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This week's eNote
May 26, 2025 by pastor chip freed
On May 25, Pastor Curt Bissell shared the second-to-last message in our current Teaching Series, “The Way of the Worshiper,” focusing on the Benediction. He shared that a benediction is "a word of blessing to send you out into the world after you've been filled by God's spirit, to live a transformed life."
Pastor Curt said that benedictions aren't just for pastors or church leaders: they're for all of us, in every situation we face. I loved how he outlined what he called “The Four Calls of a Benediction” as a way of helping us to truly understand and utilize the power of benedictions:
1. A Call for a Specific Situation
Every benediction addresses a particular context or need. Think about the familiar blessing from Numbers 6:24-26: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." This benediction was originally spoken over the Nazarites, who had taken a special vow of dedication to God.
What's your situation today? Is it a challenge at work, a strained relationship, or an internal struggle? Identify it, because that's where your benediction will take root.
2. A Call Rooted in the Character of the Lord
To speak an effective benediction, we need to draw upon the character of God. In the Greek New Testament, two terms are used for "word": logos and rhema. Logos represents the totality of God's character, embodied in Jesus Christ. As we learn about Jesus, we discover that He is "compassionate and loving and forgiving and humble and wise and peaceful and powerful and righteous and gracious."
What attribute of God do you need most in your situation? His patience? His forgiveness? His love? Let that characteristic form the foundation of your benediction.
3. A Call of Spiritual Blessing
While logos represents the fullness of God's character, rhema is the "now" word of God – a specific, timely message for your situation. It's not enough to know about God; we need to experience His presence and power in our lives. As Romans 10:17 tells us, "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word [rhema] of Christ."
This is where the Holy Spirit comes in, helping us to speak a word that "cuts through the situation and touches the heart." It's not about quoting a textbook definition of your problem; it's about allowing God's Spirit to speak a life-giving word into your circumstances.
4. A Call to Faith in Action and Abundance
A benediction isn't just about receiving a blessing – it's about being empowered to live it out. Pastor Curt reminded us that "A good word without a good work is a waste, just as James says Faith without works is dead." The benediction sends us forth equipped to face our challenges and shine Christ's light in dark places.
If you haven’t already done so, I hope you’ll take a few moments this week to use these 4 “Calls” to craft your own benediction.
