THE DOOR TO WORSHIP*
Rev. 3:20 – 5:14
Sermon Objective: Worship is a pivotal and essential privilege for the people of God.
REV. 3:20-22
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Rev. 4:1-11
1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Rev. 5:1-14
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!" 14The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Intro
The last word to the Laodicean church was an invitation to worship (3:20-21). Oh I know it included more than that but it certainly included (and maybe culminated with) worship. In fact, I suggest that the ultimate response of the church to God’s call of repentance and service is worship. It is in this act that we show the supreme response of love, submission, service, relationship, and exaltation.
The door to relationship and, hence worship, was closed because the Laodicean church was backslidden. By returning to Christ (symbolized in the opening of the door) the church could, once again, commune with Christ.
On many occasions it is only such a door that separates us. When we sense a distance from our creator and redeemer I behooves us to take spiritual inventory; to see if there is sin or earthly distractions between us and Him.
If so, Rev. 3 gives us a clear and simple solution. Return. Repent. … Open the Door!
When I have personally made this move towards God (and what I have observed in others) is that one of the first responses I have (after confession and repentance) is an impulse to worship. That is not only appropriate; but the norm, I suspect. In chapters 4 and 5, we notice that worship is based upon truth (a correct understanding of who God is and who we are) and Spirit (an accepted and empowered position before Him).
Such relational worship is an act of attention to the living God who
o Rules
o Speaks
o Reveals
o Creates
o Redeems
o Orders
o Blesses
You see, Jesus stands at the door and knocks. What happens when we open the door? Chapters 4-5 show us that it encourages praise and worship. Such worship: Centers, Gathers, Reveals, Sings and Affirms.
Sermon
[1] WORSHIP CENTERS
God’s throne centers authority and directs our worship. Everything in these chapters is directed throne-ward. The throne is mentioned at least 28 times in the book … it appears in nearly every chapter of The Revelation.
When life and worship are properly centered the Lordship of Christ takes center stage. It defines and directs our steps.
There are, sadly, many cases where life’s choices make life go awry. Sometimes in ways that are almost inconceivable. I understand that it rains on the just and the unjust and that some of the events that happen in our lives are out of our control … but the ones that concern me this morning are the ones that are rewards or consequences for our choices.
When our gaze is fixed on Jesus Christ life takes new and positive turns. Choices are challenged, lifestyles are transformed, and the future is hope-filled. We avoid a lot of heartache and self-induced pain when we are worshipping / serving Jesus Christ as the proper center.
[1] Worship Centers
[2] WORSHIP GATHERS
If there is no center there is no circumference. People who do not worship are swept into a vast restlessness, epidemic in the world, with no steady direction and no sustaining purpose.
The throne is the supreme revelation of Scripture! The central throne gathers around it that which has been directed God-ward through centuries of living faith. And do you notice the variety and the diversity of that which gathers in Christ’s name? It is astounding and beautiful.
Everything finds itself in unity under the Lordship of Christ. Every tribe, tongue, peoples and even creation finds oneness in worship. And, when we are truly worshipping Him, we will be gathered in unity too. In fact, when a church cannot worship it is an indication of a deep and serious fracture that prevents them from entering God’s presence. And just as an individual Christian can walk through a door of repentance towards communion so must that church.
[1] Worship Centers
[2] Worship Gathers
[3] WORSHIP REVEALS
When the world is in chaos, as it was when The Revelation was written to these seven churches, it is easy to lose perspective. We see what is happening right in front of us and assume that is the sum total – the proper assessment of the world’s situation.
But John discovered that there was much more going on than he could see with his human eyes. Reality was far more grand than the hardship he was experiencing on the island of Patmos or than the persecution his brothers and sisters were facing back in the Asia-Minor churches. God gave John a vision … just a glimpse I presume … of the true reality at play (4:1). That which was bound by his experiences and senses was expanded beyond anything he could have imagined.
4:1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."
There is reason to look at the world today and think it is in chaos. And, if we are not careful we will listen to the selective news stories and talking heads and assume that this too, is complete picture of the reality. What we sometimes forget is that ALL of them have a vested interest in the doom and gloom and NONE of them are Spirit-filled, Born-again worshippers speaking to you from eyes of faith.
Worship, on the other hand, gives us a different perspective. It provides a dimension that this world’s assessment avoids … it provides an assessment based on faith. When we see God enthroned like he is in this book our faith is encouraged and emboldened. We know our God reigns and it infuses us with hope!
How else do you explain a 1st century church that praised God in the midst of threat, death, and persecution?
May I give you a real time illustration? The Nazarene church is under persecution in the Sudan. With the last 12 months 11 Nazarene Christian have been martyred for their faith and 30 churches burned to the ground. But you know what? That has not stifled the church! In fact, while they have burned 30 churches we have planted 54 more! People are literally coming to Christ in the Islamic stronghold so fast we can hardly organize them for discipleship!
Why? Because the church sees more than the mere circumstances that demand their attention.
Worship provides a new vantage point and a new anchor point that we desperately need today. You can see what others cannot! It changes you and everything else too!
[1] Worship Centers
[2] Worship Gathers
[3] Worship Reveals
[4] WORSHIP SINGS
There are some constants in the Bible when it comes to worship. And one of them is singing. “Christians sing. They sing in the desert, they sing in the night, they sing in the prison, they sing in the storm. How they sing!” (Eugene Petersen, “Reversed Thunder”, p. 84)
As worship clears our minds and broadens our understanding – our spirits are renewed. We break out in song!!!
As we worship prose vanishes and speech dances! It turns to poetry and takes the rhythm and timbre of music and song. Note how many songs are found in Scripture and note what evokes them … everything and anything evokes song for the Christian. Not just the good times … in fact, particularly not the good times!!!! In chapters 4 and 5 of The Revelation alone there are 5 songs sung!
o A quartet sings
o An ensemble sings
o A choir sings
o The first two are hymns to God as creator
o The next two are hymns to Christ as redeemer
o The final one is to Creator and Redeemer together.
There may not be a better prayer book than a hymn book. There may be no better way to learn to pray than to learn to worship.
Songs break out all through The Revelation! And I notice this worship is for amateurs!
“Liturgy” means “people’s work.” When worship is corrupted it seeks quality for quality’s sake. We must abandon the mindset of professionalism and remove the worship from the hands of the “pros” and return it to the people.
In the book, “Unveiling Empire” Howard-Brook & Gwyther say the following. It resonates with me. “The heavenly choir members in the Revelation were not auditioned to find out how good they could sing! True liturgy is not a performance event like a symphony concert, but an interactive sing-along more reminiscent of campfire gatherings. So many people forego the joys of singing and offering prayer because of a perception that their sounds ‘aren’t good enough’. Can we imagine Jesus imposing such a restriction? ” (p. 263)
I am not suggesting, my friends, that what we do be shoddy or an excuse for lack of preparedness. God forbid – He is worthy of better. But I am suggesting that YOU can worship. You can sing! And when you see God – you will.
Everybody on the platform during worship knows that I would not make it past the first round of ‘American Idol” but I’m gonna sing and I’m gonna worship. And you can too.
I remember watching the gut wrenching drama my daughter went through while studying music at Trevecca. I applaud them for their high standards – but God does not grade you on your articulation and performance. He is looking for a people whose heart is fully turned to him in exuberance and authenticity not people who are seeking quality for quality’s sake.
O how God’s people sing. All of us can sing! And when you encounter the living God who loves you and washes you clean you will sing!!!!
[1] Worship Centers
[2] Worship Gathers
[3] Worship Reveals
[4] Worship Sings
[5] WORSHIP AFFIRMS
This worship scene appropriately ends with the declaration “amen!” (5:14). Amen is declaration of agreement for the People of God. It means “YES!” (not yes) or “SO BE IT!” It is our affirmation of agreement to God’s truth and it should always be on the tongues of His people seeking opportunity to declare it! When God has been proclaimed and worshipped in truth and in Spirit, “amen” is the appropriate and timely response of the church.
“When we Christians say or sing or shout ‘amen!’ God hears our unequivocating assent to his irrevocable Yes to us, the Yes of our Redeemer Lamb, the Yes of our Creator King.” (Eugene Petersen, “Reversed Thunder”, p. 69; emphasis added)
There is something about encountering God in worship that transforms us, prepares us for life, and assures / reassures our faith.
“We are trained from infancy to relate to the world in an exploratory, exploitive way, refusing and grabbing, pushing and pulling, fretting and inveigling. We are trained to view ourselves as the “knower” and the ego is a predator. But in worship we cease being the predators who by stealth approach everyone as prey that we can pull into our center; WE RESPOND TO THE CENTER! We … offer ourselves to God, who creates and redeems, Amen!” (Eugene Petersen, “Reversed Thunder”, p. 68-9)
Wrap-Up
The Church at worship is focused on God’s throne. So we are released from a narrow selfish outlook on the universe by this common act that all of us must participate in.
[1] Worship Centers
[2] Worship Gathers
[3] Worship Reveals
[4] Worship Sings
[5] Worship Affirms
Let’s worship Him today.
* Special Thanks to Eugene’s Petersen’s book, “Reversed Thunder” for this sermon idea and much of its content.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
