The first is the opportunity to preach. Over the course of two years, I was able to preach about twice a month in churches throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Indiana.

• I thank God for this  residency He used it to develop my preaching.

The second invaluable opportunity was getting to participate in Sovereign Grace Ministries’ Church Planting Group (Yes, our name is that creative!) This is a group of guys that regularly gather together to brainstorm, plan, and administrate initiatives aimed at serving Sovereign Grace church plants and planters. So, for example, we helped plan and orchestrate the Plant! conference, held here at CFC last March.

• I thank God for this residency because He used it to position me to serve others in advancing the Great Commission.

Finally, the most significant opportunity afforded me was getting to work with the men on this pastoral team. It was phenomenal to be able to learn from Jared about preaching, from Marty about children’s ministry, from Andy about counseling, from Joel and Brian about caring for sheep, from Rob about family life, from Doug about mercy ministries, from Joseph about music and Sunday gatherings, from Raymond about administration, from Jim evangelism and from Dave about church planting. And to top it all off, I had Mark as a mentor, guiding and caring for me all along the way.

• I thank God for this residency because He used these men to entrust to me what I will in turn be able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2).

Let me finish with one last thing. I want you all to know that Jenny and I leave here thanking God in all our remembrance of this team and this church, because of our partnership with you in the gospel (Phil. 1:3-5). We may be off to Akron soon, but we look forward to years of partnering with CFC to advance the gospel.

• We thank God for this residency because He used it to forge a gospel partnership between us and all of you.

This isn’t goodbye. It’s just until next time…

Main Point: As Jesus’ desciples we’re to exhibit extraordinary love.

Three things Jesus teaches us about this extraordinary love:

1. The objects of our love

2. The nature of our love

3. The source of our love

Main Point: Jesus Christ, though born in insignificance, has had an immeasurably positive impact on history and world civilization.

1. The Gospel’s impact on the value of human life.

2. The Gospel’s impact on health and medicine

3. The Gospel’s impact on morality.

4. The Gospel’s impact to change lives.

Main Point: When we fasten on the declarations of Christ as they are made clear in the beatitudes, we discover that Jesus has actually come to turn the value system of the world on its head.