The Benediction Series

THE BENEDICTION

Heb. 13:20-21

The word “benediction” comes from the two Latin words “bene” = well and “dicere” = speak. It means “to speak well of.” The idea is to speak a blessing. Many churches end their worship services with a benediction, or a blessing. The Bible contains several blessings that have often been used as a prayer of benediction. Let’s look at a few examples:

“The LORD bless you and keep you: The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all, Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

“Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus in sincerity. Amen“ (Ephesians 6:23-24): In fact, most of the New Testament Epistles end with a brief benediction.

When Jesus ascended back into heaven he blessed his disciples. “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them” (Luke 24:51).

The book of Hebrews also closes with two benedictions (Hebrews 13:20-21, 25). . The Author asks the blessings of God upon his readers. As we look at this prayer, we find that the author focuses his prayer God ward. Of course, all prayer must focus on God, who He is, and what he has done for us, and what he is doing in us. Who is this God to whom we are to pray. As we examine this prayer of benediction we discover several truths about God.

I. GOD IS A GOD OF PEACE

Men are constantly searching for peace. They search for peace among nations. Over the centuries, there have been numerous “peace treaties.” Sadly, most of them have been broken. In Costa Rica there is a “University of Peace,” While we ought to work for peace on earth, there will never be real and lasting peace until the Prince of Peace comes again.

Men also search for inner peace. Yet most of us struggle through life searching for a peace that constantly seems to elude us. That is why so many are turning to drugs and alcohol.

To say that God is the God of peace, means that God alone is the source of peace. If a person will turn to God in faith, he can experience peace no matter how much trouble he may have in this life.

Peace comes through a right relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1)

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). You will never know peace by looking to the world for it.

Jesus also said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul wrote, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Ro. 8:6).

The God of peace will give us victory over the arch-enemy of peace. “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Rom 16:20).

Jesus made peace for us. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Col 1:20).

Moreover, Jesus is our peace. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Eph. 2:14).

To experience God’s peace, we must turn our lives over completely to the Lord Jesus Christ. The more one waters and nourishes his relationship with God, the more God’s peace will take over his life. God is a God of peace. Therefore, man’s only hope for peace comes from God. God and God alone can give perfect peace within one’s heart. It is the “God of Peace” who blesses us.

II. GOD IS A GOD OF POWER

God is the “God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead.” god is the God of resurrection and life. He had the power to raise the crucified Lord Jesus from the dead and give him resurrection life. Resurrection life is a life that lasts forever.

A. We have already been raised to new life in Jesus Christ. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Did you know that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to all who will trust in Jesus Christ? Therefore, those who will receive Jesus Christ into their lives will be given new life. If there is anything we may need, it is life. Jesus came to give us real life. Abundant life! Eternal life!