Easter 2022 "Worthy is the Lamb"
Notes
Transcript
1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Background
John sees God’s throne
Elders, angels, and weird creatures surround the throne
God is holding a scroll
Who is worthy? Who can open God’s message?
The Lion/Lamb
5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
When John hears John looks to see and what John describes seeing is NOT what John heard
But, it is a way that John is saying BOTH are true
The Lion has been victorious
But, the Lion is a lamb looking as if it had been slain
Notice, the Lamb is not currently slain. It HAD been slain - that’s past tense! It is alive, but has the scars of being slain.
Earlier in Revelation we read
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Clearly John sees the resurrected Christ. The one who has conquered is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (David’s family). But, he is also a Lamb that was slain.
In fact, that is indeed how the lion conquered. Not through an army, or a battle, or through what any human would consider an act of victory. No, he conquered by being the slaughtered Lamb - the great passover lamb (that we discussed Thursday night).
And, that is what the song about the Lion/Lamb declares
Revelation 5:9–10 (NLT)
9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:12 (NLT)
12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
Revelation 5:13 (NLT)
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
What does this have to do with me?
What does this have to do with me?
You might be saying, yeah, that’s great, but what does this scene in heaven and the worship of the lion/lamb have to do with me?
I am glad you asked! The Lion/Lamb has overcome and because of that there is HOPE!
He is victorious of all things that pull us away from being God’s people.
He is victorious over SIN and SIN’s Consequence - death
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Because the Lion/Lamb has been sacrificed, but victorious through that, the slavery to sin and death is defeated. We have been RANSOMED by His blood (that is the price has been paid to set us free)!
Therefore, nothing HAS to get in our way of being God’s people - of being TRUE, ALL IN DISCIPLES of Jesus Christ! He has paid the price so we can do this!!
But, NOT only that, WAIT, THERE’S MORE...
The song says Revelation 5:10 “10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.””
The power of the Lion/Lamb works in us and it CHANGES us so we can BE DIFFERENT. Not only did he die to set us free, His blood CAUSES us (that is it is a catalyst, or an agent of change upon us to CAUSE US TO BE DIFFERENT) so that we can TRULY be God’s people.
11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
Because the Lion/Lamb was victorious, his power works in us, allowing US to be victorious
You don’t HAVE to live in bondage to sin!
You don’t HAVE to be addicted to drugs!
You don’t HAVE to be an alcoholic
You don’t HAVE to be addicted to pornography
You don’t HAVE to beat your spouse and children
Because the Lion/Lamb was crucified and resurrected ALL of the sin in our world HAS ALREADY BEEN DEALT WITH! You don’t HAVE to be tied to that bondage anymore!
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
From the Message Romans 8:12-14
So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
The VICTORY over sin and over your old life has ALREADY been won!
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
May you give that old life a decent burial and get on with the new life. There and new things to do, and greater places to go!
May the Lamb be worthy, not just for your worship this morning, but may He be worthy of the New Life you are invited to live through His Power!
May the Lamb be glorified, exalted, and made worthy in YOUR LIFE!
Communion
Communion
As we receive communion we are reminded of the NEW LIFE that Christ has made available for us
19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
This morning, as we receive communion, may we ponder the New Life we have been invited into. Not by our work, or by our merits, but by the victory of the Lion/Lamb
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
May we ponder this grace and victory in our lives this morning.
Invite Communion Servers Forward and give Instructions
Invite Communion Servers Forward and give Instructions
Prayer over the elements
Amelia and Pastor sing while elements are distributed
Lead in the Communion Worship...
Closing Song
Closing Song
Benediction
Benediction
Hebrews 13:20–21 (NLT)
20 Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.