Dear Christian friends:

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain neither labored in vain."

Today is my last opportunity to preach God's Word to you as your pastor. True, I will continue to preach to you on the first and third Sundays of each month during the vacancy, until the new pastor comes, but that will be as a guest pastor, not the same as now. I searched in the Bible to find a text which I could use to bring God's message on this special day. I have chosen some of St, Paul's last words to one of his churches. Paul was in prison at Rome expecting to be killed for Christ's sake when he wrote this last letter to the church at Philippi. I have chosen the words of our text from this letter as my last words to you as your pastor.

The first words of my farewell sermon are:"Love one another."

On the evening before He was crucified Jesus said farewell to His 12 disciples. One of the things He said to them was: "A new commandment I give to you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then all will know that you are My disciples." (John 13:34-35)

If you do not love one another, you will be jealous of one another; you will complain and argue much. Paul writes in our text, "Do all things without murmuring and disputing. (verse 14) Paul knew and Jesus knew that we Christians still have our old sinner nature, and therefore easily become jealous of one another and quarrel and argue. That is why they in their farewell sermons warn their followers to remember to love one another.

During the vacancy you will be tempted more than before to become jealous of one another. Why? You will be taking up more responsibilities yourselves, some of the responsibilities that I have had. If one person receives more honor than another, accept that. Thank God that He gave that person talent to be a leader. Don't feel jealous of that person. Refuse not to help and cooperate in doing the Lord's work. Remember God has given each one of us a special talent or gift, not all the same. Know your talent and use it to serve one another, and by that serve God. Don't be jealous, but love one another.

It is most important that you love one another so that you can do the Lord's work during the vacancy and beyond. Paul reminds of this in our text. He writes, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (verses 14-15)

If you love one another, you will shine as lights in this crooked and perverse nation or world. The unbelievers will easily see that you are God's children. They will see you showing love, kindness, forgiveness and patience to one another. When church members do not love one another, the unbelievers see that and hear about that. They think, "Those church members are all hypocrites. I won't join their church. They do not have the true religion." Many people are saying that about the T.V. Evangelist, Jimmy Swaggart. They say that he is a hypocrite. They will say the same about you if they see that you do not love one another. If you do not love one another, you will not shine as lights in this crooked and perverse world. You will not be in a position to do the Lord's work. You will not be blameless and without rebuke. You will not be living as the sons of God.

That we may do God's work we must first be "blameless, the children of God and without rebuke." In other words: "Love one another."

However, if we love one another, we will shine as lights to the unbelievers and will be able to hold forth the word of life to them. This leads me to the second words of my farewell sermon: "Hold forth the word of life." (verse 16a)

"Holding forth the word of life" means to preach the Gospel, baptize, celebrate the Lord's Supper, support your church with your prayers and offerings and by volunteering to use your gifts and talents as officers and workers in your church. It also means to support the work of your District and Synod.

Sometimes when a pastor leaves a church, during the vacancy, the members do less church work and cut down on their offerings. Our city, our District and world very much needs the word of life that Jesus has given to you to proclaim. Don't withhold the word of life, but hold it forth!

St. Paul gave the church at Philippi a good reason to love one another and to hold forth the word of life. It also is a good reason for you today. What is that reason? Paul writes, "That I may rejoice in the Day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." (verse 16b) Every pastor wants to think that his ministry at a certain place was successful, that he did not work “in vain," for nothing.

I have preached here at Pilgrim for almost ten years and to the deaf for about 40 years. Is my work a success or a failure? How can a pastor judge success or failure? Here St. Paul judges on the basis of the members being in heaven on "the Day of Christ." When Christ returns on the Last Day, Paul will rejoice, feel that his ministry was a success if he sees the members in heaven with Jesus. Paul is really saying to the Philippians:"Do you want to make me happy? Then let me see you in heaven on the Day of Christ."

I know that today you want to please me and make me happy. And you will wish Ferol and myself a happy retirement. And perhaps you will have a surprise gift for us. We appreciate that, but if you really want to make us happy, love one another; hold forth the word of life; be there in heaven on the Day of Christ!

Amen.