Pastors’ Seminar, Closing Prayer

Transcript (edited for readability).

Make haste, O God, to deliver me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

I charge you in the presence of God, and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season. Reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Timothy, you're young — don't look down on that. Preach the word. I know the congregation in Ephesus, I was there for a good piece of time. They got off to a rocky start, poorly catechized by Apollos. Preach the word. I know there are false teachers there, several of whom I removed already — Hymenaeus and Alexander. They won't be the last. Preach the word. I know there are men there who want to quarrel and get angry, and women who are mimicking the priestesses of the temple of Diana. I know that. Preach the word. I know of the public liturgies of Diana, I know the great processions of Diana, stopping at graves as if she had power over death. I know the month-long celebration of Diana every year. Preach the word. I understand the ritual prostitution, and the very deeply seductive culture of Ephesus, and the great theater of twenty-five thousand. But preach the word.

I know Ephesus is a destination place, nearly a quarter of a million people. Yes, I know that Antony and Cleopatra spent a winter there, in 33 and 32 BC. I know that. Preach the word. I know the city says of itself, in the inscription — I read it, it reads this: "The first and greatest metropolis of Asia." I was there, I read it. But preach the word. Yes, I know that, by far — by far, by far — the culture seeks entertainment, not atonement. But preach the word. Only it gives atonement, reconciliation between God and man, in Christ.

And the God who is present with you will keep you in His grace until that day of the living — Judgment Day, of dividing the sheep and the goats. So, Timothy, you are God's instrument, God's preacher, God's instrument of life that penetrates that stench of death that's all around you. So get on it. Get on with it, my dear brother in Christ. Remember, you're His preacher, washed, and hands were laid upon you. And as the church is created by the Spirit through your preaching, that living, breathing church of saints is not some sector of earthly society, or source of community like the public library or the YMCA — but that church, that little feeble church, in a city of two hundred fifty thousand, is God's beachhead of heaven on earth, conquering darkness with the life-giving weapons of light, distributing and celebrating the supernatural, over-the-top abundance of the saving riches of God in Christ.

So, get on with it. Preach the word. Amen.

And the peace of God, that passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in your Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

O Lord. O Christ. O Lord.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and in the day of my trouble I call upon You. Hide Your face from my sins. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Cast me not away from Your presence. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, for Your steadfast love is better than life, for You have been my help. Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth. I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart. May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. Save Your people and bless Your heritage. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that in our daily need, and especially in all time of temptation, we may seek Your name, and by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day. I pray that You would forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. The Lord bless us, defend us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.