The Truth In Print Vol. 15 Issue 7, August 2009
A Publication
of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
The Joyful Sorrow of Departing from those you Love
With the economy the way it is Christians are relocating
for various reasons more than ever. Some must move elsewhere for work. Others
go to be with family or beloved brethren elsewhere for help and sustenance,
because they find themselves to have fallen upon hard times. This is certainly
not a time for covetousness among brethren (cf. Heb. 13:5). It is a time for
brethren everywhere to step up to the plate as regards assistance, benevolence
and the ongoing expenses for the work of the local church they belong to.
The New Testament abounds with the
circumstance of Christians departing from those in Christ whom they love, and
by whom they are loved. Consider the following:
Barnabas and Paul departing from Antioch
Act 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain
prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen,
which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Act 13:2 As
they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me
Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Act 13:3 And
when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they
sent them away.
Act 13:4 So
they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from
thence they sailed to Cyprus.
This departure was with God’s blessing. Take
time to read and compare Acts 14:23 where a “pattern” was repeated among the
departures from the churches that were the product of Barnabas’ and Paul’s work
God assigned to them. Later as they sailed for home in Antioch Luke says, “And
thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of
God for the work which they fulfilled” (Acts 14:26). Later when Paul and
Silas departed from Antioch as recorded in Acts 15:40 they were recommended by
the brethren unto the grace of God. The word “recommended” or “committed” is
the same word found in Acts 14:26. No doubt there was a unity in the faith and
good will — the word means “to surrender, give up.”
When Paul and Silas left Philippi
Think of all that
transpired at Philippi (Read Acts 16:11-40). When they got out of prison this is
how they departed: “And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of
Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed”
Acts 16:40. What is the key word and how does it show their concern for
the church there?
The Departures from Thessalonica and Berea
For their own protection
and in dangerous circumstances, with haste the brethren in Thessalonica sent
Paul and Silas away to Berea (Acts 17:10). Brethren in Berea did the same again
for Paul, escorting him as far as Athens (Acts 17:14-15). Their counsel
and concern is obvious.
When Apollos departed from Ephesus
Luke records:
“And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting
the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had
believed through grace:” (Acts 18:27). No doubt this was a great
encouragement to Apollos and those who received him .
Paul’s Departure from Ephesus
Following the great uproar recorded in Acts
19 we read: “And after the uproar was ceased,
Paul called unto him the
disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia” (Acts 20:1). Paul did not leave before
“embracing” them!
Paul’s last meeting with the elders from the church at Ephesus
This speaks for itself:
Act 20:36 And
when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
Act 20:37 And
they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
Act 20:38
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake,
that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Farewells were Spoken to One Another
When leaving brethren at Tyre Luke
says:
Act 21:5 And
when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all
brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out
of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
Act 21:6 And
when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned
home again.
The will of the Lord be done!
When brethren at
Caesarea could not persuade Paul from going on to Jerusalem they said, “The will
of the Lord be done!” (Acts 21:14).
Points of Application
1. This day and age should one depart for the purpose of
bettering their self through education, etc. such are to be encouraged by
brethren with the will of the Lord— God’s word.
2. The scriptures do not deny one the right to move
elsewhere.
3. Some of these circumstances just studied show the
“value” of brethrens’ counsel for one’s own protection and in dangerous
circumstances.
a) Pro 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be
destroyed.”
b) Prov. 12:26 says the
righteous is a guide to his neighbor.
c) Prov. 11:14: “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
d) It is encouraging indeed when the one departing states
that they know what kind of church to look for, and that they will be in
church. The local church has an abundance of counselors when it has faithful
members.
e) There is also a warning in Proverbs about the wrong
kind of friends who lead the faithful astray (Pr. 14:6).
4. Departures are a positive thing as all involved
consider that the one departing has an opportunity to continue in faithful
service to the Lord.
5. Assurances offered that show mutual confidence in
continued faithfulness are a “must” for the mental well being of those in
fellowship in Christ. This guards against being
anxious for the one departing as well as their being anxious for those they
leave behind.
6. Recommendations to the faithful elsewhere are
beneficial and encouraging to all.
7. Mutual “assurances” of faithfulness are simply a
willingness to obey the commands to be concerned about and caring of those in
Christ who care about you.
Read 2 Cor. 7:6. Was Paul anxious over the state of his
brethren in Corinth? Yes. Was that anxiety relieved? Yes. Think about how
“easy” it is today to be able to give relief by communicating ——Telephones!
8. Eph. 4:32 tells us to be “kind to one another” and
“tender” hearted. Does that apply only when someone comes to you and asks
you for forgiveness? No, that applies all of the time —- and especially so when
“departing” or having departed.
9. Anxiety burdens the heart but a good word makes it
glad (Prov. 12:25). Are just “some” or “all” Christians responsible for that
good word? And what does that good word do? It takes away the burden from the
heart. When one “departs” what will one be sure to do?
10. Christians do not cut off communication with their
brethren and just leave without telling them they are leaving.
11. Anxiety needlessly imposed upon brethren who are
faithful fails in consideration of their “pain” which can be immense (See 2
Cor. 7:6 again).
12. Read Prov. 1:2-4. What is equity? It is fairness — a time free of
difficulties and injustices.
13. There is a difference in bitterness, wrath, anger, and clamor
(disorder) and brethren experiencing “sorrow” from Christians who ought to make
them rejoice (Eph. 4:31; 2 Cor. 2:3). Look at Eph. 4:30 — “do not grieve” the
Holy Spirit. If you needlessly grieve your brethren have you grieved God too?
(cp. 2 Cor. 2:3).
Conclusion: This lesson has
presented scriptures and applications concerning both the joy and sorrow of
having to depart from brethren you love. I presume that there will be many
departures from among brethren should things continue as they presently are in
our society. When one departs they have an opportunity to do things right
“there” in serving the Lord where they are going just as they did “here” where
they had been. That shouldn’t change. That’s something to be “positive” about.
By Bob Lovelace
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