus as our Redeemer! Even in the midst of this Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6, God seeds this blessing with the promise of His son — (the one Isaiah would call), THE PRINCE OF PEACE!
Paul ends his letter to the believers in Philippi by saying, 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mindsin Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
The peace that I speak over you today is not a peace that comes because of anything you may do. It can’t be produced or manufactured. It’s only comes through our faith in Jesus.
You can’t make it, earn it, or broker it, or create it. It’s only found in Jesus! Because through Him a divine peace treaty was established. And when you trust in Jesus, His peace comes as bonus.
And here’s how it works. Because Jesus paid for your sin — when you put your faith in Him, God’s places His attention upon you. THROUGH JESUS, He looks upon you. He turns his face towards you andshows you His kindness, favor, and love!
And as He does, He comes close. And with His closeness you receive His peace. It’s like a warm blanket that He tucks around you for life. And, that’s my prayer for you — that you will live with an awareness of God’s attention on your life. And with His closeness you would experience lasting peace! Now, and forever more!
CONCLUSION:
—So, as I prepare to step down from this sacred space for the last time as your pastor, I bid you farewell. GOD BE WITH YOU!
— May He always keep you.
— May He always be gracious to you.
— And, may He give you peace
CLOSING PRAYER:
I’m going to ask Lori to come and join me — and as she does, would you bow your heads with us, and allow us to pray a prayer of blessing over you? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for this church — for the impact it’s made on my life and the lives of so many others (here in the Upstate and around the world). Thank you for their passion for you. Their love for others. And the difference they’re making for your Kingdom. My prayer today, is that their labor and ministry in the past — would simple be the prologue to even greater things and even great days. May you continue to draw them close to you. May their hunger for Your Word increase. May their expression of worship intensify. May their dependence upon Jesus deepen. May their love for one another and their support of one another grow. And may their witness for Jesus become greater. And as it does, may you bless them. Increase their vision. Expand their dream. Grow this congregation and their influence within the Upstate. I pray they would experience increase in everything they do. Grow their ministries, multiply their efforts, fill this house and this campus with new families and new believers. Help them disciple the masses. And may they live up to the great call your placed on their lives. May you bless their next pastor and his family. Make the transition easy. Help them to love their next pastor the way they have loved us. And may you always KEEP THEM, be GRACIOUS TO THEM, an GIVE THEM PEACE! I pray this in Jesus name! Amen.