During this wonderful Christmas season, are you feeling overwhelmed, not only by your responsibilities, but by the world’s chaos, corruption and conflict? Do you feel guilty and on the periphery of the season’s festivities because your feelings don’t match the music, parties, decorations, shopping and all that goes with the season?
I wonder if activities—job assignments, battles and the 24/7-service that angels render to their King—ever tempt them to stutter in their praise and worship of Him? Even as I ask that question, I know the answer is a resounding no! Day and night they never stop worshipping (Revelation 4:8). Their worship was obviously intentional as at the same time they are constantly on call as servants who do His bidding (Psalm 103:20-21). We glimpse the combination of their worship and their work on that starry night over 2,000 years ago, when their announcement of the birth of Jesus erupted in praise: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14).
This Christmas, give the King something He longs for. Give Him your continuous worship from which your work flows. Why? Because of who He is.
Read Revelation 5
I. HE IS UNEQUALED IN POSITION Revelation 5:1-5
- What do you think the scroll could represent? Revelation 5:7, 9; 11:15; 12:10-12; 15:7; 21:5.
- What is the King’s position? Philippians 9-11; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1:17-20; Hebrews 1:3.
- Name people throughout history, until this present day, who would want to rule the world.
- What is the question in Revelation 5:2? What is the difference between wanting something, and being worthy to have it?
- Why did John weep … what was at stake … if no one was found who was worthy to rule the world from God’s perspective?
- In all of the universe, in every generation, how many people were found to be worthy to take the scroll?
- What else is Jesus able to do? 2 Timothy 1:12; Ephesians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Hebrews 2:18; Jude 24; Philippians 3:21.
- Name some of the “rulers” that people submit their lives to today.
- Evaluate what preoccupies your thoughts, what you spend the most time doing, where you spend the most money, in order to determine who or what holds the position of ruler-ship in your life. Name it.
- If Jesus is able to rule the world and fulfill God’s big plan for the human race, why do you think He is unable to rule the details of your life so that your life works?
II. HE IS UNDISPUTED IN POWER Revelation 5:6-10
- Who is the Lamb? Isaiah 53:1-12; John 1:29.
- Why did He look as though He had been slain? John 20:24-29.
- What objections were raised to His taking the scroll? Revelation 5:6-7.
- In all of the universe, why did no one object to Jesus taking the scroll, claiming His right to rule the world? Give phrases from Revelation 4:11 and 5:9.
- Describe the difference between the scene in Revelation 5 and the scene in John 19:1-11.
- In what way did Jesus have the last word? Mark 16:6; Acts 4:8-10, 12; 2 Timothy 2:8-10, Revelation 1:4-8.
- If no one in the universe disputes the authority of Jesus, why would you and I object or resist it?
III. HE IS UNRIVALED IN PRAISE Revelation 5:11-14
- What is one purpose of our existence, according to Ephesians 1:4-6?
- Comparing Revelation 4:6-11 with 5:8-13, what lesson do you learn?
- Who is praising God because you are?
- When are we to praise the Lord? Give some of the reasons from each of the following verses: Genesis 29:35; 2 Samuel 22:47-51; Ezra 3:11; Nehemiah 9:1-5; Job 1:6-22; Psalm 7:17; 96:2; 139:14; Psalm 142:7; Isaiah 25:1; Daniel 4:37; Joel 2:26; Luke 1:68; Romans 15:7-13; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 12-13; Hebrews 13:15-16; Psalm 113.
- What is one of the benefits to you of praise to the Lord? Isaiah 61:1-3.
- What or who has interrupted your praise? How can you remove or silence the interruptions?
- If your praise has been interrupted for any reason, would you reestablish genuine worship at the core of your life?
This Christmas, refuse to put your work before your worship. Instead, as you never cease to worship, then do your work. Why? Because He is worthy!
