A Backward Glance On the Journey of Life

It’s hard to believe, but… I have preached over 5,000 times lead hundreds of hours of Bible Studies had a daily radio program for 3½ years [ minute devotionals] Dedicated 164 babies Baptized more than 300 persons Solemnized over 200 weddings Officiated at 127 funerals and taught over 900 students in formal college level instruction.

Jesus gave us a commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Mt 28:18-20

In obedience to His call… I have had the privilege of doing this for 52 years, – on five continents, – in two languages and sometimes through translation into several other languages. I can report that Jesus has faithfully been with me and has blessed me.

The Word of God is Saving, Transforming and Edifying 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. - Heb 5:12-14

Instruction can be appropriate to the maturity level There is a time to be born, first physically then spiritually. – A newborn needs milk, and God’s Word is often milk for such. – But the mature need the meat of the Word. I have tried to preach & teach the whole counsel of Scripture.

The Assignment was to Establish and then to Equip Believers 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. – Eph 4:11-12

Discipling & Mentoring is a process We each need to learn to live life the Jesus way Then we need to learn to minister in Jesus name.

There comes a time to say goodbye and delegate the care of God’s church From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 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. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20 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. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. – Acts 20:17-35

That time came for Paul and he did it And the church survived and thrived. Now it’s my turn to release and farewell. I fully trust that Jesus will continue to build His church. – I don’t plan to die soon – I’ll still be around. – I am not stepping of the edge of the earth. – My role is changing. I will no longer be your pastor. I will still be your friend and brother in Christ. Corinna and I will be gone frequently for a while.

Whatever else happens, let’s make sure that we endure to the end Then we can be together for all eternity.