GLBC Core Values: Missional Living
GLBC Core Values • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 36:05
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· 13 viewsWe are compelled to missional living which values the Great Commission and Great Commandments in the rhythms of thinking globally by prayer, giving, sending; and acting locally by personal evangelism and loving the city.
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1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; 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.”
6 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.
7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
8 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 golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 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,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
The book of Revelation was written by John the apostle from the island of Patmos.
He was exiled there around the turn of the first century (95 A.D.).
The book is described as a “revelation” of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1).
“And though St. John saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creature so wild as one of his own commentators.” —G. K. Chesterton
The word revelation is from the Greek word that we get the word apocalypse from.
It would better be understood as a great revealing.
A pulling back of the heavenly curtain.
A pulling back of heaven to see what is happening NOW.
This book is both a pulling back of the character and the person of Jesus Christ.
This book also anticipates by looking forward.
It anticipates what is to come someday.
When you hear, revelation, or apocalypse, don’t just hear the end of the world.
Though that is important and the book does address it.
The book of revelation shows us not just the future, but more importantly the present.
Think about believers experiencing persecution.
I recall brothers and sisters that I met in Nepal.
They experienced great persecution for trusting, believing, and following Jesus Christ.
They would describe that the first people who hated them in their lives were their family.
They would be hated and persecuted for Jesus sake.
Most of the pastors that we met in Nepal were either stoned or beaten by their own family.
Now picture yourself being in that situation.
What would you need in the midst of affliction and harship?
When all of life falls apart.
All of life feels like it’s coming unglued.
All of life feels out of control with great persecution and affliction.
We need to see the heavenly realms right now.
And the picture is GLORIOUS.
God IS on His throne.
The vision of the throne room in Revelation 4-5 reveal that God is on His throne.
It’s in this scene that we start to see a dramatic act take place.
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
Documents were sealed in the ancient world with wax “seals.”
“Seals” were wax and would be imprinted on a scroll to only be opened by the kings court.
What does this scroll represent?
I would contend it is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises.
The scroll likely represents the fullness of redemption history and God’s purposes for it.
God’s purposes are still sealed up and withheld from all people.
We see this similar allusions throughout the OT (Ezekiel 2:9-10, Isaiah 29:11, Daniel 12:4).
The angel asks a question for all heaven to hear…
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
God has made the world so that it is through a human that His plans are executed (N.T. Wright).
It’s through humans that God purposes to rule the world and redeem the world.
The word “worthy” refers to an object with intrinsic value.
Worthy is “proper” or “fitting” to receive authority.
To reveal the purposes God has for ALL the UNIVERSE.
“Who is naturally worthy enough to open this?”
“Who is able in themselves because of their own worth to open this?”
3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
The resounding answer from the Heavenly host is silence.
No one in heaven.
No one on earth.
No one under the earth.
None could open the scroll, not even to look at it.
Imagine for a minute how helpless this must have felt for John.
You may say,
“How could I know?”
If you’re a Christian you definitely know the feeling.
It’s the feeling of seeing your sin in all it’s ugliness with no remedy.
It’s the dread of seeing God as Creator with no hope.
It’s seeing the law of God applied to you without the forgiving grace of God.
It’s seeing the judgment of God without the mercy of God.
It’s overwhelmingly distressful.
The dread of judgment without any reprieve.
John’s response makes sense then to that…
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
John weeps because nobody was found worthy to open the scroll.
Nobody was found to open the scroll and reveal God’s purposes for humans to be redeemed from evil (T. Schreiner, Rev 5:4).
The language of “found” comes from a law court of sorts that look for evidence…
Revelation 5:4 (ESV)
4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
There is no hope for anyone at this point.
No hope to rescue sinners from their plight of sin.
No hope for rescue.
And this causes John to weep bitterly.
Just as it seems there is absolutely no hope…
5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; 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.”
The encouragement from of the angelic beings has two focuses.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
This is a reference back to Judah, one of Israel’s sons.
Genesis 49:9 tells us that Judah is “a lion’s cub.”
Meaning that from his lineage will come the full grown lion of the his tribe to rule Israel and the world.
A lion is a fitting picture for strength, courage, and boldness.
A lion reveals the strength this ruler will possess.
From Judah’s line comes the Messiah who will rule and reign over the nations.
This Lion-like leader will put all of His enemies under His feet and crush His enemies with His rod (Psalm 2:7-9).
The Root of David
The second idea that John fuses together here is the “root of David” that is taken directly from Isaiah 6 and Isaiah 11:1.
Isaiah 6:13 (ESV)
The holy seed is its stump.
1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
The stump of Israel was burned to the ground in exile.
And yet from it will come her Messiah.
The root of David then is the ruler that reigns from David’s throne.
He is the future eternal king whose kingdom will have no end.
Notice what this figure will do…
Revelation 5:5 (ESV)
5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; 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.”
The word here for “conquered” is where we get words like “Nike” from the word “νικάω.”
It means to “overcome” or “prevail.”
This Lion from the Tribe of Judah has overcame!
He has overcame!
It has already happened!
The conquering of the lamb was for the purpose breaking the seals which formerly concealed the scroll.
What is so intriguing here though is what John sees…
Throughout Revelation this dynamic of “hearing” and “seeing” is important.
He hears one thing but then observes what seemingly is contradictory.
Here he hears about the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
The Ruler of David that has come to conquer His enemies!
But then he beholds…
Revelation 5:6 (ESV)
6 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.
What John heard as the lion, he now sees as the lamb (John 1:29, Acts 8:32, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Peter 2:22-24).
The lamb of God that was slain now stands.
Resurrected between the living creatures and the throne.
Jesus Christ is referred to 26 times in the book of Revelation as the Lamb.
Revelation 5:6 (ESV)
6 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.
This lamb that was slain is now standing.
Full of life and resurrection power.
Isaiah 53:7 (ESV)
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah conquers like a lamb.
He conquers as a lamb by triumphing over His enemies in the crucifixion.
The Lamb who was slain is now able to take the scroll from His Heavenly Father.
He is able to receive the scroll and open and reveal the purposes of God for the cosmos.
7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
8 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 golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
The promised Lamb that has died and rose again.
He takes the scroll that reveals God’s purposes for the world.
And all of the Heaven recognizes Him.
They know Him and worship Him as He deserves.
The Lamb is worshipped right along with the One seated on the throne.
The prayers of all the saints is like incense arising before the throne (Psalm 141:2).
It’s as if all the prayers of all the saints have been heard.
All the prayers of the faithful have been heard by God and He is finally bringing to pass the reality.
All the hope in seed form of the Old Testament has come to full bloom in the fulfillment of the promises made.
We’re seeing promises kept to His people.
Notice what the heavenly beings sing…
This heavenly chorus is happening right NOW!
9 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,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Like Moses sang when they crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 15).
Or like Isaiah prophesied of the New Exodus in Isaiah 35…
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Those who have been purchased by grace, sing!
2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,
3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
The 144,000 represent the people of God from every tribe and tongue (Revelation 7:4-17).
This people from heaven (Mount Zion) sing a new song.
4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb,
5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
How could they be anything other?
They didn’t earn a thing.
They didn’t contribute to their redemption.
They didn’t deserve the love they’ve been shown.
Yet they have received mercy from the hand of God Most High!
They must sing!
Why do we do missions?
“Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”
Missions exists because worship doesn’t.
Missions exists because tribes DO NOT YET KNOW the worthiness of Christ.
Missions exists because people are blind to the glory of Jesus.
Missions exists because nations DO NOT YET KNOW the significance of Jesus.
The white-hot worship of God is the fuel for the mission of God amongst the nations
Our Church is Compelled to Missional Living.
Our Church is Compelled to Missional Living.
(Revelation 5:1-10)
We’ve built all the way up to this to really make one point.
We as a church are compelled to live on mission.
The mission of God is to redeem for himself of people purchased in the blood of Christ.
This reality means that we do missions because worship isn’t happening.
We do missions for the glory and the fame of Jesus’ name.
We do missions to herald the supremacy of the name of Jesus.
We do missions because of the worthiness of Jesus.
We value the Great Commission as our marching orders.
We value the Great Commission as our marching orders.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We think global by focusing on prayer for the nations as a rhythm of grace.
We think global by focusing on prayer for the nations as a rhythm of grace.
Revelation 5:10 (ESV)
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
The lamb has purchased for His Father a kingdom of priests.
Priests represent the people to God.
We pray for the nations as “priests to our God”!
Every single Sunday, you will hear us praying for another nation than our own.
It’s the reminder that the gospel must go forth.
We think global by focusing on giving for the nations as a rhythm of grace.
We think global by focusing on giving for the nations as a rhythm of grace.
We don’t just think about going globally.
We give financially.
We give of our time.
We give for those who go for the nations.
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,
6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
Not accepting anything from unbelievers.
A missionaries lifestyle is very different from most of us.
Most missionaries rely fully on churches to support them.
That means if other Christians stop being generous, then it would be nearly impossible for them to go in the way they are.
They would need to go find jobs.
They would need to go provide for their families while they’re trying to learn language.
While they’re trying to translate the Bible.
While they’re trying to do a myriad of other things.
But we give financially so that those who go out for the name of Jesus do not need to be burdened with so many other things.
We think global by focusing on sending for the nations as a rhythm of grace.
We think global by focusing on sending for the nations as a rhythm of grace.
We are passionate here about equipping and strengthening believers to go out for the name of Jesus.
There’s no alternative.
“Go” or disobey.
“Send out” or disobey.
What does that look like practically?
Let me give you kind of a counterintuitive answer for how we focus on sending to the nations…
Healthy Local Churches
The express pattern in the New Testament for sending to the nations is NOT missions organizations, though those are helpful.
It’s NOT Lone Ranger Christians running around, trying to do things on their own.
The pattern of the New Testament is local healthy churches sending healthy church members for the glory of God amongst the nations.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
So what hinders us from doing this?
We live in such an individualistic society.
With individualistic Christians.
Thinking they can fulfill the Great Commission on their own.
Christian’s thinking that they can be sent on mission by themselves.
Christian’s thinking that all I need to do to be a missionary is to have me and my Bible and Jesus amongst the nations.
I could point to all the negative reasons of what happens when people go on mission without having a local church.
You talk to any missions organization they can give you untold number of stories of mission teams imploding on themselves because they had immature Christians on the mission field.
Untold number of stories.
Getting on a plane does not make you a missionary.
There’s actually no effect that a plane has on a Christian to make them a better Christian.
We value the Great Commandments as the melody of our orders.
We value the Great Commandments as the melody of our orders.
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
38 This is the great and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
We act local by focusing on personal evangelism as a rhythm of grace.
We act local by focusing on personal evangelism as a rhythm of grace.
Evangelism is not something merely that missionaries do.
It’s NOT something merely that pastors do.
It’s NOT something that “hyper-spiritual” Christians do.
Evangelism is something that all Christians are called to do.
In the book of acts it says that the church as they shared the gospel with people individually.
It becomes the language then of the New Testament Christian that Jesus is worthy.
Worthy is the one who was slain to receive all glory and all majesty and all power.
This is the testimony of the Christian.
Revelation describes as the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 19:10 (ESV)
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
We act local by focusing on loving our city as a rhythm of grace.
We act local by focusing on loving our city as a rhythm of grace.
What should be the Christian’s heart posture toward the city that God has put them in?
How should the Christian resolve to think of the city where God has placed them?
This rhythm of learning to love the city that God has put you in is pinnacle important to living missionally locally.
There is a sign in our basement that I used to regard as tacky, but I’ve grown to love.
In the middle of our missionary wall downstairs, there is a sign with peeling letters that says:
“Our missionary to the Keyser area.”
I love it.
It reminds me every time I walk past it that God has not just called us to go to the nations, but to love the community in which he has placed each and every one of us.
The city of God truly resurrects the city of men.
It doesn’t happen fully.
It doesn’t happen immediately.
It doesn’t even happen completely.
But the city of God resurrects truly the city of men.
We are compelled to missional living which values the Great Commission and Great Commandments in the rhythms of thinking globally by prayer, giving, sending; and acting locally by personal evangelism and loving the city.
We are compelled to missional living which values the Great Commission and Great Commandments in the rhythms of thinking globally by prayer, giving, sending; and acting locally by personal evangelism and loving the city.
