Monday, November 23, 2015

Worship in Heaven: Scene 2

Worship in Heaven: Scene 2
Revelation 5:1-14
Pastor Miles
11/22/15

1. A problem in heaven.
"Then 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. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside."
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2. The solution to the problem in heaven.
"Then 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." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne."
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:5-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

3. The New Theme in heaven.
"And 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 God's people. And 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. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.""
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:8-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Lamb is worth of worship because of His sacrificial death.
He bore our sins so that we can be reconciled to God.

4. Worship of the Lamb in heaven.
"Then 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. 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!""
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:11-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"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!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped."
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Praise and worship is given to both the Lamb and the One who sits on the Throne.
Both the Father and the Son are equally worshiped.

IMPLICATIONS:
A. Jesus is worthy of the same worship as the Lord God Almighty.
B. Honor Jesus in worship the same way you honor God the Father.

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Monday, November 16, 2015

Worship in Heaven

Worship in Heaven
Revelation 4:1-11
Pastor Miles
11/15/2015

1. The scene in heaven.
"After 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." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding 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. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of 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."
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2. The theme in heaven.
"Also in front of 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. The 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. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: " 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come.""
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:6-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

⚫️ the eternal inhabitants in heaven never stop praising God.

"And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.""
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

⚫️ God remains the Great I AM in eternity.

3. Worship expressed in heaven.
"Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the 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: "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.""
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:9-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

⚫️ the elders bow before God in worship.
⚫️ the elders offer all that they have to Him
⚫️ they declare with their words that God is worthy of worship

4. God is worthy of worship because He created all things.
""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.""
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

⚫️ God is the sustainer of all life. He is the creative designer.

Implications
A. Everything that is, that ever was, or ever will be, owes its very existence to God as creator
B. Every living thing owes their life to God as creator.
C. Every person should worship God as creator.


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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Staying Centered

Staying Centered
Psalm 145
John Bristol
11/8/2015

1. Example of Being Centered
4 characteristics:
A. One who blesses and praises the name of God daily (v 1-2)
"I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- no day should pass without gratitude to the Lord. Every single day is a gift from Him. 

B. One who recognizes how great God is and how small we are (v 3)
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- we can't comprehend enough how great and awesome God is

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C. One who tells others about this great God (v 4, 6, 7)
"One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- it's our responsibility as parents to tell our children about God. Our children's view of God will come from how we view God. Proclaim His goodness daily in your home.

D. One who meditates on both who God is and what He has done (v 5)
"They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- as we meditate on His goodness, and who He is, wonderful adjectives spring from out lips

2. Why Stay Centered
3 aspects of who God is:
A. Compassionate v 8-9
"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,"
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- God's love is not conditional on our love for Him 

B. King v 10-13
"All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:10-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C. Provider v 14-20
"The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:14-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- of strength:
"The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- of food:
"The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- His presence:
"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:18-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- of protection:
"The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

3. Effect of Staying Centered
- we need to praise the Lord
- influence others to bless His name

"My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭145:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Monday, November 2, 2015

Sent by Jesus

Sent by Jesus
Acts 1:6-11
Dale Little
11/1/2016

"Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.""
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:6-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. Power for the mission
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.""
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The context of mission is one of trouble and crises:
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are to be compassionate witnesses to others in time of crisis.
Missions involves meeting physical and spiritual needs.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit.

2. Plan for the mission
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.""
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The gospel does not belong to any one culture or place.
The gospel can flourish in any place.

3. People of the mission
Jesus expects His own people to go out and proclaim the gospel.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.""
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God has chosen His people to reach out to other people.

Application
Do you understand yourself to be a witness?

"And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria."
‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went."
‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God has scattered His people to fulfill His purposes and mission.

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