The Wow Factor | Eternal Worship

What fills you with awe and wonder?

My two kids, Hannah and Levi, fill me with awe and wonder, captivating me with their imaginations and discovery.

Very few things hold my complete attention longer than when my daughter sits me down to tell me a story, or when my 16-month-old son, Levi, wants to play catch.

How about you? What fills you with awe and wonder?

Let me guess... does it begin with: M - i - c - k - e - y … I know for a fact that Disney fills many of you with awe and wonder!

May I make a total Dad confession?

I’m not that much of a Disney guy. I appreciate good story-telling, but I’ve never quite understood the ‘magic.’ So… last January, my wife and I decided to see the magic with our kids while they could still go for free.

Of course, we went to the Magic Kingdom. Our very own Pastor Desi MANDATED that my family arrive at 8am - a full hour before rope drop - so that we could find our place as close to the castle as possible for the “Let the Magic Begin” show at 8:55am.

Do you know how hard it was for my wife and me to get a 3 year old and 1 year old to the Magic Kingdom at 8am? You owe me one, Pastor Desi.

But we did find the perfect spot in front of the castle, and began the countdown from 30 to start the show. At that point, all of my attention shifted to Hannah. How would she respond to this? Would she be scared? Upset? Would we soon be making our getaway because she hated it?

What do you think happened… She sat through the next 5 minutes in total awe and wonder…Her little mind exploded like a magical firework with every moment she experienced.

At the end of the day, I don’t mind telling you that I shed a single dad tear. My heart filled with awe and wonder for the joy we shared together as a family.

What fills you with awe and wonder? What draws you outside of yourself? Find that moment in your memory. How far back do you need to go to get it?

It seems that children experience awe and wonder daily. Everyday children discover something new. Their entire worldview exists beyond themselves. Their very survival depends completely upon someone else.

Whereas for mature adults like us, we can do anything by our hand and quite literally go a day, a week, a month, a year, even multiple years for some people without experiencing life beyond your own worldview! If you and I chose to do so, we could seemingly - although not entirely - go long periods of time with little to no reliance upon another person.

Thus why moments of awe and wonder become fewer and farther between as we mature. Our desire for discovery diminishes as the world around us becomes more defined. Companionship lessens as self-sufficiency advances. Our belief in God even risks becoming less reasonable over time as we become more and more self-reliant.

Why would I need God if I can do whatever I want?

We put a lot of stock into pithy truisms that swirl through our culture: Be all you can be. You only live once. Get everything you can. No limits. Keep working, keep striving, keep producing. Does this resonate with you? They certainly do with me.

Every day, I live in this tension between living for myself and living for the one who created me. It is the central narrative of our present culture, as well as the origin of sin itself: “You will be like God…” (Genesis 3:5). At the heart of every temptation lies a desire to build your own magic kingdom apart from God.

I wrestle with this. More than likely all of us do. I want my own way on my timetable and how I desire it. I want to sit on my throne and reign over my 3-foot kingdom.

But living for the sake of your magic kingdom is only a parody of true power. It’s not the real thing.

Ruling your world might benefit you for a while. You may even feel awe and wonder for a time over what you can do and accomplish on your own, but ultimately, it doesn't satisfies. And how do you know that? Because it’s never enough.

“My motivation is this ghost I’m chasing. The ghost that played in Chicago,” said Lebron James to a Sports Illustrated reporter. I appreciate his honesty. All of us chase down myths of what we want to become. But when you get it, if you ever do, how often do you feel satisfied? How much did you have to give up? How many bridges did you have to burn to get there?

Building your kingdom promises satisfaction, but it only leads to isolation.

So we shouldn’t feel surprised why we’ve lost our sense of awe and wonder. We've made our 3-foot world first priority, and it never provides us with what we want, which ironically, is what all of us seek: realand true satisfaction. We want to know that our needs will be met. That we’ll find love. That we’ll be able to contribute to something bigger than ourselves.

Every generation confronts this tension. Even the early church strayed away from its mission to make Jesus Lord. The church still does today. But rather than God smacking the church around, God proved his extraordinary character of mercy and grace once again, a pattern we witness constantly throughout the letters of the Old and New Testaments.

The disciple John - now old and exiled on the island of Patmos - recorded in his book of Revelation chapters 4 and 5 a moment in time when God opened the door to heaven to give us a glimpse... into his throne room… for two reasons: first, to demonstrate that God is in control of the world and all within it, not us – though it may feel that way… we may want to… others may even put pressure on us to do so… we’re not God - and secondly, God opened his throne room to show himself trustworthy.

Like a good chef who offers tours of her kitchen to prove herself trustworthy, God opened the door of heaven to his throne room, his very place of character and power, to do the very same thing!

That’s a WOW Factor!

What better antidote to redirect the selfishness of our present than for God to allow us a glimpse into his awe and wonder of eternity. ForGod knows a wonder-filled life leads to a wonderful life.

I want to read to you what God revealed from his throne room in its entirety, but keep in mind that within the genre of apocalyptic literature everything means something. A good definition for this big phrase ‘apocalypticliterature’ is a type of writing that invites us to use our imagination through bizarre word pictures, so take care to not interpret everything as it appears. The Bible is just as much a question book as it is an answer book. Use your imagination. Some of it seems strange, but I hope as we read it together, these passages become less-confusing and more awe-inspiring.

John begins in his observation in chapter 4, verse 1.

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them.

[[[ Each representing the 12 tribes of Israel and 12 disciples of Jesus, standing for the fullness of God’s people and the church ]]]

They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion [[[ the chief of all wild animals ]]]; the second was like an ox [[[ the chief of all domestic animals ]]]; the third had a human face [[[ chief of all creation – us - made in God’s image ]]]; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight [[[ chief of all winged creatures in air and sea ]]]. 8 Each of these living beings [[[ who represent the fullness of creation! ]]] had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. [[[ Kinda reminds me of that old tune, “I only have eyes for you” In his throne room, everything God created sees him perfectly. What’s got your vision right now? ]]]

Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—

the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne [[[ signifying who reigns as the true king over all of the people of God and his church ]]] and they say,

11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,

to receive glory and honor and power.

For you created all things,

and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

God created you because he wanted to, and is so pleaed with you.

Within the throne room, all of creation in its totality, along with the fullness of all God’s people, all give glory to the Creator God, who reigns forever as THE all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present one, true God!

Talk about a WOW FACTOR! Does this happen at home for anyone? Dads, moms, do your kids or co-workers offer you praise like this? Other than when they want something from you? Probably not, because this whole chapter begs the question from all who hear it: Who is the true king? Keep that in mind as we continue…

John continued his observation from God’s throne room in chapter 5, verse 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. [[[ depicting the manner in which the world would be set perfectly back to rights – when God will right the wrongs of the world ]]] 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.

[[[ John wept because if no one could open the scroll, then who would right the wrongs in the world? Ever feel that way? Ever weep over the wrongs done to you, done to those whom you love and want so bad for them to be made right? So did John. So do all of us.]]]

John continued...

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.”

[[[ John hears the victory of a lion ]]]

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.

[[[ What a bizarre image! When John turned his attention to the throne, he heard the victory of a lion, but saw a slaughtered lamb… meek and vulnerable, the combined images of both the victory and the crucifixion of Christ. His bloodshed bought our lives. Jesus won the victory and triumphed over sin and death through the vulnerable and humble sacrifice of his life.

John observed that the lamb had 7 horns and 7 eyes, which represent the sevenfold spirit of God.

The number seven stands for perfection and wholeness.

Seven horns mean all perfect power. God is just and right with his power.

Seven eyes mean all perfect vision. No one is outside of God’s sight.

Sevenfold Spirit of God means an all-perfect God.

Jesus is perfect in power, perfect in vision, and perfect as God.

Just imagine this: standing in between God and everything over which God rules on heaven and Earth is Jesus, the lamb who was slain for our salvation. God judges and rules through this image. Every act of his power and love happens through the means of our salvation. He keeps it in front of his very eyes. God has made you the object of his affection. ]]]

John continues...

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.

[[[ In fact, God’s so close to your salvation that our cries, our pleas, our desires, our pains, our woes, our joys, our hopes… and all of our prayers arrive to God as sweet incense, and our praises come to him through the sound of the harps. God hears you and promises his peace on you from the very seat of his throne. ]]]

9 And so they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased for God

persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [[[ represented right here at our church ]]]

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth.”

[[[ Not for our magic kingdoms, but for God’s kingdom. Our hands set to good work. For those who place their trust in God, you get the honor of being called a prince or a princess of our just King who now bestows authority on you to help carry on his mission here and now – what a WOW factor! What an assertion of grace and mercy on us.]]]

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. [[[ that’s a 100 million voice choir ]]] They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

What a glorious WOW Factor! My friends, God has left nothing unrevealed to us. He has made known to us his character and work through Jesus, and has now shown us the extent of his perfect power and perfect love from the seat of his throne. In doing so, God is proving himself trustworthy to us. There’s no hidden agenda. No hidden fees.

God is for us, not against us, and these passages each bear witness from his throne room how much God desires to be your God.

He can provide you with the true awe and wonder-filled life that leads to the wonderful life – the one that all of us seek! For you and me… here and now… this means true freedom.

Theologian Warren Wiersbe once said, "Wonder is not cheap amusement that brings a smile to your face. It is an encounter with reality, with God, which brings awe to your heart."

As you align your life to the way of your true King, your Heavenly Father invites you to forever reign alongside of him, beginning here and now.

Thus why Jesus taught us to pray, “‘OurFather in heaven, hallowed be your name [[[ a confession of his holiness and lordship, not our own ]]], 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Your confession begins eternity now. Your life goes on, because the perfect power and perfect love of your all-perfect and true King snatched you from death’s grip. That’s what makes your Heavenly Father worthy of your praise and surrender. Who else can rescue you from death’s certain grip? No one, not even yourself. In placing your life in God’s hands, his promises become real for you now. Real and true satisfaction starts now. True awe and wonder can happen for you right here and now. Life change begins now!

Therefore, throw off every sin that gets you all caught up in yourself and turn up the praise with confident assurance that God receives your prayers, hears your worship, and makes your redemption; and thus, calling you to join his efforts to see his kingdom come in Miami as it is in Heaven!

Maybe you’ve gotten caught up in yourself and you’ve distorted God’s perfect love and perfect power into self-made success and self-seeking sex created in the likeness of your image.

God’s asking you, not smacking you around. God opened up his door to you. Now, Jesus is knocking on yours, and he’s asking: Will you let me calm your heart? Will you let me restore you and heal you? Will you let me give you peace? Will you let me into your throne room and be your king?

Who’s your true king? If not this God, then who has ever given you such a vision of perfect power and perfect love? Your kingdom has room enough for one.

But hear the good news… that God’s kingdom is big enough for all and for you to be you. There’s room in mercy’s arms for you. For you who’s weary, worn down … for you who’s been pretending… for you who’s been hurt… for you who’s been trying to rule your world… there’s room for you in the arms of your true king.

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved.” Romans 10:9.

There’s nothing hidden.

Confession of his lordship and surrendering your life into his trustworthy hands will lead you from getting caught up in yourself to getting caught up in eternity.

From his throne room, God invites you right now to gain your very own glimpse into eternity first through your praise and secondthrough living your life on mission.

Get caught up in praise every moment of the day!

At sunrise, first light, first thought, seek first the kingdom of God, not your own. Begin your day with this simple, yet profound acknowledgement: Jesus is Lord… of every conversation, incident, meeting, temper tantrum, and traffic jam… and glimpse eternity.

At high noon time, when the heat is on and the pressures of life feel stacked against you, don’t waver, worship the true God to fight the good fight for you… and glimpse eternity.

At midnight, when the darkness feels overwhelming and you feel beaten up and alone, with a voice of praise, God can light up your night and take you all the way into morning… to glimpse eternity.

And then, get caught up in God’s redemptive mission! In the conference room, in the living room… shift your perspective from making your way to leading God’s way through a faithful stewardship of your power and love… and glimpse eternity.

Please don’t miss this: surrendering your life to God doesn’t mean that you now take a passive role to your responsibilities. Not at all! It means making a right ordering of your responsibilities, and seeing God’s mission of salvation and redemption come to bear in your life alongside those over which you have been given influence.

Listen with open ears, speak with helpful, uplifting words, create with humble hands, love with a sacrificial heart, and praise with an eternal attitude!

True freedom happens when you let your life go and discover God’s awe and wonder as he displayed his own evidence to us in this:

He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

Today, choose life.

Come off your throne. Confess Jesus as Lord, and let God’s eternity get you caught up in his praise and mission, for the wonder-filled life is the wonderful life.

Would you pray with me?