Rev. 5.8-10 History’s Greatest Worship Service

 

Intro: We have spent the last month or so on Sunday Mornings in Heaven – Not Lit./       but in where we are studying

A)   Heavenly Scene – Ch. 4 – THRONE & the one who sits upon the throne

 

B)    Ch. 5 – Last week – Scroll – Title Deed – THE GREATEST REALESTATE DEAL IN HISTORY

1)                 JESUS our GOEL – OUR KINSMEN REDEEMER – Purchased Planet Earth – ( Now waiting for HIM  to lay claim to his Possession

 

A)   This morning – still in Heaven – catch a glimpse of the GREATEST WORSHIP SERVICE IN HISTORY

1)                 Greatest in Size – Biggest one ever – Bigger than any conf. / Think you belong to a big Church now – AINT SEEN NOTHING YET

 

A)   Believers from all over the Earth – gathered together around the throne in Heaven – Awesome !!!!!!

 

Been said – 3 things Amazed about  in Heaven – We will be AMAZED  by who’s not there

We will be AMAZED by who is there / And  we will be AMAZED –That we are there !!!!! Wow – I can’t believe it – HEAVEN – HOME!!!!!!

 

So it will be the Greatest in size – the Greatest in Location – there before the Throne millions of Believers / 4 Living Creatures / 24 Eld/Angels

A)   Guys I have a hunch the acoustics are going to be INCREDIBLE

 

B)   It is going to be the GREATEST IN ATMOSPHERE – not at a Distance like now / Not hindered by Distractions

1) We are going to see the Lord Face to face

 

 

Pick up in  v. 8 this morning where We have 3 Great movements of Worship in these verses / 3 Eruptions of Praise /

A)  Today v. 8-10 cover the first Song  / next week we will finish the Chapter

 

B)  Because there is a lot here that we can learn about the true nature of Worship there is a lot for us to see here !!!!

 

C) Begin by asking a couple of Questions

 

I.                 HOW IMPORTANT IS WORSHIP TO YOU !!!!!

A)   Some people actually view worship as kind of a warm up –Christian Calisthenics/ It is what we do to get people AWAKE to hear the message

 

B)   I even know some Pastors who view Worship in that way – Purely Preparatory – Prepare People to Hear the message

 

C)   Others see Worship as filling time – ( gives people a chance to get their cars parked / kids in class

1)                 Others see it as – RITUAL – It is just what you do before a Church service or a Bible study – written in a Manual someplace

 

A)   And sad to say – there are even those who see it as a WASTE OF TIME

1)                 They are not into it / Don’t like to do it !!!!!

 

A)   hopefully none of those represent your ATTITUDE about WORSHIP –

1)                 And if it does – I pray that when we are done your – attitude will be Dramatically Changed

 

I read a Story  in church recently. An elderly woman was standing with eyes closed and hands raised in prayer and praise. The three-year-old standing in the pew in front of her turned around and gave her a high-five!

 

Obvious the 3 yr old was confused about Worship / We shouldn’t be

2nd Question

I.                 How important is worship to God !!!!!

A)    Well in John Ch. 4 Jesus is having a Conversation about Worship w/ a Women at a Well –  there in v. 23 Jesus makes a remarkable statement

 

23     "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.   ( Hear that – the Father is seeking such …..Him )

 

A)    Only Place in the Bible where that phrase is Uttered – the Father is Seeking – something ( What He is seeking is Worshippers )

1)              Seeking those who will Worship him in Spirit & in Truth !!!

 

A)     We Learn from this that Worship is a Priority w/ God !!!!!

1)                 In fact in Rev. 4 we Read 

Rev. 4: 11  During 24 Elders worshipping the one on the Throne declaring He Worthy ; For You created all things, And by Your will or ( FOR YOUR PLEASUE)  they exist and were created."

 

A)    That tells us that part of the Reason we exist is for His Pleasure – and one of the ways that We Bring Him Pleasure – is in Worship

1)                 Exhorted in Heb. 13: 15 

 

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

 

Often times we think that the Focus of the Church ought to Evangelism or OUTREACH

A)   Although that is very important -  (Great Commission) – Go into all the World …….

 

B)   Jesus said – I have come to seek & to Save the Lost – ( It is very important aspect of the Church – is on the heart of the Lord)

1)                 But Not the Main – Focus

 

Others say – the Main Focus of the Church should be Equipping –or INREACH – Make disciples / Didn’t Paul say in Eph. 4

11  He is the one who gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.

12  Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ,13  until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.

 

A)    That needs to be our main focus – Equip the Saints -  ( that too is vitally important – on God’s heart – See his body Functioning Maturity

1)                 Each part is Strong & Solid & doing its Share

 

A)    But INREACH is not the most important thing either

 

Listen the thing that tops the list – is UPREACH – worship

A)   The Reason this is the most important thing is – All that we do for the Lord Has to Stem this /   Stems from Our Relationship to Him !!!

 

B)   The Bible says that we Love Him / Because He First Loved us / So our desire to Serve the Lord is really a Response to His Love

 

C)   When I realize that God is so AWESOME – done so much for me – I respond – by saying Lord what can I do for You !!!!!!

1)                 I recognize that God has saved me & pulled me out of a Pit – My response is -  I HAVE TO TELL SOMEBODY – Evangelism happens

 

But it all starts right there in that Place of Worship – Seeing Him

A)   Martha learned this – Busy serving – doing her thing – Being Busy

       Jesus said One thing is needed / Mary has Chosen that one thing

 

B)    Martha come sit – glean / Behold me

 

C)    Breakfast at Debbie Ann’s -  Friday – guy w/ his Friend – spent ½ the Meal on his Cell phone talking to different People ( We do that w/ Him)

III. In the rest of our time this Morning I want us to look at 6 Aspects of true Worship that we see here in the text – here is the First

A)   Worship is a Response to who God is & what He has done

 

B)   Note – Worship begins after one is found worthy to open the Scroll  So Worship is the Response to a Completed act !!!!

1) Jesus takes the Scroll /  24 elders Break into this Song of Redemption

 

C)    And What the 24 Elders are seen doing here should be the natural Response of any redeemed Person

1)                 God I am so GRATEFUL – for what you have done for me – I just have to tell you

 

A)    True Worship is not Difficult or Forced – Natural Result of Beholding the Lamb

 

 

Now because true Worship is  a Response – to what God has done & who He – that means that people don’t have to be Worked up

A)   Or Pumped up by a Worship leader or Pastor in order to Worship

 

B)   When people really Worship it is  not  because they have been Manipulated by Someone –into singing

1)                 But it is simply the natural response to seeing the Lord – Realizing His love / Understanding His Grace

 

A)   However having said that I do believer that  it is the Worship leaders Job – to lead the Congregation in Worship –

1)                 That  takes a great deal of Sensitivity to the Lord

 

A)   He needs to be able to Discern when there is a Block – when people are struggling – ( Spirit might lead him to pray or Share a Scripture )

1)                 Get our Hearts in tune – Help us see the Lord /  Like the elder in v. 5 BEHOLD THE LAMB

 

I would like to say – that all of You woke up this Morning & said – Alright it is Sunday – I can’t wait to go to Church & Worship !!!!

A)    Maybe that should be our response but for most I don’t think that is the reality ( Spent the Morning – rushing get ready – Kids – ready

 

B)    Some debated in your mind – should I even go – tired – And the last on your mind when you walk in here is I can’t wait to Worship

1)                 Instead – Your reaction as you plopped down in your Seat – was I MADE IT

 

C) That is where in this fast paced society / where it is so easy to be distracted that  a Worship leader  can really be used to get our focus on J.C.

 

 

So Worship is first of all scene as a Response to God & His Work /

A)   Now because worship is to be a response that also means that it is not going to be dictated by my feelings & emotions

 

B)   In other words there are going to be times when I don’t feel like worshipping / maybe tired or just down emotionally

1)                 I might walk into this place thinking I had a horrible day today & I have nothing to sing about

 

A)   But the moment I get my eyes off of Me & On to Him – My only response is to Worship -  He is so Good / Faithful / True / Gracious

1)                 He is Worthy of all our Praise !!!!!!  / He has been faithful in our lives all week long & now it is our turn to respond !!

 

A)   ( Love when that Happens)

 

 

2nd thing – Worship involves Humility – Note the Position they assume

A)   V. 8 They fell down before the Lamb – they bowed down / SIGN OF RESPECT & Reverence

 

B)   In the O.T. the word Shakha is used for Worship 97 times / seen on 97 different occasions & that word means to Bow down

1)                 To Lay Prostrate / to bend / to stoop

 

A)   The idea is showing Humility in the Presence of God / It is declaring in our Hearts that He is the CENTER OF ATTENTION

1) Many Scriptures that bear this out Psa. 95: 6  Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

 

 

Now if You Think about it /   the very act of Worship Announces the Absence of Self Absorption  & Self Centeredness

A)    When we are truly worshipping the Lord we are not Preoccupied w/ ourselves / Our focus is not on us  / Focus is on Him !!!!

 

B)    We are Preoccupied w/ God –

 

Like a couple that is engaged – Can’t keep eyes off each other

A)   When they are in each other's presence they are constantly thinking about how they can Bless  each other / encourage each other /

 

B)   Needs of each other – Are you cold hot / hungry / thirsty / - then get married all changes

 

C)    In Worship we are Preoccupied w/ God – there is no other – No one else in the room – All that Matters is Him !!!!!!

 

This is the reason I believe why many people don’t get involved in Worship / They are self Absorbed

A) For some people it is so foreign for them to take the focus off of themselves

 

B)/ It is more comfortable for them to be the center of attention Such a

     Person can never be a Worship leader –

      1) Because Worship involves Humility / absence of Self Absorption

William Temple the Arch Bishop of Canterbury in the 1940’s hit the nail on the head when he declared True Worship  is the most selfless emotion our nature is capable of & is therefore the Chief Remedy for Self Centeredness which is the original sin & the source of all sin!!!!

 

C)That is very true – When I am truly worshipping the Lord – my Focus is

     no longer on myself – But on Him !!!!

1)                           True Worship is a Cure for Self Centeredness

 

A)    So Worship involves Humility – they Bowed down

 

 

3rd True worship involves Music – Note the possessions that each of these people employ in their Worship - Harps

A)   In their hands are these stringed instruments – worshipping by plucking the strings

 

B)    This is a good verse to point out to our friends in the Church of Christ who say that there shouldn’t be any music involved w/ Worship

1)                 Just singing !!!!! / Well here we see a Worship service in Heaven & there is Music

 

Music is a very powerful force in our Culture / it is used in everything

A)   Want to sell something – Need a little Jingle / millions of dollars are spent on finding a song – that will make an impact

 

B)    Studies done on how people’s emotions –were dictated by Music

1)                 In a room w/ soft sad music – Generally Sad /  But when the Music Changed – to being happy – Emotions followed suit

 

A)    In the O.T. we see that they regularly used instruments to worship the Lord / Timprels & Drums / tambourines / Trumpets / Cymbals

1)                 They would often go into Battle w/ the worship team – Leading the way ( PICTURE THAT )

 

A)   In 1 Chron. 15 – we see an Awesome scene of Worship – David is bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem – he assembled the Levites

to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, they raised their voices with resounding joy.

 

1 Chron. 25 – another time where David assembled together – 288 singers & Musicians to lead Israel in Worship

 

Psa. 150: 150:1  Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2  Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3  Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!

4  Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

5  Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

6       Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

 

Now a question that people often debate is what Kind of Music is God into / what Kind of Music is employed in Heaven ?

A)   Let me say simply – that I believe that God enjoys any style of Music that comes from your heart & is a true honest expression of Worship

 

B)    I don’t think that God says Hey that is not a 4X4 Beat – I can’t listen to that

 

C)   What kind of Music did they have in Ancient Israel & the early Church

1)                 We see from Passages like  Psa. 150 that their Music was Loud & rhythmic

 

D) That was God inspiring the Psalmist to Write - Praise Him with the trumpet,  the lute and harp! the timbrel and dance; with stringed instruments and flutes!  with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

 

A)    As if the Lord was saying – I want to hear Music / Strings Cymbals

But there are always those who argue – God can’t be into Electric Guitars & Drums that is the Devils music – Makes people do WEIRD THINGS

A)   Now that would be like saying – we need to ban all Knives – if you are a Christian you can’t own a Knife – People kill w/ Knives

 

B)   But think of all the Good that is done w/ Knives – Mothers who cut food

1)                 Doctors who operate on patience - / heroes who have cut ropes to free Prisoners

 

A)   The same thing that is true concerning a Knife is also true Concerning Musical Instruments – the issue is Who is Controlling it

1)                 When someone is using a Musical instrument to give Glory to God or to focus peoples hearts on the Lord it is a wonderful thing !!!!

 

 

So worship involves Music – Also involves Prayers –

A) Notice that they also held in their hands golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

 

B)Worship involves Praise – Declaring God’s Greatness / but it can also

    involve Petition – Expressing our need

 

 

C)Psa. 141: 2  Let my prayer be set before You as incense,

 

A)   There is a Place for this in Worship – it is not the only thing that we want to do – ( But it has it’s place in our Worship )

1)                 More of you Lord – More Love / Asking for Filling

 

Another aspect that we see here is that is obvious – Worship involves singing – v. 9  THEY SANG

A)   Now we can rejoice that God is not interested in how you & I sound

 

B)   Great singers / not so great singers – makes no difference to Him – It is the heart that He looks at (  Psalms Joyful NOISE ) Not perfect singing

But notice also what Kind of song they sang – It was a New song

A)   It is interesting that in the Psalms we are exhorted often to sing a New Song

 

B)    The idea is don’t let your worship become Stagnate – same old stuff week  in & week out ( Not Ritual / Religion – but Relationship)

1)                 Now some people say – I only like the old Hymns

 

A)    Be honest – I like the Hymns too – they are meaty – Great depth to the Lyrics that we don’t see as much today

1)                 But the Hymns are really expressions of what God was doing 200/300/ 400/ even 800 yrs ago

 

A)    Every Generation needs to have fresh expressions of Worship

 

 

Another thing that a lot of people don’t realize about the Hymns – especially those who complain about contemporary styles of worship

A)   Many of those Hymns in those days were really on the Edge

 

B)    The Music & styles were very contemporary for that day !!!!

 

Martin Luther the leader of the Protestant reformation & a great Hymn writer asked this question in 1524 How has it happened that in the secular field there are so many fine Poems & so many beautiful songs – while in the Religious field we have such Rotten lifeless stuff !!!!!

 

C)    Back in the Late  60’s beg. Of Jesus people movement – Larry Norman asked the same Question in a Song – Why does the Devil have all the good Music

 

Luther went on to say: We must read preach write & compose verse & when it is helpful & Beneficial I would let all of the BELLS PEEL & all of the ORGANS THUNDER & everything SOUND THAT COULD SOUND

                         GO MARTIN

What Martin Luther did do is take the popular drinking songs of that day the melodies that were being played in the bars

A)   And turned them into worship songs by Changing the words

 

B)   Songs like Away in a Manager & A Mighty Fortress is our God –

1)                 when People first heard those songs & recognized the melodies they gasped – How could he do that (  today they are Classics)

 

A)    In 1690 the teen age son of a Preacher came to his dad & said Dad I really Love the Lord & I like hearing you Preach / but the Music at Church Stinks

 

B)   His Dad became angry that he would say such a thing – and challenged him to write some new songs -  Write he did

1)                 That young mans name was Isaac Watts he gave to the Church some 360 great songs of worship

 

A)   William Booth – reach the lost on the Streets – it wasn’t conducive to hall an organ around – so he used Trumpets & tambourines

1)                 In his day – He was accused of Employing Devil Music

 

A)   Point is they recognized the need for New songs -  ( Adapt w/ the Changing Culture )

 

 

The last thing I want us to see this Morning is what Kind of new song they were singing v. 9,10

9  And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

10     And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."

 

A)    This is the song of the Redeemed which is another good reason why I think that these 24 Elders Represent the Church ( Only we can sing that)

B)    Angels were not Redeemed – Only the Church has been Redeemed

 

C)    Redemption speaks of the Buying & Releasing of one who was formerly a Prisoner

 

D)   Too often we don’t think of ourselves in this way that we were confined prisoners to our sin / ( Yet Christ set us Free by His Blood)

 

That redemption has made us Kings -  Has both a Future & a Present Application - 

A)   As far as the Future tense goes – although I don’t understand how this is

going to work the bible says Jesus sets up His Kingdom we will rule w/ Him

 

B)   But in the Present tense the Lord has made us Kings in this sense

1)                 Some of you Prior to coming to Christ were addicted to Drugs & Alcohol – those things had Mastery over Your lives

 

A)   But today – by the Grace of God You are able to rule over that – You are a King over your Drunken Habits

 

B)   Some of you had fierce tempers – You were hard to live w/ but now you are a Changed man / a King ruling over your TEMPER

 

Kings but also Priest – 2 Pet. 2

9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

 

A)    It is in Worship that we fulfill that Priestly office – joining in the Privilege that in the O.T. was only reserved for a specific tribe

1)Now has been made available to all Believers