공동체와 양육

The beauty in Worship (Rev 4:1-11)

2010.06.27Rev. Eddie Byun

True worship begins by beholding God's beauty on the throne, the one who reigns forever in mercy and grace. Seeing him rightly leads us to bless his majesty and to bow before his sovereignty in glad surrender.

Behold God's beauty, for he reigns on the throne (vv. 1-3)

Worship begins when we see God as he truly is. John is taken through an open door into heaven and sees a throne, the central symbol of all reality, because God reigns forever while earthly rulers' terms end. God is also beautiful, and John reaches for jasper and carnelian to describe him. The rainbow around the throne reminds us of God's covenant with Noah, showing that his rule flows from mercy and grace. Our eyes are dimmed by sin now, but in heaven we will behold his beauty in full color.

Bless the majesty of the holy God (vv. 4-8)

The twenty-four elders, representing the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles, show that God saves sinners by grace alone. Lightning and thunder display his mighty power, and the sea of glass declares his rule over every chaos. The four living creatures, full of eyes, gather around him as the source of all nobility and wisdom. Their unceasing cry of 'Holy, holy, holy' is the natural overflow of seeing something wonderful, because you cannot force praise.

Surrender gladly to the sovereign God (vv. 9-11)

When the living creatures give glory, the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne. They cast their crowns before him and say, 'You are worthy,' because they see that he created all things by his will. The crowns are rewards, yet they lay them down gladly because Christ is worth more than anything we have. Worship that sees, sings, and blesses ends in surrender. Only a heart that says Jesus is worth more can truly go on mission.

Apply to Life

  • Let us look up to the throne of God and behold his beauty before we look at our troubles.
  • Let us see the whole picture of God's reign in our lives rather than fixing our eyes on one frightening portion.
  • Let us bless God's majesty with sung praise, because we cannot truly sing if we have not truly seen him.
  • Let us lay down our crowns before Christ and hold all that we have gladly under his sovereignty.
  • Let us pray for eyes to see his beauty and hearts that sing of his goodness all the days of our lives.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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