{"id":683,"date":"2023-08-09T00:54:02","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T00:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=683"},"modified":"2023-08-09T00:54:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T00:54:03","slug":"final-words","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/final-words\/","title":{"rendered":"FINAL WORDS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FINAL WORDS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A farewell message to Trinity Fellowship Church (Greer, SC) — Sunday, May 28, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Numbers 6:22-26<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, what a week this has been. Of all the sermons I\u2019ve ever prepared to preach \u2014 this may have been the most challenging one I\u2019ve ever written. And the reason, is because its really impossible for me to wrap up everything I feel for you in one simple message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Truly, it\u2019s been a challenge. I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve written \u2014 and re-written \u2014 and re-written this message over the last 6 weeks. But, if you\u2019ll bare with me \u2014 I\u2019ll do my best to share my heart and express my thoughts (in a way that honors God and blesses you) this morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve often said, \u201cThere may be a BIGGER<\/strong> church around, but you\u2019ll never find a BETTER<\/strong> one!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want take just a few moments to bless you \u2014 <\/strong>and say GOODBYE<\/strong>! But know this, I\u2019ve never really been very good at GOODBYES<\/strong>! In fact, I\u2019ve never really liked them.\u00a0<\/strong> I think that\u2019s primarily because saying goodbye has always seemed so final!<\/strong> It feels like a harsh conclusion to shifting season of life<\/strong>.\u00a0It feels like an abrupt end to something good.<\/strong>\u00a0And, I\u2019m not a big fan of that kind of thing!<\/strong> I much prefer GREETINGS <\/strong>over GOODBYES<\/strong>!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like beginnings<\/strong> \u2014 but I\u2019ve always disliked goodbyes!<\/strong>\u00a0But sometimes it just seems necessary to say GOODBYE<\/strong>!\u00a0And so, knowing this day was coming<\/strong> \u2014 I began preparing several weeks ago. And one way I did this \u2014 was by RESEARCHING<\/strong> the roots of our practice of saying GOODBYE<\/strong>. I wanted to know why we say it,<\/strong> and how it began.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s what I discovered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all <\/strong>\u2014 SAYING<\/strong> GOODBYE<\/strong> is not really a biblical concept. At least not in the way we do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mean, there are times when people would part ways<\/strong>, or seasons of life would change. <\/strong>There are places where people would bid their friends <\/strong>and family farewell <\/strong>\u2014 but not in the same way we THINK OF \u201cSAYING GOODBYE!\u201d\u00a0<\/strong> The word used<\/strong> most often in Hebrew<\/strong> to do this is the word SHALOM<\/strong>. Which is a way of blessing someone with peace<\/strong>. It\u2019s a way of wishing them a full and meaningful life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the New Testament, there are a few places where people say farewell, but again \u2014 the context is different than what we think of with the word GOODBYE! And, that\u2019s because\u2026the word GOODBYE<\/strong> is an exclusively ENGLISH<\/strong> word and concept. In studying the etymology<\/strong> of the word GOODBYE<\/strong>, I discovered that doesn\u2019t actually mean what I thought. It\u2019s not really a word of closure<\/strong>. Or finality<\/strong>. Or a word of ending.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was never meant to be a summary or conclusion<\/strong> of a season or relationship. What I discovered is that the word goodbye<\/strong> was first penned in a publication in 1590<\/strong>. When an author wrote it as short hand for something else. It was actually used as an abbreviation for another phrase. <\/strong>And, here\u2019s how he spelled it:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGODBWYE\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this was the FIRST TIME IT WAS EVER USED\u2026and it was actually an abbreviation <\/strong>for the phrase, \u201cGOD BE WITH YE!\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it was used as a farewell greeting. The point wasn\u2019t to close a season or end a relationship. But rather, to offer a WORD of promise<\/strong>, and a BLESSING of hope<\/strong> to someone else! The writer wrote this NEW WORD as a sort of \u201cshort-hand\u201d for saying, God be with you!\u00a0<\/strong> Well, over the years \u2014 the spelling would change\u2026as would the meaning.<\/strong> And eventually we would be left with theempty and sad <\/strong>modern version of, \u201cGOODBYE\u201d!<\/strong> But this morning, if you\u2019ll allow me \u2014 I\u2019d like to return to the original meaning of this word.<\/strong>And instead pronouncing a PARTING OF WAYS \u2014 <\/strong>instead, I\u2019d like to proclaim a BLESSING<\/strong> over you.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d like to say \u2014 as you venture into a new season of life as a church and new opportunity to accomplish GOD\u2019S DREAM <\/strong>under the guidance of a <\/em>new pastor and family\u2026<\/em><\/strong>MAY GOD BE WITH YOU!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you have your Bible<\/strong> \u2014 turn with me to Numbers chapter 6. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s 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\u2019s promise for you as His people.. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Numbers 6, <\/strong>we find a story that tells us of a journey and a blessing.\u00a0It describes Israel\u2019s<\/strong> preparations<\/strong> for leaving Mt. Sinai <\/strong>(where they had been encamped for nearly a year). This story serves as sort of a LAUNCHING<\/strong> of God\u2019s people into a NEW<\/strong> SEASON<\/strong>. A season of moving from where they were \u2014 into the PROMISED<\/strong> LAND<\/strong> (of Canaan<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3500<\/strong> years ago God <\/strong>instructs Moses <\/strong>to speak to Aaron (his brother and Israel\u2019s high priest) <\/strong>and also his sons <\/strong>\u2014and have them issue a beautiful and divine promise of blessing upon the people<\/strong> as they continue their journey forward.\u00a0This is a blessing that we\u2019ve already sung about this morning, but know this \u2014 it was at it\u2019s roots, to be a blessing for a new journey! A journey under new leadership. And a journey for an incredible future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve turned there \u2014 follow along as I read. Beginning in verse 22,<\/strong> we\u2019re told: 22\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>The Lord said to Moses, <\/em>23\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u201cTell Aaron and his sons, \u2018This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:\u00a0 <\/em>24<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u201c\u2018\u201cThe Lord bless you and keep you; <\/em>25<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; <\/em>26<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.\u201d\u2019<\/em> — Numbers 6:22-26 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Moses begins this blessing \u2014 he states 3 different times, that this blessing is one that would come from the Lord.\u00a0So don\u2019t miss this \u2014 while I want to bless you today, I remind you that the BLESSING<\/strong> really comes from the Lord.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, here\u2019s what I want to say\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MAY GOD BE WITH YOU<\/strong>\u2026AND,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. <\/strong>MAY HE KEEP YOU!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moses<\/strong> said,\u00a0 24<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u201c\u2018\u201cThe Lord bless you and keep you\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our culture, the word \u201cbless<\/strong>\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We often sing songs about it \u2014 like, \u201cBlessed Assurance\u201d, or \u201cBless the Lord.\u201d, \u201ccome thou fount of every blessing,\u201d and on and on we sing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe the most common way we use this word is when someone sneezes and we respond by saying, \u201cBless you.\u201d Thats really a custom that dates back to 6th century. When \u201cGregory I<\/strong><\/a> became Pope. In  the year 590AD, an outbreak<\/strong><\/a> of the bubonic plague<\/strong><\/a> swept through Europe, making its way to Rome. In hopes of fighting off the disease, he ordered unending prayer<\/strong> and groups of chanters to roam<\/strong> the streets calling on God to save and protect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, at the time people thought sneezing was an early symptom of the plague. So the people began responding to sneezes by saying \u201cGod bless you!\u201d, hoping that would stop<\/strong> the disease.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I find that I use it the most when I write letters, email, or message to others, I often write it as a salutation \u2014 as a way to say goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But proclaiming a blessing upon someone is godly\u2026it\u2019s BIBLICAL<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hebrew<\/strong> word for \u201cbless<\/strong>\u201d\u2014 is the barak<\/strong><\/a>, and it means to kneel down.<\/strong> To come close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, just as a loving father might kneel down \u2014 to get close to his young child, so also God, when comes close and kneels down to us. Not out of worship \u2014 but out of a heart of love. He kneels down, or gets close. And I\u2019m doing so, He blesses his children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s level?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as believers in Christ <\/strong>\u2014 we know that, that\u2019s exactly what Jesus did when He came from heaven to earth. He knelt down on our level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Paul<\/strong> says in Philippians 2, <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus<\/strong> \u201cWho, 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\u201d\u00a0<\/em>— Philippians 2:6-7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And again in Ephesians 1,<\/strong> he said, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPraise be to the God and Father of our Lord <\/em>Jesus Christ<\/em><\/a>, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ\u201d<\/em> — Ephesians 1:3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus<\/strong> has already come \u2014 and He has already gotten down on our level \u2014 to BLESS OUR LIVES<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this phrase \u201cthe Lord bless you\u201d implies that he would care for you physically as much as He would spiritually. And that\u2019s why this blessing also asks that God would also KEEP YOU! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meaning, may God continue to provide for you and hold you close. Because sometimes it\u2019s easy to wander when we\u2019ve been blessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, the Lord bless you \u2014 and KEEP YOU. Protect you. Watch over you. Guard you from becoming too enamored by the gift and not the giver. If we aren\u2019t careful, the blessings can become distractions from God Himself. So may he bless you\u2026and KEEP you. May He make it His priority to provide for you and guard your heart as well. May you never forget \u2014 every good gift has comes from His hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As James<\/strong> tells us in the New Testament,<\/strong> \u201cEvery good and perfect gift is from above\u201d<\/em> (James 1:22<\/strong>). Every good thing we receive in this life comes as a gift from God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And my prayer is that God<\/strong> would be with you all<\/strong> in the days to come \u2014 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, I know He will. But even so, that\u2019s my prayer<\/strong> for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, my hope for you is this\u2026 MAY GOD BE WITH YOU<\/strong>\u2026AND,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. <\/strong>MAY HE BE GRACIOUS TO YOU!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Moses\u2019 prayer continued, so does mine.\u201cMay\u2026the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Moses<\/strong> prayed, \u201cMay\u2026the Lord make his face shine on you\u2026”<\/em> He was saying, may you encounter God, come to know him personally and closely, and may you experience His loving approval <\/strong>in your life. In ancient days, a shining face <\/strong>(in ancient terms), referred to the countenance of someone. And so, a shining face was a smiling face. A face revealing God\u2019s <\/strong>delight and approval of you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, my prayer for you \u2014 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\u2019ll always walk in the confidence that He is with you and for you. Because, He loves you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But more than that, I pray that you would also experience God\u2019s amazing grace in greater measure <\/strong>(with each passing day).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One amazing thing about this prayer of blessing, was that \u2014  when it was first given (in Numbers 6<\/strong>), it was shortly after they people of Israel experienced that incredibly bad lapse of judgment.<\/strong> Remember they had lived at the base of Mt. Sinai for a year \u2014 and during that time, they lost focus and choose to create their own idol of gold. And like the Egyptian people they had left \u2014 they made an idol (<\/strong>a Golden Calf), and the worshiped it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while God could have rejected them, or abandoned them for their senseless betrayal, instead, He <\/strong>showed them<\/strong> mercy<\/strong>, andgave THEM GRACE! <\/strong>And now, through this prayer of blessing \u2014 Moses is reminding them that God\u2019s ability to show grace was far greater than their ability to sin against Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, that\u2019s what I want to remind you of today. Because, there will most likely be days when you\u2019ll lose focus and you\u2019ll make poor decisions\u2026but even then, God will give you grace!<\/strong> And no where is His grace more prominent<\/strong> \u2014 than in the cross of Jesus.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what I\u2019m really praying for you \u2014 is that you\u2019d always remain CROSS-CENTERED <\/strong>(both personally \u2014 and corporately). And as you do\u2026that GOD\u2019S GRACE <\/strong>would abound in you!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, my final prayer for you is this\u2026 MAY GOD BE WITH YOU<\/strong>\u2026AND,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. <\/strong>MAY HE GIVE YOU PEACE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Moses<\/strong> said in verse 26,<\/strong> \u201cMay\u2026The LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace.\u201d<\/em> This is the crowning touch of God\u2019s blessing upon you.\u00a0Don\u2019t miss the prophetic<\/strong> reminder<\/strong> here ofGod\u2019s plan to send Jesus<\/strong> as our Redeemer!<\/strong>\u00a0Even in the midst of this Aaronic Blessing<\/strong> in Numbers 6<\/strong>, God seeds this blessing with the promise of His son<\/strong> \u2014 (the one Isaiah<\/strong> would call), THE PRINCE OF PEACE!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul<\/strong> ends his letter to the believers in Philippi by saying, 7\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your <\/em>hearts<\/em><\/strong> and your <\/em>minds<\/em><\/strong>in Christ Jesus.<\/em> — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The peace that I speak over you today is not a peace that comes because of anything you may do. It can\u2019t be produced or manufactured. It\u2019s only comes through our faith<\/strong> in Jesus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t make<\/strong> it, earn<\/strong> it, or broker<\/strong> it, or create<\/strong> it. It\u2019s only found in Jesus!<\/strong> Because through Him a divine peace treaty was established. And when you trust in Jesus, His peace comes as bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s how it works. <\/strong>Because Jesus<\/strong> paid for your sin \u2014 when you put your faith in Him, God\u2019s places His attention upon you. THROUGH JESUS,<\/strong> He looks upon you. He turns his face towards you <\/strong>andshows you His kindness<\/strong>, favor<\/strong>, and love<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as He does, He comes close. And with His closeness you receive His peace. It\u2019s like a warm blanket that He tucks around you for life.\u00a0<\/strong>And, that\u2019s my prayer for you \u2014 that you will live with an awareness of God\u2019s attention on your life. And with His closeness<\/strong> you would experience lasting peace! Now, and forever more!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014So, 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!<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 May He always keep you. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 May He always be gracious to you. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 And, may He give you peace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLOSING PRAYER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m going to ask Lori to come and join me \u2014 and as she does, would you bow your heads with us, and allow us to pray a prayer of blessing over you? Let\u2019s pray:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavenly Father, I thank you for this church \u2014 for the impact it\u2019s 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\u2019re making for your Kingdom.\u00a0My prayer today, is that their labor and ministry in the past \u2014 would simple be the prologue to even greater things and even great days.<\/em> 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.<\/em> 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.\u00a0May 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.\u00a0And may you always <\/em>KEEP THEM,<\/em><\/strong> be <\/em>GRACIOUS TO THEM,<\/em><\/strong> an <\/em>GIVE THEM PEACE!\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>I pray this in Jesus name! Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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