Sermon Central
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Songs We Sing: "holy Forever" Series
Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 12, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: As we think through this song, we are going to first look at a central belief that we hold about God… that He is Holy. Then we will look at the passage that inspired the song which is the vision of the Apostle John in Revelation chapter 4.
“give glory and honor and thanks”
“fall down before Him”
:worship Him”
“cast their crowns before the throne”
“Worthy are You”
“receive glory and honor and power”
“You created all things”
“by Your will they existed and were created.”
The focus of these Four Living Creatures and the twenty-four elders and anyone else hanging out in the throne room of the Holy Holy Holy Almighty God is to worship Him.
They give: honor, credit, and allegiance.
They offer: thanks, themselves, and all that they have.
They show: by their actions, their words, and their intentions that God is holy.
Based on out look at Revelation 4, we can see why the worship song “Holy Forever” says:
SONG LYRICS: ‘HOLY FOREVER’
“Falling down in worship; To sing the song of ages”
“Your name is the highest” “Your name is the greatest” “Your name stands above them all”
“All thrones and dominions; All powers and positions; Your name stands above them all”
“And the angels cry Holy” “All creation cries Holy”
TRANSITION
What do we do with Revelation 4? How does this apply to us? How should you and I react to the holiness of God?
APPLICATION
The truth of God’s holiness should produce in us two application points for us in worship.
The first application point is that you and I accept the holiness of God highlighting it I how we act. We acknowledge it. We treat worship time as sacred, special, and set apart because the One we are focusing on is sacred, special, and set apart. When you and I worship God, we absolutely need to treat God like He is holy! Moses and the Israelites trembled (Exodus 3, 19). Isaiah and Peter recognized how small they were and how sinful they were (Isaiah 6, Luke 5). Ezekiel, Daniel, and John all fell on their faces (Ezekiel 1, Daniel 10, Revelation 1).
When you and I worship whether we are by ourselves or we gather together in a church service, we need to make sure on the inside and the outside that we treat God holy. What does that practically look like?
Listen attentively to the Word and focus
Pay attention to scripture readings and the sermon
Minimize disruptions like arriving late, excessive talking during the service, or using phones
Go to the bathroom before the service so you can focus
Find a posture that you feel honors God
Engage in genuine prayer to God trying to keep focus
Sing with reverence and joy whatever the song
Participate in communion with confession and purpose
Give generously when you come to church making it a habit to tithe
Serve in the church with thanksgiving
Come expecting to be transformed by the Holy Spirit
Encourage at least one other person while here
Be a witness to the gospel
All of these are just suggestions on how to acknowledge God’s holiness on the inside and the outside when we worship. What does that practically look like for you? Which of those things do we do well and which of those things could we improve upon to respond to God’s holiness?
The second application point is that you and I accept the holiness of God responding in thankfulness. In the New Testament, the phrase “thanks be to God” is used in double digits. One way we can respond to God’s holiness is an overwhelming attitude of thankfulness.
