Reading this morning’s sermon text in preparation for the service, it seemed as if Paul was giving the Ephesian believers a farewell address and a set of final instructions. The apostle states plainly that he is departing permanently (Acts 20:25) and urges the church to “stay the course” and to be on guard against false teaching (Acts 20:29-31). Throughout this morning’s service, we have similar warnings to “keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 1:21) and to “keep His ways unswerving” (If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee). Alongside these warnings, several Scripture-based hymns reassure us of God’s promise to “be with [us], your troubles to bless” (How Firm A Foundation, based on Isaiah 43), to “keep safe all the lives of His saints” (The Lord Reigns Above, a versification of Psalm 97), and that “if we endure with Him, we will also reign with Him” (The Creed of Timothy, taken from 2 Timothy 2:11-13). Other hymns echo Paul’s desire to “finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,” with phrases like “may I run the race before me” (May The Mind Of Christ My Savior, based on Hebrews 21:1) and “as I live, may fruitful labor glorify His name” (To Live Is Christ, based on Philippians 1:19-25). Even the communion hymn On Jordan’s Stormy Banks reminds us of Paul’s premonition that the journey he is undertaking will be his last, saying with determination “though Jordan’s waves around me roll I’d fearless launch away.” We close the service by again asking for the Lord’s guidance. We heed Paul’s admonition to “pay attention” and to “be alert” to the state of our walk by crying out with the words of Lord Hear My Voice—Psalm 61, “guard us in the way” and “lead [us]” even through hardships and troubles.
