Ephesians 6:23-24 - Homiletics

The benediction.

The last drops of the Epistle are of the dew of heaven.

I. THE BENEDICTION FOR THE BRETHREN .

1. Its substance .

2. Its source . "God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

II. THE BENEDICTION FOR THE WHOLE CHURCH . Grace , sum and substance of the Epistle—"the Epistle of grace." With that he began, with that he ends. But the word is much richer after the exposition of the Epistle. It has been connected with two eternities, past and future. And with the infinity of the three-one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the soul of the reader has been exercised and expanded to its utmost stretch, in trying to comprehend it; but it is incomprehensible. And now, with all this added fullness of meaning, it falls on the head of all that love the Lord Jesus in incorruptibility. This treasure, multiplied, deepened, lengthened, heightened to infinity, I invoke on you, says the apostle, in the Name of God. Blessed privilege of the minister who can do so. Deep responsibility of the people to whom it is done. Great importance of the closing benediction in public service; tendency to think of it as a mere closing form. It contains the very essence of all blessing. Let it be received reverently, pondered seriously, accepted joyously.