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Sermon Introduction

The author closed his letter with a blessing. Some call it a benediction. The author mentioned two titles in the benediction, one describing the Father and another describing the Son. The author addressed the Father as the God of peace; he addressed the Son as the great Shepherd of the sheep. The phrases "God of peace" and "great Shepherd of the sheep" are loaded with meaning. The most incredible peace that the Father brought to His chosen is the end of the enmity between the sinner and Himself. God brought this peace through the New Covenant in Christ, which is eternal. And the great Shepherd of the sheep will forever take care of His sheep because He is capable of doing so as high priest forever and because of the eternal efficacy of His blood. In essence, the benediction highlighted essential doctrines addressed in the whole discourse.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Hebrews 13:20-21 NASB

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Notes

The author closed his letter with a blessing. Some call it a benediction. The author mentioned two titles in the benediction, one describing the Father and another describing the Son. The author addressed the Father as the God of peace; he addressed the Son as the great Shepherd of the sheep. The phrases "God of peace" and "great Shepherd of the sheep" are loaded with meaning. The most incredible peace that the Father brought to His chosen is the end of the enmity between the sinner and Himself. God brought this peace through the New Covenant in Christ, which is eternal. And the great Shepherd of the sheep will forever take care of His sheep because He is capable of doing so as high priest forever and because of the eternal efficacy of His blood. In essence, the benediction highlighted essential doctrines addressed in the whole discourse.

1. The who is the God of peace and what He did was raise the Lord Jesus from the dead, made possible by the blood of the New Covenant in Christ, also known as the great Shepherd of the sheep (13:20; 9:11-28; 8:7-13).

2. The author’s prayer is that God would equip the believers with everything necessary to do His will, that which is pleasing to Him through Christ alone. It is impossible to please God without faith in the finished work of Christ (13:21).

3. The author ascribed glory to the Son, which signifies His belief that the Father and Son are one. Thus, giving glory to the Son is the same as giving glory to the Father (13:21).

Application

1. Know God and understand what He did through Christ; address Him properly when proclaiming the gospel and praying. Know Christ and understand the significance of His blood, which brought us the New Covenant

2. Pray that God would equip us to do His will in Christ, not our will, and not our desires, but His will alone in Christ, which pleases Him. How may we know /his will? We may know His will expressed in the Holy Scriptures.

3. Let us submit to the equipping process, which is studying God's word, obeying godly leaders, and imitating the faith of those who lead well. Our sole motive is for the glory of God. Soli Deo Gloria!

Discussion / Reflection

1. How may we connect the benediction (13:20) to critical elements of the whole book of Hebrews? Cite specific areas in Hebrews.

2. What was the blessing or prayer of the author for the believers? And what does that mean for us today?

3. How may we make sure that we are on track to pleasing God, which is fulfilling His will in Christ and gives Him glory?