Is God Really Worthy?

Is God Really Worthy?

Revelation 4:1-11

The Revelation gives us the best glimpse of the Lord and His heaven we are ever going to get in the whole Bible. Read chapter 4 out loud.

• What does the open door stand for, verse 1?
• John encountered this vision “in the Spirit”, verse 2. What is that all about? See Revelation 1:10.
• John’s attention is immediately drawn to Someone on the Throne. Describe that individual, See Daniel 7:9, 10.
• Others are around the Throne. Do a quick review of who is in heaven focused on the Throne from this chapter.
• The beings closest to God declare His holiness in verse 8. Is there any significance to repeating “Holy” three times? See Isaiah 6:3.
• The 24 elders (presumed to be human leaders who have served the Lord successfully) use slightly different language in verse 11. Instead of “Holy” they shout “Worthy”.

The Greek word used here for worship is axios meaning “weight”. How much something was worth was determined by weight as in the weight of silver or gold. Paul uses axios as a comparison in Romans 8:18.

Our English word “worship” has its roots in “worthship” a 17^th century word meaning to ascribe and proclaim someone precious and supremely valuable.

What is God worthy to receive in verse 11?                                                                       (One might ask, “Doesn’t God already have those things?” We could respond, “He doesn’t have them from us until we give them!”)

What has God done and what is He still doing that makes him constantly and forever worthy, Verse 11?

• How does verse 11 fit in with the theory of evolution?
• If your children asked you, “What holds this world together” how would you answer them using this verse?

Conclusion: If God is worthy of glory, honor and power, what will you do?

Crushing Satan’s Head Through Prayer

Sermon-based Bible Study

Read Genesis 3:14-19 This prophecy includes a future conflict between the serpent and his offspring and the Savior and His offspring (that’s us). The word for “bruise” in verse 15 can be translated “crush”. A crushed head would speak symbolically of the removal of the serpent’s dominion.

Background to “head crushing” prayer

Ezekiel 28:12-17 God had been good to Lucifer, the shining one. Few creatures, if any, were as beautiful or as talented. Yet pride crept in and he fell. His doom is announced in Matthew 25:41.

Lucifer (also known as Satan, the accuser) has authprity/control over this fallen world, John 12:31. Most evangelical theologians believe Adam surrendered his authority to the serpent when he sinned (died spiritually). That gave the devil the right to offer it to Jesus in the temptation in the wilderness.

John 8:44 Lucifer has children (offspring or seed) the same way God has children. Initially, we are born into moral decay and wickedness, Ephesians 2:1-3. We can choose to be born again in new life! We exchange the condemnation of the old Adam to the righteousness of the second Adam, Jesus.

After his fall, Lucifer hated God and everything God loved, especially mankind. Adam and Eve were created in God’s image which made them greater beings than all the angels.

Believers are called to pray in and cooperate with the expansion of the Kingdom of God on earth, Matthew 6:10. The tense of the verbs “come” and “be done” allows for command or declaration. You can get radical when you pray! As you pray in partnership with your Heavenly Father you are essentially crushing Satan’s head who desires to hang on to his dominion of darkness over mankind.

Try praying right now with a sense of authority and faith, in Jesus name, that the Kingdom of God invades your home, your place of employment and your church with righteousness, peace and joy.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:13, 14

Justification and Forgiveness

Forgiveness: A Legal Transaction

You look in the rearview mirror of your car and see the red blinking lights. What are you hoping for?

We all want grace when we sin. Couldn’t God just forgive us for all our sins? The answer is “NO” and here is why.

God is holy and justHis holiness causes separation from sinners, Isaiah 6:5.

His justice requires punishment for transgressions, Romans 1:18.

Because of sin everyone abides under the eternal wrath of God, John 3:36.

We would love to minimize our sin but that isn’t how God works. He has a much better plan!

True Forgiveness requires a Legal Transaction – Justification

1. First, we must come to the realization that we are not in right standing with God. Each of us should declare with Paul, “Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst”, (1 Timothy 1:15). What would you say to someone who thought their sins weren’t that bad?
2. Justification is a declaration by a holy God that we are righteous based upon the eternal merit of Christ on the cross. This merit included the saints in the Old Testament, Genesis 15:6.
3. God can declare us righteous because through the cross Jesus became sin and was judged for what we did, 2 Corinthians 5:21. God cannot and will not judge you for your sin after He judges His Son for your sin.
4. We receive this merit by faith alone and immediately stand justified in His grace, Romans 5:1, 2.

Who is qualified to be justified? Romans 4:1-5

Ungodly, wicked people

Those who don’t work for it but believe

We all want grace and God wants to give it. He gives it legally through the process of justification. What is the correct response to justification?