Introduction
- Today is: Celebrate four years of Pastor Ken
- I’m not sure yet if we are celebrating my LONGEVITY … or my BREVITY
- I guess we will see how the rest of the year goes
- It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your pastor here
- It just dawned on me that I have spent all of my Sixties here so far.
- I plan to spend all the rest of my Sixties here, unless God decides otherwise
- If you get tired of me sooner, and want me to leave, just know that I’m not leaving until there is a shiny new parking lot outside with bright white lines that you can actually see
- Although, if I was sitting out there where you are, fixing the pews so I don’t get stuck by a tack, would probably be a high priority for me.
- We are going to fix those pews, but if you can’t wait, sit up here behind me in the choir
- We are celebrating me being here four years, but when I look back on the last four years, I am quickly reminded that we should be celebrating what GOD has done through me
- Although I will let you give me credit and feed me a nice lunch, it really isn’t about me
- I’m grateful for the fact that if I ever start thinking it’s me, there are plenty of people around me who will remind me it’s not
- Being a Pastor is not for the faint of heart. It is not a job that I ever would have asked for
- It’s definitely a God thing all the way because it’s just not the way that Ken was wired
- So today, let’s stop and take a look at what God has done to get me this far:
- He centers me
- He protects me
- He guides me
1. He centers me
- When I first started out thinking I was going to answer the call and become a Pastor, a very dear friend of mine, Al Puryear, gave me some great advice
- Al told me “never make it about myself and take the word I out of my sermons”
- Great advice, but I’m gonna ignore it just for a little bit today – since today is about me
- This isn’t about my ego or my identity or my personality or any gifts or talents
- This is about God using me to accomplish what He wants done in this ministry
- I believe that we have been very successful putting this church back on a good path
- I believe that my role in this has been to channel God’s will and encourage God’s people
- If we had relied on my ego or my identity or my personality or any gifts or talents of mine, we wouldn’t have gotten anywhere – let’s just all accept It’s ok, I understand
- So, for me, God must be in the driver’s seat; and He keeps me centered
- ;The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
- Well, let me share this with you: this job scares me sometimes
- There are just so many things I can mess up
- Some of the most gifted preachers I have known have bagged it and gotten out
- No doubt they were overwhelmed by the job because it is way more than preaching
- But if I remember who put me here, then who should I fear? NOBODY
- When I feel weak and inadequate; even though I try very hard, I am afraid of failure
- Whether it be, filling the baptismal or putting in a network or building an electronic worship system, I still fail and things still manage to go wrong
- But who put me here? The Lord. Did He put me here to fail? NO
- The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
- So why is it, when things go sideways, I still forget this? Human, weak, broken
- How does God recenter me? He uses YOU, Encouragement, wise counsel, love
- I can do this job because GOD CENTERS ME
2. He protects me
- Apart from myself and my fears, what do I need to be protected from? The enemy
- Why do you think the enemy would want to take me out? To hurt the church
- Not because of who I am, but because of Whom I represent in this job
- When the wicked advance against me to devour me, [and believe me they do], I am protected
- I would suggest modifying this statement to say “when the well-meaning, ordinarily loving, nice people get wicked, I am protected”
- Because, if the enemy wants to get to me, who is he gonna use? Those closest to me
- It is my enemies and my foes who stumble and fall, and believe me they do.
- Does this mean I can get away with anything? NO, I still have to accept responsibility
- It means that the Lord will let me feel the sting sometimes, but not the damage
- The important thing is that I keep my focus and stay encouraged so I can encourage
- And if I stumble, God sends some of you to encourage me and lift me up
- This has exposed some huge vulnerabilities that I have to come to terms with
- I am safe as long as I serve Him in this house; for in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
- In a lot of ways, God has given me way more than He asks from me.
- God put me here by calling me; I have been obedient to His call and He has my back
- Often, this means He has to protect me from myself as I mentioned earlier
- I am my biggest enemy, but God protects me and the way He does that is through you
- This is a two-way street:
- I have to set PRIDE aside and be willing to take your help
- You have to realize I am human and breakable and I need your help
- The key to making this work for both ME and YOU is LOVE – we need to keep it loving
- I am grateful for all of you and the opportunity God has given me here
- Sadly, God has allowed me to experience the opposite so I know the value of this
- I can do this job because GOD PROTECTS ME
3. He guides me
- This last point is the most important one of all about me that you need to know
- Is it my youthful good looks? NO Is it my delightful preaching ability? No
- Is it my vast Biblical knowledge? NO AFRAID NOT
- There are those amongst you who are way more knowledgeable about the Bible than me
- What do you think it is? Any ideas since we’ve ruled out the obvious? OBEDIENCE
- I am here as an ACT of obedience to my Lord – no more; no less
- Everything you see in me that is good, comes FROM HIM – THROUGH me
- My sermons come from Him. My ideas come from Him. My kindness and love comes from Him.
- Because without Him, I’m really just a grumpy old man – it’s true
- I am just a vessel that He uses to reach you.
- And in that way, Al Puryear was right; because it’s not about me
- As you celebrate my time with you here today, make sure you know that HE deserves ALL the credit
- I’ve learned a lot from my time here – you have taught me a lot
- When a church decides to be obedient to the Lord, great things can happen
- And it is a choice, because most churches don’t want to change, and even fear change
- Biltmore decided it was time to make a change and chose to be OBEDIENT
- All I bring to the table is OBEDIENCE, so by picking me, you made that your focus
- I’m not here to bring grandiose plans or programs or reorganization
- I’m here to tell you what God wants you to do and then you obediently run with it
- The only thing I can claim is that I have really enjoyed encouraging you along the way
- My heart says of the Lord, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
- Everything works swimmingly when I start by seeking His face.
- Do not hide your face from me, Lord, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper.
- Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
- I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
- And my friends, I have been blessed to see the abundant goodness of the Lord here
- Finally, one of the greatest things that you and I both have learned here, is to be patient
- Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
- When I look back on the goals and plans I had for Biltmore before I got here I am amazed
- Not because of anything I thought we could do, but the many things that I never could have imagined that we have done together.
- Today, I celebrate with you the amazing things you have done with me as God has worked through me
- I can do this job because GOD GUIDES ME
