June 27, 2021
Sunday AM
Revelation 4:1-11 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones, I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thundering’s, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”
In these 11 verses, the word “throne” is mentioned 14 times. Heaven has a throne and from that position, the whole universe is run. Everything centers around that one thing. Everything that exists, originates from that throne. God sits on that throne. The beasts surrounding the throne are there for one purpose. Heaven’s definition of worship and earth’s definition of worship are two different things. In the presence of God, there is one position, flat on your face. People today are caught up in so many things. Our life is about living here for our future in Heaven. What’s going on in the center of your life? In heaven the center is worship. Worship helps us keep God in his proper place, and ourselves in the proper place. The reason people don’t worship God is because they are full of pride. It is a choice to live every day to worship God. Everyone on earth is always worshiping someone or something. The question is not will you worship, its who do you worship? You must make the decision to worship God. You cannot control what others do, but you can choose to worship God. There is nothing better you can do with your life. Put worship at the center of your life, and the very life and light that God is, will flow into you. Many people will worship God on the mountain top when everything is going great for them but fail to worship in the valley. Many people are waiting on God to do something for them, but God has already done something above and beyond for them! How much time did you spend on your face worshiping God this week? That is a locator for where you are in your walk with God.
Romans 12:9-14 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
He is giving us instructions for everyday living. We will focus on verse 11. “Fervent in spirit” in another translation is, “aglow in the spirit.” Everything that is going on in our world right now, the good, bad, and the ugly, is after one thing. Who and what are people going to worship?
Exodus 20:1-6 And God spoke all these words, saying:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
We are not to worship anything created. No boat, car, house, human, etc. We are to worship the Creator only. If you’re in church, but your mind is out on the lake, you are worshiping the wrong thing. Your mind and heart and everything should be on Him. Then, if you want to go and have fun on the lake later, that’s perfectly okay! As a matter of fact, if you’ll worship God beforehand, you’ll have a lot more fun anyway! Worship is always bowing. It does not necessarily mean physically, but more so with your attitude and in your heart. It’s the lesser acknowledging the Greater! It’s admitting need of Him! Honor Him and He will honor you!
Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
Set your love upon God for all these benefits. Every day when you wake, you make this choice. Don’t wait until trouble comes. Set your love on Him every morning, and when trouble comes, you already have Him. It is simple! God will have no rivals! He wants to be your one and only! He wants all your thoughts and affection! There is no one on planet earth that wants you like God wants you. God brought us out and set us free from sin. Worship Him for what He has already done!