Participants: Pr. Kenneth Cox
Series Code: RJC
Program Code: RJC000009
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00:19 Good evening and welcome to The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
00:24 We're back. We're covering now the second series 00:28 in the study of the book of Revelation. 00:31 And this week we're going to be covering chapters 4 through 12. 00:37 Those are the chapters we're covering. 00:40 And so you need to get your Bible; get you a notebook 00:43 and pencil, and as we go through these chapters 00:47 be sure and take notes as to what we're studying. 00:50 Important chapters... because there's a lot of things 00:53 that happened in these particular chapters 00:56 that we're going to be studying. 00:57 So we hope you will be with us each evening 01:01 as we go through the different chapters 01:04 in the book of Revelation. 01:06 Tonight our subject is Worthy Is The Lamb. 01:11 Worthy Is The Lamb. 01:13 And tonight we're looking at chapters 4 and 5. 01:18 Those two chapters, so we're covering a lot 01:20 of territory tonight on those two chapters - chapter 4 and 5. 01:25 And then tomorrow night our subject is entitled 01:30 Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. 01:32 We're going to be looking at the seven seals 01:37 that are mentioned in the sixth chapter of Revelation. 01:40 So that's where we'll be tomorrow evening. 01:42 So we hope that you'll be here as we continue to study 01:46 God's Word from night to night 01:49 and hope that the book of Revelation will just kind of 01:54 open up and become something that will give you a lot of 01:59 comfort, a lot of joy, as you read it and understand 02:03 where we are in the stream of time. 02:06 Tonight we're looking at Worthy Is The Lamb. 02:11 Uh, Christ 02:16 the Lamb... the Lamb of God. 02:19 And in the 5th chapter it speaks of Him as a Lamb 02:25 that had been slain. 02:28 And so tonight Dona Klein is going to sing a song 02:33 that deals with that. It's entitled Some Time Before Dawn 02:38 is what the subject... or the song is going to be about. 02:43 And it tells about what Christ faced and went through 02:47 in preparing to make the sacrifice for you and for me. 02:52 But before Dona sings, Chuck Allgaier 02:56 is going to come out and he's going to read 02:58 those 4th and 5th chapters of the book of Revelation. 03:04 Well as you hear, we have an amazing lot to cover tonight 03:07 and so we're going to go straight to the Bible 03:09 and read what Revelation has to say. 03:12 So if you have your Bible, 03:13 turn it to the book of Revelation chapter 4. 03:16 We're going to read Revelation chapters 4 and 5. 03:20 Let's read together: 08:04 Some time before the dawn 08:10 His heart was aching. 08:15 Some time before the dawn 08:21 His heart was breaking. 08:26 The cross was just ahead... 08:32 "Not My will, but Thine" He pled. 08:37 For me His tears were shed 08:43 some time before dawn. 08:49 They struck and they cursed Him; 08:54 they mocked His dear name. 09:00 They stripped off His garment, 09:06 despising the shame. 09:11 Those precious hands 09:17 they nailed to a tree. 09:22 He hung there in agony 09:28 for you and for me. 09:34 She ran to the garden 09:40 her eyes lined with tears. 09:45 She knew she must find Him, 09:50 her heart filled with fear. 09:56 The angel told her 10:02 that Jesus was gone. 10:07 He rose from His prison 10:12 some time before dawn. 10:18 Some time before the dawn 10:24 His heart was aching. 10:29 Some time before the dawn 10:35 His heart was breaking. 10:41 The cross was just ahead... 10:46 "Not My will, but Thine" He pled. 10:52 For me His tears were shed 10:57 some time before dawn. 11:04 Those things pass before me 11:09 as I kneel at the cross. 11:14 His blood paid my ransom 11:20 some time before dawn. 11:25 Yes, His blood paid our ransom 11:31 some time before 11:34 dawn. 11:55 Gracious Lord, 11:57 we come to You tonight 12:00 asking that You would give us understanding. 12:05 Give us wisdom. 12:07 Lighten our eyes 12:10 as we step into Your throne room, Lord. 12:15 May we understand things that You have shown us. 12:21 May we apply them to our hearts. 12:24 For this we ask in Christ's name, Amen. 12:34 Revelation the 4th chapter 12:37 starts out talking about God's throne. 12:42 We're going to take a look at that... 12:44 what it has to tell us about the Lamb: Worthy is the Lamb. 12:48 So it says: 13:06 Now the angel is speaking to John and he's saying: 13:09 "Come up here; I'm going to show you things 13:12 that are going to take place after this. " 13:31 So tonight you and I are stepping into the throne 13:36 of the Almighty 13:38 and we're going to take a look at it through the eyes of John. 13:42 Now you should not expect 13:44 to see God in a form 13:50 because it tells us clearly in scripture that no one 13:54 has seen God. 13:55 And John - what he had to say - is in keeping 13:59 with the rest of the scripture. 14:01 So you're not going to see that, but it does give you an idea 14:04 of the throne room and what takes place there. 14:07 Paul told us a little bit about what we could expect, 14:11 and he had this to say: 14:26 So it says that God is light. 14:30 Appears as light. 14:32 Goes on and says: 14:44 So this is basically what you see when you step into 14:49 the throne room. John describes it as a "light. " 15:26 So this is what we're seeing in the throne room 15:30 as far as God the Father is concerned or the Almighty. 15:34 He appears as light. 15:37 OK. 15:53 So as we stepped into the throne room... get an idea, 15:57 a picture of the glory that's there taking place. 16:01 So it says that God is light. 16:06 So if you have light... all right? 16:10 and you have water... that gives you what? 16:15 What will light and water make? 16:18 Makes a rainbow. Right. That's what we use 16:21 or that's what's there and to give us a rainbow. 16:24 Well this is the way it describes God's throne, folks, 16:28 because there's certain things there that are light - 16:32 OK? - and there's certain things that are water. 16:35 For instance, it tells us this concerning God's throne: 16:48 So here in God's throne room we have the law - 16:53 the law of God - and it says it is what? 16:57 Light. So it says the Word of God is light. 17:02 So you have light. Not only do you have light 17:05 but it says you have something else. 17:07 It says here that we have this: 17:21 So here in the throne of God we have light 17:25 and we have the water of life. So we've got 17:28 both those things there. 17:31 And so if you have light and you have the water of life 17:34 then you're going to get a rainbow. 17:37 And that's why it says around God's throne is a rainbow 17:41 that's amber in color. 17:43 And below that is the glory of the mercy seat. 17:47 So this is what is pictured in the throne room of God. 17:50 Any time you want to... 17:53 any time you have a very, very blue Monday... 17:58 OK? you can always bathe it in the gold of God's love. 18:04 It will cause you to walk in green pastures. 18:08 OK? Remember, it's just always true. 18:11 So God's throne here is there and it's bathed in light. 18:17 OK. Not only that, but there's a sea of glass there. 18:22 That's what we're depicting here in the set. 18:30 OK? 18:44 So this is describing the pavement - 18:48 or whatever we want to call it - before God's throne. 18:52 Describes it as a sea of glass with stones of fire 18:56 among it. In fact, as it talked about Lucifer 18:59 it says he... 19:14 So this is the sea of glass there before the throne of God 19:18 which by the way the scripture says that the righteous will be 19:22 standing on... the sea of glass. 19:26 All right? Well, not only do you have that, but it says 19:29 that there in that throne room were 24 elders. 19:45 So here you have 24 elders. 19:48 These men are special people 19:51 because they have been redeemed from the earth 19:56 is what we find out. 20:04 So there the Lamb is. They fall down before the Lamb. 20:16 Did you know the Bible says that the angels 20:20 even take your prayers in their hands 20:25 and bear them up before God? 20:27 And the incense here is the prayers of the saints. 20:41 So we're going to read about this Lamb. 20:48 These 24 elders are special people. 20:52 They lead out in worship. That's what they do. 20:56 They lead out in worship there in the throne room of God. 21:00 And you'll find that as they lead out, all the other 21:04 beings worship God. 21:25 So those 24 elders... they lead out in worship. 21:29 But they also as you read the scripture find that they 21:32 participate in the judgment. 21:34 Did you realize that? That's what they're there for 21:38 is to participate in the judgment. 21:41 Listen: 21:58 Now these are the 24 elders that are saying this, 22:02 so watch carefully: 22:22 Why are the 24 elders involved in judgment? 22:26 Well you'll find that those 24 elders 22:31 are of different personality types. 22:36 That's what they are. 22:38 And there's a reason there's 24 22:41 because there are two of each type. 22:44 You see, the scripture makes it very clear 22:47 that you cannot judge someone unless there are two witnesses. 22:53 So you have 24 elders; 22:56 you have two of each personality type. 23:01 Listen: 23:13 So you've got to have two witnesses, 23:15 and there's two witnesses of each personality type. Why? 23:21 Well you see, God doesn't intend for you to say 23:24 "Well listen, I was just different than everybody else. 23:27 I just couldn't make it 23:29 because, you know, I was kind of behind with the Lord 23:31 type thing. " No! There's going to be two every personality type 23:36 showing that God did everything that was necessary 23:42 to save every last soul. And every type will be saved! 23:45 And these 24 elders participate 23:49 in the judgement because they're of those personality types. 23:55 OK, then it tells us: 24:13 So we're going to take a look at these four living creatures. 24:17 It tells us here... says: 24:21 "The first living creature was like a lion. " 24:24 So we have the lion. 24:27 That's what the first living creature was like. 24:30 Then it goes on and says: 24:32 "And the second living creature like a calf. " 24:37 And so we have the second living creature. 24:39 "Like a calf, " the book of Ezekiel says 24:43 "like an ox... " so it gives it both ways in scripture. 24:47 But that was the second living creature. 24:49 And then we find that the third living creature... 24:54 the third living creature had the face of a what? 24:58 A man. And so we have the third living creature 25:01 that has a face like a man. 25:04 And then we come to the fourth or the final living creature 25:09 and it says that it had the face or was like 25:14 unto an eagle. 25:16 Those are the living creatures. Now it goes on and says: 25:33 These living creatures are part of the angelic host, 25:38 and since they have six wings 25:42 they are seraphim. 25:44 That's what they are... they're part of the angelic host 25:47 and they're seraphim. And they have a very, very 25:51 definite symbolic meaning for you and me. 25:53 You see, this symbolism was not foreign 25:56 to the children of Israel. 25:58 They understood that very clearly 26:00 because you find that they have seen this before. 26:03 The children of Israel camped, 26:05 uh, as they were going through the wilderness 26:08 you'll find that right in the middle of their camp 26:11 they erected the sanctuary. 26:14 And then you find that three tribes camped on each side 26:19 of the sanctuary. 26:21 On the east you had three tribes, 26:24 and the leading tribe that led out in that 26:27 was the tribe of Judah. 26:31 And Judah had a banner that hung in front of those 3 tribes, 26:37 and on it was the picture of a lion. 26:41 Then if you went to the south 26:45 you had the tribe of Ruben 26:48 and two other tribes camped behind Ruben. 26:51 And they had a banner, 26:53 and on that banner was the picture of a man. 26:57 And then if you went to the west 27:01 you had the tribe of Ephraim 27:03 and behind them were two more tribes. 27:06 And in front of them was a banner with a picture of an ox. 27:10 And then if you went to the north, 27:14 you had the eagle - the tribe of Dan. 27:18 And behind Dan were two others. 27:20 And so these were not something that they were not aware of 27:24 or something that was strange to them. 27:26 They knew what these symbols represented. 27:29 They have great significance to us 27:32 because those four living creatures also tell us 27:37 the characteristics of Jesus Christ... 27:39 that's what they're like... because we find 27:43 the lion of the tribe of Judah: 27:58 Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah. 28:02 And then you find there is also Ruben. 28:06 That was the banner of a man. 28:09 And we find in Philippians 2:8 it says that: 28:16 So Christ's humanity is pictured there. 28:20 And then you have the ox of Ephraim, and it says: 28:29 And so the ox represented the sacrifice of Christ 28:33 in our behalf. And then you have the eagle: 28:41 The eagle represented the divinity of Christ. 28:44 So you have those characteristics of Jesus Christ. 28:48 That also is the reason 28:52 you have four gospels. 28:55 Did you realize that? 28:58 That's what the four gospels are all about. 29:00 So you find that if you go to the book of Matthew 29:03 you'll find that Matthew speaks of Jesus as the King. 29:08 In fact, if you take the genealogy 29:11 in Matthew it traces it clear back to where? 29:17 Takes it back to David showing that He's King. 29:20 If you take the geneaology in Luke, 29:22 it takes it clear back to Adam. 29:25 And so you have Matthew representing Jesus as the King. 29:31 You have Luke representing Jesus' humanity. 29:36 That's the reason the geneaology takes it back to Adam. 29:38 Shows His humanity. 29:40 You take a look at John, John is the one that talks about 29:45 "behold the Lamb of God" the sacrifice. 29:48 And you find that Mark speaks of the divinity of Christ. 29:52 There's more miracles recorded in the gospel of Mark 29:55 than in any of the other gospels. 29:58 And so this is the reason you have those characteristics 30:01 of Jesus Christ among those four living creatures. 30:05 OK. 30:15 They're there. They praise God. 30:17 They give glory and honor to Him 30:38 So this is where they give glory and honor to God. 30:43 And so we have the four living creatures, the 24 elders here. 30:47 And by the way folks, everything from this point... 30:51 everything from this point through the book of Revelation 30:56 takes place in this throne room. 30:58 Every vision that John has was from the throne room. 31:03 And you'll find that these living creatures and the elders 31:07 and all the ones that are involved in it. 31:10 So everything that John sees in the whole book of Revelation 31:13 takes place from this throne room. 31:16 So let's go to the throne room, take a look, because something 31:19 begins to happen here that's very important that you and I 31:23 see and understand what's taking place. 31:26 And it says: 31:35 Now, who's sitting on the throne? 31:39 God... God the Father sitting on the throne, 31:43 and in His hand He has a scroll. 31:47 And that scroll is written on the inside and on the back - 31:52 all right? - sealed with seven seals. 32:02 Now he's standing there and he's shouting out 32:05 across the whole universe 32:07 "Who's worthy to come... open this scroll 32:11 and to loose it? " 32:13 "Who... who has that power? Who can do that? " 32:23 I mean, absolutely nobody moved. 32:28 Now I've got a question tonight: 32:31 where's Mohammad? 32:37 Where's Buddha? 32:39 Where's Confucius? 32:42 Why don't they step up... open the scroll? 32:47 Not a soul moved... not one. 32:55 So John says: 33:04 Now let me tell you why John's weeping. 33:07 Because in that scroll is contained the whole history 33:12 of mankind. 33:14 That's what's there, and nobody could open it. 33:18 And John knows that if nobody can open it 33:21 then there's no hope for mankind. 33:25 So he wept much. 33:40 He said: "The Lion of the tribe of Judah, 33:43 the Root of David. " Have you ever thought about that? 33:47 Huh? 33:49 Why didn't he say this: "the offspring of David. " 33:57 Why would he say "the Root of David. " 34:03 Before David was, He was. 34:06 That's right. You see, it's not just the fact that 34:11 it took someone more than human 34:14 to take and come and open that scroll. 34:30 So standing right there in the midst of the throne room 34:34 in the middle of the 24 elders and the four living creatures 34:39 is a Lamb... 34:41 a Lamb as if it had been slain. 34:47 Standing there. 34:51 It didn't say anything about a lion. 34:54 There's no lion standing there. 34:58 There's a Lamb standing there 35:01 and it has the appearance as if it had been slain. 35:15 So here this Lamb is. Interesting... 35:19 because in scripture in Greek 35:25 the word for lamb is amnos. 35:28 That's the word that's used in Greek for lamb. 35:32 Not in this case. 35:37 Not in this case. 35:39 The word used in this case is different: 35:44 it's arnion. 35:50 There's only one other place it's used in scripture that word 35:54 and that's where Jesus was talking to Peter 35:57 after the resurrection and they were there at the Sea of Galilee 36:02 and Peter had denied his Lord three times. 36:07 And there they are, and Peter even having some 36:12 problem being there because he feels so unworthy. 36:17 And Christ speaks to him and says to him: 36:41 And Jesus said to John... or to Peter... 36:46 "Peter, lovest thou Me? " 36:49 And he said: "Lord, You know I love You. " 36:54 "You know I love You. " 36:56 He said: "Peter, feed My sheep. " 37:02 And He said to Peter: "Peter, 37:07 lovest thou Me? " 37:11 Three times. Three times he had denied Him. 37:15 Three times Christ asked him that. 37:21 And Peter - heartbroken - said: "Lord, 37:26 You know... You know that I love You. " 37:30 And He said: "Peter, feed My lambs. " 37:37 That's the only other place that word's used. 37:40 Said: "Feed My lambs. " 37:44 That word in Greek actually means 37:49 little pet lamb. 37:54 That's what it means: little pet lamb. 37:59 Why would He use such a term as little pet lamb? 38:04 Standing there before the throne of God 38:08 was a little pet lamb as if it had been slain. 38:19 Because there's great symbolism there, folks. 38:23 You remember the Passover 38:28 they were told to go and find a lamb? 38:33 Listen to what the scripture tells you about that. 38:50 On when? When was he to do this? 38:54 On the 10th. On the 10th day of that month they were to go 39:00 and they were to bring a lamb back to the house. 39:05 And they were to keep it there at the house. 39:08 For what reason? 39:13 Oh, they wanted to keep it there... 39:15 the Lord wanted them to keep it there 39:17 so they could make a pet out of it. 39:20 So the children could play with it... 39:25 that they couldn't take that lamb and offer it 39:30 without any feeling. 39:32 They wanted them to be some kind of feeling there 39:36 of the sacrifice that was being made. 39:39 And so for four days they were to take that lamb, 39:46 let the children play with it, keep it there at the house. 39:50 And then it says: 40:06 They had to wait until it was so that the child 40:11 might be hanging onto his father's leg and saying: 40:14 "Don't! Don't kill it! " 40:17 Because there had to be some feeling involved with it. 40:22 Had to be some emotion. 40:24 They had to feel they were giving up something. 40:28 So he said: "Standing there in the throne room 40:34 was a little pet lamb. " 40:38 The Son of God... 40:41 as though it had been slain. 40:46 This was the sacrifice that was to be made for you and for me. 40:53 So as John is there and he... he's seeing this throne room 40:57 and he's seeing all the elders and the four living creatures 41:01 and all that's happening there. 41:03 Yet right there in the middle is this little Lamb, 41:11 and only this little Lamb is worthy. 41:17 Nobody else. 41:20 Not another soul in the entire universe 41:25 moves... only this little pet Lamb. 41:37 This little pet Lamb came and took the scroll 41:41 out of the hand of God. 41:45 Why? 41:47 Because your salvation is wrapped up in that very thing. 41:53 That He - He alone - earned the right 41:58 to step up there to the Father and take that scroll 42:04 from His hand because He is 42:09 the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 42:13 He's the King. 42:17 Not only is He the King... He's your brother. 42:24 He came and took upon Himself humanity. 42:29 Became one with us 42:33 to bear it throughout eternity. 42:37 Nobody else, folks, nobody else has ever done that. 42:43 I don't care who you want to talk about. 42:46 No one else has done that. 42:48 Only the Lamb. He's the only one that's worthy. 42:51 He's the only one that has done that for you and for me. 42:55 Took upon Himself humanity; became like one of us. 43:02 And then... 43:06 He paid the sacrifice: He died. 43:14 He died that you and I might live. 43:22 You tell me who else has done that for us. 43:27 Who else that can claim to be one with God... 43:33 equal with the Father... 43:35 willing to lay down His life that you and I might live. 43:41 This was the little pet Lamb. 43:47 Came... died for you and for me. 44:08 You see, when He stepped up there and took that scroll 44:12 out of the hand of His Father 44:13 you find that ALL those 24 elders and the living creatures 44:19 and even John... all them break forth in praise 44:23 because all of a sudden there's hope! 44:26 Without Him taking hold of that scroll 44:29 out of the Father's hand, there's no hope, folks. 44:32 But when He did, there was hope! 44:36 And they break forth in praise to God to praise His name 44:42 and all because He came and died 44:47 in your place and in mine. 45:06 They're saying: "Lord, YOU are worthy. 45:09 You're the One that paid the price for us. " 45:17 How is it with you tonight? 45:21 Have you? Have you sensed 45:27 the sacrifice that was made in your behalf? 45:32 Are you acquainted with the little pet Lamb 45:38 that was slain so that you might live? 45:47 I often wonder, because the scripture says 45:53 that the wicked will cry out 45:58 "Hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne 46:02 and from the wrath of the Lamb. " 46:07 You know, it doesn't say "the wrath of the Lion. " 46:13 Says "the wrath of the Lamb. " 46:16 How many people are afraid of a lamb? 46:24 But they are, 46:26 because He is the only one... no one else... 46:31 He is the only One that is worthy! 46:33 He paid the price that they might be saved 46:38 and they have said "No" to this Lamb. 46:52 Oh, marvelous text! 46:55 This little pet Lamb who paid the sacrifice 47:00 for you and for me. It says that He has "made us 47:06 kings and priests unto His God. " 47:10 Do you get the significance of that? 47:14 It doesn't say there that 47:19 you MIGHT be a king or you MIGHT be a priest. 47:22 It doesn't say that! 47:24 It says that He did what? 47:27 Said: "He MADE you kings and priests. " 47:31 Folks, that... that is the very heart of salvation. 47:37 That's the very heart of the gospel 47:39 is the fact that your salvation and my salvation 47:43 is not dependent upon our ability. 47:47 It's dependent upon the Lamb! 47:52 The Lamb that was slain... HE died for us. 47:55 He paid the price. 47:57 Therefore, simply... simply by accepting His sacrifice 48:03 in our behalf, He in turn makes you 48:07 a king and a priest unto God. 48:11 Wonderful 48:15 that you and I can have such a Savior! 48:21 Such a Redeemer that would make us kings and priests 48:25 unto His God. 48:27 Next time you're in a situation 48:33 where you're having trouble being tempted, 48:39 you know, remember... He made you 48:44 a king and a priest; therefore, you should act like one. 48:51 See? It does not say, folks, 48:55 that if you do this and this and this, you MIGHT become. 48:59 Doesn't say that. 49:02 It says that if you accept Him, He makes you one. 49:07 See, it's not based on my ability or your ability. 49:13 If I do such and such, that doesn't make me 49:18 a child of God. 49:20 It's my acceptance of Him that makes me a child of God. 49:25 I find people get that mixed up so often, you know? 49:29 That... that doesn't make you - 49:32 what you do and how you act... 49:35 You know, you may be very, very careful in your actions 49:40 and all, folks. but that... that's good - 49:42 don't misunderstand me - but that doesn't make you 49:44 a child of God. 49:46 It's the act of Christ that makes us a child of God. 49:49 How I act and what I do 49:53 doesn't make me any more a child of God than 49:56 my going out and sitting in the garage makes me an automobile. 49:59 That just doesn't do that, you see. 50:02 I have to be willing to understand that He - 50:07 this little pet Lamb - 50:09 came, took the scroll from the hand of God 50:14 that you and I might be saved. 50:35 Ten thousand times ten thousand 50:39 and thousands of thousands. 50:41 Oh how marvelous that will be! 50:44 You know, to sit and listen... just think. 50:51 Listen to the angelic host 50:57 and all the redeemed sing. 51:00 Ever thought about that? 51:03 Ten thousand ten thousand is a? 51:05 hundred million. 51:09 Think of what... just think of what 51:11 a hundred million voices must sound like when they sing. 51:17 You know, it says it sounds like thunder. 51:20 You know, marvelous. And they are around the throne 51:24 and they are praising God! 51:26 That's what they're doing. They're praising God because He 51:29 is their Redeemer. 51:32 He's the One that's given them salvation. 51:36 I'm thankful tonight that it doesn't say there's 2 or 3. 51:41 But there's ten thousand ten thousand and thousands 51:45 of thousands. 51:59 All that was given to Him 52:03 because He was able to redeem you and redeem me. 52:09 You know, I would encourage you... 52:13 Take time... take time every morning 52:19 to praise God. 52:22 Now I'm not talking about thanking Him... 52:25 I'm talking about praising Him. 52:28 You know, we thank God for things that He does for us, 52:32 and we should do that. 52:33 But that's not praise. 52:37 See, praise is when you are giving to someone 52:41 worship because they're worthy. 52:44 Because of their attributes, because of what they've done. 52:47 Take time... take time just to praise God. 52:52 Talk to Him; offer to Him your worship, 52:57 your praise, your honor. 53:00 The highest thing you can give Him. 53:02 There isn't anything higher that you can give Him 53:05 than your worship 53:06 because He is the Redeemer... 53:10 the One that redeemed you and me. 53:31 See, that's worship, folks... that's praise! 53:42 Worship Him... that's what you and I must do. 53:47 Worship God. 54:00 Marvelous what God has done for you and for me. 54:06 Let's pray. 54:08 Heavenly Father, 54:10 we come to You tonight thanking you, Lord, 54:16 for the sacrifice in our behalf. 54:21 That Your Son... Your only Son... 54:27 the One who stood next to You 54:31 in the creation of this world 54:34 who is our Redeemer and our Savior... 54:37 we give to Him tonight our praise, our honor, our glory. 54:44 Lord we come as Your children 54:49 thankful for what has been done for us. 54:53 And may we with our loved ones 54:58 worship You throughout eternity. 55:01 For this we ask in Christ's name, Amen. 55:08 Well, we... tomorrow night we will go into the 55:14 6th chapter of Revelation. 55:16 We're going to be looking at the four horsemen 55:20 or the seven seals of the book of Revelation. 55:24 Very interesting period of time, 55:27 so be sure and be with us. 55:28 Good night; God bless you. 55:36 Every day thousands risk their lives to protect and serve 55:40 their fellow man. 55:41 They have a deep commitment to excellency in teamwork 55:45 and when others run from danger, they run to it... 55:49 even if it means personal sacrifice. 55:51 Even if it means making the supreme sacrifice for another. 55:55 They're always on call, ready to serve no matter what. 56:00 Friends, you and I can learn a lot from firefighters. 56:04 In the United States, the majority of them are volunteers. 56:07 That's right... volunteers. 56:09 But even for those who are paid it's more than a job... 56:13 it's a calling. 56:15 Jesus said in John 15 verses 12 and 13: 56:18 "This is My commandment: 56:21 that you love one another as I have loved you. 56:23 Greater love has no one than this: 56:26 than to lay down one's life for his friends. " 56:29 Those who follow the words of Jesus are His friends. 56:32 But Romans 5:8 says that "God demonstrated His own love 56:36 towards us in that while we were still sinners 56:39 Christ died for us. " 56:41 What an amazing thought! 56:43 Christ laid down His life for us 56:46 even though we were not His friends. 56:49 A firefighter is willing to do the same. 56:52 He's constantly preparing for his next mission 56:55 because his own life and the life of others 56:58 depends on his training and qualifications. 57:00 My friends, that's what we're doing right now 57:04 with this series: we are preparing you 57:07 for what is to come. 57:08 Our goal is to make you skilled in the Word 57:11 so that by the power of God you can bring others to safety - 57:15 the safety that can be found only 57:18 in the arms of a loving Savior. 57:20 Won't you help us to train and prepare others 57:23 to fulfill this mission? 57:24 Please consider what you can for for those who 57:27 still don't know about Jesus. 57:29 As the Holy Spirit impresses, 57:31 please send your tax-deductible gifts to: 57:46 Thank you for helping us spread the light of God's Word 57:49 through television. Your gifts bring the blessed hope 57:52 of salvation to millions around the world. |
Revised 2014-12-17