WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:05.200 Hi, I'm Pastor Creighton, and thank you for tuning into Newsong Churches Podcast. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:16.160 We're a biblically faithful, gospel-centered Anglican church in Port Perry, Ontario, proclaiming the true and life-giving word of Jesus as we love and serve our neighbors. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:20.160 You can learn more about us at Newsongportperry.ca. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:24.239 May God bless you today through his life-giving word. 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:30.640 Reading from Revelation chapter 5. 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:53.039 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within it on the back, sealed with seven seals, and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals? 00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:02.479 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it. 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:10.560 And I began to weep loudly, because no one was found were found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:15.359 And one of the elders said to me, Weep no more. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:25.760 Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:45.359 And between the throne and the four living creatures, and among the elders, I saw a lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:51.439 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 00:01:52.159 --> 00:02:07.920 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the lamb, each holding a harp and a gold and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:31.039 And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransom people for God, from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:56.080 And I looked and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the lamb who is slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:02:56.960 --> 00:03:16.479 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them saying, To him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:20.800 And the four living creatures said, Amen. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:27.280 And the elders fell down and worshipped the word of the Lord. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:46.719 And honor and glory and blessing. 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:48.159 Let's pray. 00:03:54.080 --> 00:04:02.639 Lord Jesus, though we cannot comprehend such a mystery, just a glimpse of you revealed is compelling us to sing. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:09.280 Would we glimpse even a fraction of your glory, Lord Jesus? 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:20.399 And in glimpsing a fraction of your glory, would we be compelled to sing with the saints for all of eternity, how worthy you are. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:27.279 And would we be caught up in this great heavenly earth? 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:29.360 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:30.319 Amen. 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:32.560 Please be seated. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:43.839 So one of my favorite poets is T. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:44.079 S. 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:51.600 Elliott, and he wrote a play called The Cocktail Party, which is set, believe it or not, at a cocktail party. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:05:00.160 And what's going on is all these characters are having conversations with one another and all these relationships are getting entangled. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:08.560 The real question that's driving the whole thing is this how do we escape from the spiritual emptiness of modern life? 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:17.439 If we feel a sense of emptiness, what coping mechanisms, what strategies, how do we try and outpace this feeling? 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:30.800 So there is one conversation in particular that I'm interested in, and it's between Edward, the host, and this character named Riley, who's something of a psychiatrist or more of a kind of spiritual moral guide throughout the play. 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:36.560 Edward says to Riley, I'm obsessed by the thought of my own significance. 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:38.720 I mean, that's honest enough, right? 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:43.279 To which Riley responds like this, precisely. 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:49.680 I could go on to make you feel important, and you would imagine it a marvelous cure. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:51.920 Cure for spiritual emptiness, right? 00:05:52.560 --> 00:06:01.040 And you would go on doing such amount of mischief as lay within yourself until you came to grief. 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:07.519 Half of the harm that is done in the world is due to people who want to feel important. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:13.199 They don't mean to do harm, but the harm does not interest them. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:25.519 Or they do not see it, or they justify it, because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:30.959 They are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:32.079 Do you know the feeling? 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.279 I'm scared to say I know the feeling. 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:37.040 What's Riley's point here? 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:47.680 His point is this: our obsession with our own self-worth, feeling important, thinking well of ourselves, often leaves us feeling completely the opposite, doesn't it? 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:51.120 It leaves us feeling less worthwhile. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:53.839 It can end up leaving us feel worth less. 00:06:54.079 --> 00:07:00.399 It blinds us often to the harm that we do to others and it enables us to justify it. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:03.120 So we have a choice in our modern world. 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:07.600 We can either keep trying, but we know the definition of insanity. 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:12.560 We determine that nobody and nothing is worthwhile, really. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:14.079 That's nihilism. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:26.079 Or option three, we can try and determine what is truly worthwhile, something outside of ourselves, and we can try and relate ourselves rightly with it. 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:28.160 That's option three. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:32.079 So the question in front of us is what is true worth look like? 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:38.079 What is true worthiness look like, and how do we relate ourselves to that worthiness? 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:43.279 Well, we saw uh last week as we opened Revelation chapter 4, the clouds are parting. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:53.360 It's as though the plane is taking off and we rise above to see the glorious, peaceful splendor of heavenly worship taking place just over our heads. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:56.079 If only we could glimpse it, if only we could see it. 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:59.040 And here in chapter 5, it's much the same. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:03.279 We've seen what Jesus wants to say to his church in chapters 1 to 3. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:09.839 Now it's what Jesus wants his church to see that we're concerning ourselves with in chapters four and five. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:15.120 And here, as we conclude our study in Revelation for this summer, we see this. 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:22.240 Jesus wants us, his church, to see the one who is truly worthy. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:29.600 He wants us to see what true worth really means and who is truly worthy. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:42.559 And it's in beholding this worth that we gain the perspective to worship God and to trust his sovereign purposes and to persevere through suffering and despair. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:47.200 So three questions I want us to use to interrogate this idea with. 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:49.279 Jesus wants to see the one who's truly worthy. 00:08:49.440 --> 00:08:55.840 Let's ask who is worthy, let's ask why is he worthy, and let's ask, for what is he worthy? 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:56.799 Who is worthy? 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:57.759 Why is he worthy? 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.519 For what is he worthy? 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:04.000 That's what Jesus wants us to see with John today. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:12.080 And as I've been sort of going through this passage, as I've been working through my sermon notes, there's this one voice that kind of keeps cropping up in my head. 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:17.600 And it's an objection, and maybe it's a composite of a number of people I know, maybe you've met people like this too. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:25.519 The objection is this what I don't like about Christianity is it completely undermines self-worth, right? 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:32.320 It's all about let's elevate God, let's talk about worthwhile Jesus is, and it says nothing about how worthwhile I am. 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:38.159 I need a worldview that leaves me feeling more worthwhile and not less. 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:40.960 A little bit like we're at the cocktail party, right? 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:43.120 Here's what I want us to see. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:51.360 I want us to see the answer to where we find true self-worth as we encounter the one who is truly worthy. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:53.600 I think we can answer this objection together. 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:55.200 Let's open up uh the scriptures. 00:09:55.279 --> 00:10:02.080 Let's open up Revelation 5 together, either in your Bibles in front of you, I think page 967. 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:06.799 Or you can open up your order of service. 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:12.639 Let's ask these three questions as we figure out who the worthy one is. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.000 Who is this worthy one? 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:15.120 Verses 1 to 5. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:16.879 Let me read the first four verses. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:29.519 Then John says, I saw in the right hand of him who is seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:37.679 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals? 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:47.200 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:57.600 And I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open up the scroll or to look into it. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:05.200 So if the question is who is worthy, probably it's the Sunday school answer that leaps to mind, right? 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:07.679 And you're absolutely correct. 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:21.120 But before we get ahead of ourselves, I want us to enter into the hugely, cosmically consequential drama that is taking place in the throne room of God here. 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:30.879 I want us to see through John's eyes, and what John knows, what he sees, suggests that the stakes could not be higher. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.399 Let's appreciate that. 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:38.240 God is seated on his heavenly throne, and he is holding a seven-sealed scroll. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:40.080 What's the deal with this scroll? 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:44.399 On the one hand, it resembles Roman wills and contracts, right? 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:51.440 Sealed with uh, you know, an inscription or something that would pertain to the person it's intended for. 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:55.840 And it would have a description of the contents on the back, right? 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:59.120 So it's a Roman will, it's a contract of sorts. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:06.639 We've seen God communicate his will with the images of scrolls in the Bible before, right? 00:12:06.799 --> 00:12:21.840 Remember, Revelation is always assuming that we're good students of the Old Testament, and so in Ezekiel 2 and 3, we see God giving the prophet Ezekiel a scroll to pass along to his people, as it were, his word, his plan for salvation, right? 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:27.519 So John sees the scroll and he knows intuitively what it represents. 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:42.559 In the words of commentator Daryl Johnson, the scroll contains the completeness of God's plan for rectifying what is wrong and establishing his gracious rule in the world. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:49.919 The scroll contains God's plan for bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:52.639 Don't you want the scroll to be open? 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:58.960 Don't you want evil and suffering that you've experienced to be finally and completely answered? 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.639 That's what John wants. 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:02.559 We want that too. 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:09.759 Opening this scroll is the only way to realize God's will for humanity once and for all. 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:12.480 And we are so close to it, aren't we? 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:15.360 But one thing is required. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:22.240 Someone, anyone who is worthy to open up this scroll. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:25.919 If God is worthy, he could open it up, but that's not the point. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:32.559 Is there anyone in human history who is free from the stain and corruption of sin? 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:37.279 Who hasn't rebelled against God in his or her own heart? 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:42.320 Who hasn't worshipped the false gods of their desires or their ambitions? 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:45.759 Can you understand why John weeps? 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.879 These are ugly tears. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:57.759 And they are ugly tears because this unopened scroll means an unredeemed universe forever. 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.320 We are so close. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:06.159 And yet without someone who is worthy to open up this scroll, there is no real hope for humanity. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.919 There is no real hope for you. 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:10.000 There is no real hope for me. 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:14.480 We will all just spiral off into nothing forever. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:19.759 Some see this as an honest outlook in life. 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:28.799 Towards the end of his life, the famous British public intellectual and atheist Bertrand Russell was asked, you know, what do you hold on to? 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:32.240 You know, that's an important question for the end of your life, right? 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:33.600 What do you hold on to? 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:35.519 And do you want to know what his answer was? 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:38.960 Grim and unyielding despair. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:45.200 That's what Bertrand Russell has to hold on to at the end of his life. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:49.120 And you know, I think he says it as something to be admired. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.480 Because at least I'm being honest about my outlook here. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:15:00.240 And frankly, if the scroll remains unopened, that's all we have to hold on to as well, isn't it? 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:03.840 Grim and unyielding despair. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:07.200 This is the universe we are inches away from. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.080 But this need not be our answer. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.840 Verse 5. 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:19.679 One of the elders said to me, to John, weep no more. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:26.639 Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:31.600 So he can open up the scroll and its seven seals. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:33.360 Weep no more, John. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:35.759 I've got good news for you. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:38.480 In fact, I've got the good news for you. 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:43.440 There is one who is worthy, and he is the Lion of Judah, right? 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:49.360 This principal, kingly image that we have carried forward ever since Genesis chapter 49. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.039 He is the root of David. 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:53.360 We read about that in Isaiah 11. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.879 He is the Messiah. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.080 He is worthy. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:56.559 Why? 00:15:56.720 --> 00:16:10.720 Because he has conquered, he has overcome, he has vanquished sin and death and meaninglessness and despair by way of his cross and his resurrection. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:17.039 So if the question is, who is worthy, the answer is this: the Lion of Judah is worthy. 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.720 The Lion of Judah. 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:23.039 Jesus the Messiah is uniquely worthy. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.159 Hallelujah. 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:26.240 The scroll can be opened. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:31.120 See, from time to time, maybe this, I'm just going to make a confession here. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:33.679 I've been a Christian pretty much all my life. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:35.039 I hang out in the church a lot. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.159 I hang out with you guys a lot. 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:37.679 I like that a lot. 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:45.279 But the danger sometimes of the danger is I never do this thought experiment from time to time. 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:47.919 What would life be like apart from Jesus? 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:53.120 I wonder if sometimes we need to ask ourselves that question. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:57.200 Because I think there's at least a couple things that could result. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:00.559 One is a greater love for Christ. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:07.039 Because we can appreciate the fact that he alone is uniquely worthy to move forward God's plan of salvation. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:09.920 He does what I cannot do for myself. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:13.119 And so, apart from Christ, I have no hope. 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:16.559 But with Christ, I have all the hope in the universe. 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:19.200 Surely that increases my love for Christ. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:26.640 Here's a second thing that can result: a greater desire to share Christ with those who have yet to know his hope. 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:33.759 Because if I'm caught up in this heavenly hope, surely, surely, I want that hope to go into all corners of the world. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:36.000 I want to share it with those that I love. 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.359 Who is worthy? 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.559 The Lion of Judah. 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:43.440 Jesus, the Messiah, is worthy. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.200 Here's what's interesting. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:49.920 John hears about a lion, and that signals who's worthy. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:53.279 But when he turns to look, he sees something quite different. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.640 Did you notice that? 00:17:55.519 --> 00:18:01.119 And what he sees says everything about how Jesus has conquered. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.240 Who is worthy? 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.359 The Lion of Judah. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.480 Why is he worthy? 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:07.200 Let's look at verses 6 to 10. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.680 Um, yeah, 6 to 10. 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:14.799 And between the throne, God's throne, and the four living creatures, right? 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:26.640 We met them last week, these heavenly beings, and among the elders, these 24 elders seated around the throne, right, representing God's people, I saw a lion. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:28.880 A lamb. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.880 That's very interesting. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:38.559 I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain, with seven horns representing power, right? 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:45.680 With seven eyes representing omniscience, which are the seven spirits of God, right? 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:51.200 The fullness of God's one Holy Spirit sent out into all the earth. 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.240 Verse 7. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:59.599 And he went and took the scroll, the Lamb took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:11.920 And when he had taken up the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:14.240 And they sang a new song. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:16.559 Hey, that's a good name for a church. 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:24.880 They sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seals. 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.359 Why? 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:27.279 Don't you want to know why? 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:46.640 For you were slain, and by your blood you redeemed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:56.640 So we know that it's Jesus who's worthy to open up God's plan of salvation, and we know he's worthy because he's conquered sin, death, meaninglessness, and despair, right? 00:19:56.799 --> 00:20:02.160 He's introduced himself in chapter 1 as the one who has died, and behold, I'm alive forevermore. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.000 I have the keys of death in Hades. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:06.000 He's not kidding around here. 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:09.519 He's the lion of Judah, and lions conquer. 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:13.920 But notice, John looks for a lion. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.440 What does he see? 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:18.960 A lamb, as though it had been slain. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:24.079 See, the lamb evokes the whole biblical story of sacrifice, doesn't it? 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:29.519 The Passover lamb, sacrificed as a substitution in Exodus chapter 12, right? 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:35.839 The Old Testament priestly sacrificial system pointing ahead to the one great sacrifice to come. 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:39.039 It remembers Isaiah's suffering servant. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:41.119 We like sheep have gone astray. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:45.119 On him this servant was laid the iniquity of us all. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:51.519 Jesus has conquered, but not as a lion who has slain his enemies. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:21:00.799 He's conquered as a lamb who was slain by his enemies and for his enemies. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.839 Do you see? 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:22.559 On the cross, Jesus uniquely and unrepeatedly makes satisfaction for sin and death as our great high priest by acting not only as our high priest who makes the offering, but also as the sacrificial lamb being offered as a substitution for us, his sinful people. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:30.880 That's why the book of Hebrews in chapter 10 can say that we've now been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:33.519 And what's the result of this sacrifice? 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:44.559 By his blood, he has redeemed, he's rescued, he's purchased back people from every tribe and language and people and nation and made us a kingdom and priests to our God. 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:50.240 The people of God are no longer to be identified with just one nation or ethnicity. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:53.519 God's salvation goes out to all people. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.039 Right? 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:59.359 And his kingdom envelops all national boundaries. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:05.279 Not only are we made citizens of his kingdom, we are made priests. 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.880 Did you notice that? 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:10.640 We are royal citizens and priests. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:29.680 Now it's my humbling privilege to serve the church as an ordained priest, or as in what a New Testament would call a presbyter, but we should never forget this: that before the church has a priesthood, an ordained priesthood, the church is a priesthood, a priesthood of all believers. 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:45.839 And we minister God's truth and his grace to the world, standing like a priest, ministering God's truth and goodness to the world, and bringing the burdens and cares of this world before God. 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:54.000 See, friends, when a friend comes to you and unburdens themselves, says, This is the struggle I'm going through right now, here's what I'm trying to do right now. 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:58.960 And you say, Let me pray for you, you are acting as God's priest. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:03.359 You are bearing God's heart to them and their heart to God. 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.079 This is our calling. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:10.400 To participate in the great priesthood of Christ. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:13.359 To God's glory and for the sake of the world. 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.480 Do you see? 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:18.400 Do you see why Jesus is worthy? 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:28.319 He's worthy because he is the great high priest, the once-for-all sacrificial Lamb who has reconciled us to God. 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:38.319 And being reconciled to God, united with Christ by faith, we now share in his royal priestly ministry. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:49.440 This means victory comes not through slaying enemies, it comes by way of Christ and going to Christ. 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:54.240 See, one of the things that has me excited these days, I'm not online a ton. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:56.319 Rachel keeps me posted. 00:23:56.559 --> 00:24:04.000 But one thing I'm very excited about what I see online is an increasing interest in Christianity. 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.440 I think that's very cool. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:11.440 I think it's very cool to see young people having conversations about faith and spirituality and Christianity in particular. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.960 This is all very exciting. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:21.839 There are more people, anecdotally, there are more people today who are interested in talking with you about your faith than there might have been in previous generations. 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.799 That's pretty cool. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:25.519 That's a cool opportunity, isn't it, new song? 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:29.200 If I have a concern, it's only this. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:32.319 My concern is not that people want to talk about Christianity. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:35.759 My concern is their motivation for talking about it. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:42.000 Because often the question behind this interest is something like this: what can Christianity do for me? 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:43.039 Right? 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:50.319 Maybe it's as grandiose as Christianity has the capacity to save Western civilization from oblivion. 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:53.039 That's not unimportant, right? 00:24:53.680 --> 00:25:02.000 Or maybe the question behind the question is something like this: can Christianity give me that sense of personal fulfillment that I'm looking for? 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:05.119 Because if not, then I'll move on to the next thing, you know? 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:10.640 Notice lion, lamb, and throne all go together. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:18.160 We cannot have the lion that conquers offers us the thing we want, so to speak, without the lamb. 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:24.480 True Christianity understands that there is a spiritual paradox at the center of the cosmos. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:27.440 Jesus is the powerful lion, yes. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:30.319 There is nothing he is not capable of. 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:33.920 But he conquers by way of the Lamb. 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:38.319 Are we willing to do the same? 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.599 Right? 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:47.759 When Christianity asks of us not to vanquish our enemies, but to forgive them, do I want to take the way of the lion or the lamb? 00:25:48.640 --> 00:26:02.799 When Christianity asks me to choose non-retaliation, or to pray for my enemy, or to trust vengeance to the Lord, am I willing to only trust the lion and not the lamb? 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:05.759 Or am I willing to take both together? 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:10.640 See, these things, these images are given to us conflated together on purpose. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.400 We're not meant to split them up. 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:17.839 We like the power and strength of the lion, but we need to conquer by way of the lamb. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:25.759 We need to be those who follow in Jesus' footsteps and take up our cross to follow him to the glory of God and for the sake of our neighbor. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:27.200 Do you see the difference here? 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:37.359 Jesus is worthy because he is our great high priest and the sacrificial lamb. 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:41.519 And so therefore, we follow in the imitation of him. 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:46.559 Jesus is worthy, for what is he worthy? 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:49.119 Let's look at verses 11 to 14. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:27:14.640 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne, and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads and myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:31.279 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that is in them say, To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:34.319 So for what is Jesus worthy? 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:43.920 Notice the seven things that these heavenly hosts have declared that Jesus is worthy to receive: power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, blessing. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:49.519 These are seven of the most excellent tributes suitable to a conquering king. 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:54.160 And seven, as we've seen throughout Revelation, is the number of completeness, right? 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:56.160 It symbolizes fulfillment. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:28:00.640 So, in other words, what is King Jesus worthy to receive? 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:03.359 The answer is everything. 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:11.599 He is worthy of everything, every honor, every accolade, every single word of praise that we can utter. 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:15.839 Jesus is supremely worthy above them all. 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:25.039 There is nothing we can possess, nothing that we are, nothing that we can offer, which he is not worthy to receive. 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:31.440 After all, all things come of you, O Lord, and of your own have we given you. 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:34.079 And notice who declares them worthy. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:36.640 First, it's the whole company of heaven, right? 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:41.359 These four living creatures, the 24 elders, thousands upon thousands of angels. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.519 I mean, that's a big deal enough. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:47.759 But then the camera lens zooms out, as it were. 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:52.319 Heaven reverberates with the worthiness of the Lamb, but the circle expands. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:59.279 John hears every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them. 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:04.799 This vision is as cosmic and as comprehensive as it gets. 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:13.359 There is no voice in all of creation excluded from honoring Christ as worthy. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.559 So here are a couple of facts. 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:23.599 There are somewhere between 100 billion to 400 billion stars in our galaxy alone. 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.119 Think about that. 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:30.960 Most of these stars are likely to have their own planetary bodies. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:40.960 And our galaxy, made up of 100 billion to 400 billion stars, is just one of about 2 trillion galaxies in our universe. 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:49.119 And from what we can observe, the universe itself is about 93 billion light years in diameter and expanding. 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:59.599 Light from the most distant observable object takes about 13.8 billion light years to reach us. 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:03.599 John would have known none of this. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:07.519 We can barely get our heads around it, can we? 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:10.960 John would have known none of this, but not precisely. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:16.880 He would have known this truth perhaps better than any of us can fathom on this side of eternity. 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:21.119 And the truth is this: the heavens declare the glory of God. 00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:27.920 All of creation is wrapped up in declaring Jesus is worthy. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:32.319 No corner of the universe can't declare that. 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:44.000 Before this throne, every voice is gathered up, and every tongue confesses Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:46.720 And notice something remarkable, right? 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:56.960 The lion and lamb, right, these two images, one and the same, who emerges from the throne of God and receives the same worship as him who sits on the throne. 00:30:57.119 --> 00:31:11.680 So the crucified and risen Jesus, we're left to conclude, receives the worship due to God alongside the Father, in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, who is sent out from the throne, because he is God. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:16.559 And this God was slain for us. 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:20.960 So for what is Jesus worthy? 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:26.400 To receive everything from every conceivable creature. 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:28.480 And that includes you and me. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:32.400 And the four living creatures said, Amen. 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:36.160 And the elders fell down and worshiped. 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:44.000 Because what else can we do when we see a glimpse of this glory and worthiness revealed? 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:48.799 What else can we do but fall down and declare him to be worthy? 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:51.839 See, friends, we gather and worship. 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:55.599 Not because it might make us feel or not feel any particular feelings. 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:57.759 I mean, it's great to feel caught up in worship. 00:31:57.920 --> 00:32:01.759 I'm glad that we have a singing congregation that gets caught up in this. 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:04.319 But we don't sing to get the feels. 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:06.240 That's a nice side effect. 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.920 Why do we sing? 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:10.319 Because he's worthy. 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:15.759 And because he will keep being worthy regardless of the week or the month or the year that I've had. 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:17.599 And I need to be reminded of that. 00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:33.519 When I stand here and sing of his worthiness, I am training myself to take up my place in this heavenly chorus, where one day I will spend eternity declaring his worth and being caught up in it. 00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:36.720 That's what we're doing, friends, when we worship. 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:44.240 We are bringing the Lord Jesus, placing the Lord Jesus on the throne of our hearts where he belongs. 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:51.279 Jesus wants us to see the one who is truly worthy. 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:54.400 So back to the cocktail party. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:57.920 They are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves. 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:59.839 Maybe you know the feeling. 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:06.960 The one who is truly worthy, we've seen in Revelation 5, is the Lion of Judah, the Messiah. 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:11.680 And he's worthy because he is the great high priest and sacrifice given for us. 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:16.720 And he's worthy to receive all praise from every creature in every corner of the universe. 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:30.319 And friends, if that objection still resonates in our minds, that the problem with Christianity is that undermines our self-worth, I want us to see that Christianity doesn't ask us to have low self-esteem. 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:33.119 That is not a prerequisite of being a Christian. 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:37.440 It does ask us to see Jesus as the worthy one. 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.440 He is at the center of it all. 00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:41.440 He radiates glory and worth. 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.720 He alone is sinless. 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:44.079 He alone is our Redeemer. 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:49.599 He alone can open up the scrolls and secure God's will for humanity forever. 00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:57.680 Christianity asks us to see Jesus as the worthy one, but it asks us to see ourselves in Jesus. 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.200 Do you see? 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:05.119 It asks us to see ourselves in Jesus, united with him by faith and the Holy Spirit. 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:08.000 Christianity does not neglect self-worth. 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:11.519 It teaches us what we are truly worth and how. 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:17.840 We are not worms to be despised and kicked aside. 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:22.800 But we're also not God, which is really unburdening, don't you think? 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:28.079 We do not need to be in control to be worthwhile. 00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:31.920 And our worth is not tied to our performance. 00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:34.960 It is tied to his word to us. 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:38.159 He is the worthy one. 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:40.079 And what does he say to us? 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:42.079 You are my beloved. 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:44.559 What does he say to us? 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:47.039 You are worth my cross. 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:49.760 And you are worth my resurrection. 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:51.440 You are worth it. 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:53.920 You are worth my redeeming. 00:34:54.400 --> 00:35:05.920 So, friends, do not neglect the worthiness of Jesus, because in Jesus you will find your infinite worth, and you will praise him for it for all of eternity. 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:13.760 Worthy is the Lamb who is slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.360 Amen. 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:20.000 We hope that you've been blessed by God's word today. 00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:25.679 If you live in the area, we hope that you'll come and worship with us in person on Sunday at 10 a.m. 00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:29.920 If you'd like to learn more about Newsong Church, we'd love to connect with you. 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:35.440 Please find our contact information at newsongperry.ca and reach out to us. 00:35:35.760 --> 00:35:41.920 Newsong's ministry is entirely funded by the generous giving of those who worship and journey with us. 00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:50.320 If you feel called to support our ministry with a financial gift, please go to newsongportperry.ca slash giving to make your contribution. 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:53.920 Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.