Boy, it really went quiet quickly. I want to confirm something that Pastor Barcellos said a little bit ago. I think it was at the beginning of his message. Um that I commanded him to be here. Didn't you say that? You're right. I did command you to be here. So, I want to affirm that and I think you'll understand why in just a few moments. So, can you put your phone away? >> [laughter] [cheering and applause] >> Thank you. If I could ask the brothers to come up, you know who you are. You'll go first, but just a second. Now, you can go. This is a big moment. Rich, can you come up? Come here. You're Don't make me come down there and get you. Actually, I'll give it to you in a minute. Dr. Renihan is going to say something and then David Charles and then I've got something to say. 10 years ago Rich was part of a group who did this to me and took me totally off guard. It was deeply appreciated. Uh Rich, on behalf of the whole seminary community we love you. We're deeply indebted to you. We thank God for the the gifts that you bring to our students. The way that you've taught them hermeneutics and biblical theology. And so, it's it's a great delight to be part of this group to show you some honor this evening because you are deeply loved by many. I know what he's going through right now >> [laughter] >> cuz I went through it 10 years ago. I don't think you know, he's wondering about a cell phone right now. That's what he >> [laughter] >> Um I'm going to say something about Rich in a minute, but these three men have been good friends of mine for over 30 years. And before we get to Dr. Barcellos, I'd like to talk about Jim. He he has exemplified I I've been there. I've had a front seat watching reformed Baptist churches where there were none before and I've seen how uh you have exemplified true Christian character, humility as you've helped us to learn. This isn't about me. >> I know, but I'm get I'm getting there. >> [laughter] >> And and and here's the thing about Richard. He he has learned well from Dr. Renihan in those things. He's Rich he's he's a he's fun. He's full of laughter. We like to laugh at Rich, but he's also very humble. And one thing is I can tell you I remember back when you were writing He's very very humble. The humblest. >> [laughter] >> Back when he was writing in defense of the Decalogue and every book since. This is what I love about Richard. He writes to help others. Not just to fill the world with books. He So, with that you were dealing with new covenant theology and you saw a real need and you recognized God had enabled you to do that. And every book that he's published since is because he he both has an interest, but more than anything he he sees where he can help others. And I I see that in Dr. Renihan. I see that in in Richard. And And And what he said, you know I love you most of the time. No. >> [laughter] >> You love me cuz God commands you to. You don't always like me. Like last night. Jim made Jim commanded me to love you. So. But this this all was very much a a labor of love. And as we called different men, wrote different men to ask them all the men that contributed was an immediate yes because you are well loved because of of we we all sense something of our savior in your life. So. I think I'm already miked up. Oh, you're miked up. Okay. So, this is called the faithful steward. We wanted to make it short head. But um we figured we'd we'd do it just like that. So, hang on. I had a before you start looking for typos, let me just show it to you. >> [laughter] >> The faithful steward and then the contributors are on the back. But I I just want to read two two excerpts. And the first is from the introduction. It's a footnote at the end and it's just acknowledgements. I want to acknowledge all the people that were involved in this. Who wrote the introduction? I did. The hardest part of all this was to keep it a secret from you. There were so many times I wanted to call you to say, "What do I do in this?" Cuz you're always the editor that I go I ask. So, if there are any typos, it's ultimately your fault cuz you weren't there to help me. So, anyways, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the men who played key roles in bringing this work to completion. Pastor David Charles had the original idea for the festschrift and took the initiative to launch the project. He launched it right into my lap. >> [laughter] >> And I praise God that he did. Pastor Micah Renihan brought a key editorial eye and has been outstanding in both the efficiency of his editing and the speed with which he accomplished his tasks. Pastor Cameron Porter served as the technical wizard behind all things formatting ensuring everything looked just right. Pastor Scott Meadows carefully worked through the final draft helping to improve clarity and accuracy. And then a special thanks as well to Darren Gilchrist and Broken Moor Publishers for agreeing to take on this project. Finally, thank you to all you who contributed whether through chapters or tributes. Rich is a man worthy of honor and you have all honored him well. Yep. What do I do? Well, let me read one more thing and thank these brothers afterward. So, this comes from the end of the introduction. The introduction was so somewhat loosely based on 1 Corinthians 4:2. When I left when I left Palmdale to go to Chilliwack he charged me from 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 2. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. And I bless God for your exa- example in that for your friendship along the way >> [snorts] >> and just again being there for me. So, I thought it fitting and appropriate to quote from John Gill on 1 Corinthians 4:2. How long is this? The book or the quote? >> Quote. Not long. >> Dr. Voluminous. That a man that a man be found faithful to the trust reposed in him to his lord and master that has appointed him to his to this office and to the souls that are under his care. And then may a minister be said to be so in which is his greatest glory when he preaches the pure gospel of Christ without any human mixtures the doctrines and inventions of men and the whole gospel declaring all the counsel of God keeping back nothing which may be profitable to souls when he seeks not to please men, but God and not his own glory and the applause of men, but the honor of Christ and the good of souls. And such a faithful steward was the apostle himself. And then I end it with Dr. Richard Barcellos is a man whose greatest glory is to handle accurately the word of truth and he has done so for decades for the benefit of the church and the academy. May the Lord be pleased to continue to prosper his ministry. May Rich be truly encouraged by this collection of essays in his honor. It's for you. And when you find the typos and I know you will >> [snorts] >> feel free to text them all to me. Okay? You guys. >> [applause] >> Well, I'd say thank you TO THESE BROTHERS. >> [applause] >> I I DO WANT TO SAY SOMETHING QUICKLY. Jim says, "Do you feel bad about everything you did and said to me last night?" No. Um but um I haven't known these guys I've known you longer than probably these guys, but I knew I met Jim in 1990 and I said this one time >> [snorts] >> um the student has become the mentors at least peer if not mentor in some things. >> [gasps and sighs] >> He's not [snorts] old enough to be my son, but I kind of love him like a son or a maybe a brother. And I'm so proud of him. He works his you know what off, and God has has blessed him amazingly. And then Jim Renihan helped me with my hermeneutics by helping me learn how to read the confession properly, and it's had a deep influence on me not only theologically and methodologically, but personally. Um I think you one of you guys said that. And David, we've known each other since like 1995, and he's just always there. Usually, I I appreciate it. >> [laughter] >> Always there. I have books that David pushed me before I thought about writing them. He pushed me on those issues. Like one time he said, "You know, the Lord's Supper is more than a memory." Right? Yeah. You were in your underwear. >> [clears throat and laughter] >> Wow. So, I'm going to do what Dr. Renihan did. He says, "I knew something was up when people started walking by." And I knew something was up when he told me to shut up and sit down. And then these guys coming up here, I had no idea about this. And Jim, when he received the book, he just says, "I don't know what to say. Praise God." >> [applause]
