|
Come And See
| |
Many congregations view a preacher's departure as a
negative time. In the New Testament though, it was for the most part a positive
event when a preacher left. Although he would be missed, the ultimate outcome of
his leaving would be to benefit the kingdom of God. The reasons that we find a
preacher leaving in the New Testament, is so that the word can be established in
other places as well. A congregation should take the valuable lessons that they
learn from a preacher of the gospel and apply them in times of his departure,
rather than become discouraged and quit laboring in the kingdom. Elders should
be able to teach and exhort in his absence. This lesson was preached in such a
setting as is described above...
EXHORTATIONS IN DEPARTURE
Introduction
1. When Paul departed from a congregation of the Lord’s people, or when he
wrote them a letter in his absence, he always had a word of exhortation for the
brothers and sisters in that location.
2. Paul’s intentions in doing so was to promote their faithfulness, and work
in the kingdom of God.
3. I do not claim to be an apostle of Christ, and I will not attempt to give
any exhortations that are not found in the word of God.
4. What we want to accomplish today is to take a look at Paul’s exhortations
in departure, as they are just as valid today as they were in the days of Paul.
Discussion
I. PAUL DEPARTED WITH MANY DIFFERENT PURPOSES
A. Paul departed to different congregations to be with them.
1. Acts 18:18
“And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while,
and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with
him Priscilla and Aquila;…”
2. Acts 20:1-7
“And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him
the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And
when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came
into Greece, And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him,
as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. And
there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians,
Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia,
Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas. And we
sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them
to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. And upon the first day of the
week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them,
ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
3. II Corinthians 2:13
“I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus
my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia…”
4. Acts 21:1-8
“And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched,
we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and
from thence unto Patara: And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went
aboard, and set forth. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left
hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to
unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said
to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And when we
had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought
us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we
kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of
another, we took ship; and they returned home again. And when we had finished
our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode
with them one day. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and
came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist,
which was one of the seven; and abode with him….”
B. Paul departed preaching the word of God
1. II Corinthians 2:12
“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel,
and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,…”
2. Acts 13:4-5
“So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia;
and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they
preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also
John to their minister…”
3. Acts 14:20-21, 24-26
“Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came
into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
And when
they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned
again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,…”
“And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace
of God for the work which they fulfilled.”
4. Acts 20:7,20,27
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together
to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and
continued his speech until midnight.”
“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed
you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying
both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ…
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
C. Paul departed promoting obedience
1.Acts 14:22-23,27-28
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue
in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom
of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and
had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed
all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto
the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples.”
2. Acts 15:40-41
“And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the
brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia,
confirming the churches.
3. I Thessalonians 4:1-10
“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus,
that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye
would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the
Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye
should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to
possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of
concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond
and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of
all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called
us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth
not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
But as
touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are
taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren
which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more
and more;”
4. I Thessalonians 5:14-25
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the
feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render
evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among
yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every
thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast
that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of
peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be
preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he
that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us.”
5. Philippians 1:27
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that
whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that
ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of
the gospel;…”
6.1 Tim 2:1-8
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in
the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in
Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will
therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and
doubting.”
7.Colossians 2:5-10
“For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit,
joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in
Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in
him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have
been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the
rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the
fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of
all principality and power:…”
8. II Thessalonians 2:13-17
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of
the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by
our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been
taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,
and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting
consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you
in every good word and work.”
9.Jude 3
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye
should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints…”
10. Philippians 2:12-13
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of
his good pleasure.”
D. Paul departed warning of false teachers, and doctrines.
1.Acts 20:28-32
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath
purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that
after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the
flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to
draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space
of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now,
brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are
sanctified.”
2.Jude 4
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into
lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
3. Galatians 1:6-9
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace
of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that
trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached
unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel
unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
4. II Thessalonians 3:1-7
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free
course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered
from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is
faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence
in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we
command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the
patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves
know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among
you.”
Conclusion
1. Paul not only traveled a great deal, but exhorted the brethren to keep the
faith, obey the Lord, and beware of false doctrine.
2. These are the kinds of exhortations that we need in today’s world as many
have strayed from these things.
3. My prayer is that this congregation will understand our move, continue to
be faithful and true to God’s word, and to fulfill the work that God commands we
do.
4. We will be praying for you and we ask that you do the same for us.
5. For those of you who have never obeyed… may you also see the necessity for
following the Lord and obeying His commands.
HEAR Romans 10:17
BELIEVE John 8:24
REPENT Luke 13:3,5
CONFESS Matthew 10:32-33
BAPTIZED Mark 16:16
FAITHFUL Revelation 2:10
|
