Benediction and Doxology

Order of Service

• Scripture Reading — Hebrews 13:20-21
• Lesson
• Discussion
• Closing Prayer

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Sermon Title: Benediction and Doxology

Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-21

I. The Intratrinitarian Covenant of Redemption

A. Before creation, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit entered into an eternal intratrinitarian agreement (the pactum salutis, or covenant of redemption) to plan and execute the salvation of the elect B. God's divine decrees are rooted in his eternal foreknowledge and foreordination — unconditional and immutable C. Psalm 2 reveals details of this eternal plan

1. The Father sets his King on Zion and declares the Son's eternal begetting
2. The nations are given to the Son as his inheritance D. The Father chose the elect as a bride for the Son, sent the Son to accomplish redemption, and sends the Spirit to gather and indwell the elect E. Per theologian Jürgen Moltmann, the cross was woven into the eternal divine council itself — not imposed from outside — revealing God's nature as sacrificial love

II. The God of Peace (Hebrews 13:20a)

A. God's peace is an active, all-encompassing divine attribute extended to believers

1. Romans 15:33 — the God of peace invoked as a blessing upon believers
2. Romans 16:20 — the God of peace actively defeats Satan
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — the God of peace sanctifies believers completely in spirit, soul, and body
4. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 — the Lord of peace gives peace at all times and in every way B. Conditional dimensions of God's peace
5. Philippians 4:9 — peace flows from practicing what believers have learned; obedience and spiritual formation
6. 2 Corinthians 13:11 — God is the God of both love and peace, associated with reconciliation and unity C. Theological characterization: 1 Corinthians 14:33 — God is not a God of confusion but of peace; this defines his character, not merely his blessing

III. Who Brought Again from the Dead Our Lord Jesus (Hebrews 13:20b)

A. The resurrection vindicated Christ's identity and authority, confirming his claims as Son of God and Messiah B. The resurrection certifies that the Father accepted Christ's atoning sacrifice — divine satisfaction in both justice and love C. Through faith in the risen Christ, believers experience justification — forgiveness of sins and imputation of Christ's righteousness D. The resurrection inaugurated the eschatological last days — a foretaste of the age to come breaking into the present E. Christ's journey: from humiliation (incarnation to death) to exaltation (resurrection to enthronement in power) F. As firstborn from the dead and head of the church, Christ possesses resurrection life so his people may receive it from him G. The resurrection means ongoing union with Christ — a vital daily walk empowered by resurrection reality

IV. The Great Shepherd of the Sheep (Hebrews 13:20c)

A. The title draws together Old Testament shepherd imagery with New Testament Christology B. Jesus receives this designation because the culmination of his shepherding was his sacrificial atoning death for his flock C. John 10 — Jesus declares himself the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep

1. His sheep recognize his voice and follow him
2. He grants them eternal life; they will never perish
3. This relationship involves knowledge, recognition, and security rooted in Christ's authority

V. By the Blood of the Eternal Covenant (Hebrews 13:20d)

A. Christ's blood reaches deeper than a single historical moment — it originates in the eternal covenant of redemption within the triune being of God B. Because sin corrupts human blood, sinless blood was required; the eternal Son took on flesh through the incarnation, with the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary to provide sinless blood for atonement C. This covenant operates on multiple levels

1. Jesus inaugurated the new covenant at the Last Supper: "This is my blood of the covenant which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins"
2. Christ's blood exists in heaven upon God's throne as the blood of the everlasting covenant D. Through this blood, sin will ultimately end, transgression be finished, iniquity purged, and creation cleansed of Satan's presence

VI. Equip You with Everything Good (Hebrews 13:21a)

A. God equips believers through the Holy Spirit, forming them for good works prepared beforehand B. Scripture itself is an essential equipping tool — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — profitable for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness C. Christ distributes gifted leaders to equip the saints — Ephesians 4:11-12 D. Intercessory prayer strengthens equipping, as Epaphras strove in prayer for the Colossians to stand mature and fully assured E. God commits to complete the good work begun in believers — Philippians 1:6 — equipping extends from present empowerment to future fulfillment

VII. That You May Do His Will (Hebrews 13:21b)

A. Doing God's will requires first knowing it — believers are to be filled with knowledge of his will as their chief aim B. God's will encompasses holiness, gratitude, dedication to the Lord, doing good, suffering for righteousness, and living according to his purposes C. Beyond knowledge, God equips believers to execute his will, working within them to carry it out in each situation D. This involves wise decision-making: considering circumstances, seeking counsel, following the Spirit's leading, and applying biblical principles E. God's will applies to all areas of life: sanctification, sexual purity, thanksgiving, conduct that honors God, generosity, and mutual service

VIII. Working in Us That Which Is Pleasing in His Sight (Hebrews 13:21c)

A. The foundation is the heart before actions — God works from within outward, stirring affections and empowering the will B. Four essential dimensions: an action pleasing to God must align with Scripture in its action, attitudes, motives, and results C. God works within believers both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13) — yet human effort and diligence remain D. Making God's pleasure the great aim constitutes sound piety; pleasing people instead is the religion of hypocrites

IX. Through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:21d)

A. Jesus describes his activity as inseparably bound to the Father's work — "My Father is always at work to this very day, and I am working, too" (John 5:17) B. Believers are promised they will do greater works than Jesus — not surpassing him in power, but extending his revelatory mission through the Spirit following his ascension C. Works done in God contrast with evil works done in alliance with the devil — the distinction is whose power animates the work D. True righteousness exists only through grace — a person is justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the law (Galatians 2:16) E. Working through Christ means operating from grace, allowing the Spirit to animate actions, with righteousness depending entirely on his redemptive work

X. To Whom Be Glory Forever and Ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:21e)

A. The doxology cannot be improved upon — all glory belongs to the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, forever B. The entire benediction centers on Christ and the Trinity, consistent with the theme of Hebrews: Jesus is better — the better high priest, the better lamb, better than all