I  Commend You To God

"Now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all then that are sanctified." Acts 20:32

 

            The time has come for me to bid you farewell. As I do so, my heart is more concerned for your souls     than when I assumed the responsibilities of being your pastor. I am concerned about those who may follow me in this office and that which may be preached from this pulpit. Being confident that my God has graciously brought my labors here to an end, I can do nothing more for you than to commend you to God.


            With confidence, I commit you, my brethren, to the allwise and powerful care of our God. May he direct your affairs, provide for your needs, and keep you from error. And I urge you to remain steadfast in the gospel of his grace. Resist every trend and teaching which tends to detract from the message of substitutionary redemption and efficacious grace. In a word, I would have you to love and trust Christ with all your heart and soul, and cling to the gospel of Christ as the truth of God. If God enables you to holdfast the faith of the gospel, it will edify your souls and give you an inheritance in eternal glory.

 

My family and I wish to thank you for your generosity and expressions of love in our departure from you.

 

Don Fortner