Rev. A. M. den Boer’s Farewell Sermon in Sunnyside

After having served the congregation of Sunnyside, Washington, for almost seven years, on Sunday evening, August 18, 1996, Rev. Den Boer preached his farewell sermon, reading a portion of God’s Word from Acts 20:17-35. He took for his text 2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” The theme for his sermon was “The Christian Benediction.” He spoke on three thoughts:

1. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

2. The love of the Father

3. The communion of the Holy Ghost

In his last prayer among us, Rev. Den Boer asked the Lord to bless this last sermon to the conversion of the unconverted. He said in this prayer that all things change in daily life and in church life, but the Lord never changes: He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Rev. Den Boer recalled his installation in our congregation by Rev. Den Hoed. His first sermon in our midst was, “For necessity is laid upon me,” or, in the Dutch language, “A burden is laid upon me.” Rev. Den Boer felt this burden for the congregation of Sunnyside and for Classis Farwest. As Rev. Den Boer looked back over the seven years and over what had happened in our denomination, then the burden had been very heavy in his life. Yet he spoke about the goodness of the Lord in sparing his life when he had open heart surgery, and how the Lord had again given him strength to do his labors among us.

Rev. Den Boer spoke about how in this verse the apostle Paul speaks his apostolic benediction in closing the second epistle to the Corinthians. All of us are familiar with these words, but the great question is whether we are familiar with these words for our own heart. By the grace of God the apostle may speak of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The grace spoken about in our text does not mean that free favor that the Lord shows to His people, but it stands for the whole series of blessings which are included in the work of redemption.

In looking at the three points, the question could arise: Is not the order in our text wrong, and should not the love of God be first? We know that the love of God is the deepest ground of salvation; it is the source of all the graces of God that are given. That is true, if we may see it from the side of the Lord. But in the life of a sinner it is different. It is first that they may experience the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When the Lord teaches a person, then in their life it becomes sin and grace. That is so needed when traveling to eternity, because, when a person digs deeper in his life, he finds so much more sin. Then it becomes a wonder that he receives grace. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is this grace by which God in His eternal wisdom has thought out a way to the salvation of the lost sinner. It is in this way that it is possible that the church can be restored into the favor of the Father. It is only because of the perfect finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. Den Boer admonished the congregation that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is the only hope for a flock which must remain behind without a shepherd.

What is the expectation for the future? It lies in these words, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here in this world separations come by death or by departure. Then we have to say farewell, but the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ remains to the end of the world. May it be our comfort now and in the unknown future.

The apostle also speaks of the love of the Father. This does not exclude the love of Christ or the love of the Holy Ghost. But here is spoken of the love of the Father in the second place. In the way of salvation it comes first, because it is the origin of all graces, and grace is the fruit of God’s eternal love. If there were not that eternal love of the Father, then Christ would not have come upon this earth. The reason that He has given His Son is clearly stated: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Herein we can see the love of the Father.

Love works communion. “The communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all,” for what is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ or the love of the Father without the communion of the Holy Spirit? It is the Holy Spirit who first begins to work in the heart of a sinner. It is true that He is the last of the divine persons to be known, but the Holy Spirit is indispensable in the life of God’s church. He not only shows us our misery, but He also gives us encouragement when we are cast down, and also encouragement to plead on the promises of the Lord. It is that Holy Spirit who brings us to an end. Why? It is so that in a refuge-taking faith we may flee to Christ. He gives that assurance in our life and seals that grace of the Lord to our heart. Thus it is the Holy Spirit who works the faith which gives communion with Christ, that through Christ we may receive communion with God the Father, may be united with Him, and may be accompanied by the Holy Spirit of promise. Then we may rejoice in a Triune God.

Personal words were spoken to the congregation. For almost seven years and more than 600 times, Rev. Den Boer was allowed to lay that New Testament benediction upon the congregation of Sunnyside. In it the Lord assures a needy people that He will give all they need for the unknown future. Rev. Den Boer addressed the consistory, the young people, the missionary guild, and the organists.

After Elder J. Van Wingerden spoke a few words of appreciation for the many labors bestowed in their congregation, the minister pronounced the benediction upon the congregation for the last time as their pastor.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen