Several have asked what my “Swan Song” will be. I immediately thought of the calls of the Trumpeter Swans with their nasal, plastic trumpet sounding voices. I’ve heard them at Richfield National Wildlife Refuge every winter when I drive through there. However, I believe what they are really asking for is what I’m going to say for my final sermons. The dictionary says this about the phrase “Swan Song:”
a farewell appearance or final act or public statement. from the legend that a dying swan sings a beautiful song.
Let me respond to this definition:
1. I don’t believe this will be my farewell appearance, final act, or my last public statement. We are not planning on moving away. We have no plans to transfer our membership to some other church. In other words, “We aren’t going anywhere.”
2. My last sermons will be my last before retirement. But, not my last sermons ever. I’m not dying. I’m retiring.
But, back to the original question of what I’m going to be proclaiming my last two Sabbaths at my last two churches.
Actually, that is a good question. I could do like Paul when he was at Troas. He preached for hours, until young Eutychus fell asleep and fell onto the pavement under the top story window. But, I don’t like this idea for several reasons:
1. I don’t like people sleeping during my sermons (although, I’ve noticed some of you do so on a regular basis.)
2. And, my sermons aren’t that long, anyway.
What I will do is to preach on subjects near and dear to my heart. I love you people and I want everyone of you to be ready for the Lord’s coming in the clouds of glory. I want you to really understand the true character of God. I want you to have the peace that is beyond understanding and that will carry you through the trying times ahead of us.
I really like what Paul said as he spoke the last time to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:21),
I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
That sums it up pretty good!