True worship

When I was growing up in Hawaii, my family was a part of three different churches. If you remember Pastor Ralph who visited earlier this year, he was my pastor for my last 10 years or so in Hawaii.

And it was his church that probably gave me the greatest culture shock. For one thing, their worship time at the beginning of service seemed to go on forever. In actuality, it was probably around 20 minutes or so, but for me, it seemed to go on and on and on.

The other thing that was strange to me was I’d see all these people closing their eyes and raising their hands as they sang. I can’t remember my thoughts at that time, but it was probably something like, “That’s kinda weird. Why are they doing that.”

Now all these years later, I’m one of those weird people closing his eyes and raising his hands as I worship. And I’m sure there are probably some people here that wonder the same thing about me that I wondered about the people at my church all those years ago. “Why in the world is he doing that?”

Well, one thing I learned at that church is that when we sing these songs, it’s not just karaoke time. We’re actually singing prayers to God. And just like when I pray, closing my eyes during worship helps me to focus on him.

As for the lifting of my hands, it’s something the Bible talks about. It doesn’t really give an explanation for the whys, but you do see places where we’re encouraged to lift our hands to the Lord as we sing or as we pray. (1 Timothy 2:8, Psalm 134:2).

For me, as I lift my hands, part of what I’m saying is, “Father, I’m offering this praise to you.” It’s almost as if I’m physically lifting my praise up to God as a gift.

But there is another meaning behind the lifting of my hands. And it goes to the heart of what worship is. You see, worship is something more than just singing songs. And it’s more than just a spiritual experience. What is it? That’s what we want to talk about today. Let’s look at Revelation chapter 4.

Revelation is a really “fun” book. I mean if you want to read about a lot of wild things like strange beasts and dragons, Revelation is the place to go. It’s a kind of literary genre we don’t have anymore called apocalyptic. And apocalyptic literature uses all kinds of weird symbols and imagery to reveal deeper truths.

As a result, it can be kind of hard to understand. As I was studying for this message and looking at what different Bible scholars said, here were three words I often read: “difficult,” “perhaps,” “maybe.”

“These words are difficult to understand. Maybe it means this. Perhaps it means that.” And I’m thinking, “Man, if these people don’t know what this means, what hope do I have?”

But through it all, there is enough clarity that I believe we can catch the main gist of what the author John was saying. Now this John was one of Jesus’ three closest disciples, and also wrote the gospel of John. And in chapter one of Revelation, we find him in exile on an island called Patmos for preaching the gospel. And while he was on that island, Jesus gave him a vision revealing God’s plans for the future…which is why we call this book “Revelation.”

In the first three chapters, Jesus gives John messages for seven different churches. Two were doing well and Jesus wanted to encourage them. But the rest had serious issues, and so while Jesus encouraged the faithful Christians there, he also gave the churches some serious words of warning.

But now after those words of warning, God is ready to reveal to John his plans for the future. Let’s look at chapter 4.

After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it. The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne. (1-3)

I like how another translation puts verse 4: There was a door standing open in heaven. Someone didn't have to open it for John. The door was already open. Why? The answer is found in Revelation 1:5-6. In his introduction to this book, John wrote these words:

To [Jesus] who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood, and made us a kingdom, priests, to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Before, heaven was locked to people like us. It was locked because of our sins. It was locked because God is holy and pure and we were unholy and impure. But through his death on the cross, Jesus opened the door to us. When we put our faith in him, he sets us free from our sins. Our sins are forgiven and God accepts us. More than that, he makes us priests in his kingdom. So now we have free access to him. God’s door is open to us.

And so a voice calls out to John and says, “Hey, come up here. The door is open to you. See all that God is planning.” If you look at chapter 1, you see that this voice belongs to Jesus. Jesus is telling him, “Come up here.”

The Holy Spirit then leads him up, and what does John see? He sees God the Father sitting on his throne. I don’t know about you, but in this crazy world, it’s good to know God is on his throne. That was definitely encouraging to the seven churches because they were going through times of persecution just as John was. But John gives them and us perspective: God is still on his throne. And he still reigns.

We then see all these picturesque descriptions of God: John compares his appearance to precious stones and says this emerald rainbow surrounds him. But don’t take this all too literally. It’s just a figurative way of saying, “God is beautiful beyond description. He’s majestic and glorious.”

You know in Japan, we see all these images people make of different gods. But God expressly forbade the Jews from making any images of him. Why? Because no matter how beautiful the artwork, these idols make God something far less than he truly is. And we are not to do that. So John doesn’t even pretend to try to describe God in detail. Rather, he just gives us all these word pictures which give us the faintest glimpse of God’s glory, his majesty, and his beauty. But that’s not all John sees. Verse 4.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white clothes, with golden crowns on their heads.

This is one of those places where I’m reading all these “maybes” and “perhaps” from people trying to explain who these elders are. So I’ll say, perhaps these may be high-ranking angels who serve and honor God. In the Old Testament, King David appointed 24 priestly divisions to serve and worship God in the temple. These angels may be the heavenly counterpart to that (1 Chronicles 24:4; 25:9–13).

Some scholars think the number 24 is significant because there were twelve tribes of Israel and twelve apostles. In other words, these elders may represent all of God’s people both before and after Jesus’ cross. Whatever they are, they are dressed in white probably showing holiness, and they sit on thrones wearing crowns showing that they have great authority. But John sees more. Verse 5.

Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around the throne on each side. The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come. (5-8)

Pretty wild, don’t you think? If you had been there, what do you think you would have done? When God first appeared to the Israelites on Mount Sinai, he came with thunder, lightning, cloud and smoke, and the people were terrified. They wanted to stay as far away from God as they could. They told Moses, “Don’t let God speak to us or we’ll die.” (Exodus 19:16, 20:18-21)

Hundreds of years later, a prophet named Isaiah saw something similar to John, and he cried out, “I’m doomed. I’m a sinful man, and I’ve seen the King, the Lord of armies!” (Isaiah 6:5)

Do you know what strikes me in this vision? John does none of this. Oh, I’m sure he trembled quite a bit. Earlier in Revelation, when he had first seen Jesus, he fell on his face in fear (1:17). But even then, he wasn’t crying out, “I’m doomed.” Why not? Maybe because of what we read earlier in chapter 1, verse 5. Though John saw God’s holiness and his own unholiness, he realized, “Jesus loves me. He has set me free from my sins. And he has made me a priest to his God and Father. And the Father loves and accepts me as well.”

Still, all this must have been pretty overwhelming. I mean who were these four creatures John saw? Short answer: I don’t know. When Isaiah saw God’s throne room, he saw angels called seraphim with six wings crying out, “Holy, holy, holy.” And another prophet named Ezekiel once saw other angels called cherubim which had only four wings but had the faces of a lion, ox, eagle, and man (Ezekiel 1:1-14, 10:1-22). These creatures John saw seem to have the characteristics of both the seraphim and cherubim. But whatever they are, look at the elders’ response to their song.

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say, Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created. (9-11)

Here’s what I want you to notice. I said before that these elders seem to have great authority. And yet, before God, they lay down their crowns and say, “You are worthy to receive glory, honor and power.”

In other words, they were saying, “God, I’m not seeking my own glory or honor, though you’ve given me both. I’m seeking your glory and honor. More than that, I recognize your authority, your reign in my life.”

Why do they say these things? Because they recognized something important. God is worthy of all this. He’s worthy because he created all things. And everything that exists, including them, is there because he willed it. They recognized their very life was a gift from him. And because of all that, they surrendered everything to him, submitting to his good reign in their lives. That’s worship.

I mentioned before that there are two reasons why I lift my hands to God in worship. One is a symbol of offering praise to him. But the other reason is I’m saying, “God, I surrender to you. I submit to your good reign in my life. You are worthy to receive glory and honor from me. You are worthy to reign in my life. And so I give myself, I give my all to you.”

The apostle Paul talks about something similar in Romans chapters 11 and 12. Throughout Romans, he’s been talking about God’s wonderful plan of salvation, something we’ve seen in our R8 series. And then he finished up with these words in Romans 11:36.

For from [God] and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen

Do those words sound familiar? They mirror the song of the 24 elders. All things were created through God. All things were created for him. And all things, including all glory, honor, and authority over our lives rightfully belongs to him.

And so Paul says in chapter 12 verse 1.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. (1)

I like that translation: “true worship.” True worship isn’t just singing songs. True worship isn’t just a feeling of closeness to God. True worship is a life of surrender, of submitting to God and his rightful reign in your life.

That’s what Paul means by being a living sacrifice. God is not so interested in martyrs who are willing to die for him. God wants us to live for him, moment to moment, day to day. God is worthy of that kind of worship. And it’s only reasonable and right that we worship him in that way.

Now don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying all of you should drop your jobs or your schools in order to become pastors or missionaries. Maybe God will call some of you to that, but that’s not for everyone. What I am saying is that wherever you are, wherever you work, wherever you study, wherever you live, and whoever you’re with, whether with friends, family, or coworkers, live for him. Let him reign in your life. And honor him and bring glory to him in everything you do. Why? Because again, he is worthy of it. He’s our creator. And by his will, we were created and have our very breath. We belong to him.

Let me ask you a question, though. How are you feeling when you hear all this? Are you saying, “Yes, this is what I want to do!” Or are you saying, “I don’t know. This seems a bit scary.”

Earlier this year, John Honold from Journey church talked about this. We hear the words “Surrender to God,” or “Submit to God” and we often react in fear. Why? Probably because we haven’t truly learned what the apostle John did.

In John’s gospel, have you ever noticed that he never refers to himself by name. Rather, he gives himself a very interesting nickname: “The one Jesus loved.” My wife always laughs at that whenever she reads that. And it does sound a bit childish. “I’m the one Jesus loved!”

And yet, it was that childlike confidence of Jesus’ love that allowed John to stand confidently in God’s throne room when Isaiah thought he was going to die. “Jesus loves me. He set me free from my sin through his blood. More than that, my Father loves me. And he has chosen me as his child, and has made me his priest in his kingdom. That’s awesome!”

And that’s why I can imagine John crying out with joy in his heart together with the elders, “You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. You are worthy of all the glory and honor I can give you. You are worthy to reign in my life.”

Paul had that same kind of heart. He recognized God was worthy to reign in his life. But he also recognized the great love God had for him. Again in Romans 12:1, he says, “by the mercies of God, present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice.” Whenever Paul thought about surrender, of submitting to Jesus’ reign in his life, of offering his whole life to Jesus, he always came back to God’s mercies in his life.

That while he was still a sinner, Christ died for him. That though he still struggled with the tides of his flesh, God did not condemn him. Instead, Paul could cry out, “Abba, Father.” He saw that through the trials of life, the Holy Spirit was on his side and interceding for him. And he knew that nothing could ever separate him from God’s love. Paul saw all the wisdom and love God poured into his plan of salvation for us. And that’s why Paul bursts out in song at the end of Romans 11, essentially crying out, “You are worthy!” Is that your heart’s cry? “Father, you are worthy.”

That’s my heart’s cry whenever I lift up my hands to worship. “Father, you are worthy to receive my praise.” That’s my heart’s cry when I give my tithes: “Father, you are worthy to reign over my finances.” That’s my heart’s cry when I come to church, “Father, you are worthy to have priority in my schedule.” That’s my heart’s cry as I pray every morning, “You are worthy to receive all of me. For you created me. And by your will I have breath this very moment. In my life be glorified, be honored today.”

Now that said, I will admit there are still areas I struggle to surrender in. Areas of sin. Selfishness is high on that list, as I’ve mentioned before. I especially struggle to offer my time to God. I’m not really a people person. I like my private time. But one thing God’s been telling me is that I need to surrender more of that and invest more in people. So I’m working on that.

But the thing that makes it easier for me to do all this, are those two truths: God is worthy to reign in my life. And my Father loves me. He is good.

And every time I’ve surrendered to him, I’ve seen that goodness. I’ve seen it when leaving my comfortable life in Hawaii to come to Japan. I never imagined I could be so happy here. I really don’t miss Hawaii at all. I’ve seen God’s goodness in my relationship with my wife. I can’t tell you how many times God has told me, “Hey! Treat your wife better.” But by surrendering to and obeying him, my marriage has gotten stronger. Every time I’ve said yes to God, I’ve ultimately found blessing. You will too. But it starts with one word: yes. “Yes, Lord.” That’s worship.

What are the areas you need to surrender today? What are the areas you struggle to let him reign in your life? For some of you, it may be your finances. Trusting God to give ten percent to him, saying, “You are worthy of this.” For some of you, it may be committing to coming more consistently to church on Sunday or joining a plant group. “Father, you are worthy of my time.” For others, it may be a sin you have been clinging to. Or it may be an unhealthy relationship that’s been pulling you away from God. Or unhealthy habits.

As we close, let’s take a minute or so, and pray about this. Ask God what he’s calling you to surrender in your life. But before you pray that, let your first words be these: Father, you are worthy. And you are so good to me.