Worthy Is The Lamb

Overview

Text: Revelation 4-5 Theme: Worship in Heaven and on Earth Key Wesleyan Accent: The centrality of worship and the grace of Jesus Main Idea: Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, is the center of all worship in heaven and earth. He is worthy of all glory. Application: Cultivate a lifestyle of worship, glorifying the Lamb through daily devotion and acts of love.

Choreography, all sorts of people doing all sorts of movements in such a way as to accent and celebrate the central character. It maybe hard to follow if you look too closely at just one but if you pan out and see the whole, it is a marvelous picture. Like a marching band on a college football field. The individual participants together create imagery that moves and reforms. The picture can only be noticed when taken in by its entirety.

I. The Throne Room of Heaven (Revelation 4:1-11)

A. The Majesty of God’s Throne (vv. 1-6)

John is caught up into heaven and sees a vision of God's glory.

John passes through the door to the heavenly realm, not some door up high in the sky but as N.T. Wright puts it “It is more like a door opening right in front of us where before we could only see this room, this field, this street. Suddenly there is an opening leading into a different world— and an invitation to ‘come up’ and see what’s going on.” Like the prophets of old John is summoned to the King’s throne room. it is not about direction of travel but about position of authority. The throne of God is the highest level of authority and therefore all the created is beneath. Here is vantage point.

Revelation 4 and 5, set the stage that introduces the main revelation given to John. Introducing the sequence of prophecies and the seven seals which must be broken if the scroll of God’s purpose is to be unrolled. God is central to the vision

The throne symbolizes God’s sovereignty over all creation.

The Throne Room imagery where God is presiding over the celestial court. Flashes of lightning from the throne, rumbles of thunder (Exodus and Daniel) In front of God are the 4 beasts with all kinds of eyes, these representing all of the created order. The heavenly ruler is attended by 24 regal figures who wear the crowns and sit on the thrones surround the room. The twenty-four are the perfection of God’s people as they participate in the heavenly kingdom. Their white robes indicate purity and victory, their crowns seal them as the Royal Priesthood.

Wesleyan Emphasis: Worship acknowledges God as supreme and invites us into His grace. God is center and clearly the ultimate authority.

Parallels for the reader that they would recognize as being how Caesar held his court.

the contrast between the power of Caesar and God is striking. Caesar is nothing but a cheap imitation or the true power of the universe. Humans attain power through manipulation, violence, and evil acts.

The image to describe the heavenly court is that the saints are crowned and wearing white. (As promised earlier in the letters to the churches). God’s power is described first with the fulfillment of His promise to the church.

From the heavenly view, John gives his readers a chance to gaze upon political and social affairs that are all gravitating toward human centers of power. These powers have been unmasked and their actual authority exposed. Behind the challenges and struggles caused by fake synagogues and threatening rulers, as well as other difficulties and suffering visited upon the church — there stands the heavenly righteous power, in which the world’s creator and lord remains the ultimate authority.

Worship is for God alone.

B. The Worship of the Four Living Creatures and Elders (vv. 7-11)

The four living creatures represent all of the created. Here Humanity is counted as among them.

“A thousand generations falling down in worship. To sing the song of ages to the Lamb. And all who have gone before us and all who will believe, will sing the song of ages to Lamb. Your name is the highest, your name is the greatest. Your name stands above them all.”--Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin

They declare, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.”

The elders cast their crowns, signifying surrender and reverence.

Humanity above all creation as Wright puts it “can answer the because question” because God is the ultimate power in all the universe, because He is holy, righteous, and true we his people are called to join the heavenly chorus and praises to God and to the Lamb. It is because of who God is.

Application: True worship is about giving God glory, not seeking our own.

II. The Worthy Lamb (Revelation 5:1-14)

A. The Search for One Who is Worthy (vv. 1-4)

A scroll (God’s divine plan) is in the hand of the One on the throne.

No one is found worthy to open it—until Jesus, the Lamb, appears.

In all heaven and earth only one is has been authorized, only one worthy. Only one can do the work--Jesus.

Going on a cruise! Wait, I need a dinner shirt?Going to dinner on the cruise, there was a surprising instruction. You

will not be allowed access to the dining room if you are not dressed appropriately.

Wesleyan Emphasis: Grace alone makes us worthy, not our works.

B. The Lamb Who Was Slain (vv. 5-10)

Jesus is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb who was slain.

Strength and Authority – As the Messiah from the line of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10), Jesus fulfills the prophecy of a king who would rule with power.

Victory and Sovereignty – Lions are kings of the animal kingdom, symbolizing Christ’s reign over all creation. His resurrection was a triumphant victory over sin and death.

Justice and Judgment – In His second coming, Jesus will return as a conquering King, executing justice (Revelation 19:11-16).

Sacrifice and Atonement – Jesus fulfills the role of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:1-30), offering His life as a perfect, sinless sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins (Isaiah 53:7).

Humility and Gentleness – Unlike a roaring lion, a lamb is meek and submissive. Jesus willingly went to the cross, embodying humility (Philippians 2:5-8).

Redemption and Mercy – Through His sacrifice, Jesus extends grace and mercy to all who trust in Him (Revelation 7:9-10).

He has redeemed people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Not by power or brute force but by sacrifice.

Application: Worship flows from gratitude for Christ’s sacrificial love and redemption.

C. The Universal Worship of the Lamb (vv. 11-14)

Every creature in heaven and earth worships Him: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.”

All of heaven offers worship to the Lamb as they did God around the throne. This is another declaration of Jesus’s identity. . Philippians 2:10–11 “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Worship is not just in heaven—it is to be echoed on earth.

A Savior strong enough to save but compassionate enough to suffer. Jesus holds all power and authority yet let’s go to become the offering for the atonement of sin.

Application: Worship is not just a Sunday event but a daily lifestyle.

III. Living a Life of Worship

A. Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23-24)

Why does this knowledge matter?

In a world that brings with it all levels of authority, or status, of ability none of it matters. Isaiah 64:6 “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1–5 “You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”

Worthiness has nothing to do with us or anything we could ever offer. It has everything to do with Jesus Christ and what he has done. Grace is abounding in steadfast love. Only Christ is worthy and in his love offered himself as a sacrifice to atone for sin— our sin if we place of trust and life in him. Sin has a cost, and many skeptics consider why can’t it just go away? God is true to His character therefore God is all powerful, infinitely loving, and just. In order for God to be just offense against an eternal and holy God must be atoned for. What is different from any other faith tradition is that God took the punishment on himself for those who choose to believe.

When you know what has been done for you that you could never do for yourself it changes how you see the world. A comic cartoon that is older than I care to admit asks why Christ’s death on the cross is called Good Friday, the response is simple the day you find out someone else willingly stepped into your place to bear the burden instead of you— Good.

Worship is more than singing—it’s a heart posture of devotion.

Wesley taught that holy living is an act of worship.

B. Worship Through Daily Devotion and Service (Romans 12:1-2)

Present your bodies as a living sacrifice—worship is holistic.

Serving others is an expression of worship.

C. Worship as a Witness to the World (Matthew 5:16)

Our worship should draw others to Christ.

Application: Worship the Lamb through acts of love, justice, and service.

Conclusion: Join the Song of Heaven

The Lamb is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.

We are called to reflect heaven’s worship here on earth.

Call to Action: Commit to a lifestyle of worship—in prayer, service, and love for others.

In the grand choreography of creation, all things move and shift to celebrate one central figure—Jesus, the Lamb who was slain and the Lion who reigns. From the throne room of heaven to the hearts of worshippers on earth, His worthiness is proclaimed, His grace is revealed, and His name is exalted above all others.

The world tempts us to worship power, wealth, and fleeting human glory, but Revelation reminds us that there is only One who is truly worthy. The elders cast down their crowns, the living creatures cry out in ceaseless praise, and all of heaven sings, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!” This is not just a heavenly song; it is a call for us to echo on earth.

Worship is not merely a Sunday event—it is the rhythm of a life surrendered to the Lamb. It is found in the quiet moments of prayer, the daily acts of love, the sacrifices we make in obedience to Christ. True worship transforms us, aligning our hearts with the reality of heaven.

So let us not wait for eternity to begin worshiping. Let us lift our voices now. Let us live lives of devotion, reflecting the grace we have received. Let us join the unending song of heaven—giving all glory, honor, and praise to the One who alone is worthy: Jesus, the Lamb who was slain and the King who reigns forever.

Amen.

Call to Worship (Based on Revelation 4-5)

Leader: Come, people of God, gather before the throne! Lift your eyes to the heavens, where the Lord Almighty reigns.

People: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!

Leader: Behold, the Lamb who was slain, who is worthy to open the scroll! All of heaven sings His praise—elders and angels, creatures and saints—lifting their voices in worship.

People: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength, honor and glory and praise!

Leader: Let us join the song of heaven, for Christ reigns forever and ever!

People: To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and power, forever and ever! Amen!

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, You are enthroned in majesty, surrounded by the songs of angels and the praise of the saints. We come before You with hearts humbled and hands lifted high, joining in the worship of heaven. Jesus, You are the Lamb who was slain, the One who has redeemed us by Your blood, and You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and power.

As we gather in Your presence, align our hearts with the worship of heaven. Let our lives reflect the beauty of Your holiness and the power of Your grace. May our songs, our prayers, and our very being proclaim that You are Lord over all.

Fill this place with Your Spirit, that we may see You more clearly, love You more deeply, and serve You more faithfully. May our worship not end when we leave this place, but overflow into every moment of our lives, declaring that Jesus Christ is King!

To You who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be all glory, forever and ever. Amen.