HEBREWS 13:20-21

As a pastor, I had the honor of preaching the Gospel of hope, at many funerals.  The Lord impressed upon me to close each with Hebrews 13:20-21.  There is irony in using these verses, because they are not referring to the departed loved one, but they form a prayer for those still living!  When you think about it, funerals are held to comfort and give a form of closure to those grieving their loss.  This short prayer, is not only intended to provide peace to those attending, but it also challenges the living to trust in Jesus Christ.  In a sense, it is the Gospel message that has the power to save souls (Rom. 1:16), but it also teaches that those who place their faith in Christ, can rest in knowing it is God who is at work in and through us.  We simply need to yield ourselves to Him!  The verses read:

"Now the God of peace, Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

*  Now the God of peace, - See also:  Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Th. 5:23; etc.

*  Who brought again from the dead - See also:  Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15, 26; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30; 17:31; etc.

*   our Lord Jesus, - See also:  Acts 4:33; 9:29; 15:11, 26; 16:31; 20:21; etc.

*  that Great Shepherd of the sheep, - See also:  Jn. 10:11, 14, 16; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4; etc.

*  through the blood - See also:  1 Cor. 10:16; Eph. 2:13; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:14; 10:19; 1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 7:14; 12:11; etc.

*of the everlasting covenant, - See also:  1 Chr. 9:16; Ps. 105:10; Isa. 55:3; Jer. 32:40; etc.

*  make you perfect in every good work to do His will, - See also:  Jn. 17:23; Gal. 3:3; Col. 1:28; Heb. 12:23; etc.

*  working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, - See also:  Eph. 3:20; Phil. 2:13; Col. 1:29; etc.

*  through Jesus Christ; - See also:  Rom. 6:11, 23; Gal. 4:7; Eph. 2:7; Phil. 4:7, 13; etc.

*  to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. - See also:  Rom. 11:36; Gal. 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:18; etc.

 

IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE GOD, PUT YOUR TRUST IN HIS RISEN SON.

THEN GET OUT OF THE WAY, AND ALLOW HIM TO WORK IN AND THROUGH YOU!