Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen!

Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-25

Observation: The preacher concludes his sermon with a blessing, but a blessing with a preacher's zeal.  A benediction still used in the church today.

Now may the God of peace--
    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood--
may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Application: I love these words.  I could marinate in them everyday. What great words to a broken church and its leaders. Yet it is God who produces in us, it is God who equips us with all we need, it is God who gets all the glory! These are powerful words to be sure.  They produce a confidence in faith that I need to hear today. They are words of assurance in times of struggle, words of comfort for a weary leader, words of conviction in times of doubt.


Prayer: Lord thank you for preaching and preachers who encourage and equip us with the power of Jesus Christ! - Amen!