WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:04.639 The scripture text this morning comes from the book of Revelation, chapter 5. 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:08.000 Reading the chapter in its entirety. 00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:12.000 The month of January. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:19.600 The preaching will go back to the theme that was introduced last September, a new theme for a new year. 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:23.760 Many of you remember that theme, it's a kingdom of priests. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:26.879 That's what we're focusing on in this year. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:35.039 That we are, by God's grace, God's priest in his kingdom and helping him in the building of his kingdom. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:44.399 And so we looked at that in September, focusing mostly on the fact that priests declare God's praises. 00:00:44.960 --> 00:00:49.280 The first calling of priest is to be good worshipers. 00:00:49.520 --> 00:00:54.320 Whatever else we're doing in our lives, to be good worshipers. 00:00:55.359 --> 00:01:05.680 The passage this morning, in a beautiful way, combines our calling to be good worshipers with our calling to pray. 00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:11.120 And to hear the word of God, which is a vision that was given to the Apostle John. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:13.519 What a vision it was. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:24.719 Then I saw on the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:33.439 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:41.280 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:49.120 And I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:52.719 And one of the elders said to me, Weep no more. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:02:03.920 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. 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:20.240 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. 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:25.520 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:40.960 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, fell down before the lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:03:04.960 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 ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priest to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:28.960 Then 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 was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:46.800 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. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:50.639 And the four living creatures said, Amen. 00:03:51.520 --> 00:03:54.800 And the elders fell down and worshiped. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:57.680 This is God's holy word. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:00.879 Would you please pray with me? 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:12.639 Mighty God, you gave your apostle a mighty vision, not only for his sake, but for ours. 00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:17.120 And so this morning, would you give us that vision? 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:21.199 Help us to see what we perhaps have never seen. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:24.639 Help us to understand in new ways. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:30.639 But Lord, may it be life-changing what we see in your word by the work of your spirit this morning. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:34.000 We ask in the name of your Son. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:34.959 Amen. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:46.959 This morning we are talking about the one who is worthy of our praise and our prayers. 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:49.120 The Lamb of God. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:05:01.920 If you go back and you read through the book of Revelation, in Revelation chapter 4, we find that the God Himself, the Father, is being praised and exalted on the throne. 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:05.439 The ancient of days is being worshipped. 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:11.920 And then in chapter 5, the worship continues, but now the focus is on the Son. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:20.720 This morning we're looking at the subject of worship. 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:24.800 The old English word, worship. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:34.560 In other words, worship is giving the proper response to the revelation that God gives. 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:43.839 And when God chose you who He is, and God shows you what's going on in heaven, and you see it. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:48.319 Because you can go to church week after week and not see it. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:06:00.160 But when you see it, and the Holy Spirit opens your eyes and you see it, and it's like the veil is pulled back, you see it. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.160 And you respond. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:08.399 And you're not responding from the heart of flesh. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:16.560 You're responding by what the Spirit is giving you and eyes to see and a heart to feel. 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:18.800 That's what's going on here. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:32.000 As Peter says, our first calling is to declare his excellencies, because once, and this is true for everybody in this room, once you were dead in your sin. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:34.879 And don't ever forget that. 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:38.240 Once I was dead in my sin. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:41.839 There was that day and there was that time. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:51.040 But because the Lamb of God came as Christmas reminds us of the incarnation that Jesus came, I'm not dead anymore. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:53.920 And neither are you, Christian. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:07:08.319 Once you were in darkness, once you were dead, but now, because of Christ, if you are in Christ, you are alive. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:11.439 And you will never die spiritually. 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:20.800 And so with a new life comes a new heart and comes and flows out new worship. 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:25.040 May our worship get better in 2019. 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:35.759 Because what we see by faith in the scriptures, in the heavenlies, is becoming more eye-catching and heart-changing. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:40.319 Only the Holy Spirit can make that happen. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:46.800 We need the Spirit to show us and to grow us. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:49.680 That we're captured by His beauty. 00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:53.279 I like the way Jonathan Edwards defined worship. 00:07:54.079 --> 00:08:02.000 Worship is soul-ravishing sightings of the glory and the beauty of Jesus Christ. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:05.680 I can't think of a better definition. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:13.920 Soul-ravishing sightings of the beauty and the glory of Jesus Christ. 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:18.240 And we all know that you can worship without that happening. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:21.600 You can worship. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:24.240 And it just feels more like a lecture. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:26.639 Or you did a Bible study. 00:08:27.920 --> 00:08:30.079 That's not what Edward's getting at. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.840 This is worship. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:37.679 To pour out what Jesus pours in. 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:40.320 Not triple. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:42.720 To pour out. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:47.919 That's what we're asking for this new year. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:52.480 The absence of joyful, exuberant worship is a serious sin. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:54.159 May I repeat that? 00:08:54.480 --> 00:09:00.159 The absence of joyful, exuberant worship is a serious sin. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:06.559 Perhaps in the eyes of God, as serious as murder and adultery. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:18.559 That we would not give all of ourselves, all of our heart, all of our being to proclaiming his glory and his excellencies. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:28.879 As we are captured by our Lord's beauty and glory, we offer him our own transforming hearts in response. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:37.039 In this text today, we see this once again: the Lamb of God receiving adoration and praise. 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:42.639 As he says in verse 10, because he has made us a kingdom and priest to our God. 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:44.720 Priest adore. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:46.559 Priest praise. 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:49.360 Priest worship God. 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:53.279 But as we're going to see also today, priests pray. 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:59.200 This month we're going to look at the privilege of prayer, the privilege of praying as priest. 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:01.600 This is timely in January. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:04.480 The new month as we begin the new year. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:11.759 As we gather our prayer requests, as we pray over the things that are on our hearts, as we ask God to move mountains in our lives. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:16.799 I pity the church that doesn't ask God to move mountains. 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:20.399 That's a maintenance church. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:23.679 We're not a maintenance church. 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:27.120 We're a kingdom-centered church. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:30.000 And we need God to move mountains. 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:32.639 And that's why we pray. 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:35.519 So let's take a closer look at John's vision. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:37.759 John sees a throne. 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:44.080 Seventeen times in Revelation 4 and 5, we see the word throne. 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:45.919 Kingdom. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:47.600 In control. 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:52.960 It's not the White House down the road that's in control. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:55.840 It's no president. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:57.279 It's no king. 00:10:57.600 --> 00:11:01.279 John is coming back again and again to the throne. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:04.399 God Almighty is running the universe. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.759 Twenty-four elders gathered around the throne. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:12.559 Innumerable angels. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.799 Four living creatures. 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:20.080 These four living creatures, perhaps a more exalted order of angels? 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:24.960 I like the way that one commentator on this passage put this. 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:34.080 The danger for all preachers is trying to explain this passage and in doing so of getting in the way of its splendor. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:39.519 May I not get in the way this morning? 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:42.159 May I just point to the way? 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:46.240 This is mind-boggling. 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:49.600 This is a soul-ravishing view of Christ that we see. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:56.960 Remember in the book of Revelation, the vision was given to prepare the church for all that was in front of it. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:03.200 If you read the book of Revelation carefully, it's not just a praise service. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:05.120 I mean, it is. 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:08.960 But there's a lot of angst in this book. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:14.080 There are a lot of people crying out for justice. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:17.600 There are a lot of people crying out for mercy. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:20.879 Because the world is not as it should be, is it? 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:28.960 And we pray, we ask God, God, may your will be done, may your justice be executed on earth. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.159 We pray for justice. 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.919 We work for justice. 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:35.600 We pray for reconciliation. 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:39.519 There are people who are going to die without Jesus. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:47.120 There are people in families? 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:55.840 Neighbors who are going to die and be separated from the love of God for eternity. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:00.559 And that is sprinkled throughout the book of Revelation. 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:04.399 What are we doing? 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:09.519 Are we pleading? 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:11.360 Are we praying? 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:18.000 Are we bringing these people to the throne of God and saying, God, please change their heart? 00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:19.840 You changed my heart. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.000 This is the vision. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:28.000 All of this in the book of Revelation. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:33.600 And John in his vision sees a scroll in the hand of God. 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:38.080 And in the scroll is the history of God's glorious redemptive plan. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:57.279 And this includes and what reveals not only supreme praise to the Almighty and the Lamb for complete deliverance and the total victory over all evil, but it also brings about God's judgments that he executes on this world. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:02.000 It exposes the evil of this world, it exposes the folly of this world. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:04.799 All of this is contained within these seven seals. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:08.799 It's the history of God's redemptive plan. 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:17.120 And John is weeping loudly because there's no one who is worthy to go to the ancient of days and to take that scroll. 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:28.080 He said, I saw a strong angel proclaiming in a loud voice, who is worthy to open that scroll? 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:39.759 And the drama in the language of the text suggests that John is weeping because John doesn't see anyone stepping forward to take the scroll. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:47.600 He said, I began to weep loudly because no one came forth. 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:51.039 And then the angel said, Weep no more. 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:56.000 The lion of Judah will take the scroll. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:01.440 Verse 5, the lion of Judah has conquered. 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:09.519 John verse 6 saw a lamb looking as if it had been slain. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:15.759 And we find out that the lamb is the lion standing in the center of everything. 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:21.679 This slain lamb looking as though he had the wounds of having been slain. 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:25.919 Of course, this is picturing Jesus Christ as he was crucified. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:29.039 But he's no longer dead. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.879 This is a living lamb. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:35.039 And he has seven horns, and the horns symbolic of power. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:37.679 Seven being the number of perfection. 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:41.919 The risen one, the ascended one, has all power. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:45.440 But he also has seven eyes. 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:48.879 Not only is he omnipotent, but he's omniscient. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.320 He sees everything. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:53.279 There's nothing that escapes his notice today. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:16:00.159 Including our sin, including our praise, including the events of the world or Washington or anything else. 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:01.600 He sees it all. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.080 And it's all under his control. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:09.840 And he says the seven spirits of God were sent out into all the earth. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.919 Why does he say that? 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.879 Because there's nothing that he doesn't see. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:24.240 Let me just say, pastorally, whatever's going on in your life, there's nothing that he doesn't see. 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:29.519 And that's why he says, cast your burdens upon him, because he cares for you. 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:32.399 There's nothing going on in your life that he's not aware of. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:35.360 There's nothing going on in your life that he's not concerned about. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:47.919 It's the continuing presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God's people, these seven spirits that are sent out into the world and are searching. 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:55.679 It's as though he is saying, What do my people need from me? 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.399 Verse seven. 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:05.440 And he went and he took the scroll. 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:15.039 Verse eight, and as he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:18.799 The author of music. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:21.759 He's glorified through music, isn't he? 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:32.559 There's something about music that expresses, that helps us to get in touch with our emotions as well as our thoughts. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:42.480 Each holding a harp, each holding also a golden bowl of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:47.039 And now you're very directly involved, aren't you? 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:52.319 Verse 9, and they sang a new song. 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:56.319 And this is the song, worthy are you to take the scroll. 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:58.720 To open its seals, for you were slain. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:00.480 Three things, notice, three things. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:03.200 For you were slain, Jesus. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:09.599 Your blood purchased the people for God from every tribe and tongue and nation. 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:15.039 And thirdly, what's the third work of the Lamb? 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:19.759 To make you a priest, to call you into the kingdom. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:24.480 To suit you up for spiritual warfare. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:31.119 If you're one of those people that says, you know, I'm not interested in spiritual warfare. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:33.599 I just want to do my thing. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:36.240 I want to go through life with my little world. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.319 I want to be in my little cocoon. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:49.200 I mean, I don't even know where you are spiritually if that's if that's what you're thinking. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.880 Do you hear this? 00:18:53.119 --> 00:19:01.599 The reason Jesus was crucified on the cross was to make you not only a son and a daughter of God, but a priest. 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:06.000 He's got important spiritual work for you to do. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:09.119 It's not just ordained clergy. 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:09.599 Right? 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.880 That's what we saw last night. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.440 Paul in the book of Peter. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:18.240 You are in the ministry every bit as much as I am in the ministry. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.480 Believe it. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:23.119 Because Jesus paid for it. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:31.039 Don't abuse, don't misuse that calling that he has conferred upon you. 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:34.240 In your vocation, whatever your vocation is. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:44.960 In your calling as a parent or a spouse or a friend, as an elder or as a deacon, making coffee in the nursery, whatever it is. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.359 Whatever it is. 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:52.720 It says, you have made them. 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:56.079 You are the them. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:03.759 You have made them a kingdom and priest. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.920 How's that sentence end? 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:09.680 Not unto ourselves, but to our God. 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:15.039 The purchased ones are the praising ones. 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:18.960 Sometimes a picture or a vision can change your life forever. 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.240 Isn't that true? 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.279 Have you noticed? 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.640 Maybe it's in your career. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.680 Maybe, I don't know. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:25.200 Maybe it's in a sport. 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:31.039 Maybe you know you spent months or years practicing a sport, and one day something clicks. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:38.079 Or maybe you're a musician and you practice and you practice, and finally one day something just comes together. 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:42.000 And all of a sudden you play on a whole different level. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:54.880 This vision that John had has the same potential of doing that in your life spiritually. 00:20:56.880 --> 00:21:04.079 As the veil is pulled back, if you see what John saw, you're not going to live your life the same way. 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:13.279 The pieces fall together in a place like only God can do. 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:19.359 This is why we are here on earth as God's priest. 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:22.720 And this is what we will do for all eternity. 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:28.400 Adore Him, thank Him, love Him, worship Him. 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:33.599 Bowing down in worship to the Lamb who alone is worthy. 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:39.359 With people from every tribe and tongue and nation, with all the host of heaven. 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:42.319 Because priest, praise. 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:49.119 There's nothing in your life that's more important than your worship. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:55.119 There's nothing in my life. 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:59.440 Look, friends, it's possible to preach and not worship. 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:05.359 It's possible to pastor and not worship. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:09.680 You can do anything and miss it. 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:17.519 But we not only pour out our praise, in the last few minutes, let's discuss what he says. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:19.359 The prayers of God's people. 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:21.039 It's our privilege to pray. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:23.119 I'm going to give you three applications. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:26.160 Okay, fellow priest, when it comes to your prayer life. 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:28.720 First of all, the privilege that we have to pray. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:31.119 Not everybody is a priest. 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:36.319 I think sometimes we can take that for granted. 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:38.319 No, we all have that right, right? 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.920 I mean, we all no, no. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:47.039 If you're a priest, you're in the minority. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:55.519 I suspect you're in the minority in the city of Alexandria or Washington, D.C., or Fairfax County, or wherever you live. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.240 You're in the minority. 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.960 It's a privilege. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:07.920 Especially when we see what Jesus has done to make us priest. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:12.799 If he values our status this highly, do we? 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:16.240 This is part of our identity, friends. 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:22.880 When you catch yourself thinking, well, I'm just a priest, what? 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:26.000 You're not thinking. 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:29.440 Oh, I know how you have access. 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:32.480 Yeah, I know I can go to God. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:35.599 I mean, I know I can go to God whenever I want. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:38.319 I know God's always listening to me. 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:41.119 I know I've got a copy of God's word. 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.160 Yeah, I know all that. 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:44.559 If you're doing that. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:48.160 And that kind of nonchalant. 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:50.480 Oh, of course I've got that. 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:52.160 You don't understand it. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.759 You just don't. 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:57.680 This is a privilege. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:06.799 Because of the work of Christ, you can go into the holy of holies. 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:12.720 You have immediate, direct access to God the Father. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:21.839 It's like the more you understand this, the more electrifying it is. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:27.359 It'll jolt you into living in a different way. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:30.000 He made us a king. 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.119 Past tense. 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:33.759 He has made us a kingdom of priests. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:35.920 Not what one day he will. 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:38.000 He has already. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:44.720 We have already been called into the priesthood because we were called out of darkness into light. 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:49.119 What are you waiting for to exercise your priesthood? 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:52.400 Are you just going to try to scrimp by on earth? 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:54.720 And when you get to heaven, then you're going to get down to business? 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:56.319 It doesn't work that way. 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:58.079 It starts now. 00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:00.079 It starts here. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.599 Heaven has a center. 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.960 We see that in the vision. 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:11.519 The Father and the Lamb are at the very center of all the activity of heaven and all the pouring out of praise. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:15.039 Everything else in heaven is focused on them. 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:18.720 Do you have a center in your life, something bigger than you? 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:25.440 Do you have something in your life that captures you, that takes your breath away? 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.039 And I'm not talking about your house. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.640 I'm not talking about your car. 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.240 I'm not talking about your job. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:32.160 I'm not talking about your marriage. 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:34.640 Do you have something that's bigger? 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.640 Heaven does. 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:44.000 And on earth we do when we see the vision that John saw. 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:48.559 We have immediate access to the Almighty. 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:52.079 We have an intercessor, the one who is worthy. 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.839 We pray in his name. 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:56.079 We pray on the basis of his merits. 00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.839 His righteousness. 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:07.119 He says to us, he says to me, Tom, this has nothing to do with your spiritual credit. 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:14.400 This has nothing to do about you checking your boxes, how good you were. 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:18.000 Tom, all the credit is mine. 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:21.279 All the funds in the bank are mine. 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:24.319 Come and access them. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:27.599 Come in my name. 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.920 Can you believe it? 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:34.160 Do you see that? 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:38.319 Because it's all been paid for by my blood. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:43.680 And I'm still getting used to that. 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:47.920 It's all paid for by his blood. 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:50.640 The privileges that I have. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:56.559 Secondly, not only do we have the privilege, but our prayers are precious to him. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:27:04.799 These golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints, listen to the psalmist in Psalm 141, verse 2. 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:15.839 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you in the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:20.559 Sweet smelling incense. 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:30.880 If you go back, and Josh, Pastor Josh is teaching a class right now in Sunday school on the imagery of the Old Testament in the tabernacle and how it all points to the fulfillment in Christ. 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:33.519 These beautiful images and symbols. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:35.680 The incense that burned. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:39.119 Let's go back and do a very brief review. 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:42.960 The altar of incense was not outside in the outer court. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:48.720 You came into the outer court, and there was the altar of burnt offering where you offered your sacrifice for your sin. 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:51.359 The priest took it after you slayed the animal. 00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:56.480 And the priest took the blood and sprinkled it on the horns on the altar of burnt offering outside. 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:58.799 But now only the priest could come inside. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:03.039 And the priest comes inside the tabernacle into the holy place. 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:13.680 And there, right in front of the curtain that separated the holy place to the Holy of Holies, was the altar of incense. 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:16.400 And it was beautiful. 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:19.839 It was overlaid with gold. 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:28.400 And it was every day, it was the job of the priest to fill it with the incense, the sweet aroma. 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:33.839 The sweet aroma that would rise to God in the heavens. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.720 What is that? 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:39.440 What is that sweet aroma? 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:42.079 We've already said it, alluded to it. 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:54.640 The Apostle Paul says it in Ephesians chapter 5, verse 1, let us therefore offer our lives to God because of the fragrant offering of the sacrifice of Christ. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:29:01.119 Because Christ's sacrifice was so sweet smelling to the Father. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:07.920 When you bring your sacrifices in his name and through him, it is just as sweet to the Father. 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:13.279 And the way that the Father describes it is sweet smelling incense. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:20.319 The altar of incense offered up every day by the priest. 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:22.160 There's a lesson there, right? 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:24.640 Offered up every day. 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:30.319 Priest, your life as you live your life to the glory of God. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:33.359 As you seek to please him and obey him. 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:37.039 What makes our prayers beautiful to God? 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:39.920 Our ability to, and I'm talking about prayer. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:42.720 What makes your prayer pleasing to God? 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:45.519 Your ability to put words together. 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:51.279 Your sincerity? 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:57.359 The sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:06.079 The finished work of Jesus Christ on your behalf is what makes your prayers so beautiful to God. 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.920 So precious to God. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:14.319 We have been washed by the blood of Jesus. 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:17.279 Our sins have been washed. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.720 We have been forgiven. 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:25.440 And our prayers are beautiful because of that. 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:31.359 Jesus sprinkles our prayers with his finished work. 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:34.880 And the Holy Spirit as well intercedes for us. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.720 Not because of you. 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:43.440 When you pray, Jesus, God is not looking at your spiritual scorecard. 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:46.079 He's looking at Jesus. 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:50.559 And that will give you boldness. 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.960 As you believe that. 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:58.000 How many of our prayers never go anywhere because we're just embarrassed? 00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:02.480 How many times do our prayers seem to never go anywhere because we're guilty? 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:05.279 Our consciences are defiled. 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:07.920 We're going to talk more about that this month. 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:15.119 A guilty conscience will stop a prayer before it gets anywhere. 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:18.480 Our hearts condemn us in so many ways. 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:23.839 Our prayer lives just kind of shrivel up. 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:28.640 And there's Jesus saying, Come to me, come to me. 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:31.519 Come under the fountain of my washing. 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:35.359 Get a fresh application. 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:38.720 Our prayers are precious to him. 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:42.880 But lastly, our prayers are powerful in building his kingdom. 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:48.480 If only we could see how God is using our prayers to build his kingdom, how differently we would pray. 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:56.160 Our prayers not only include praise and adoration, which they should every day, but intercession. 00:31:56.480 --> 00:32:00.799 We pray that God builds his kingdom even here on earth, now. 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:06.640 In the book of Revelation, as I said earlier, there's so much crying out for justice and mercy. 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:09.599 There's a lot of desperation in the book of Revelation. 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.400 Have you noticed that? 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:13.119 But there's also a lot of delight in the book of Revelation. 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:18.240 And these are the two things that I believe will change your prayer life more than anything. 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:28.240 A growing sense of delight, a growing sense that God is your father and that he's for you, and that he loves you, and that he accepts you and that he delights in you and he wants you. 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:31.920 And if you're struggling with that, sign up for sonship. 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:34.319 I mean that. 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:39.839 Are you growing in your faith and believing that? 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:44.480 Do you have a growing sense of God's delight in you? 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:47.519 It's true. 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:50.559 But also a growing sense of desperation. 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.319