January 17th, 2021 From Your Pastor

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

The older we become the more aware of the term “retired” we are. It is, after all, the American dream to work hard and then enjoy the later years of life in comfort and ease. Unfortunately, this type of thinking seems to carry over into our Christian life as well. Serving the Lord is for the young, and energetic, so we say. Those who are fresh for the battle and yearning to walk with Christ, these are the ones God wants to use.

Not so, my friends. The Bible gives us no indication of that approach. On the contrary, Paul states above, that he does not consider his life as what’s most important, but rather that he would finish the course the Lord has placed before him. To live out to the end of his life the purposes and plans of God. Which he spells out as being the telling of the good news of the grace of God. There is and never will be the “retiring” from that. Not for Paul and not for you. As long as there is breath in you; tell of Him. As long as there is one to listen; testify of the grace of God.

As your physical vision wanes remember to have 20/20 vision for God. What do I mean by that, you say? Just four verses prior to Acts 20:24 we read in

Acts 20:20 – …and how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house…

Just look, even the great apostle Paul was not above going from house to house. We call that verse in Acts 20:20 having 20/20 vision. A vision for those who are lost. A vision for the neighborhood in which we live. A vision for the community of which we are a part. A vision which God gives to every believer.

So! Stop thinking about retirement and start talking about Jesus. Finish the course God has put before you.

It is never comfortable or easy. That will not come to us until we have fulfilled all the purposes of God.

When you do retire and go home to be with the Lord. Let is be said of you as it was written of Abel.

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. Hebrews 11:4

When your gone, will they remember what you spoke?

From Your Pastor,

Bro. Clay Hicks