Dear Christian Friends,

Today is my last opportunity to preach God's Word to you. I searched through the Bible to find a text which I can use as my guide to say the right things to you today, for my last sermon.

I have chosen some of Paul's last words to one of his churches. Paul is in prison and expects he will be killed for Christ's sake. He wrote one last letter to the church at Philippi from prison.

I like his words and want to use them also as mine to you.

I. The first word, "Love one another."

It is very important for you to love one another. When Jesus Himself said, "Good bye to His disciples His last word to them was the same: "A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another ... By this shall all people know that you are My disciples if you really love one another" (John 13:34-35)

If you love one another you show that you really know God and that you really are His children. If you do not love one another, you will be jealous of one another; you will complain much and argue much.

Paul writes here in our text, "In everything you do, avoid complaining and arguing, so that no one can blame you." (v. 14, 15a) Paul knew and Jesus knew that we humans (sinners) easily become jealous of one another and quarrel and argue. That's why in their "Good Bye" sermons they warn the disciples about that.

During the vacancy you will get tempted more than before to become jealous of one another, because you will take up more responsibilities yourselves, some responsibilities that I had. Some will be leaders and readers for worship services. Others will be asked to sign hymns more and more. You may argue about who will do which work and will get tempted to feel jealous of one another.

So I stay to you, "Love one another." 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 his talent. Don't refuse to cooperate in doing the Lord's work. Thank God for that person and his talent.

John writes, "Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God and that they are learning to know Him better." (1 John 4:7)

"Love one another!" That's my first Goodbye Word to you. Now the second Goodbye Word!

II. "Offer the Word of Life"

Paul writes in our text, "You must live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, Offering to them the Word of Life." (v. 15b,c & 16a)

Here Paul reminds (warns) the church at Philippi about their chief work and purpose. They must not waste time being jealous and quarreling among themselves, but love one another and cooperate to do the precious work of the Lord: "Offering the Word of Life Eternal to stubborn, crooked people who live in this dark world. They should be like warning lights for ships that pass during the night. Same a warning light lets large ships know about reefs near by so ships are not wrecked on reefs.

Same as you members here of Good Shepherd Church should be warning to all deaf who still live in darkness and sin and not yet believe in Jesus Christ. Offer to them the Word of Life Eternal. That's your chief work and purpose. Don't forget it!

Volunteer to read Epistle. Volunteer to sign the hymns! Volunteer to read the sermons Rev. Reinbolt will prepare for you. Volunteer to lead in the prayers and worship. You can't do more important work because when you do that you are offering the Word of Life to one another and to strangers who may visit here.

No matter that you are not the worship leader, come anyway. When you come to church regularly you are helping to offer and show the Word of Life to our dark world. When you stay home and sleep or wash your car on Sunday or go to other meetings, you are not helping to show the Word of Life, but hide it.

"Offer the Word of Life to this dark world" that's my second Goodbye word to you. Now the third Goodbye Word:

III. Remember that Christ will come back on the Judgment Day.

Paul says, "Then when Christ returns I will be very happy to see that my work is not wasted on you." (v. 16b)

Paul wants the church at Philippi to remember that they will see and meet each other again on the Judgment Day, when Jesus returns. He wants them to remain true to Jesus until death or until Jesus comes back. Then he will be happy because he did not waste his time preaching to them.

Same way I feel. Now I have preached to you 6.5 years. If I do not meet you and see all of you again in heaven I will be very disappointed. I will feel I wasted my time on you. I worked and suffered here for nothing, if you do not continue believing in Jesus and doing His work.

But if I see you again and meet you again in heaven, I will be very satisfied and happy like Paul says here. I will know that my suffering and work, my ministry here in Toledo was not wasted.

So, "Remember Jesus will come again and we will meet again!" That is my third Goodbye Word to you.

Review: 1. "Love one another"

2. "Offer the Word of Life"

3. "Remember Jesus will come again."

Amen