Vincent Murphy was a member of the Cathedral pastoral team from 2013 to June 2019. He was involved in the Liturgical services, particularly the music ministry. Vincent is married to Belinda. They have three boys, Isaac, Rueben, and Joel. He and his family have just moved to the United Kingdom, and he is now serving in Christ Church, Virginia Water, Surrey. This speech was given at his farewell dinner.

Dear brothers and sisters, thank you so much for coming to say farewell. I deeply appreciate each one of you, your presence, your love, your encouragement, and your prayers.

As I thought about what I might want to say today, I realised that the Bible is full of people saying goodbye. You might remember Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elisha, Paul, and even the Lord Jesus, saying goodbye. Now, each one of those is a far greater and more faithful man than I have ever been. But like them, there are certain things I do want to say, before I go. Particularly things which echo Paul’s own farewell.

For, first of all, I want to remind you of the grace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ. That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and that even if Paul insists he is the foremost sinner, I know I am not far behind. The Lord only knows my life before I came to faith; and it is by his grace alone that I stand here today, your brother and friend in Christ.

Since I came here, you have welcomed me into the family of your church, and your own homes. Thank you. Your faith and love have always been such a deep encouragement to me; and I have rejoiced to see how the Holy Spirit has been constantly at work amongst you, drawing people to Christ, and building people up in faith and love.

Like many of you, I have benefited immensely from the faithful pastors here, and the opportunities to grow in knowledge and love of God. Most of all, I have been built up by being part of a church which is focused on the gospel – the grace of God to us in the death of Christ.

As you know; this is the same gospel which I have sought to declare to you too, these past years, in public, and from house to house. Not shrinking from testifying to all of repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ – and knowing nothing amongst you but Christ and him crucified.

But now I know that very soon, you among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom will see my face no more. Not because I anticipate leaving to be with the Lord, which would be better by far; but because he has so ordered the things of this world, that I will be testifying to the gospel in another place. And with this in mind, I have three things I would like to urge.

First of all, please, keep the first thing first. Hold fast to the gospel, that Christ died for our sins, and rose again as Lord. Work hard to keep Christ and his cross central to your speaking, your singing, and in your praying and actions. For it is only through the gospel that you, or anyone, will be saved on the last day. Don’t let it disappear from your hearts, or your lips – but keep on speaking the cross to one another, and to the generations yet to come.

Second, to the leaders amongst us, like Paul, I urge you to continue to keep careful watch over both yourselves, and the flock. Strive for absolute uncompromising holiness in your teaching and your lives for, by doing this, you will save yourselves and your hearers.

And watch over the flock of Christ. They are Christ’s own; his precious and beloved people, purchased with his own blood – from the greatest to the least of them. You cannot love them and guard them too much.

And finally, I urge you to remember the great commission our Lord Jesus gave as he said his own goodbye. Keep on making disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them to obey all that the Lord has commanded. I don’t know what the future holds for you in this land, but I know that you can be strong and courageous as you preach Christ, for the Lord himself is with you, even to the end of the age.

Now, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now, and forever. Amen.