Series: Swan Song
4: “Filled with Christ’s Joy”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 and John 17:12–13 (ESV)
By John Gill ~ May 25, 2025
This morning, I am realizing that it is less than five weeks until my retirement, and only three Sundays until my ministry here at Tomoka will come to an end. I find myself filled with mixed emotions. I am caught between two seasons. One is familiar and full of memories—forty years of preaching, praying, visiting, baptizing, weeping, rejoicing, and growing. The other is new, still unfolding—a season of transition, of trusting God for what lies ahead.
Yes, this is one of my final sermons as your pastor. I say that not with sadness, but with a grateful and hopeful heart. The Lord has been so faithful to us. And as I begin to step back from the role of active leadership, I’ve been asking God, What should I say to your people in these last messages?
If you have been in worship over the past three Sundays, you know that, as my “Swan Song,” I am preaching a series of sermons on the “Swan Song” of Jesus, as he prayed for his disciples, and through their witness, for all who will come to one day believe in him. In his prayer in John, chapter seventeen, Jesus shares his heart – his greatest desire for you and me.
Today, we come to verses 12 and 13: Listen again to Jesus’ words to his Heavenly Father:
“While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:12-13ESV)
In these verses, Jesus speaks, not from the pulpit, but from His knees—from a place of prayer. His words are not for the crowd, but for His Father and for the ears of His beloved disciples. These words are full of purpose, full of peace, and full of pastoral love.
And that is how I want to speak to you today—as a shepherd who has walked with you, prayed for you, and who now wants to leave you with words that will keep pointing you to Jesus.
In these verses, Jesus begins with a powerful statement of His mission: “I kept them in Your name.”
He doesn’t say, “I impressed them.” He doesn’t say, “I built a crowd.” He says, “I kept them.” Ministry, in its purest form, is not about results—it’s about faithfulness.
That has been the desire of my heart all these years: not to be flashy or famous, but simply to help “keep you” in the name of the Father, - to constantly remind you that you belong to Someone bigger than your circumstances, - to call you, over and over again, to trust in the character and promises of God.
And oh, how faithful God has been! Through seasons of trial and seasons of growth, through times of abundance and times of pruning, God has kept us.
Over the past 23 years that I have been associated with Tomoka, I have seen this congregation in both good times and challenging times - at both the “highs” and the “lows.” And yet, through it all you have persevered and even flourished. As you kept faith with God, God has kept you, and brought you through.
Church, remember this: You are not held together by the strength of your pastor. You are held together by the “name of the Lord.” That’s why you are still here. That’s why this church will continue to grow, even after I’ve stepped aside, and Pastor Katie becomes your new shepherd. So, first: you are kept in God’s care.
Next, Jesus adds, “I have guarded them.”
It’s clear that Jesus, The Good Shepherd,” had a shepherd’s heart. That word guarded speaks to the tenderness and responsibility of shepherding. You see, being the shepherd of people’s souls is not just about teaching truth—it’s about watching out for danger. It’s about praying when no one sees, stepping in when no one knows, and staying up late thinking about the well-being of the flock. Being a shepherd is an awesome responsibility, and an amazing privilege. It is what God called me to, and it has been the joy of my life.
As you know, when I left Tomoka in 2011 after almost 9 years as your pastor, I went to join the staff of the Children’s Home, where I worked with the Foster Care team, seeking to recruit new foster homes in the churches of our Conference. My expectation was that I would stay at the Children’s Home for the remainder of my ministry – but God had other plans. After four years, the staffing structure at the Home was changed, and my position disappeared. This meant I would be returning to the local church pastorate. As it turned out, I was happy to be back “home” in the local church. I discovered that I missed the role of “shepherding” the “flock.” That’s because, that was what God had called me to – and I rejoiced to be back serving as a pastor… a shepherd “guarding” the spiritual-life of a flock.
I won’t pretend that I have guarded you perfectly. Throughout my ministry among you, and the other congregations I have served, I’ve made my share of mistakes. There were times I missed something or made the wrong move; times I acted too quickly or too slowly. But one thing I can say: I have loved this church, and all the congregations I have been privileged to serve, with all my heart.
Every visit, every phone call, every wedding, every funeral, every baptism— it has been a joy to “stand watch”over your souls, - not as a job or a chore, but because I was given the privilege to walk beside you in both the joyous and the challenging times of your lives.
But as I look to the future, I know I’m not your only shepherd. And I never was.
Of course, it’s true that you have had a number of devoted pastors throughout the years, and even now have a wonderful group of other clergy who call Tomoka “home.” As much as you and I love the clergy team here at Tomoka, I’m not really referring to them, because even they come and go.
I am referring to the TRUE “Shepherd of your souls,” “The Good Shepherd.” Christ constantly watches over this congregation and each of you. The Good Shepherd that never sleeps.
And He promises to continue to” guard this flock” long after my season here at Tomoka is over. Christ will guard this congregation well!
After Jesus prays, “I have kept them,” and “I have guarded them,” Jesus next says, “Now I am coming to You.”
Jesus knew his time was short, and so, the time had come to release his followers to the watch-care of God himself. He was preparing to leave His earthly ministry—not because He was abandoning His people, but because He had completed His task. He was entrusting His disciples to the Father, - just as soon, I will be entrusting you into new hands. Pastor Katie will soon be responsible to watch over your souls, as I enter a new chapter.
In the Old Testament book of First Samuel we find the account of the calling of Samuel, a story that is significant in my own “call to ministry.” It is the story of the call of the young Samuel who would become a pivotal character in leading the People of God – a faithful prophet in a time when Israel was being unfaithful to God. Young Samuel was living in the Temple, being raised by the elderly priest, Eli. In the telling of the story, God calls out in the night to Samuel, but Samuel thinks it is Eli calling him. This happens several times – and finally Eli perceives that the boy is being called by God. He tells Samuel that, should he hear the call of God again, this time say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Without going into great detail about why this story resonates with me, let’s just say that I have always identified with the young boy, Samuel. In the way the story unfolds, it is almost a passing of the baton of leadership from one generation to the next.
You see, for most of my ministry, I have seen the story from the perspective of the younger generation. I was the young Samuel. But now, as I prepare to retire, I feel more like Eli must have felt – rejoicing that God was raising up the next generation to lead God’s People forward. It is fitting, I think, that as I pass on the role of pastor in a few weeks, it will go to a much younger person – someone who has also heard the call of God in the night, and has answered her own call to serve.
But, as exciting and wonderful as that may be, the reality is that change can be unsettling. It can stir up anxiety and questions. “What will the church look like moving forward? How will the new pastor change things? Will we be okay?”
Let me assure you: This is not the end of the story. It’s just the turning of a page. The same God who called me to this work is already preparing what’s next. And you don’t go into the future alone—you go with the Spirit of God, with the gospel of Christ, and with the prayers of this pastor who will never stop loving you.
And now, finally, we come to the heart of this entire prayer—and the heart of this sermon. Jesus says, “These things I speak… that they may have My joy fulfilled - in themselves.”
Christ’s joy.
What a powerful, profound gift. Not a fleeting joy. Not circumstantial joy. Not a joy you can manufacture or fake. Jesus is offering His own divine joy—a joy that remains even in sorrow, a joy that sings even in suffering, a joy that shines even in the valley of transition.
As I prepare to step aside from active ministry, this is my deepest prayer for you: that you would have Christ’sjoy - in you.
I do not wish for you lots of church activity, although activities are wonderful. I don’t simply hope for you that you will learn a lot about the Christian faith and the doctrines and teachings of the Church, although you should strive to learn as much as you can. I don’t even hope for you to have amazing worship, even though I am confident you will.
No, my greatest wish for you is the same thing Christ wishes for all of us: Joy—real, living joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ, walking in His ways, and abiding in His love.
If, in my years here at Tomoka, I have helped nurture that joy in you - even a little - then my time here has been worthwhile.
My dear brothers and sisters, as your pastor, I will only stand in this pulpit three more Sundays. These next few weeks will be bitter-sweet. But I have no regrets, as I entrust you to the care of God and the capable leadership of Pastor Katie. She will lead you into the future God has planned for this church.
In this moment, I don’t yet know what God has planned for me in the years to come. But I do know this: every moment I have served in ministry has been a gift. Every face in this room is a testimony of God’s grace in my life.
So, as we prepare for the changes ahead, remember these truths from Jesus’ prayer for us:
• You are kept in His name.
• You are guarded by His care.
• You are sent into the future with His purpose
• That y may be filled with Christ’s joy.
Let that joy carry you forward—not just for today, but for the rest of your lives.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Note: This Sermon was assisted in its preparation by ChatGPT.
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