Greg Laurie - Why We Were Created (04/05/2018)
- Watch
- Donate
- Become Partner
Pastor Greg Laurie uses Revelation 4-5 to reveal life's true purpose: we exist to bring God glory and pleasure. Through heaven's worship scene, he shows Jesus as the worthy Lamb who redeems us, urging believers to live for God's glory now, preparing for eternal worship, and invites all to receive Christ before Communion.
The Question of Life’s Purpose
I heard this story about an older man that was speaking to a young student about his future plans. And the older guy asked the young man, tell me son what are your plans after you graduate from law school? The young man said, well I would like to get a job with a good firm and I would like to start making some money. The older guy said, alright. Sounds good. Then what? Well then I would like to get married. The young man said. Alright. Then what? Well I would like to start a family, have some children, put my kids in good schools and have enough money maybe to eventually get a second home. Okay. Then what? Well then you know after I have worked for a while and I maybe could come to a point where I would retire and hopefully my health would be good and my wife and I could travel around the world. Alright. Then what? Well maybe we would have grandchildren. You know I have heard that grandchildren are more fun than children. And the older man said, that is true. Yeah. But then what? Well you know I guess just pass my money on to my children hoping that they will have as comfortable of life as I have had. Then what? Well then the young man said, I guess I will die. And the older man said, yes. Then what? Then what? Then is eternity.
Far too often we think of this life as being everything and we don't give any thought to the next life. But in reality this is the before life. Then comes the afterlife. This is sort of like the warm up act if you will. There is more to come. So it is very important that we know why we are here on this earth. Because if we don't know why we can very easily waste our lives. It has been said if you aim at nothing you are bound to hit it.
So here is the question. Why do we exist? Why are we here on this earth? Why did God create us in the first place? Well the answer to that question is found right here in Revelation chapter 5. We are going to look at chapters 4 and 5 together. But I am going to tell you that the answer to the question will surprise some. It certainly does not go along with conventional wisdom.
What Siri Says About Life’s Meaning
What is the purpose of life? I have an iPhone. Maybe some of you have one as well. And there is a new feature now that they have on them called Siri. Have you heard of Siri? Basically you can ask Siri questions. Like you push a little button and you say, Siri, where can I get a good cup of coffee? And Siri will use the navigational device and figure out where you are and a bunch of coffee places will come up. Siri, you ask a question.
So the other day I pulled out my iPhone and I asked Siri, Siri what is the meaning of life? Siri has answers. Here is what Siri says. One answer was, I can't answer that right now but give me some long time to write a play in which nothing happens. I was like, what? So I pressed it again. What is the meaning of life? Siri says, I don't really know but I think there is an app for that. I pressed it again. Siri what is the meaning of life? Siri says, all evidence to date points to chocolate. I thought that was funny. Someone very clever is writing this material. I pushed it again. Siri what is the meaning of life? Siri says, I am surprised you would ask that question of an inanimate object. Exactly.
But I will tell you what, Siri's answer is as good as others. A poll was taken among Americans and the question was asked, what is the purpose of life? And 61 percent said the main purpose of life is enjoyment and personal fulfillment. Now we wouldn't expect that from non-believers who don't understand. But then the poll, or the question was asked of Christians, what is the purpose of life? And 50 percent of those who claim to be born again Christians said life's purpose is enjoyment and self-satisfaction.
Is that true? Is that the purpose of life for us as a Christian? Do we exist for personal enjoyment and self-satisfaction? Well I will tell you what. That is not true at all. And to find the answer to this question we have to go to Scripture. In effect we have to go to heaven to find out why we are here on earth.
John’s Vision of Heaven
And that is exactly where this scene is unfolding for us here in Revelation 4. John is in heaven. Now remember John the Apostle, banished to the island of Patmos, is caught up into the next dimension. And he sees things that are yet to come. And remember that in the first part of Revelation John was given an overview of the seven churches starting with Ephesus and ending with Laodicea. But then in chapter 4 suddenly John is hurtled into heaven. He is caught up into the presence of God. And so he is describing what he is seeing. He is trying to use the language of his day to describe what is before his eyes.
What does he see in chapter 4 in verses 2-3? He sees the Lord seated on His throne. Resplendent in glory. Around that throne is a circular rainbow and emerald.
Number 2 John sees 24 elders in verse 4. Now we don't know who the elders are. Some think it may be twelve patriarchs from the Old Testament. Twelve apostles from the New. Others think they may just be twelve believers that have been given this exalted position. For indeed rewards are promised to believers for faithful service. And these elders wear crowns and so forth. And some even think they are angels. But I don't really agree with that view at all. But I do believe they are believers in some sense. They are people who are on these thrones.
Angels and Worship Around the Throne
And then John number 3 sees ominous storm warnings from the throne of God. Lightning and thunder emanates because trouble is coming to planet earth. And I will tell you another thing that John sees is angels. Let's read about it. Revelation 4 starting in verse 8. He is describing these angelic creatures. The four living creatures, each had six wings, were full of eyes around and within. They don't rest day or night saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and is to come.
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him and sits on the throne and they worship Him and they worship Him forever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying, 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.
Now it is hard for us to wrap our minds around what we have just read. But suffice it to say that the book of Revelation is full of angels. References to angels in Revelation are many. There are 71 references to angels. More than any other book of the Bible. One of the reasons for that is Revelation is a glimpse into the next dimension. The supernatural world.
According to the Bible two worlds coexist. The natural and the supernatural. We have the physical world that we are in. And then there is the spiritual world. And right now as we sit here listening to this message, around us are angels. Because the Bible says the angels of the Lord encamp around those that fear Him. Scripture tells us that angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to those of us who are the heirs of salvation. And there are also demons in this same realm. And demons are fallen angels.
And there are rankings of both angels and demons. In Ephesians 6 we read that there are principalities and powers. And there is spiritual might in high places. Those are different rankings. And in the same way in the good angel category there are rankings as well.
Now 1 Peter 3.22 says, Christ has gone into heaven. He has at God's right hand with angels, authorities and powers. Now I don't know if this means that there are like general angels and corporal angels and sergeant angels and infantry angels. I am not really sure how this all works out. But clearly there are rankings in the angelic realm.
Michael, Gabriel, Cherubim, and Seraphim
We know this because one ranking would be the archangel. And there is only one angel that has that title in scripture. And that is Michael. The word archangel occurs just twice in the New Testament. And in both instances it is used in the singular and is preceded by the definite article the. As in the archangel. So Michael clearly seems to be the heavyweight angel of angels. And he has a special privilege. Because when the rapture happens we read in 1 Thessalonians 4.16, the Lord will come down from heaven with a loud command, and the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God the dead in Christ will rise first.
So we have Michael. And then there is Gabriel. Now we don't know if Gabriel was an archangel. But clearly Gabriel was privileged. It was the angel Gabriel that was used by the Lord and come and give to Daniel the future. It was Gabriel that brought the message to Zacharias and revealed to him that he was going to have a son who would be named John. We know him as John the Baptist. And it was Gabriel that was given the privilege of announcing to that little peasant girl named Mary in Nazareth that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah.
Now that is one angelic assignment I am sure everyone wanted in on. Do you think God gave the angels a chance? Okay quick show of hands. Who wants to announce the Messiah? Me, me, me, you know. Oh it fell to Gabriel. And so that was his role. And by the way I emphasize the word his because all angels in the Bible are presented in the masculine, not the feminine form. Sorry girls. There are no chick angels. And I know conventional wisdom is we think of angelic as feminine. Like oh she is as pretty as an angel. Or she sings like an angel. Well the reality is whenever angels appear they appear as men. But anyway I hope that it doesn't offend you. It is just the way it is.
But then not only is there the archangel Michael. Not only is there the high ranking angel Gabriel. But then there are the cherubim and the seraphim. They are described in Ezekiel 1. 5 and also in chapter 28. Interestingly God sent the cherubim to guard the tree of life in the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. We read in Genesis 3.24 that God drove the man out. He placed on the east side of the garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. That is because God did not want Adam and Eve to eat of this tree of life enabling them to live forever in a fallen state. So He put cherubim on guard with swords. One thing you never mess with is an angel with a sword.
But then we also read about cherubim before the throne of God in Isaiah 6.1. In the year that King Uzziah died. Isaiah writes, I saw the Lord high and lifted up, sitting upon His throne. And His glory filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. And they cried out, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts.
So that is similar to the scene we have before us now in Revelation.
The True Purpose of Our Existence
So here are the angels and the twenty four elders. And now the elders revealed to us why we are on this earth. Why we exist. Here it is. Verse 11. You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything. And it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.
So why do I exist? Why was I created? Answer. I exist to bring God glory and pleasure. It is here on the screen. You know I want to write this down. I exist to bring God glory and pleasure. Let's say that out loud together. I exist to bring God glory and pleasure. That is it.
Now I don't exist to bring myself glory and pleasure. In fact if I live for pleasure I will never find it. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 5.6 she that lives for pleasure is dead while she is living. The fact of the matter is living for pleasure is one of the least pleasurable things a person can do. It has been said the best cure for hedonism is an attempt to practice it.
I mean if you have ever gone out and lived purely for pleasure you know what I am talking about. I will tell you about a man that lived this way. His name was Freddie Mercury. He was the lead singer of the rock band Queen. Queen has sold over 150 million records. Some estimates go as high as 300 million. And so they were awash in cash and fame and fortune. They had it all.
And Mercury really spent his life in the pursuit of pleasure. In fact one of his friends Elton John said of Freddie that he was the only person he knew who could out party him. He said his appetites were unquenchable. In an interview Freddie Mercury was quoted to say, Excess is a part of my nature. To me dullness is a disease. I need danger and excitement. Straight people bore me stiff. I love freaky people".
I am not going to go into what an article I read about Mercury revealed and the things he indulged in. But suffice it to say he did not deny himself anything sexually or materially. But it didn't turn out well for him. And it never does. He realized in his attempt to be a star he had effectively created a monster. He was quoted to say, The monster is me. Success, fame, money, sex, drugs, whatever you want I can have it. But now I am beginning to see that as much as I created it I want to escape from it. I am starting to worry that I can't control it as much as it controls me.
Well Freddie lost his fight with the monster so to speak. He died from complications due to AIDS at age 45 in 1991.
Sin as a Crouching Beast
Speaking of a monster it reminds me of a statement that God said to Cain. God saw trouble developing in his heart and the Lord issued a warning and said to Cain, Sin is lying at your door like a crouching beast. Its desire is for you. But you should rule over it.
And in the same way sin is like a crouching beast ready to pounce. Ready to control you. And if you live for pleasure that beast is going to take over. So living for pleasure will never bring pleasure. But living for God will bring as a side effect pleasure. Not by seeking it but by seeking Him. Because the Bible says in His presence there is fullness of joy. And on His right hand there are pleasures for ever more. Psalm 16.
So we have got to get this. Ingrained in our brain. I live for the glory of God.
Here are some verses to support that. Isaiah 43 7. Everyone who was called by My name, the Lord says, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made. Ephesians 1 11 tells us that God chose us from the beginning. That we should bring forth praise to our glorious God. 1 Corinthians 6 9 says, Don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit that has been given to you? You were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's. 1 Corinthians 10 31, Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Living Every Area for God’s Glory
So here is my question for you. Are you living for God's glory or are you living for your own? It doesn't matter what you do. Well I guess it does. I mean you can't be a thief for the glory of God now can you. So there are limits to what you can do. And that really raises the question, whatever I do I should do it for the glory of God. And if I can't do it for the glory of God I shouldn't be doing it.
I should be able to write over any pursuit I have in life, Hallowed be thy name. If I can't say that of what I am doing I should not be doing that thing. Can you write that over your marriage right now? Hallowed be thy name. Can you write it over your career and your business ethics? Hallowed be thy name. Can you write it over what you fill your leisure time with? Hallowed be thy name.
Are you living for the glory of God? See whatever you do, It doesn't matter what your vocation is. If you are a builder, build for the glory of God. If you are a mother, be one for the glory of God. If you are a musician, play for the glory of God. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. That is why you are here on this earth. And if you do so you will know God's pleasure.
Listen to this. Life is preparation for eternity. Life is the warm up act. We were made by God and for God. And God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. And what is that? Well let's find out. Turn over to Revelation chapter 5 for the answer.
The Scroll and the Worthy Lamb
Starting in verse 1. I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll, written inside and on the back sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals? And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look at it. So I wept much. Because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll or to look at it.
But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. And I looked. And behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders stood a lamb, as if it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
And then he came and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Now when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb, each one having a harp. So I guess there are harps in heaven, right? And golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song saying, You are worthy to take the scroll to open its seals, for you were slain. And you have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And you have made us kings and priests to our God. And we shall reign on the earth.
And then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders. And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. We will stop there.
Is that not an amazing scene? A mysterious scroll is produced with seven seals. Now what is this scroll exactly? Now it is important for us to understand this. We don't know a lot about scrolls today. Scrolls were used in the place of books. They didn't have books in this time like we have. And we don't even have books now. We have e-books, right? We read them on little electronic devices.
But back in those days everything was written on parchment or scrolls that would unfold. And there were no printing presses. Everything was written by hand. So a seven sealed scroll was an important document. Everyone would know what that meant.
The Meaning of the Seven-Sealed Scroll
For instance, the wills of Roman emperors Vespasian and Caesar Augustus were secured with seven seals. For such a document, a scribe would get out a long roll of parchment and he would start writing. After a period of time he would stop, roll the parchment enough to cover his words, and seal the scroll at that point with wax. Then he would write again. Seal and repeat until finished. And this would assure that the document, the scroll, would be read a portion at a time. You would have to break open the seal, read. Break open the next seal, read some more. Break open the next seal, keep reading. It was only for the most important of documents.
Also in this time if a Jewish family was required to forfeit its land and possessions, their losses were listed in a scroll that was sealed seven times. So the conditions to purchase back the land and possessions was written on the outside of the scroll. So I would look at it and go, here is what I need to do. Now I am going to open it.
So everybody understood what a seven-sealed scroll was. Now let's come back to this again. Verse 1, chapter 5. I saw on the right hand of him that sat on the throne. A scroll written inside and out on the back, sealed with seven seals. So this is important. What is it? It has the attention of heaven. Everyone is looking at the scroll.
Well no one can say with absolute certainty, but I believe that the scroll is the title deed of the earth. And that was lost in the Garden of Eden when our first parents ate of the forbidden fruit. From that moment on Satan has basically held the title deed of this planet.
You see that is why the Bible describes him as the god of this world. The prince of the power of the air that works in the children of disobedience. So Satan really is the one that is working behind the scenes. He is behind the evil. He is behind the corruption. He is behind the wickedness. He is the one effectively running the show.
So Jesus came to this earth to purchase back that which was lost in the Garden of Eden. And Jesus knew the only way to do so was by his death on the cross in fulfillment of prophecy. And this is played out quite dramatically during the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.
You remember Satan came to Jesus and said, hey why don't you turn that rock into a piece of bread. And of course our Lord had been fasting so he was very hungry. He resisted that temptation. Satan says, why don't you jump off the edge of the temple and the angels will catch you. And Satan even quotes a scripture. And again Jesus refuses that temptation.
But now the devil comes with a big enchilada. He shows them all the kingdoms of the world. In a moment of time and makes this amazing statement. All this authority I will give you and their glory. For this has been delivered to me and I can give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if you will worship me all will be yours.
All the kingdoms of the world. All this authority. It is mine. I can give it to anyone I want to. Now here is what I find fascinating. Jesus did not dispute the statement. If it were false he would have. But he did not because it was true. Even though the devil is known as the father of lies sometimes he tells the truth. And in this case he was.
Hey Jesus both of us know I have the title deed of the earth. Both of us know it is under my control. And I am going to make you a deal you cannot refuse. Very bad Godfather imitation. Sorry. What was the deal? I know why you have come the devil is saying. I know why you are here Jesus. You are here to get that title deed back. Here it is. Worship me. That is it. Just bow down right now and worship me. That is so typical of Satan. He is always one of the top job. That is why he was effectively booted out of heaven. Because Isaiah 14 tells us that he said I will be like God. I will rule on high. God says actually you are out of here.
So here is what he is saying. Hey man worship me. Bow down before me as God. Just for a few moments. That is it. Of course Jesus said worship the Lord God and Him only show you serve. Jesus would have nothing to do with this. No. Jesus wasn't going to do it.
Now why would this even be a temptation if you will. Because Satan was offering to Christ a shortcut. Listen Jesus. He is saying no cross. No crucifixion. No scourging. No suffering. No bearing the sin of the world. No temporary separation from the Father. I will give it to you on a silver platter. Just worship me.
But Jesus would have none of it. Because He knew there was only one way for this goal to be accomplished. And that was through His death on the cross.
So this is what is happening now in heaven. Here is a scroll. It is being held up. Who is worthy to open the scroll. And there is silence. They do a heavenly Google search. There is no one. Understand there is a lot of heavy hitters in heaven. We have got the patriarchs. We have got Moses and Abraham. We have got the prophets. We have Isaiah. Jeremiah. Elijah. We have King David. We have the apostles. We have James. And we have Peter. And we have Paul. No one is worthy to open it.
Jesus Takes the Scroll
But suddenly there is an answer. Verse 5. One of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and loose its seven seals.
Jesus the Lamb of God appears. And as soon as Jesus takes hold of that seven sealed scroll everything changes. Heaven goes from weeping to worshiping. Everyone breaks out in applause. Everything is ok. Jesus is here. I love this scene.
And by the way sometimes it is said there is no crying in heaven. Well John was weeping. And as a matter of fact the word that is used there for weeping means to weep profusely. He wept because he did not know what would happen. But now that Jesus takes a scroll everybody breaks out into worship.
And the elders sort of set the tone. They lead everyone in a worship service. I do not know if the elders have like a band. You know guitars and drums. You know. Do, do, do, do. Come on. No. Probably not. But they lead in worship.
And this reminds us that one of the great pastimes of heaven is worship of the Lord. That is what we want to get practicing right now. Because we are going to be doing a lot of it there.
Verse 7, And the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. So not only does God keep our tears in a bottle, he also keeps our prayers in a bowl. God never throws your prayers away. He stores them for you.
Some prayers are answered right away. Others are kept in heavenly storage for an answer to come later. You know there are times that life doesn't seem fair. Things happen that don't make sense. And we say, well why did God not answer my prayer? Well He will answer your prayer in His way for His glory in His time.
And I think when we are in heaven and we are standing before God's throne and that golden bowl full of prayers is brought before us and we realize that God heard every little prayer you prayed, you are going to realize that His answer was far better than what you asked for in the moment. Yeah He kind of overruled that. Because that wasn't the best prayer. Instead He said, you see, what you don't realize is this hardship, or this tragedy, or this inexplicable event is going to lead to this event. Which is going to touch this person. Which is going to hit this over here. And it is going to be like this long chain reaction that is going to produce this, this, this, this, this, and this, and this. All for my glory.
So this thing that you said I wanted to go away had to happen to produce these things. So you will give me the glory ultimately. And in the meantime you are going to have to trust Me. It is all going to be revealed in heaven when we stand before the Lord.
Jesus as Lion and Lamb
I love the fact that Jesus is presented as the Lion and the Lamb. What a perfect picture. What is more impressive than a ferocious lion? Powerful animal. You ever been up close and personal with a lion? Man. Now what do they call him the king of the jungle? You ever hear a lion roar? Years ago I was in Ethiopia speaking at a pastor's conference with Franklin Graham and Dennis Agajanian. And we went over to a zoo in Ethiopia. And what I remember is there was hardly anybody working there. And so we are just wandering around in this zoo. We could have hopped over one of the fences. Not that you would want to. But you could get much closer than you normally could.
And we went to this one cage and there was a lion over in the corner. I have to tell you he was the most underfed lion I have ever seen. And he looked almost half dead sitting over there. And so I am, wow look at that lion. I mean you could get right up to the bars. It surprised me. And Dennis, who knows why, starts shaking the bars of the cage. You know and I am kind of, whoa it is still a lion. Even though it is underfed it is a lion. I stand back and the lion Springs forward. Comes right up and roars. I mean hair started growing out of my head. It might have started growing out of Dennis's head. I don't know he was wearing a cowboy hat.
But you see, you hear that roar. Oh yeah. That is a lion. I get it. He has teeth. He still could kill me right now. The power of a lion. What is more powerful? The meekness of a lamb. What is weaker? The lamb is a very weak creature. Not to mention it is a stupid creature. This is why it is so easy to slaughter lambs. Because they will just get in the line. And just want to be killed and the next one is waiting. Is it my turn now? I hope it is not that bad. I am okay. You know. You guys are really dumb aren't you?
Now let us understand. Scripture is not saying that Jesus being portrayed as a lamb was stupid. Far from it. He knew all things. What is amazing is this lion with all power? He came as a lamb submissive. The Bible says, as a lamb before her shears is dumb. So he opened not his mouth.
You don't think he could have got out of that situation that he was in when he stood before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. He could have out talked Pilate. He could have overpowered Pilate. He could have overpowered Pilate. And the Roman Garrison with just a word. But he didn't do any of that. He submitted as a lamb. He didn't defend himself.
And it is interesting also here in Revelation because when John mentions a lamb the word that he uses could be better translated a little pet lamb. And this reminds us of when the Jews had the Passover. Remember they were to slay a lamb. And then they were not to slay just any lamb. But they were to slay an unblemished lamb. A beautiful lamb. And also they were to take that lamb into their home for four days. Why? So they would be attached to it.
You know if you have a lamb in your house for four days it would be like a little pet. When I was in Israel last time I was holding little lambs. And they really are adorable. Sweet little creatures. You know. And we become very attached to animals. Don't we? I mean you see people having their Christmas cards done with their dog in the shot. I don't really see a lot of people with cats in their photos. But there is probably a few. But there is the dog. It is like part of the family.
Some people get carried away and they feed their dogs people food. Which by the way is not a good thing to do. And then they get really carried away and push their dogs around in strollers. It drives me crazy. Ok. I am against it. I am just against it. Make the dog walk. I mean what a life huh. Eh just keep pushing me around. You know.
Now let me just say this. If your Christmas card is just you and your dog only you probably should try to get out a little bit more. But anyway. Sorry. Two cards are not coming this year because I am taking you off my list. Me and my dog, we are not sending you a card this year.
But here is the thing. You get attached to an animal. Now imagine having to kill your pet. That is what they had to do. They had to slit the throat of that lamb they had grown attached to. Why would God require such a thing? Because sin hurts. That is why. Because there is a cost to sin. And we look upon it far too casually.
You see God did something far greater when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. It wasn't just a pet lamb. That is just so they could get a sense of it. His own Son came to die for the sin of the world.
And as Jesus appears as this lamb. And by the way this lamb is still bearing in His body the effects of the crucifixion. He was like a lamb that had been slain. The only man made of fact in heaven are the marks of the crucifixion. It is interesting to me that through all eternity we will be reminded of what Jesus did. That will give us reason to bring praise to His name. And remind us of how we got there in the first place. Not through good works or religious things. But because of His death for us on the cross.
So everyone breaks out in praise. There is like a global praise service from every dimension. Verse 13 of chapter 5. Every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and under the sea or in the sea and all that are in them I heard saying blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him that sits on the throne to the Lamb forever and ever.
This huge praise service. Everyone joins in. The creatures join in. Under the sea. Under the sea. Everybody. All together now.
Again God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. And what is that? It is the worship and glorification of God.
The Woman at the Well and True Satisfaction
That is why I am here. Remember that conversation that Jesus had with that woman at the well in the Gospel of John. And this woman had been married and divorced five times and was living with a guy. So Jesus said to her, if you drink of this water you will thirst again. He used that well as a metaphor for life. Let me tell you something lady. Men are never going to fill the deepest need of your life. That is why you have gone back to the well five times. You will always thirst.
But if you drink of the water I give, you will never thirst again. Then he went on to say, God is a spirit and those that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. And then he said, and God is looking for people to worship Him. God is looking for people that will get this. That will figure out the reason they are on earth.
If you live for pleasure, as I said earlier, you will never find pleasure. You will be like the woman at the well. Drinking, drinking, but never satisfied. I am going to have this experience. I am going to chase after that now. Now I am going to pursue this other thing.
Look at what happened to Freddie Mercury. What a waste of a life. So many people chase after nothing and throw their lives away. But if you will put God first and if you will ask Christ to forgive you of your sin and then seek to bring glory to His name, you will find the reason you were created.
Preparing for Communion
And that brings us to the communion table. You say, but Greg there is no communion table. Well actually this is a special new table we put in. And those who have great faith can see it. Oh you don't see it either? No we don't have the table set up today. But we have the elements in the back and we are going to have communion. I just thought this was the perfect time to do it. In light of what we have just read.
Because what is communion? It is to take these elements of the broken bread and the cup that symbolize the broken body and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. And Jesus said, I want you to do this in remembrance of Me. For all eternity we are going to see the Lord as a lamb who has been slain. We will be reminded of what He did.
And so Christ is saying, Hey, I want you to remember this was done through My blood. And by the way the word that is used there to speak of how He has redeemed us is a word that means to buy out of a slave market.
So here is the picture. You were down at the auction block being sold as a slave. And Jesus came and said, I will buy that one. And He purchased your freedom. And the first thing He did was He marched you right down to the courthouse to adopt you. He bought you as a slave and turned you into a son or a daughter. That is what it means to be a Christian.
But before we receive these elements of communion I have to say to you this is not for a nonbeliever to do. You might say, Yeah this is cool. It is like a little religious ritual. Maybe this will get me closer to God. No. Not at all. The very opposite.
The Bible even says when you receive these elements don't receive them in an unworthy manner. And that means don't receive these elements without believing in the one that they represent. Communion is for Christians only. For the man and the woman who has put their faith in Christ.
So as we serve these elements if you are not a believer and you don't plan on becoming one I would urge you to just let the elements pass right on by. Don't take it. It is not for you.
But better yet believe in Jesus Christ right now. Ask for His forgiveness. You can become a Christian. Well isn't that like a long process. Don't you have to be like raised in a Christian home. No. No. You need to believe in Jesus. A Christian is a person who has admitted they are a sinner and has asked Christ to come and take residence in their heart. And you can do that right now and it happens so fast you can't even measure it.
And I would like to give you an opportunity to pray and ask Christ to come into your life before we receive Communion.
So let's all bow our heads if you would and everybody praying. Father we thank You for Your Word to us today. We thank You for the death of Jesus. The sacrifice. And now the offer of forgiveness for those that would turn from their sin. And I pray for any here that do not yet know You. Lord that You will help them to see their need for You. And help them to come to You right now.
While our heads are bowed and we are praying. If you would like Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sin. If you would like Christ to come and take residence in your heart. If you would like to know with certainty that you will go to Heaven. If you want Jesus to be your Savior and Lord wherever you are sitting I want you to stand to your feet and I am going to lead you in a prayer.
Just stand up to your feet wherever you are and I am going to lead you in a prayer. God bless you. Stand up wherever you are. Outside there in the amphitheater you stand. Up in the court building. Stand up here in the balcony. At Harvest Riverside. There at Harvest Orange County. Just stand up wherever you are hearing or seeing this. Stand up there at Harvest Orange. Stand to your feet and I am going to lead you in a prayer. A prayer of asking Christ to come into your life.
God bless you that are standing. Others are standing so you won't be the only one. Anybody else? Stand up now. Let me pray for you. God bless you. Anybody else? You want His forgiveness. You want Christ to come into your life. You want to be ready for the Lord's return. Just stand to your feet. One final moment. Anybody else? Stand now. God bless you.
Alright you that are standing I want you to pray this prayer out loud after me. And this is a prayer where you are asking Jesus Christ to come into your life. Again as I pray, pray this out loud after me now. Pray this if you would.
“Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner. But You died on the cross and shed Your blood for every sin I have ever committed. I turn from that sin now. Come into my life. Be my Savior. Be my Lord. Be my God. Be my friend. I choose to follow You Lord from this moment forward. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”