Thankfulness Leads to Worship

The typical Christmas scene of families across America is made up of many different situations. Some families are just happy being together, with children playing, adults visiting, some watching movies or sporting events, and of course the activity in the kitchen preparing for a big meal.

We’ve seen pictures of the Norman Rockwell scene where everyone is sitting at the table with a spread fit for a king, while everyone’s head is bowed while thanks is given to God for the wonderful provisions.

There really isn’t anything wrong with that picture. We know there are many families that don’t have that experience I just described. However, regardless of the family relationships, regardless of the supply or shortage of food, regardless of living conditions, there should be something that every believer should have in common. That is a spirit of thankfulness.

In the last two months, we celebrated Thanksgiving. Suddenly, we turned the page and there was the preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth with Christmas. Now, here we are, finishing off another year and preparing for a new year. So, how should we finish this year and how should we begin 2024?

I would like to think that for the follower of Christ, we ought to have a spirit of thankfulness. Holidays should not be the only time we express our thankfulness to God. They certainly help remind us to do so. Let me suggest the following: True thankfulness leads to worship. Interestingly, if we are not involved in worship of our Lord and Savior, we probably will not have any leaning toward thankfulness. At the same time, when we find ourselves thankful, we should naturally realize that it’s all because of what Christ has done for us, which will cause us to worship.

Today, I want us to look at one of the most incredible worship scenes in the Bible as we go back to Revelation 4-5.

I Am Thankful My Lord is the Eternal God.

Revelation 4:1–8 (NASB95)

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”

As we read through these verses, don’t you find yourself in awe at what you imagine John saw? Imagine the incredible colors as well as the pureness of the white. Imagine the richness of the golden crowns. Listen as the thunder rumbles around you. Envision the intensity of the light from the seven lamps. Then try to imagine the four living creatures as they encircled the throne. I’m not going to spend time today explaining the incredible theology that is contained in these verses. I want us to just imagine this setting.

Now listen to what is being said, over and over and over. It is continuously being said all day and all night. There doesn’t seem to be any break. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”

Why do you suppose they continually repeat this phrase? I am of the belief that part of the reason lies in the fact that the world needs to know that our Lord is absolutely pure and holy and that He indeed is the eternal God. He had no beginning and He shall have no end.

In our thankfulness for the fact that Christ is the eternal God and not some fly-by-night false God, we are driven to our knees in worship. We can no longer be content to simply give a theological nod to this truth. We are immersed in our spirit to try to understand this incredible truth. Jesus is eternal!

In our thankfulness, we praise God in worship! Two songs which raced into my head are “Holy Is the Lord” and “You’re worthy of My Praise.”

I Am Thankful My Lord Is the Creator.

Revelation 4:9–11 (NASB95)

And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

These few verses continue to point out the eternality of Jesus Christ. Plus, there is further proof given as to the worthiness of our Lord, as found in Revelation 4:11: “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

Jesus Christ is the creator of all that exists. The very fact that He chose to create anything is found in His perfect will. You and I are also part of that creation. Everything that we see around us is part of God’s creation.

I am so thankful that my Lord loved me so much that He didn’t leave my existence up to evolutionary chance. I am so thankful that He created me; thus I find myself worshipping Him. I am so thankful that He created those who are part of my family; immediate, extended, and brothers and sisters in Christ. I am in awe of Him as the Creator. I am so thankful for the fact that my Lord is the Creator, it leads me to worship Him even more.

Another song that leaps into my mind is “God of Wonders.”

I Am Thankful My Lord Is the Perfect Sacrifice.

Revelation 5:1–12 (NASB95)

I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

As we continue in this scene of praise and adoration, we find another reason to be thankful. Not only is Jesus the eternal God Who created everything that exists, but He extended His love even more. He was the perfect sacrifice.

As we go through these verses, there is a sense of emptiness and helplessness felt by John. We can readily identify with John as we put ourselves in his position, feeling the hopelessness and potential pain.

But, verse 5 opens the window to let in the good news. We see the Lamb, the One of Whom John the Baptist stated, Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. This lamb is none other than Jesus Christ. This lamb had no blemishes. There was no sin in His life. There was no evil of any kind, whether it be actions, words, or thoughts.

We also notice that Jesus, this Lamb, is the One Who is allowed to receive worship. No individual can receive worship, except it be our Lord.

As we reread the verses Revelation 5:9–12, we are reminded of this glorious truth: Christ is found worthy to open the scroll or book, because He paid the price for our salvation. He paid the penalty for our sin.

I am so thankful that my Lord is the perfect sacrifice.

Since I’ve been talking about songs for each point so far, I’m going to mention a couple of others. “The Wonderful Cross” and “You Are My King.”

I Am Thankful My Lord Is the King of All.

Revelation 5:13–14 (NASB95)

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Let’s go even further down the road, to history which has not yet been made. There is going to come a time when everyone will recognize that Jesus Christ is the King of all. It will not only be followers of Jesus, but according to Philippians 2:10–11, it will include everyone: “so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Now in this context, we shall see a praise service such as has never been seen up to that point in time. As we think about that time when everyone will recognize that Christ is King of all, we are truly thankful. And in our thankfulness, we can worship.

Conclusion

True thankfulness leads to worship. And that worship must be directed to the only One worthy of our worship; Jesus Christ.

Let me finish with one more song title, just to keep the pattern going; “All Hail King Jesus.”