DISCOURSE: 1802
A FAREWELL DISCOURSE
Acts 20:32. 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.
THIS is one of the most affecting portions of Scripture that can be found in all the Book of God. In it, the Apostle is taking leave of the Ephesian elders, over whom he had watched for the space of three years, and whose face he knew that he should behold no more. He was able to appeal to them, that, during that whole period, he had ministered unto them with the utmost fidelity, and watched over them with all the tenderness of a loving parent. And now that he was parting from them, he warned them of the evils which he foresaw, not only as probable, but certain: for that, from amongst themselves, some would arise, to introduce dissensions and divisions among them, and to fill with tares the field which he had so carefully cultivated with the purest wheat. He could not continue always with them: he therefore now commended them to God, who alone was able to complete the work which had been begun in their souls.
In these words we see,
I. The desire of a minister for his people, when present with them—
A faithful minister not only carries his people in his arms like a father, but “travails in birth with them,” as a mother [Note: Galatians 4:19.]. He pants for,
1. Their present edification—
[It is here taken for granted that they are standing on the only true foundation, the Lord Jesus Christ. In truth, if any person have not come to the Lord Jesus Christ as the one foundation of a sinner’s hope, he may be called a Christian, but he is no other than a baptized heathen — — — But, supposing that the work of conversion have really been wrought in the souls of his people, the faithful minister desires to see them built up, and edified in faith and love. He would not that any of his spiritual children should continue in a state of infantine weakness: he wishes to see them grow, and “increase with the increase of God:” from children he would have them advance to young men and fathers, till they have attained “the full measure of the stature of Christ.” If they were as eminent as St. Paul himself, he would “not consider them as having already attained, or as being already perfect;” but he would exhort them to “forget what was behind, and to press forward to that which was before; and never to relax their ardour, till they have finished their course, and attained the prize of their high calling.”]
2. Their everlasting salvation—
[They are “begotten to a glorious inheritance:” as children, “they are heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ:” and never does he consider his care for them as terminated, till he sees them translated from earth to heaven. As long as they are in the body, they are exposed to the assaults of Satan: and “he is jealous over them with a godly jealousy, lest that serpent who beguiled our first parents in Paradise, should by any means prevail over them.” They are here intermixed with sinners, by whom they may be deceived and defiled. It is in heaven only that they are beyond the reach of temptation: there are none but saints: thither all who bear that sacred character are going: and when he beholds them safely landed on that happy shore, his soul is completely at rest respecting them; and he looks forward to the happy day when he shall be united to them there, as “his joy and crown of rejoicing” for evermore.]
But, as occasional separations from them in this world are unavoidable, we may contemplate,
II.
His consolation when absent from them—
Though useful to his people as an instrument, he knows that he is not necessary to them; and that God carries on his work within them without his puny efforts. He therefore, when absent from them, commends them,
1. To God, as the source of all good—
[From God they have received all the good that is in them; and from the same divine source alone can any blessing flow down unto them. To him, therefore, the minister commits his people. And it is a source of joy to him that they have in God an all-sufficient Friend, who is ever present with them, and tenderly affected towards them, and conversant with all their necessities, and able to supply all their wants. What can they want, if only they live nigh to him t He can “make all grace abound towards them, that they may have always all-sufficiency in all things.” To his care, therefore, he commits them with confidence, assured that “He is able to keep them from falling, and to present them faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”]
2. To the Word, as the means of all good—
[The Holy Scriptures are justly called “the word of God’s grace,” because they contain a wonderful revelation of grace, suited to, and sufficient for, our every want. In that is contained every thing that we can desire, for our instruction, our consolation, and support. By that the whole work of grace may be carried on and perfected within us. It is by that that we are at first begotten to God: and by that shall we be nourished unto life eternal. “The word is able for all this, even to build us up, and to give us an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.” “By that we are made clean” and “sanctified;” and through its effectual operation on the soul will Christ perfect his whole work within us: as it is said; “He loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it may be holy and without blemish [Note: Ephesians 5:25-27.].” Now, to this fountain may every saint have access at all times; and out of it, as “from a well of salvation, may he draw water with unutterable joy.” To that, therefore, the pious minister commends his people; knowing, that, if they will but make a just use of it, it will, as God’s instrument, accomplish every end for which it has been sent, and perfect the whole of God’s work within them.]
What, then, shall now be my parting advice to you?
1.
Live nigh to God—
[On this your whole stability will depend. “If you be with him, he will be with you: but, if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” The direction which God gave to Abraham, he gives alike to all his people: “Walk before me, and be perfect.” We must set God ever before us, and walk as in his immediate presence; (yet not so much impressed with fear, as with love: for Enoch walked with God; he walked not only before him as a Master, but with him as a Friend:) going with holy boldness into his presence, spreading before him our every want, and desiring his aid in every difficulty. “Acquaint yourselves with God” in this way, and your souls shall “be kept in perfect peace.”]
2. Make good use of his word—
[It is by his word, chiefly, that God will direct and comfort your souls. I will not say that the Holy Spirit never operates in a way of direct and immediate agency upon the soul: but we are not to look for that, or expect it, in common cases. It is by shining upon the word, and applying it with power to our souls, that the Spirit usually works: and that we may expect; yea, and we shall experience it too, if we meditate upon the word, and pray over it, and implore the Spirit’s influence to seal it on our hearts. St. Peter says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere, the unadulterated milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” You all know how a little child lives upon its mother’s breast: and let it be your care to live thus upon the blessed word of God; “esteeming it more than your necessary food,” and looking for a constant communication of all needful strength through that appointed medium. Only live upon that word, and it shall surely nourish you unto life eternal.]
3. Keep your eyes steadily fixed on your eternal inheritance—
[The man who is in a race keeps his mind fixed, as it were, upon the prize; which he is determined, if possible, to obtain. Do ye in like manner keep in view the prize of your high calling; and “have respect, even as Moses had, to the recompence of the reward.” In the prospect of heaven, every trial will appear light, every effort be accounted easy. What we may meet with in life, or whether we shall ever behold each other’s face again in this world, God alone knows. But let us live for God, and for eternity: let us live, as we shall wish we had lived, when we shall stand before the judgment-seat of Christ to receive our eternal doom. Let us go forward in the path of duty, assured, that the rest which awaits us will richly repay our labours, and the crown of righteousness our conflicts.]