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Media:Worth_It_12_22_2019.mp3

Objectives

• Congregants will see that a lifetime of service to Jesus is worth it.
• Congregants will see that only Jesus is worthy.

Introduction

• What does it mean to say something is valuable? There is a saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I want to tell you that, for the most part, value is somewhat similar. We live in a world in which value or worth is something that is determined by someone. Have you ever thought about it. What makes these two pieces of paper different (compare a 20 dollar bill to an equivalent piece of paper) In a very real sense, you get to determine value or worth. Many of you will open presents in a few days, and I dare say that for mpst of you, the value of that present will not be consistent with the price someone paid. Consider the ring on my finger, this ring is extremely valuable. Yet, I think we spent a whole $30 on my ring.

Main Body

Setting the Stage

• In Revelation 4 John is participating in a kaleidoscope of worship.
• John sees things he can't even describe.
• John hears words, "holy", "worthy".
• But the picture of Heaven is only the beginning. Heaven is going to be grand, but even better will be the one we are with, Christ.
• Sometimes the best way to really appreciate something is to look at contrast.
  • Before we enter the heavenly scene where Jesus is worshipped and adored I want to take a step back and look at the Christmas.
  • In 1864 E. S. Elliot captured the picture of Christ sacrificing honor and power that first Christmas."Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room For Thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee."

Main Proposition

As Christians we need to worship this Christmas with an eye to that time when we will worship in heaven.

Unworthy (Luke 2:1-7)

• You have probably heard the story of Mary's conception in Matthew 1. You probably know the story of Christ's birth in Luke 2.

Ordinary by Earthy Standards (2:1-5)

• We see both Mary and Joseph heading for Bethlehem for the census. Joseph's ancestral home was Bethlehem and apparently Mary accompanied Joseph. Perhaps they knew that the Messiaih was to be born in Bethlehem? Regardless what we have is Jesus, born in Bethlehem in fulfillment of Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” ^[1] The point is that Bethlehem was not the capital, and these visitors were nothing special coming from Nazareth. If you or I had passed them on the trail we would certainly have thought nothing of the trip.

Not Even Worth a Room (2:6-7)

• In verse 7, Luke describes Jesus as προτοτοκον that is first born. Today modern hospitals provide all the works for a new mother. Mary had none of that.
• We also see that there was no room for them in the inn or guest room.
• We are trying to study Christ's worth through contrast. What better contrast than the lowly place in which he chose be born.

This Christmas we need to worship Christ who in humility became as if unworthy of honor.

Unworthy (Revelation 5:1-4)

The Heavenly Measuring Stick (5:1-2)

• We are given the chance to see an event playing out in heaven.
• The scroll with seven seals pictures a piece of parchment rolled up with seven seals. Possibly the seals are arranged throughout the scroll so that as each seal is broken a little more of the scroll can be read.
• We see a question, who is worthy?
  • What does it mean to be worthy? The word used here is ἀξιος and according to TDNT properly means "bringing up the other beam of the scales."^[2] The question of who is worthy is a question of who measures up. Who tips the balance of the scales?

All Found to be Unworthy (5:3-4)

• In verses 3-4 we see a picture of people being weighed on the scales and we find that no one is worthy
  • Abraham
  • Isaac
  • David
  • Peter
  • Paul
  • John Calvin
  • Martin Luther
  • No king
  • No dictator
  • Not you and not me
• John responds by weeping. The natural response to our complete and utter worthlessness is initially sorrow.

We need to recognize that, without Christ, everything/everyone we know is unworthy.

Worthy (Revelation 5:5-7)

The solution to sorrow over our unworthiness (V. 5)

• The solution to our sorrow at our unworthiness is Christ.
• In the word ἐνικησεν we see that "Lion has triumphed. The word points to complete victory and the aorist tense may well indicate a victory once and for all."^[3]

Contrast: The Lion of Judah presented as a Lamb (V. 6)

• The Lion - The lion is a picture of victory, kingship, and the right to rule. Jesus is King. The picture of the lamb reminds us of Christ's second coming and sovereign judgement.
• The Lamb (According to Goerge Hilman, the lamb analogy is used 28 times in Revelation). The lamb is what John sees. specifically, Jesus was introduced as the lion but is seen as the lamb. John notes that the lamb still had the appearance of one who had been slain. Perhaps John is noting the scars from crucifixion?
• We further see seven horns and seven eyes.
  • Seven denotes completeness.
    • Horns symbolize strength
    • The seven eyes we are told represent the seven spirits of God which is likely a metaphor for completeness. In other words, we are seeing Christ, fully God.

The only response, worship (V. 7)

• As we look at this picture a few things stand out. Jesus is the one who is worthy and he is worthy as both the Lion and the Lamb. It is perfectly appropriate. We should celebrate the lamb and we should celebrate the lion. Jesus came as man, died as a lamb but as a lion defeated death, will come again and will judge.

This Christmas, don't forget that Jesus is both Lion and Lamb.

Worthy (Revelation 5:8-14)

The Heavenly Measuring Stick (5:8-10)

• Why is he worthy?
  • Death
  • Redemption
  • Creation of kingdom of priests
    • From the garden of Eden and the creation of Adam, it appears it has always been the plan of God for man to serve as his image bearer, as priests bearing the image of God to his creation. Adam, and hence, we all, failed to bear that image. Think about that for a minute, in a very real sense, the one thing that you were created to do is the one thing you have failed to do, bear the image of God to his creation. Yet, the story does not end with failure. Christ came as a man, bore God's image and died so that we can have the hope of being able to bear God's image as a kingdom of priests. Christ is worthy.

Heavenly Worship (5:11-12)

• In verses 8-10 the praise focusses on what Christ did, now the praise focusses on what Christ is worthy of:
  • Power - The idea here is supernatural ability. "The core idea of this term is the ability to do something."^[4] From Star Wars to Alladin, we have a fascination with the idea of unlimited power. The idea here is that Christ alone is worthy of the ultimate power.
  • Riches - or wealth. The idea here is that of abundance, or having plenty. The Greek word is πλουτος which can be either litteral abundance of earthly possession or metaphorical abundance of any kind.
  • Wisdom - The standard word σοφια is used here. "Refers to the quality of having knowledge, skill, and experience in the sense of mastery over a particular subject or trade through practice and learning."^[5]
  • Strength - or might refers to the "capability to function effectively, strength, power, might"^[6]
  • Honor - refers to the act of showing reverence or respect.
  • Glory - again the standard word for glory δοξα is used here and carries the idea of splendor, brightness, might, and praise with it.
  • Blessing - The idea behind the word for blessing is also praise.

Universal Worship (5:13-14)

• Verses 8-10 featured the 24 elders, in verses 11-12 the angels joined in, now in verses 13-14 we see the addition of every creature.
• The 24 elders are probably intended to represent the church.
• We see the ascription of all creation
  • Blessing
  • Honor
  • Glory
  • Power
• We see them ascribed to both God and the Lamb.

• Leon Morris summs of Revelation "Chapters 4 and 5 proclaim in vivid and confident terms that the world’s destiny is not under the control of some blind fate. We are all in the hands of a loving Father and a Saviour who died for us."^[7]

• I heard a version of the song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in which the chorus has the phrase "We'll sing forever. We'll sing of comfort and joy."

This Christmas, don't forget who we are celebrating.

Conclusion

• Is Jesus worth it? Yes, why because he is worthy. Why is he worthy? Will you join me in worship to the one who is worth it?