I preached this sermon around May 2002.
Introduction: I would like for us to consider today a portion of Scripture from the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. Now, anyone who is very familiar with the Bible, is probably already thinking that we are going to look at prophecy, because that is what the book of Revelation is about—it is the revealing or unveiling of the future events of this world—what is going to happen when this world comes to an end. But we are not going to be considering prophecy, as interesting and important as that might be. I would like for us to consider a theme from this great book that may often times go unnoticed—that is the theme of worship.
The normal Greek word for worship (προσκυνέω) occurs 24 times in the book of Revelation, a fact which may or may not be of any significance to you. But when you realize that that is more than any other book in the Bible, that fact becomes a little more significant. For example, the Psalms, which we regard as a worship manual or a songbook, has only 18 occurrences of this word. So even though we normally think of Revelation as a book of prophesy, which it is, I would like for us to see that there is much that we can learn about the topic of worship from this great book.
Definition: I think most of us have an understanding of what worship is, but let just establish a basic meaning of the concept before we proceed. Worship is first of all something of a statement of your value of someone or something. Worship is an expression of something’s greatness. But what of the worshipper? What does he do? Well, He expresses what he thinks and feels concerning the object in praise and thanksgiving. Is true worship forced? No, the worshipper willingly and gladly responds from a heart of joy and delight. Worship is a recognition of someone or something’s greatness and value that elicits a response of praise and adoration flowing from a joyful heart.
So then, worship is something that in reality can be given to many things. A husband may worship his wife; a fan may worship his favorite athlete or music group. All of these things can be considered worship. But our definition brings up a necessary question, why do we give someone our worship? Well, ultimately because we consider him to be worthy of it.
But in reality, there is only one who is truly worthy of our worship. And he is the one that I would like for us focus on today. Turn in your Bible’s to Revelation chapter 4. Who is this worthy one? Well, if we look at the last 4 of the 5 occurrences of this word in the book, we will find out. They appear in chapters 4 and 5.
Revelation 4:8–11 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME." 9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will [or for your pleasure] they existed, and were created.”
Revelation 5:1–14 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; 5 and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." 6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.
You see, the heavenly being’s realize that God and the Lamb are worthy of worship. They see his greatness and can do nothing but worship Him.
What was the response to the worthiness of God?
Notice their response in both chapters:
4:10–11 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."
5:14 And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Proposition: Because God is worthy, you must give Him exclusively your worship.
I. Why is God worthy of your worship?
A. God is worthy because he is the sovereign creator.
B. God is worthy because he is the saving redeemer.
II. How do people respond to this worthy God?
A. Some respond by becoming worshippers
B. Some respond by continuing as haters
III. What happens if I refuse to give God my worship?