Sinclair Ferguson Benediction

While on holiday a month ago, I had the privilege of sitting under the ministry of one of my favorite preachers and dearest friends, Sinclair Ferguson, now of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC. His message on June 25, 2006 was on "The Day of Grace" from Joel 2:18-32, and it was vintage Sinclair. Go listen!

One thing that arrested me about the service though, was Sinclair's pastoral instruction of the congregation in his introduction of the benediction. It went like this:

"Our Lord Jesus Christ is jealous for you, because He is jealous for His glory in you, that you may not be put to shame and that He may not be put to shame in you.

So look up to Him by faith and receive his benediction.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; The love of God, our heavenly Father; The help of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Strengthener; be with you all this day, and forevermore."

The introduction/instruction is just excellent. Short. Helpful. God-centered. Pastoral. Pure-tee Shorter Catechism #1. Piper-esque, you might say. But very much tied into the sermon text and message (listen to the whole thing). Good model for pastors.