May 17, 2026
Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC
Several years ago, Penny and I saw the movie, “Good Night & Good Luck.” It’s a movie that tells the story about the CBS newscaster, Edward R. Murrow, who in the 1950s, stood up to Senator Joseph McCarthy’s accusations of people being involved in communism.
I found the movie very interesting, but I must say that I was bothered by his send off phrase that he would use after every news episode, “Good Night and Good luck.” I don’t know about you, but I’m in need of something more than just luck.
In our scripture reading this morning, Jesus shares final words with the disciples before ascending into heaven. I’m sure it was an emotional and tearful moment. They had been through so much together over a three-year period and it was now time for Jesus to leave them. Jesus didn’t tell the disciples, “good luck” as he was being lifted from their presence.
No. Luke tells us that he lifted his hands and blessed them and he continued to bless them as he ascended into heaven.
Of all the elements of a worship service; including the music, the sermon, and the prayers; there’s one element of worship in particular which sometimes gets forgotten and that’s the benediction.
My first pastorate was as a student intern. The Senior Pastor was on vacation one Sunday and had invited a guest pastor to preach on that particular Sunday.
My job as the student intern was to welcome this guest pastor and assist in the worship service such as handling the prayers and the scripture reading. Before we went into the sanctuary for worship, I asked this visiting pastor if he would like to offer the benediction when the service was over.
And he said to me, “No. I really think you should offer the benediction. That’s something that the congregation should hear from you.”
I’ll never forget that brief conversation which was over 40 years ago, and since then, I have tried to never take this last piece of the worship service for granted.
What really is the benediction? It’s a blessing upon the congregation as they prepare to go forth to live out the good news of Jesus Christ during the week.
The idea is that every Sunday morning when we come to this place for worship, we receive a blessing from Christ. Or to put it another way, you and I receive a blessing at the end of worship so that we can in turn go into our community to be a blessing to others.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that the living out of our faith has nothing to do with luck and has everything to do with who Jesus is.
His prayer of blessing upon the Church of Ephesus is that…
“the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.”
Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, Luke tells us that Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And specifically, he explained again the meaning of his crucifixion and resurrection and told them, “You are witnesses of these things. And once you receive the Holy Spirit, you are to proclaim this good news.”
Jesus didn’t leave the disciples with luck. His plan was to make sure that they would continue to live out his ministry by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit which they would soon be receiving.
Instead of luck, Jesus is offering to each one of us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, equip, and comfort us as we live out our faith.
When we say “good luck” to someone, it sounds very passive as if there’s nothing that they need to do to achieve their goals. But when we offer a blessing on someone to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct them in their life, God can do some amazing things through them.
I was having lunch with a member of a church in the same community where I was serving as pastor. We were getting to know each other and he shared how the Holy Spirit had guided someone in his church to start a really creative but simple way to connect the church with the community.
He said that this member got approval from the church to build an outside basketball court for people in the community to use. But he said it wasn’t just about building an outside basketball court. The idea was to initiate relationships with people in the community who would would use it.
To help with this, they intentially place a basketball on the court during a time of the day when young people are walking by the church so that they will be more likely to start playing. And then this church has someone watching all of this and when that person sees a young person or a group of people gather on that court, that church member goes and starts shooting baskets with them with the intention of getting to know them and to build relationships.
As these positive relationships are formed, they begin to bring their friends and family members to the church. Because of the blessing of the Holy Spirit, this creative new ministry has become a bridge between the church and the community.
When Jesus left the disciples by ascending into heaven, he also offered a blessing upon them to allow the Holy Spirit to empower them to be intentional in sharing the good news of Christ with others.
I notice that Jesus didn’t give the disciples a detailed strategy on how to go about being his witnesses. He pretty much left that up to us to figure out. God gave us minds to think these things through and the Holy Spirit to empower us to carry forth his mission.
He doesn’t want us to depend on luck to fulfill His purposes. He wants us to participate with him and to share in the joy of sharing the love of Christ in our community and world.
Ascension Day is an opportunity for us to receive Jesus’ blessing to carry on his ministry here on earth even though he is not physically present with us. We don’t have to rely on luck, thank goodness for that!
Jesus’ blessing upon us is to await the coming of the Holy Spirit who will guide and empower us to be a blessing to others.
As you go through your week, think back to this moment when you received this blessing from Jesus. Know that he is sending you the Holy Spirit who will enable you to do more than you can ever think, dream, or imagine.
And this would be a good time for me to close out this sermon by personally saying to each one of us.
Good day and God bless!
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