I came with a sermon.

It's what Lutheran Pastors do.  We come with a sermon.  Not a sales pitch or an eloquent expose -- but a sermon.  A word from the Word.   

But long before we stand before the sheep we kneel before the Shepherd.  Before we put on a robe we roll up our sleeves.  Text studies.  Prayer time.  Translation work. Writing. Rewriting.  First preaching to ourselves, sometimes to the pews and finally to the people. 

We come with a sermon.

When I arrived at Chipeuka, I had a Bible in my hand and a sermon on my heart.  I was prepared for this most special worship service. 

The text?  Read them and weep:  Acts 20:13-38.  

One can't help but read these verses with a lump in your throat.  It's an emotional scene.   Paul is saying goodbye.

Why would I choose such a text?

Because I was doing the same thing:  saying goodbye.  This special service on the 20th of January was a farewell service.  Mine.

Paul was going to Jerusalem. (v.22)
    I am going to Lilongwe.
Paul was compelled by the Spirit. (v.22)
    So am I.
Paul was leaving his dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
    Me, too.

But before he sails, he speaks. 

An elder bringing up a gift for me. Inside the bag was a BIG bunch of bananas!

Since his words are as timely as they are applicable, may I make a suggestion?  Read the verses for yourself.  Read these 26 verses just prior to the next time you are going to escort someone to a door, a car, a bus or a plane.  Even if they are leaving but for a day or two. 

I have a hunch that that day will come soon.  Because if you are like me, you are constantly bidding farewell.  Saying goodbye seems to be as common as saying anything!  

     Someone is going off to school for another semester.  
      He's going away on a business trip. 
    She's staying in a nursing home and you're just visiting. 
      He's going on the road for his sports team and she's going on a class trip.
    That family is going on a vacation. 
      Your child is spending the night at a friend's.

Will you ever see him/her/them again?

We assume so.  We hope so!   Our verbal exchanges reveal the expectation in our heart: 

See you tonight! 
See you tomorrow! 
See you when you return!   See you next month! 
See you next furlough! 

Will we see each other again?

In regard to the elders from Ephesus congregation, Paul didn't think so.  In fact, he told them he wouldn't.  It was those very words that really hit them hard. (v. 38).

I posed the same question to all those who came to the Farewell service.  Will we see each other again?  Consider these facts, I told them:  My work would now be in a different country - Malawi.  I would come to Zambia for meetings but only occasionally.  They now had their own pastor who would serve them.  My time would be squeezed.  My schedule would be tight.  From my Lilongwe home to their Chipeuka church would be a 5 hour drive and half a tank of fuel.  With all of these factors, would I ever see them again?

I had come with a sermon.  I knew what I had studied and what I believed.  I knew what I had prepared and how I would bring it to a conclusion.  I was ready to say what I had in my heart!

Inside the Chipeuka church building. 

But what I hadn't planned on was them saying what was on theirs!  In a sense, they answered the question and finished my sermon! 

Several elders spoke for the rest.  "Yes, Pastor Holtz, we will see you again, if not here, then there!" pointing their fingers to the heavens. They spoke of the sure promise of Jesus to come back and take us to be with Him!  We'd be togther again!  This is God's plan! 

Most of the people in that parish don't have an education that goes past 7th grade.  Only a few can read and most can't can't write. But those "barriers" hadn't stopped the Holy Spirit from working in their hearts!  Our past years together has been with sermons and Bible Studies and the sacraments.  The people stand today as a testimony to the power of God and the Word of his grace! 

That day will remain memorable for any number of reasons: the hilarious skit, traditional food, songs, the dances and the gifts. 

But above all else it was a fantastic day because of the testimony of their faith!  They could release me in peace because they had peace!  They know their sins are forgiven in Jesus!  They believe that the best place to be is in the hands of God - even if it means they need to say goodbye to this one sermon preacher on his way to a neighboring country. 

Even though they didn't do a text study and a sermon outline, it was a special day because they shared with me a truth that they learned along the way: through Christ's work of redemption - we will indeed see each other again!  If we don't see you at Chipeuka again, or anywhere else for that matter, Pastor Holtz, we will see you in heaven!

What more did I need to say?

Like the elders of the congregation of Ephesus, the elders accompanied me, too.  Not to a ship, but to a truck.  I had a two and half hour ride home to listen to the gift chicken in the back and to ponder what had just taken place.

I had come with a sermon, and went home with a message!  The Tigwirizane Parish members at Chipeuka did more than escort me, they encouraged me!

They shared their faith and committed me to God and the word of His grace! (v. 38)

Great words for the next time you say goodbye.

God be with you till we meet again

Your Mission Partner,  Missionary John Holtz 

Missionary John Holtz, Mission Partner		Click image - Take a satellite tour from St. Paul's to Chipata, Zambia
February 2008 Communiqué
For St. Paul's Members: You can support Mission Partner John Holtz by including a special gift in the monthly offering envelop with the "Mission Partner" box or mail a gift to St. Paul's, labeling it "Mission Partner.