WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.500 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:10.500 --> 00:00:17.980 Our reading today from God's Word is from Revelation chapter 5. Please read along with me. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:47.640 And I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look into it. 00:00:48.539 --> 00:00:55.980 One of the elders said to me, Weep no more. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, 00:00:56.560 --> 00:00:59.100 so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:05.000 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:10.159 I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes. 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:13.760 Which are the seven spirits of God sent out unto all the earth. 00:01:14.299 --> 00:01:18.280 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who is seated on the throne. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:23.719 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb, 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:29.039 each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 00:01:29.599 --> 00:01:31.219 And they sang a new song, saying, 00:01:31.939 --> 00:01:36.640 Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, 00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:39.519 and by your blood you ransomed people for God. 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:43.140 From every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:01:43.479 --> 00:01:46.659 And you have made them a kingdom and a priest to our God. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:48.780 And they shall reign on the earth. 00:01:49.479 --> 00:01:53.000 Then I look and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:57.739 the voice of many angels, numbing myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 00:01:58.319 --> 00:02:00.939 saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the lamb who was slain, 00:02:01.299 --> 00:02:06.699 to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 00:02:06.700 --> 00:02:13.060 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them, 00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:21.159 saying, To him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:23.500 And the four living creatures said amen. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:26.580 And the elders fell down and worshiped. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:28.840 Thank you, Kevin. 00:02:31.140 --> 00:02:32.420 Good morning, everybody. 00:02:34.540 --> 00:02:37.580 We are going to be in Revelation 5 again this week. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:38.720 Such a great passage. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:40.960 For those I don't know, I'm Derek. 00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:41.720 Good to meet you. 00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:42.880 For those online, hello. 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:43.600 Welcome. 00:02:45.320 --> 00:02:47.820 That song we just sang at the Offertory, right? 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:49.060 Hallelujah. 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:54.640 So many years ago I was leaving a mission trip in Cuba. 00:02:55.759 --> 00:03:01.560 And I was sitting on the airplane and I was trying to process everything that I had just experienced. 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:05.840 And as the plane took off, I was listening to that song. 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:08.939 And I just remember crying. 00:03:09.860 --> 00:03:17.300 I got overwhelmed with emotion because we had just watched the Lord change people for an entire week. 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:19.660 And we had seen prayers answered. 00:03:20.160 --> 00:03:22.939 And we had experienced incredible worship. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:26.340 And the whole trip had done something to me. 00:03:26.980 --> 00:03:30.360 It redefined to me what I thought worship was. 00:03:31.540 --> 00:03:34.260 And one moment I remember was in the homes. 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:35.320 We'd go in the homes of people. 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:41.360 And they were so alive for the gospel that they would book appointments for you to come share the gospel with their family. 00:03:42.320 --> 00:03:43.360 And so we would go do that. 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:45.800 And through the week they would worship in homes. 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:50.060 And all they had was a CD player at one of the houses. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:50.900 A really old one. 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:54.000 And they would put in any song that had Christian music on it. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:55.080 And they would just push play. 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:56.960 And they would sit there and pray. 00:03:57.080 --> 00:03:57.660 And they would cry. 00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:00.820 And I remember looking at them thinking, 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:04.620 I think I got something off here. 00:04:04.820 --> 00:04:07.800 Like, I don't experience that regularly. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:14.060 And I remember thinking, this must be a little bit of a taste of heaven. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:20.060 Fast forward to another mission trip I was on. 00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:21.860 I was on another airplane. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:25.519 We're on the way to take some students to Belize. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:30.180 And one of the students named Addie, she was sitting there near me. 00:04:30.299 --> 00:04:32.139 And she asked me a question that I've never forgotten. 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:37.519 She said, why is it that I just feel so close to God when I go on these trips? 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:39.219 I just feel so free. 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:42.520 And I remember telling her something like, 00:04:43.340 --> 00:04:51.020 maybe it's because this week almost everything about who you are is focused on him. 00:04:51.860 --> 00:04:54.620 Your reason for showing up is focused on him. 00:04:54.820 --> 00:04:56.920 Your schedule is built around him. 00:04:57.020 --> 00:05:00.620 You wake up thinking about what's God going to do through you today. 00:05:01.220 --> 00:05:02.700 And you get to join him. 00:05:02.699 --> 00:05:06.959 But then when you get back home, that's not always the case. 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:10.279 At home, there's like a thousand other voices. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:15.019 And sometimes those voices become the voices that are the loudest, 00:05:15.099 --> 00:05:17.060 the ones that actually get to name us. 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:22.759 But for this week, you're focused on the name that God gives you. 00:05:24.779 --> 00:05:26.319 Who names you? 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:28.500 Won't you think about that a minute? 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:33.060 Who gets to tell you what you're worth? 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:38.040 We all carry names, okay? 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:40.740 Some were given to us lovingly. 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:43.420 Some came through a wound. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:46.000 Some came through failure. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:48.740 Some came through success. 00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:51.560 Some came from people we trusted. 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:54.279 Some came from people we don't. 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:56.779 Sometimes the names are good. 00:05:56.779 --> 00:06:00.619 But many of the names that you carry and you remember the most 00:06:00.619 --> 00:06:03.639 are the ones that are bad, okay? 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:07.039 Those are the names that we start to say to ourselves 00:06:07.039 --> 00:06:10.459 over and over and over, right in the morning when you wake up 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:11.619 and all through the day. 00:06:11.739 --> 00:06:17.239 Names like failure, disappointment, too much, not enough, 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:22.179 weak, behind, unwanted, unworthy. 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:28.759 Negative naming leads to shaming, okay? 00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:34.300 Shame is powerful, very powerful, 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:38.220 because it does not simply say you did something wrong. 00:06:39.340 --> 00:06:41.920 No, shame says you are something wrong. 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:45.920 Shame says you have to hide. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:48.280 People can't know that about you. 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:53.579 It's who you are, just like Adam and Eve, right? 00:06:54.099 --> 00:06:56.559 Shame tells us to stay away from God. 00:06:57.459 --> 00:06:58.659 So we do. 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:01.500 And we hide that from each other. 00:07:02.099 --> 00:07:06.819 So we spend enormous energy trying to get a better name. 00:07:07.859 --> 00:07:08.819 We perform. 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:10.319 We achieve. 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:11.459 We control. 00:07:11.679 --> 00:07:12.539 We stay useful. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:15.200 We got to keep people happy. 00:07:15.980 --> 00:07:18.120 We compare how we're doing. 00:07:19.200 --> 00:07:23.780 And sometimes we can even use our faith to try to convince ourselves 00:07:23.780 --> 00:07:26.720 and God that we are enough. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:34.680 But you can't rest when your worth must be earned every single moment 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:36.120 of every day. 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:39.720 And that may be why some of you are so restless right now. 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:49.040 Revelation 5 opens the door into another space, the throne room of God. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:56.460 And in that space, there's a discussion happening about true worth, okay? 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:59.860 About true value, about worship. 00:08:00.640 --> 00:08:04.020 And in that space, we hear a question. 00:08:04.340 --> 00:08:07.140 And the question is not, are you worthy? 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:11.180 The question is, who is worthy? 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:19.899 And in this space, all of heaven answers and points towards one, Jesus. 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:22.500 And I want you to remember this today. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:27.819 His worth gives us worth, okay? 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:29.919 So who is worthy? 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:31.899 That's the first question. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:36.919 So continuing from last week, let's remember where we are, okay? 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:41.259 We are in the throne room of heaven, the holy of holies. 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:45.959 And this is the place that you and I, whether or not we know it, we all long to be, okay? 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:48.659 And John is looking into the throne room of heaven. 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:54.559 Revelation 4 has already set this up for us and overwhelmed us even with the throne, 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:58.899 the rainbow, flashes of lightning, the rumblings of thunder, 00:08:58.979 --> 00:09:01.179 these living creatures you can't possibly imagine, 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.620 and the elders with crowns worshiping. 00:09:03.719 --> 00:09:09.019 Just take for a minute, I want you to think about the colors that might be there, okay? 00:09:09.859 --> 00:09:10.939 I like this picture. 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:12.479 I couldn't think of colors. 00:09:12.579 --> 00:09:13.759 Like I think of the colors. 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:16.439 And then I was talking to Susie Talbot, and she was praying, 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:18.120 and she's got a great gift of art. 00:09:18.239 --> 00:09:20.459 And she showed me this thing that she had been painting. 00:09:20.579 --> 00:09:23.399 And I was like, that's exactly what I think of when I think of the throne room of heaven. 00:09:23.579 --> 00:09:24.459 Can I use that someday? 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:24.899 Sure. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:24.980 Sure. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.620 Fun things happen at Lunch Life in Scripture on Wednesday. 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:30.259 It's just saying. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:32.379 So, okay. 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:36.139 So she, colors of heaven, I want you to think of that. 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:40.379 Now I want you to take that to the throne room of heaven with me, okay? 00:09:41.199 --> 00:09:42.699 This is obviously a recreation. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:48.139 So if you take those colors in, imagine those creatures, right? 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:50.039 There's creatures on each side of the throne. 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:52.699 They're full of eyes in the front and the back. 00:09:52.700 --> 00:09:57.020 You've got one like a lion, like an ox, face of a man, like an eagle in flight. 00:09:57.140 --> 00:09:59.460 Twenty-four elders, wise elders, and they worship. 00:09:59.920 --> 00:10:00.960 They cast their crowns. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:02.020 They rule with God. 00:10:03.160 --> 00:10:04.840 And then our prayers are there, right? 00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:06.460 We'll talk a little bit more about that later. 00:10:06.520 --> 00:10:09.080 But it says the elders hold our prayers in an incense bowl. 00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:11.740 Think about that, though, for a second. 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:16.200 There's an aroma of heaven that's made by your prayers. 00:10:16.560 --> 00:10:16.920 What? 00:10:18.660 --> 00:10:20.540 And then there's a scroll, it tells us, right? 00:10:20.540 --> 00:10:22.340 There's a scroll in the hand of one. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:25.680 It's been seated on the throne, and it has seven seals on it. 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:26.460 I didn't put that up there. 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.379 Just imagine that. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.379 Cool fact. 00:10:30.660 --> 00:10:33.100 Roman wills were normally sealed with seven seals. 00:10:34.040 --> 00:10:38.100 And the seal is usually wax to ensure that nobody tampers with it. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:42.080 And the will can only be opened after the death of the person who willed it. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:44.000 What's in this will? 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:50.820 I think it's nothing less than the game plan, God's game plan for redemption in all of history. 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:51.559 Okay? 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:53.899 And the restoration of all things. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.559 It says it's got writing on the front and the back. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.639 That's very uncommon. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:00.200 So that's a distinct statement. 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:03.500 The question goes out, though. 00:11:04.660 --> 00:11:04.820 Right? 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:06.020 Who is worthy? 00:11:06.160 --> 00:11:08.300 And then John weeps because no one is found worthy. 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:10.520 And then he hears, weep no more. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:14.920 The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered. 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:20.020 And then John turns to see the lion, and he sees a lamb standing as though it had been slain. 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:25.840 Now, I know when we go through Revelation, some of you want us to stop and decode everything. 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:30.699 And I don't want to like burst your bubble, but nobody knows. 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:32.039 Okay? 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:39.039 Even the greatest minds, they're still operating within the three dimensions, right? 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:42.340 The three spatial dimensions of earth. 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:44.779 Maybe the fourth dimension of the temporal. 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:46.960 God is omnidimensional. 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.819 He's omnipresent. 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:51.280 So if we want to take a stab at it, you've got the seven in there. 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:53.080 Well, seven can mean power and perfection. 00:11:53.280 --> 00:11:54.700 Will talked about that so well last week. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:59.180 You could think the seven eyes, the seven horns, they can mean God can see everything. 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:00.100 God can know everything. 00:12:00.400 --> 00:12:00.840 Omniscience. 00:12:03.080 --> 00:12:03.480 Omnipresence. 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:07.960 But he's omnidimensional. 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:12.420 So even when I'm talking about God right now, I have no idea. 00:12:13.780 --> 00:12:15.840 Like there is a mystery to him. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:18.460 You're Star Wars people. 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:18.860 Okay? 00:12:20.400 --> 00:12:22.759 Why do things blow up in space and Star Wars? 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:23.900 It ruins the movie. 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.139 We don't know. 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:25.900 It doesn't matter. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:26.240 Right? 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:28.660 And I want to encourage you with Revelation. 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:30.980 We're going to jump in and try to decode where we can. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:34.860 But don't ruin the movie. 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:36.280 Okay? 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:43.379 There's some mystery in here that is meant to be experienced and just not known. 00:12:43.579 --> 00:12:43.980 Okay? 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:46.480 So just take enough of that. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:50.980 But here, if we want to geek out for a minute, the seven could mean perfection and power. 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:51.939 It also could not be. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.299 It can mean nothing that I say. 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:53.860 I have no idea. 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:55.620 But I love God. 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.740 And he's so huge. 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:58.220 So let's go back to the movie. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:58.500 Okay? 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:00.860 Because every movie has a great soundtrack. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:07.500 But the lion here spoken of is definitely the lion from Genesis 49.9. 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:08.139 Okay? 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:15.819 The root of David spoken of is Isaiah 11.1 and 10. 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:17.319 If you want to go look that stuff up. 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:21.039 And it's the lamb spoken of in Isaiah 53.7. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:25.600 The thing I think we need to take for this movie is that we relate to God now. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.939 He relates to us as the lamb. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:30.740 But he fights for us as the lion. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:34.319 And he's also still got that judgment, that lion side of him. 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:36.340 But he relates to us now as that lamb. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.319 Right? 00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:38.680 That's why we can approach him. 00:13:39.400 --> 00:13:40.960 But he's slain and standing. 00:13:41.140 --> 00:13:42.379 Wounded but victorious. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:45.180 Sacrificed but very, very alive. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:49.060 And then the room starts singing a song. 00:13:49.160 --> 00:13:51.040 Now, let's go back to the movie. 00:13:51.180 --> 00:13:51.300 Right? 00:13:51.420 --> 00:13:53.160 Every movie has a great soundtrack. 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:55.440 I love music, if you know me. 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.460 Music is powerful. 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:59.960 Words are powerful. 00:14:00.520 --> 00:14:02.640 Music and words, boom. 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:03.420 Okay? 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:05.180 They're extremely powerful. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:10.059 Now, we're going to go back in a little lesson in history, especially for the kids. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:14.199 Back in the day, we would give each other mixtapes. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:14.859 Okay? 00:14:14.859 --> 00:14:16.719 This is before Spotify or anything. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:23.899 And a mixtape was basically something you wanted someone to listen to while they were going and doing something. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.560 And you wanted them to think certain things. 00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:28.920 And so the beauty of the mixtape was you're always trying to decode. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:31.879 What did they want me to think about from this lyric? 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:33.240 And sometimes it could creep you out. 00:14:33.339 --> 00:14:34.740 Sometimes it's like, oh, this is cool. 00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:37.899 Do you all remember the mixtapes? 00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:38.699 Some of you? 00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:40.079 It was a great day. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.379 It was a great day and time. 00:14:41.459 --> 00:14:43.339 So they're like, hey, you're driving home from college. 00:14:43.459 --> 00:14:45.719 I want you to listen to this tape. 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:47.959 And you'd listen to it and think, do they like me? 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:48.679 What do they mean? 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:49.179 I don't know. 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.899 It's usually from a girl or a guy sometimes. 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:52.599 Sometimes dudes would send them to each other. 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.519 Girls send them to each other. 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:56.259 But they always had meaning. 00:14:56.579 --> 00:15:00.539 And there was a soundtrack they wanted you to be hearing while you're looking and living. 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:07.360 So imagine in this throne room picture that God, he's given us a mixtape. 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:10.879 And there's some lyrics he wants us to hear. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:14.340 Let's listen to those lyrics. 00:15:14.699 --> 00:15:16.279 They're in verses 9 and 10. 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:18.860 And they sang a new song saying, 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:23.500 Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seals for you were slain. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:29.120 And by your blood, you ransom people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:32.980 And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God. 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:36.419 And they shall reign on the earth. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.860 Okay. 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.480 Back to the mixtape. 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:41.899 Right. 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.460 He's worthy. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:45.860 He's worthy to open the scroll. 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:48.919 God's given you a little soundtrack today, right? 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.600 Let's enjoy the movie. 00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.819 Let's listen to the song. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:53.920 All right. 00:15:55.160 --> 00:15:56.879 It's a song about achievement. 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:03.520 But it's the achievement that you and I are looking for in everything else. 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.700 The lamb is worthy. 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:06.440 Okay. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:09.400 Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seals. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:09.840 Why? 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.920 Because you were slain. 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:12.860 Because you have purchased us. 00:16:13.020 --> 00:16:15.800 Because you have fulfilled God's redemptive plan. 00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:17.100 Now notice those lyrics. 00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:19.020 Not what we achieve, 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:21.939 but what he achieved. 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:22.879 Okay. 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:25.120 You were slain. 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:27.120 You ransomed people for God. 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:29.220 You made them a kingdom and priests. 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:32.059 This echoes 1 Peter 2.9. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.699 Exodus 19.6. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.860 If you like to look that stuff up. 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:38.360 The song is about the accomplishment of the lamb. 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.860 And that matters. 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.279 Why? 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:44.220 Because when we think about those names that we live by, 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:48.539 the song of shame has some very different lyrics. 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.939 Its lyrics say, 00:16:51.579 --> 00:16:52.799 look at what you have done. 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:55.019 Look at what you are not. 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:59.240 The song of worship though, 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:01.519 which we're seeing here in heaven, 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.360 it says, 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:05.099 look at what the lamb has done. 00:17:05.899 --> 00:17:07.119 He is worthy. 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:09.519 Now there's something to that. 00:17:10.739 --> 00:17:12.319 Maybe we need to learn some new lyrics. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:16.919 Some of the shame that we carry in us 00:17:16.919 --> 00:17:19.179 is attached to the things that we have done. 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:22.879 Some is attached to the things that were done to us. 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:26.519 Some comes from words spoken over us 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:29.759 that so often that those words become a name 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.759 that we live by 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:33.179 and we don't even realize it. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:36.199 And they can create deep, deep wounds. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:38.799 And then wounds become places 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:42.660 where lies attach themselves to our identity. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.600 And then we protect the wound. 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.380 We don't want anybody to know that. 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.720 And we hide. 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:50.080 And we isolate. 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.400 And we control. 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.559 And we perform. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.940 But look at the center of heaven. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.019 Okay? 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:58.779 There's a lamb 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:01.600 standing as though he had been slain. 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.100 I have a friend named Hugh Welchel. 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:06.079 He was a dear mentor of mine. 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:09.179 He died one time and they revived him. 00:18:09.939 --> 00:18:11.980 And he was the president of my seminary at the time. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:12.639 RTS. 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.779 So take that to the bank. 00:18:14.219 --> 00:18:14.919 He's not lying. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.279 And he saw the lamb. 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:20.859 I said, what did you see when you died and came back? 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:22.799 He said, I saw the lamb. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.500 And he would start crying. 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.519 I was like, what else do you see? 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.459 I'm not going to talk about it. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:29.100 And then he later passed away again. 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.039 Or into glory. 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:34.700 But the lamb of God. 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.420 Okay? 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:37.500 Jesus stands. 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:40.360 And he meets us in our wounds of shame. 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:43.279 And he meets us with his wounds of worthiness. 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:45.440 And because of his worth, 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:48.259 we are healed by his wounds. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.480 We are healed. 00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:51.319 That's the song we're supposed to sing. 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:54.039 That's the soundtrack he wants us to hear in our head. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:57.859 But we spend so much time asking, am I worthy? 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.440 Am I good enough? 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:02.180 And Revelation is teaching us here. 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:06.940 It's reorienting us and pointing us back to the center of the throne of heaven, 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.599 which is really the center of the universe, 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:10.819 which is really the center of all things, 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:15.720 which is supposed to be the center of our lives and our minds and our thoughts. 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.000 Okay? 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.920 And our purpose. 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:19.039 Who is worthy? 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.659 He is. 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:21.720 Jesus is. 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.440 We just sang it. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:24.440 And his worth gives us worth. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.320 And then you hear this response. 00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.100 Okay? 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:30.360 Then I looked and I heard around the throne, 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:33.220 and the living creatures and the elders, 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:37.360 the voice of many angels numbering myriads of myriads, 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:40.460 and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice, 00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:45.500 worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:48.119 and honor and glory and blessing. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.460 Myriads of myriads. 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:55.339 That literally means hundreds of millions of angels. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:58.359 Creatures that we don't see all the time. 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.200 There's feathers. 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.240 There's power. 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.359 They're strong. 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:05.579 And they're singing, pointing to the center of the universe again, 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.599 the center of the throne. 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:08.659 And they're saying, worthy is the lamb. 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.579 To receive what? 00:20:10.679 --> 00:20:13.759 The power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor. 00:20:15.439 --> 00:20:16.819 Well, you know what they're doing right there? 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:19.079 They're naming things. 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:24.159 They're naming true things to the one who deserves them. 00:20:25.219 --> 00:20:25.539 Okay? 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:27.179 They're speaking names. 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.319 You are power. 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.779 You are wealth. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.079 You are wisdom. 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.879 You are might. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.700 You are honor. 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:37.660 What gets the most worth in your life, though? 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:38.819 Right? 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:40.559 Because they're ascribing worth. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:42.559 What gets the worth in your life? 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:44.180 What do you ascribe worth to? 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:48.660 Whose opinion carries the most weight with you? 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:53.259 What have you quietly asked to tell you who you are? 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:59.420 See, if my job gives me worth, then losing it can erase me. 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:04.039 If approval gives me worth, then criticism will crush me. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:10.080 If usefulness gives me my worth, I will use people to reassure myself that I matter. 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:16.400 If success gives me my worth, then failure becomes an identity crisis for me. 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:24.039 But if the lamb gives me worth, ah, now we're talking about something completely different. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:28.539 And outside of me, secure, beyond me. 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:35.159 That's who God says is where we are supposed to find our worth. 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:38.599 Worship doesn't make Jesus worthy. 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.480 He already is. 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:48.019 Worship reorients us in our hearts toward the center, where the worth belongs to begin with. 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:58.180 And when Jesus gets the worth that he deserves, there is no room left for all the other things to compete for our affections. 00:21:58.839 --> 00:22:00.859 But it doesn't mean they won't try, right? 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:06.940 And that's what I was beginning to learn when I was leaving Cuba on that airplane. 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:11.720 And that's what Addie was experiencing, I think, on the way to Belize, starting to put her head around it. 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:20.940 For a few days, right, our schedule, our attention, our prayers, our conversations, they had Jesus at the center. 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:27.779 Our schedule, completely, time, all ordered around his purpose. 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:34.960 And it created this freedom that changes other things because his worth gives us worth. 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:38.940 So in heaven, the song continues. 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.859 The response now grows. 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:48.379 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them saying, 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:55.359 To him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:58.559 And the four living creatures said, Amen. 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:02.299 And the elders fell down and worshipped. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.599 He's worthy forever. 00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:07.479 Who's worthy? 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.319 He's worthy. 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:11.819 He's worthy to open the scroll and receive power and might, honor, glory, blessing. 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.740 And he's worthy forever. 00:23:15.199 --> 00:23:20.099 John hears every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea saying this. 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:25.740 Blessing, honor, glory, might forever and ever and ever and ever and ever. 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:34.579 The voices of response have expanded now from the angels, the cherubim and seraphim, to all of creation. 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.259 Okay? 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:38.099 Let's try to enter that scene for a minute. 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:39.259 There you're at the throne again. 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:44.039 You get the rainbow, the flashes of lightning, the creatures, the elders, the angels, the voices. 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.519 They're harps, it says. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:53.400 But it says in the hands of every elder is a bowl, an incense bowl that are the prayers of the saints. 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.700 Your prayers. 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.339 You're a saint. 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.779 If you're in Jesus, you're a saint. 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.799 You probably don't think of yourself as a saint, but you are. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:05.039 Because being a saint, believe it or not, has to do more with Jesus than anything else. 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:06.379 Okay? 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:08.500 And your prayers are in the picture. 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.339 The prayer whispered in the car. 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:13.480 The prayer beside the hospital bed. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:19.360 You may not see what happened, but there's a prayer that's being heard. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:21.400 The prayer you barely knew how to pray. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:24.339 The prayer that you felt like went nowhere, but it went somewhere. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:35.140 It went before the throne of God, to the incense bowl, in front of the lamb, creating the aroma of heaven. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:40.240 Okay, now around Huntsville every once in a while, you'll hear one of these distant rumbles from the arsenal, 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:42.180 and you may not see what happened. 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:47.839 But you feel enough of it to know that something powerful happened beyond your line of sight. 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:55.480 Well, revelation is reminding us that there is a reality beyond our present line of sight. 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:59.019 And it's the worship of heaven right now that we're reading. 00:24:59.120 --> 00:25:00.559 It's the throne room of heaven. 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:02.620 And at the center is the lamb. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:06.240 The lamb who gives us a place in his kingdom. 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.500 Kingdom and priests. 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:12.539 And you will be there one day if your faith is in Christ. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:17.059 But before that happens, know that your prayers beat you there. 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.460 They're already there. 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.339 So you'll get to catch up. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.380 That they're right at the center of that room, though. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.359 And here's why it matters. 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:27.700 His worth gives us worth. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:31.019 What happens when that mission trip ends? 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.240 Right? 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:36.380 When you get off the airplane and you get back home. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.319 That may be the real question. 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:46.500 Because most of life is not that mission trip experience in Cuba or Belize. 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:48.180 Most of life is Monday morning. 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:48.819 Okay? 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.480 The alarm goes off. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:52.139 The phone lights up. 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.740 The calendar is full. 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:55.679 Somebody is disappointed with you. 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.779 You have a deadline. 00:25:56.939 --> 00:25:57.599 You have a bill. 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:59.460 You have a child who needs something. 00:25:59.679 --> 00:26:01.619 You remember something you wish you could undo. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:05.679 And all those voices start to name you one by one. 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:07.279 Again and again and again. 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:08.759 Failure. 00:26:09.439 --> 00:26:10.119 Not enough. 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.859 Unsuccessful. 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.480 Wish you had more. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.439 Didn't make the grade on my test. 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:19.019 Should quit studying. 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:23.940 What does it look like for worship, though, to reorder that room? 00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:30.720 It starts by, I think, learning to live in the ordinary life with Jesus at the very center. 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:33.980 By learning to ask, who has naming rights today? 00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:35.320 Okay? 00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:38.160 Some of us are carrying those names that Jesus never gave us. 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:38.960 Failure. 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:39.840 Damaged. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.400 Unlovable. 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:40.960 Too late. 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.320 Not spiritual enough. 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.779 Not successful enough. 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:46.799 Maybe somebody gave you that name. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:47.960 Okay? 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:50.759 Maybe a wound gave you that name. 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:53.580 Maybe you gave it to yourself. 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:57.420 Maybe the enemy has been happy to keep you repeating it. 00:26:57.759 --> 00:27:00.019 But Jesus did not give you that name. 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:03.420 That is not the name that he gave you. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:09.539 There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:19.060 So if you have any name in you that you are carrying that is anything other than what Jesus says about you, it is a lie. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:21.080 It is a lie from Satan. 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.600 Don't listen to it. 00:27:24.300 --> 00:27:25.680 This is why we read scripture. 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:27.360 This is why we want you in the word. 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:30.240 This is why we need groups and communities to tell us the truth. 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.659 This is why we pray. 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:37.639 Because there are lies that we believe and they keep us from living the purposes that God has called us to. 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:44.639 And they are blinding us from the truth and the beauty of his love in the everyday ordinary things. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:46.459 You are enough right where you are. 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:48.799 Because Jesus is enough right where he is. 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:49.819 Okay? 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:53.000 And his worth gives us worth. 00:27:53.859 --> 00:27:54.079 Right? 00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:55.619 The lamb who was slain. 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.139 He earned it. 00:27:57.899 --> 00:28:01.000 And he promises that in Revelation 3. 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:02.740 What did he say he would do to those who conquer? 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:05.019 Give him a new name. 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:06.200 Uh-huh. 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:07.639 There it is. 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:10.240 Do you hear that name? 00:28:10.679 --> 00:28:12.200 Or do you hear the other name? 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.779 I am not what happened to me. 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:16.599 I am not the worst thing I have done. 00:28:16.679 --> 00:28:18.500 I am not the best thing I have accomplished. 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:21.380 I am not somebody else's opinion of me. 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:25.180 In Christ, Derek belongs to the lamb. 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:28.480 Derek has been loved at the cross. 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.900 Derek has been brought near. 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:32.140 Derek is being formed by his spirit. 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.920 He's been given a place in his kingdom. 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:40.039 Derek's future is held in the hands of the one on the throne in the center of the throne room. 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.980 And that truth makes Derek worship. 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:46.099 If it can make me worship, oh man, I didn't earn it. 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:47.539 I know it can make you worship. 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:49.899 And what does that worship mean? 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:56.539 Just give myself as a living sacrifice and say, God, today possess me and use all of me for you. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:59.019 And show me why you even have me waking up. 00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:00.180 That's living. 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.319 That's purpose. 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:01.799 Okay? 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:03.180 That's worth. 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.940 And that's what you're after. 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:06.220 I know it's what you're after. 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.460 Okay? 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.559 Because you're a human being. 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:12.000 So how do we live our ordinary lives with Jesus at the center? 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:17.440 By letting Jesus be the only one who has permission to name us. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.539 That's the first thing. 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:19.359 Okay? 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:24.479 It starts by learning to live with the name that he gives us as our truest identity. 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:30.199 And then letting that worth give us the worth that we're looking for in so many things. 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.459 Because he's alive. 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.879 He's present by spirit. 00:29:32.979 --> 00:29:34.059 This is a thing that happens. 00:29:34.179 --> 00:29:37.339 This is what it means to relate and commune with the triune God. 00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:44.199 Hebrews 4, as Will mentioned, it teaches us we can go to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find help in our time of need. 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:54.640 The connection you have there is that when you pray right now in temporal time, your prayers are there in eternal time in that incense bowl before Jesus. 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.779 And that is connecting us. 00:29:55.860 --> 00:29:56.580 Why are we connected? 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:59.680 Because when you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:02.120 You are tethered to the one who said to tell us to die. 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:04.160 And nothing can take that away. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.620 Nothing can break that. 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:06.259 Okay? 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.180 Think about that, though. 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:10.920 The throne is a throne of grace for you, right? 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.480 Lamb. 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.880 You approach the lamb. 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:12.960 Lamb. 00:30:13.760 --> 00:30:17.360 And you can go there every moment and say, I need you to be a lion right here. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.120 You can go there Monday morning. 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:26.480 You can go there before the phone gets to name you, before the meeting names you, before the mistake names you, before success names you. 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:30.060 Those first thoughts are so important, y'all, in the morning. 00:30:30.260 --> 00:30:31.760 They're like breakfast for your soul. 00:30:32.520 --> 00:30:32.980 Eat well. 00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:33.920 Okay? 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.540 Eat well. 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:39.780 So, I'm going to land the plane here. 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:42.140 You don't just go in the morning. 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:44.520 You keep going all day long. 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:48.540 You can talk to the one who's worthy every second. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:50.620 You can go to that throne room every second. 00:30:50.760 --> 00:30:52.120 You can ascribe him worth. 00:30:52.260 --> 00:30:54.020 You can ask him for direction. 00:30:54.540 --> 00:30:58.060 You can bring him to places where shame's been talking loudest to you. 00:30:58.320 --> 00:31:00.680 And when you forget your name, that's where you go. 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.560 Hey, what's my name again? 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:04.559 And I think it looks something like this. 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.419 If I have to get practical. 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:10.119 People want the secret to success. 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.659 It doesn't exist. 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:17.080 But this is about as close as I think it gets to the rhythm of the Christian relationship. 00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:19.560 Confession, repentance, and transformation. 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.060 Right? 00:31:21.040 --> 00:31:21.820 You wake up. 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:23.160 You're in a moment. 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:25.460 And you might be in a public place. 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.620 You might be in a private place. 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:28.699 And there's that lie that comes in. 00:31:28.719 --> 00:31:29.599 And you're able to name it. 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.899 That's not real. 00:31:31.419 --> 00:31:32.419 You go back to God. 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.899 And you confess. 00:31:34.439 --> 00:31:37.119 You truth tell to him about the thing you're not believing. 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:40.399 Hey, I'm believing this lie. 00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:41.619 Right? 00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:42.479 And then what do you do? 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:42.979 You repent. 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:44.239 I don't want to believe this lie. 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.380 You turn around. 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.480 Literally repent. 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:48.319 And you go back to the center. 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:56.339 Will you replace this lie I'm believing or this sinful behavior I'm doing in fill in the blank with you? 00:31:57.259 --> 00:32:00.140 God, by your spirit, will you make that happen? 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.240 He makes that happen. 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.400 It comes back into you. 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.519 It changes your mind. 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.019 And guess what? 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:07.099 Over time, it transforms you and your form changes. 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:11.019 And this, it's happening all the time. 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:12.059 It never ends. 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.519 Okay? 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:15.680 We just turn on the volume and listen to the other mixtape. 00:32:16.139 --> 00:32:20.879 But in that moment, you need to put in the He is worthy tape over and over and over and play it loud and proud. 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.019 Okay? 00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:23.019 But go to God. 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:24.240 You can go to that throne room. 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.160 And it's every second. 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:25.960 It's every moment. 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:29.660 Sometimes it's, hey, I need to take a beat and get out of this conversation and go over here with God. 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:32.220 You saw Jesus go to God all the time. 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.879 Don't be afraid to do that yourself. 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:36.579 But that's the rhythm of the Christian life. 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:39.119 And maybe you need to pray, Jesus, you're worthy. 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:41.420 I give you this name I've been carrying. 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:43.940 Teach me to see myself in light of your love. 00:32:45.320 --> 00:32:49.380 And Revelation 5 doesn't just end with the throne room there. 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:54.180 It actually points the whole book of Revelation as a preview of a story going somewhere. 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:58.120 It moves towards the day when God makes all things new. 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:58.599 Okay? 00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:58.959 Okay? 00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:00.459 God dwelling with His people. 00:33:00.979 --> 00:33:01.479 New heavens. 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:02.059 New earth. 00:33:02.479 --> 00:33:03.159 New direction. 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:08.379 And we now begin to live in that direction as kingdom and priests. 00:33:08.959 --> 00:33:09.259 Okay? 00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:15.519 Bringing worship and truth and mercy and beauty and reconciliation and hope into the ordinary places. 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.319 All right. 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:18.660 So let's close. 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:21.160 We could talk about this forever. 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:23.079 Let's keep talking about it. 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:25.480 But His worth gives us worth. 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.420 That's what I want you to remember. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:30.220 And when our lives become centered on the worth of Jesus, 00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:33.920 we begin to remember who we really are. 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.819 Some of you have forgotten who you are. 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.500 How do I know? 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:39.139 Because I forget who I am. 00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:43.060 And He sent me here today to say, remember who you are. 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.080 You're not alone. 00:33:46.580 --> 00:33:50.320 Is that who you actively give your life to each day, though? 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:55.980 Or are you giving it to all the other patterns of the world which are going to leave you empty? 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.100 Okay? 00:33:58.200 --> 00:34:01.680 In this time frame, they go to the same place. 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:04.000 Empty, sad, not enough. 00:34:05.100 --> 00:34:07.000 Jesus has something so much better for you. 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:08.179 He's worthy. 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:08.920 He's at the center. 00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.500 And we're His. 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:12.699 So tomorrow morning, the question is not whether something is going to try to name you. 00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:13.440 Because something will. 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:17.099 The question is, whose voice is going to get the final word in your life? 00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:19.940 So I'm going to close this in prayer. 00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:24.480 So I'm just going to ask us to bow our heads and just be silent for a second. 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:28.500 And I'm going to ask the Spirit to tell you the names. 00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:31.699 Or a name or multiple names that you've not. 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.900 That you shouldn't live by. 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.579 That you're living by. 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:37.099 Or you're trying to live by. 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:37.679 Or each you want. 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:40.019 So I'm going to ask him to fill in the blank. 00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:48.980 So Lord Jesus, I just pray that right now by the power of your Spirit that you will fill in this blank for people in here in their souls. 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:53.119 One name that I have carried that God never gave me is. 00:34:53.119 --> 00:35:06.219 One name that I have carried that God never gave me is. 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:13.099 Lord, make it so loud in their hearts that they can't ignore it. 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:18.799 Now Lord, fill in this blank. 00:35:20.219 --> 00:35:23.179 In Christ, God calls me. 00:35:23.179 --> 00:35:29.099 Yes, I'll help them. 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:30.299 Beautiful. 00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.940 Welcomed. 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:36.079 Redeemed. 00:35:37.379 --> 00:35:38.199 Enough. 00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:39.759 Perfect. 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:42.139 Never forsaken. 00:35:45.419 --> 00:35:46.179 Adopted. 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:50.259 Smiled upon. 00:35:50.259 --> 00:35:51.139 Sung over. 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.059 Yes. 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:59.000 This is what the Lord sees in you. 00:36:00.399 --> 00:36:04.679 He doesn't see the stuff that you see. 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:09.339 Lord, would you make that the name that you give. 00:36:09.859 --> 00:36:11.000 The one who is worthy. 00:36:11.279 --> 00:36:12.619 Who we ascribe worthy to. 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.239 Lord Jesus. 00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:15.939 Would you hover over us. 00:36:16.459 --> 00:36:18.919 Like you did when the earth was formless and void. 00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:21.000 Would you make us new. 00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:24.239 Would you meet us in the darkness and create life. 00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:25.779 In these places that are. 00:36:26.419 --> 00:36:27.659 Lord Jesus, people are hurting. 00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:31.539 And right where they're hurting, will you meet them right where they are. 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:33.279 And give them the name that you give them. 00:36:33.899 --> 00:36:35.019 Remind them that you're there. 00:36:35.819 --> 00:36:38.519 May they know how beautiful and loved they are. 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:41.099 Only because of the love of you, Lord Jesus. 00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:45.880 May the worthy lamb tell us all who we really are today. 00:36:46.059 --> 00:36:47.699 As we turn back to him. 00:36:48.219 --> 00:36:51.239 And say glory and honor and praise be given to you. 00:36:51.579 --> 00:36:53.980 It's in Jesus name that we pray. 00:36:54.819 --> 00:36:55.159 Amen. 00:36:56.440 --> 00:36:59.920 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:04.559 God bless you. 00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:06.119 God bless you. 00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:07.019 God bless you. 00:37:07.059 --> 00:37:07.599 God bless you. 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:08.240 God bless you. 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:08.639 God bless you. 00:37:08.720 --> 00:37:08.980 God bless you. 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:09.260 God bless you. 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:09.599 God bless you. 00:37:09.659 --> 00:37:10.000 God bless you. 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:10.480 God bless you. 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:10.960 God bless you. 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.579 God bless you. 00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:12.320 God bless you. 00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:12.800 God bless you. 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:13.420 God bless you. 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:13.920 God bless you. 00:37:13.980 --> 00:37:14.500 God bless you. 00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.039 God bless you. 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.619 God bless you. 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.240 God bless you. 00:37:16.300 --> 00:37:16.800 God bless you. 00:37:16.860 --> 00:37:17.420 God bless you. 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:17.840 God bless you. 00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:18.380 God bless you. 00:37:18.440 --> 00:37:18.880 God bless you. 00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:19.440 God bless you. 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:19.780 God bless you. 00:37:19.820 --> 00:37:20.460 God bless you. 00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:20.960 God bless you. 00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:21.519 God bless you. 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:21.860 God bless you. 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:22.500 God bless you. 00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.200 God bless you. 00:37:23.260 --> 00:37:23.700 God bless you. 00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:24.420 fathers you. 00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:24.960 God bless you.