Finally, Dr. John E. Passavant Part III

Created them to do. And in so doing, they give praise to Him. You and I are to be about the business of doing what God created us to do, discovering what abilities he has given us, discovering how to develop those, discovering how to use those so that we can make more money, so that we can have better jobs, so that we can have better houses. No. Now, in many cases, the use of gifts that God has given result in promotion in work. But that's not the reason why we're to use the gifts that God has given us. We're to use them so that we can be in the proper place, doing what he made us to do, being what he created us to be. Because in so doing, we will bring glory and praise to Him. Now we say, well, it produces a conflict, though we're supposed to die to ourselves. The Bible teaches us that we're to experience death in order that Christ might live in us. And we sometimes take that to mean that we're to go through life despising ourselves, hating ourselves, because we always get in the way. That's not what I see in the New Testament. I see people who Jesus liberates to discover who they really are and to move out in that, that he might be glorified in them. So as we discover who we are and how he's made us, and as we develop those gifts, we then have the possibility, understanding those gifts. Having developed those gifts, we now have the possibility that we didn't have before we knew them, that we didn't have before we discovered them, that we didn't have before we developed them. We have the possibility of giving them to God, that He might use those gifts in his way, in his time. Now, sometimes we'll discover our gift, and then we'll feel compelled to use it, whether God has called us to use it at that time or not. Or maybe we'll discover a gift and begin to use it in a way that he doesn't intend for us. So the discovery and the development of our gifts has got to be a function of his employing them. We've got to hear Him. We've got to understand his heart. We've got to be in gear with his plans and his programs that we might give those gifts to him so that when he wants to use them, he can call them into being. And you see, this is all a part of the vision that God has given us for our life together here at Northway. That we individual members of his body, and members of this body in particular, would be about the business of discovering Jesus and discovering ourselves and discovering who we are before him and what it is that he's given us and how we can take that and how that can be developed and fostered to the place where we can allow him to use it in all of its fullness, in his way and in his time. And there's a beautiful lesson there for us. And that act of giving those gifts that have been developed, that have been discovered, that are now clear to us, that act of giving those gifts to God for Him to use is nothing less than dying to ourself. You see that? So you see, we can affirm a J passivant who, discovering his gifts, goes about the business of seeing them develop and allows God to begin to use them. And we can affirm people in music ministry, recognizing that God is giving them a gift there. Using that gift, we can affirm different ones in the body as we see gifts of leadership or prophecy or whatever it is as they develop. We can encourage that development not for the glory of the person who has them, but for the glory of Jesus as we bring them to him and say, lord, this is what you've given me. You've made me the way you've made me. And I just want to be what you've made me to be. Lord, I want to take my place in your created order of things, and I don't want to be outside of that. Instead, Lord, I want to be a contributor to your reconciliation as you are wanting to reconcile all things back to yourself. So you see, whether we are called to be a pastor, whether we are called to be an accountant or a program director in the news, or a graphic designer or whatever it is, when we're using the abilities that God gave us, we are taking our place in his created order. And that work that we do is to his glory. And he's glorified in it just the same as the trees clap their hands and rejoice at their place in what God has made them to be. And so it's appropriate that we rejoice. It's appropriate that we rejoice with Jay and Carol as they come to this place where Jay has finally made it to his doctorate degree. It took a long time, but he was doing other things in the meantime, and we're happy at that, too. And we affirm you, Jay, and we affirm the gifts that God has given to you. And we together support you in your continuing discovery of what those gifts are, so that more and more you can take your place as a son of God in his created Order of things and be what he made yourself. We love you, Jack Irwin. Come on up, brother. We have a program. We at Northway are not used to a program, but we have a program. Because this is a very special event and because it's a commencement celebration, we thought it was appropriate to. To have an invocation. And Jan asked Jack to bring the invocation, and he said he wasn't sure what that meant. And I said to him this morning, jack, it just means go ahead and pray. Glad I know what that is. He knows what that is. As I've been thinking about this evening, as I've gotten to know Jay, we've realized in the eldership that Jay is both a soldier and a pastor. He's a soldier in God's army moving toward the vision that God's called him to. And yet he's a pastor to this body. And I praise the Lord for that. And I praise the Lord for the gifts and the ministry that God has given. Jay here and the other scripture that has been on my heart this afternoon is that we are to rejoice with those who rejoice. Amen. And weep with them who weep. And I think some of us have wept for joy this evening. And. In that. Let's pray. Father, we thank you that within your body we can come to times like these. That we can come before you, Lord, and that we can rejoice with a brother who has given his life, Lord, in service to you. We thank you, Father God, that before you he has lived out his life. And before you, Lord, he will receive the glory that is due a good soldier, Lord. And we thank you for him, Father. And we would just like to give you the remainder of this time, Lord, that as we rejoice with J and Carol in this attainment of this degree, Lord, we realize that the degree is not simply an attainment, Father, but the learning and the process that Jay goes through daily is a life. It's a life lived before you, Lord, and it is a ministry that he's been called to. We thank you, Father, for the part that we have in that. And we pray, Lord, that you would just this evening, Lord, be glorified. Because, Father, we know that the glory will be turned to you. That in Jesus name, Lord, you will receive all the glory and the honor that this evening can afford. And we thank you and praise you for it. In Jesus mighty name. Amen. Jay, I would just like to offer. This song that the Lord gave me. It talks about a yielded person. I think you would all join me in Telling you that you've been a tremendous example of total yieldedness to the Lord, seeking his way and his way. For your life and his way for this body. Your love shone through a yielded me. Oh, will ruling vessel cleansed, set free, Release to you. My will subsides through the power of your grace. Your will abides. In my own weakness. You are made strong deep down within me. You are alone, you, love brought forth, shown back to me as you through me set others free. Your love in motion, your gentle hand. Witness to all you command, your faithfulness near always doubt and fear is you me, I victory. Your love shone through, I yielded me a willingness set free. Joy I've shown you. That's what I was trying to say. Now, it's always fitting that a graduate should be appropriately garbed as a graduate. And Jay, we want you to come up. Jay, this is not a. This is not a roast. Jay has received his Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. You see, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed ass, and Jay is wearing a borrowed gown. The Doctorate of Ministry degree at Fuller is signified by a hood with the colors of the school. It's got to be put on the right way. Oh, wait. Oh, Carol, come on up for a minute. For Carol, we have a corsage to fit the occasion and fit her lovely physical beauty. We have a rather large one. Rather large. You have to know that. You have to know that Carol wasn't in on everything either. Ray, where are you, bro? Elder Ray Spiker. Jay, I'd like you to stand up here for one moment. You would turn around in front of this pulpit. I'd just like you to put your Bible in this hand. And I want you to put this finger out. I want you to take this in because it's the last time that you ever see this guy in a robe preaching. You know, it's interesting because Grant. I just have to grant really adequately. I don't know if it hit you like it's hit me in the past, but the whole understanding of God's plan of reconciling things to himself, it just is so phenomenal. And it's something that you should work at understanding because, you know, the world's having a great time with video games, and God's trying to reconcile the whole creation to himself, and we're a part of that. And it's just a phenomenal goal that God has in mind. And indeed, the exhortation was really to us that we are to be as trees who are living our life and growing up and bearing fruit and being a reconciled tree to the Lord. And as Jan asked me to give an exhortation tonight, I have to admit I said to her that I'll go to the Lord for an exhortation, but I won't make up an exhortation. I'll go to God for that exhortation because the temptation would be to think up something. But the Lord really confirmed yesterday to me that there were some very basic things that he wanted to exhort to you. And it was a blessing to me this morning as God's been revealing to you his desire to lay basic foundations so that we might all be built upon the same foundation, unshaken and unmovable. And there are some basic foundations for a pastor and teacher and evangelist. These are gifts that Jay is operating in an office to which he's been called. I have some very basic things. And so that my words don't fall to the ground and that Jay doesn't get a plaque that has this exhortation on it for posterity, the exhortation will be verbatim out of second Timothy, the fourth chapter, and Titus, the second and third chapters. And this way, because it's in the Word, it doesn't matter where Jay goes or where whatever happens to him, there'll always be a word. As long as those dear Gideons are doing their job, he'll be able to look up and remember the call that God gave to him tonight. And I just would. If you'll follow with me in first Timothy four, I'm going to read the first five verses. Two Timothy. I'm sorry, Fourth chapter. 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 by his kingdom, to preach the word. Be urgent in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke and exhort. Be unfailing in patience and in teaching. And in Titus, the second chapter. But as for you, teach what befits sound doctrine. Bid the older men be temperate and serious, sensible, sound in faith, in love and in steadfastness. Bid the older women likewise to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves, to drink they are, to teach what is good. And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, submissive to their husband, that the word of God may not be discredited. And likewise urge the younger men to control themselves. Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds. And in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech. That cannot be censored, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us. Bid slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect. And they are not to be refractory, nor to pilfer, but to show entire and true fidelity, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions and to live sober and upright and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for Himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Declare these things. Exhort and reprove with all authority, and let no one disregard you. Those are the foundational things that this brother, as he is the tree of the type that he's supposed to be as a pastor and a teacher and an evangelist in our body. These are the things that we should be willing and anxious for him to teach us and to build in our lives. And the Lord assured me of one other thing for you, that he will build a house. And he is the builder of all things, and he will build you a house. Congratulations, Brother. Roy. Where are you, Roy Gunther? Moving through the elders. Yesterday I came before the Lord and asked him what he would have me say up here today. And I heard him tell me to turn to the concordance in my Scriptures, which I did. And he told me to look up the word servant. And that I did. And as I scanned down that concordance, I came to one particular line there. And he said, this is it. And it turns out to be First Timothy four. When Jay this morning asked us to turn to first Timothy four, just about turned over backwards back there. But it has to say what I believe this man is all about. And I'd ask you to turn to it. Now, just go over that with me, Starting at verse one. But the Spirit explicitly says that in latter times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own consciences with a branding iron. Men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude. For it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, Constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. For bodily discipline is only of little profit. But godliness is profitable for all things. Since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive. Because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you which was bestowed upon you through the prophetic utterance, with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things. Be absorbed in them so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching. Persevere in these things. For as you do this, you will ensure salvation for yourself and for those who hear you. Those last two verses really speak to me about this, brother. As long as I've known him, as long as I've been associated with him. His perseverance to search out the word of God has been a real beauty to me. And I just thank the Lord that we have a servant such as Jay to shepherd us in this congregation, to lead us through these Scriptures. Because he's brought to light many new things. I'm sure that that ministered to many here. And we've known that the Spirit of God has been speaking through him. Praise the Lord for him. Jay, will you come up here and I'll just. If the elders would come forth. If you'd all now extend your hand toward this brother. Lord, we just come before you with praise and thanks. For you are truly a generous one, Lord. You bless your people above all they need or expect. Because as we turn to you, Lord, and put our faith and trust in you, you honor that, Lord, and just bless us beyond our expectations. We thank you, Lord, for this, brother. We thank you for the heart that you've placed in him to stay true to this word, this word that you have given us we thank you, Lord, that we can hear this word in all its beauty and feel confident that our shepherd and this congregation has researched this to the best of the ability that you have given him. And that the word that he gives is ringing true to our ears. Lord, we just praise you for that. We just thank you. We pray that you would bless him, Lord, in his future endeavors. That as he goes forward from this point on, lord, as our Dr. J. That you would just bless his time as he goes through those scriptures and that you would speak mightily through him as you have in the past, Lord, that we may be blessed and that we may find the words of salvation as they're brought to us clearly by a brother that we love dearly. Thank you, Lord, and praise you for him in Jesus name. Amen. And Amen. Jay, on behalf of the elders and the fellowship at Northway Christian Community, we would like to present this gift to you and just let it speak of our love to you. Praise you, brother. Not yet. No, that's fine. Thank you. The subtitle for this evening is not yet. Jay. We haven't gone through all the elders yet, fella. Scott, where are you? Here he is. Okay, we need Jay and Carol to come up here while Scott makes some other presentations. I thought maybe there was an invisible microphone here. Praise the Lord. I'm delighted and humbled at the same time to be a part of these wonderful presentations and thanksgivings to our brother Jay and our sister Carol. And without trying to sound super spiritual, I. I think of the word that we read in James, chapter one, verse 17. It says, all good and perfect gifts come from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no shadow or variation due to change. God has given us a wonderful gift in our brother J. And I believe he is a good and perfect gift because he is from the Father. That doesn't mean we have to look for perfection in him or perfection in Carol. We can trust the Father that he has bestowed on us a good and perfect gift. And so recognizing that the gift that Jay has been to us, it's my pleasure to present from the body to Jay and the Carol a few gifts that I hope are up here somewhere. This first. This is Jay's right. This first gift is for our brother Jay from the body. It's a scroll. Jay, would you like to open it, please? I don't know. This is a card that has been created. Pardon me. Four J from the body. Jay expressly asked that all of you please take time to sign this card afterward tonight. Jan, I'm sure Jay would have wanted you to. So, Jan, when will you have this card? The card will be right up front. Please take the time to sign it so that Jay can put that in his little notebook of memoirs for tonight's festivities. We felt that since Carol is such an essential part of Jay's ministry that we should also present something very special to Carol. This is actually a diploma. I don't know if that means that we're using diplomacy or not, but it is a diploma for Carol. I think this is kind of Greek Gothic, but I'll try to read it. Carol, this is from the North. It's titled the Northway School of Christian Living. And it reads, let it be known and hereby decreed. Boy, this is rich. That Sue Carroll Passavent has fulfilled all necessary prerequisites to receive the coveted honorary degree of Doctor of Practical Wisdom. This degree honors faithful, loving support above and beyond the call of numerous daily duties. Jan, did you write this? A remarkable ability has been exhibited to hang in there while hanging loose with her partner's grueling Mount Fuller schedule. Let it be further known and decreed that said individual has demonstrated extensive skills in facing difficult wearying weeks with smiles, prayer, kind words and microwave oven. For this special person, we are thankful. We extend our love to her. This 12th day of June, 1983. This has really been special. The only thing that really concerns me is that I've enjoyed being deceitful today. I didn't think we'd pull it off. I really didn't. It's been a long time planning and to carry something that long to keep it from him. And a lot of times we did not talk about things. Because everything I'd done that day was pertaining to this. And I would have to catch myself in what I was saying because I would give it away. Because we are used to sharing an awful lot with one another. So now I have lots to tell. There are a lot of people that are special in Jay's life. And I would like for you to meet them if you haven't already. With his family. There are some that live close here. There are some that could not be here tonight. At least I hope not. I haven't. Not being here early, I could not tell. So if there's anybody here that I missed, please stand up and I'll put my glasses on so I can see you from Bellevue. Jay has an aunt and uncle that are here tonight. We're really pleased that they're here. I'd like for you to stand. This is Jack and Dorothy. Stevens. It's good to see them. Jay also has a sister. He has a brother, too, and lives in Michigan. But he, as far as I know, is not here tonight. Is that right? Susie lives in Beaver, and she and her husband are here tonight. Susie and John Pusiteri with their two children. Susie is holding Andrew and another one, which is due in August. And Johnny is standing up front here. You want to stand up? Many of you might think that the Lord just dropped J on earth. He did not. There are a lot of things different about Jay, but that's not one of them. And God really did choose a special mother and father for him. Many of you have met them, have talked with them, and prayed with them. But I'd like for the rest of you to meet Jay's parents, Mr. And Mrs. Jack Passivin. They would stand, please. I think all of us know as parents that children just do not automatically come into the love of the Lord like we see in Jay and many of us here and all of us here. And Jay's parents are real credit for that. They have given him a foundation in the Lord that has just carried him to where we see him now. And I do appreciate that, and I appreciate being a part of that family. So I love you, too. Also, we had invited some pastors from other churches, and I don't know if you're here. If you are, would you just stand and introduce yourself in case I don't recognize. I don't want to overlook you. And if you took the time to come, I really would like for others to know. Is there anyone else here? He doesn't count. Okay. Thank you. Now, the music ministry has a special aspect of celebration of us all as a body. And for this body, Lord, we just. Ask for the name of Jesus to. Be lifted up through this gathering tonight. Lord, we just ask that you would touch every heart, Lord. Every person that feels lonely here, every person that feels separate or that there's a partition between them and us. We just ask, Lord, that you would knock those things down, that you would. That you would just let love reign. And that you peace would touch everyone here and that loneliness would leave. We just thank you for that. We just give this meaning to you. We just praise your name, Jesus. Colossians, chapter one. While you're doing that, I just feel that it's appropriate and fitting that we would acknowledge the leadership of particularly Jan and Mimi and Carol as they work together to plan this whole event for tonight. We appreciate all the work that went into this, the skill and the coordination is amazing to our eyes, and we appreciate it. This is indeed a time of rejoicing tonight. And as I sat here at the very beginning, as soon as Mike began leading that first song, before you turn your chairs around, even there was a special energy and clarity to the singing was beautiful. And there is a sense of a capacity that God has given this body to rejoice together. And it's fitting that we should rejoice. It's fitting that we should rejoice because we share a common value in our brother J and his family in the effort that went into the accomplishment of his doctoral degree. And it's fitting that we should learn how to rejoice together, because rejoicing is a bright is a part of the very atmosphere of heaven. In Luke chapter 15, that well known passage where Jesus tells the story of the lost sheep and then the lost coin, and then the lost son, at the conclusion of each of those stories, he describes how each person involved in finding something that was dear to them called their friends and their neighbors together and said, rejoice with me. And then he said, even so, all of heaven rejoices when one sinner comes to repentance. What is it that enables us to rejoice? What is it that would enable a group of shepherds to rejoice? Because one shepherd friend of theirs, a neighbor, found a sheep because they all understood the value of a sheep and they could enter in with him to his joy. What would enable a group of women called together by this one who found a coin that she'd lost in her house. They knew what it was. They knew the value of that coin, and they shared it with her, and they were able to rejoice. And the man whose son was reclaimed, his friends and neighbors sharing with him the value of a son, were able to rejoice. And all of the angels of heaven, in tune with the heart of God, understand the value of one soul. So every time someone comes to Christ, there can be rejoicing in heaven. And we're rejoicing with Jay and Carol in the accomplishment of what's been done there. Paul says in Philippians, rejoice in the Lord. And it's not enough for him to say it once, he's got to say, again, I say, rejoice. And Christians can rejoice in the Lord. And the more we grow and the more we understand about Jesus, the greater is our capacity to rejoice together, because our capacity to rejoice in Jesus is directly related to our valuing of him. And as he increasingly becomes the center of what is important to us, as he increasingly becomes understood by us in all of his compassion toward us, in all of his redemption. And as the more we understand redemption, the more value Jesus has to us and the greater is our capacity to rejoice together in him. And I really believe that God is working that capacity in us, in this body. Look at Colossians, chapter one. Just want to read one paragraph, lest you fear. This isn't a. This isn't a full fledged sermon. And as I came in tonight, Gene asked me if I was going to teach. And I said, yeah, I'm just going to be very brief. And he said, I've heard your brief introductions. Let's begin at verse 15. We're talking here. Paul is talking about Jesus. And in this we can rejoice. Listen to what it says about Him. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities. All things were created through him. And for him he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He's the head of the body, the church. He's the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And everybody who understands anything about Jesus at all, everybody who has any understanding in their hearts given by the Holy Spirit as to who he is, reading a passage like this and sharing it together can say, amen, Amen. And we rejoice in a passage like this as it reveals to us who Jesus is. Through him all things were created, and for him all things were created. The whole created order for him and by Him. One of the songs that we sing, and we often sing it at the end of a service here at Northway is, they shall go out with joy, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands. And that's in Isaiah 55, is it? 55. I'm just going to read it for you. Here's a little glimpse of the created order, understanding their relationship to the Creator. Isaiah 55:12. You shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, rejoicing, sharing a common relationship to their Creator. And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Now this is poetic language to Be sure. You ever seen a tree clap? Haven't really seen a tree clap. Ever seen its hands? Trees don't really have hands. Have limbs, but not really hands. This past week, I had the joy of taking my wife on a three day business trip over to Washington and we drove together. And as we drove, we were reading a book together. And the author of this book just so blessed my heart with his understanding of the heart of God, particularly in this issue. And he was talking about this verse in Isaiah 55, and it opened to me a whole new understanding of what it is for trees to clap their hands. Because you see trees and hills and mountains in whatever way it is, they understand. And we don't know anything about that, but they understand their place in the created order. They understand their place as created things before the Creator. And as they are there to us, immobile, just waving in the breeze or whatever, trees are expressing praise to God. How do they do that? They do that simply by doing what they're created by God to do. And that is be trees or be hills and communicating the glory of God. Romans 1 tells us that all of creation, in creation we see the power and the glory of God. And in the measure in which trees and hills and mountains are able to take their place in the created order doing what they've been created to do, they give praise to God. And all the way back from Washington, driving through the hills of Maryland and Virginia and Pennsylvania, we heard the trees clapping their hands. You can look out and you can see the beauty that's there. And you can say, God created it. This is the handiwork of Jesus. And these trees, in all of their marvel fitting into God's creation, put there and sustained there by the authority that God vested into Jesus, are there for his glory and they're glorifying him. Now, there's one part of the created order that has difficulty finding that place that the trees know so well, and that's mankind. The one part of the created order that God vested with the capacity to choose. And what happened, we know what happened. And the choices that mankind makes cause the necessity for the reconciliation that it talked about in Colossians chapter one. And now Jesus is about the process of reconciling all of everything back to himself because of the disharmony and the chaos and the corruption and the decay and the sin that has been brought about by men and women not recognizing their proper place as creatures before the Creator in the whole created order. Do you see that? That when Adam made that choice, it was because he wanted to be like God, knowing good from evil, taking himself out of his rightful place, place in the created order and creating the need for reconciliation. And we're so familiar with the story that in Christ God is reconciling the world to himself. And Paul tells us in Romans chapter 8 that all of creation understands, understands this in a way that we don't know. All of creation, he says, groans in travail, waiting for what? The recognition of the sons of God and those trees, even while they clap their hands, being part of God's created order somehow there is that consciousness in a