No Apology, This is My Doxology

When I was kid, my parents came to know the Lord and I was raised Presbyterian, which was little be more liturgical (reciting things) in nature. And every week we would sing the Lord’s Prayer in the service as well as the Doxology.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

At the end of service.

Every single service 52 times a year.

The early church employed the practice of offering a doxology at the end of a service as a benediction, to leave things on a “high note” and give blessing to the congregation, and even more importantly, to orient members to have a heart of praise and thanks towards God and Jesus Christ as they left the meeting.

Doxology: From the Greek and Doxa meaning “glory, splendor, grandeur” the Greek word Logos meaning “word or speaking” – Words of praise to God

So, we were essentially singing/speaking “glory, splendor, and grandeur of God.

And I think Jude concludes in the same manner.

After writing his introduction, and remind us to contend for the faith in culture that does not, and do that while praying in the Spirit and continuing with love, he finishes with that which his predecessors would have done the same.

Following in the tradition of Jude, Paul, Peter, King David, and others.

“Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth.” – Genesis 24:27

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honour come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Psalm 72:18-20 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is his name.'” – Luke 1:46-49

You’ll notice a verse or small group of verses interspersed throughout a book of the Bible, often coming at the end of a passage. For instance, the Apostle Paul often times gave discourse and doctrine, or a rebuke to the people to whom he sent a letter, but then wedged a grand and glorious worship verse in there to punctuate things.

Doxologies always include: 4 Things

Addressee. Honor. Duration. Response

Jude 24 and 25

24 Now to him (God) who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present (to stand) you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time[h] and now and forever. Amen.

Addressee. (God)

Honor. “to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ”

Duration. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present (to stand) you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy”

Response. “Be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.

Our response to the book of Jude at least our proper response should always be

Glory: The expression of God’s person.

The glory of the Lord is the expression of God’s person. It is any manifestation of God’s character, any manifestation of His attributes in the world, in the universe, in His glory. In other words, the glory to God was the brightness is to the sun. The glory of God what wet is to water. The glory of God is what heat is to fire. It is the product of His presence, it is the revelation of Himself. Anytime God discloses Himself, it is the manifestation of His glory. –John MacArthur

Majesty: Greatness and Magnificence of God.

1 Chronicles 29:11 “Yours Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom: you are exalted as head over all.” (pic of Grand Canyon)

Dominion and Authority: God has power!

His rule and reign. He gets to govern. And has the right to do this!

Amen: Hebrew word meaning “so it is” or “let it be,” derived from a verb meaning “to be firm or sure.”

Much like Psalms in the Old Testament, doxologies can be great for us personally to learn, meditate on, pray and say out loud in private worship (and even publicly at times!).

It helps align and steer our hearts and minds towards giving God Almighty praise and glory throughout our day.

As Christians, we are called upon to worship in a way that brings glory to God. The use of a doxology is a beautiful way to say to God and others that you know where your blessings come from.

You love a God that has it all under control and will never leave your side. It is a powerful and important part of worship and serves to fuel our hunger to know more about our Lord

and to declare His Glory!

and to declare His Majesty!

and to declare His Dominion and Authority!

Doxology

Singing and Speaking the Glory, Majesty, Dominion and Authority of God Over your Life!

“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith – to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”– Romans 16:25-27

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Philippians 4:19-20

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”– 1 Timothy 1:17

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 2 Timothy 4:18

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”– Hebrews 13:20-21

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”– 1 Peter 5:10-11

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” – Jude 24-25

“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.'”– Revelation 19:1-2

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sing by his blood and made us a kingdom, priest to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:5b

He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15b-16

To the King of the ages, immortal invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask of thing, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21