Scripture
– NIV
Revelation
5:1-14 –
Then
I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on
both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in
a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no
one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look
inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the
scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See,
the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to
open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then
I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the
throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into
all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat
on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the
twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were
holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You
are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language
and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve
our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Then
I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon
thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and
the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy
is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Then
I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the
sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the
Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
The
four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Hebrews
12:28 –
Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and
so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
2
Corinthians 5:21 –
God
made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.
Bob’s
thoughts:
We
were back to Crossroads with plans of taking Christmas pictures of some of our
grandchildren. We knew, sitting with the children during the first service, we
would miss some of worship. We would stay for the second service and take
pictures after. It seemed like a good plan, but changed into something special.
The
youngest looked and moved around a lot and talked a good bit, except when it
was time to pray, then reverently bowed her head to the seat back in front of
us. On the other side, another granddaughter did her own liturgical dance with
the music. When she requested help finding where they were on the Scripture
reading, I shared my phone app. She read along and then continued to read. When
she shared my phone with her sister on the end, she also read for a while. I am
used to the grands immediately scrolling through the pictures quicker than I
can, but they both read Scripture until it was time to pray.
It
was a joy to receive Communion with our grandchildren. Our grandson stayed with
us for the second service, during which I noticed him looking down, reading his
Bible. This brought back the memory of noticing my oldest son during the
message with his head down. He was playing a game with one of his sisters and
reading his Bible at the same time. Fortunately, I forgot to say something to
him after the service, because mid-week he brought up an intellectual question
on the pastor’s sermon…he was only doing two other things at the time so for
him it was easy to capture the pastor’s message too. Years later here I am
listening to the message twice and having trouble keeping my mind on it.
The
pastor opened his sermon talking about when the Sears Wish Book would come and
children would pour over it looking for what toys they wanted for Christmas.
The store that was a mainstay of mail order after all the stores they opened
has seemed of late to want to recapture the mail (internet) sales and close the
stores.
A
special joy today was one of my young granddaughters explaining Communion to
me, and my grandson taking my hand to walk up to take Communion at the second
service. Their progress and growth in Christ warms my heart.
Jan’s
thoughts:
Admittedly
part of the reason we enjoy visiting this church has to do with seeing family,
but this church is blessed in many ways. The sanctuary is comfortable and
inviting, the music is superb, the members are friendly toward us and each
other, and our family are being taught and nurtured here. Also, the coffee is
exceptional.
The
Advent series, Come Let Us Adore Him,
continued with part three, Worship Christ
the Lord. The pastor began by talking about the things we grow out of as we
grow up. He pointed out that when we reach Heaven we will have outgrown things
like confession of sin, since there will be no sin, and evangelism, since
everyone there will know Christ Face-to-face. An interesting concept I had not previously
considered.
He
stressed the one thing we will never outgrow, in Heaven or Earth, is worship,
and that worship, in fact, reflects what we will do in Heaven. Based on
Scripture from Revelation, he spoke of the scroll with seven seals and displayed
a photo of one. For me, seeing the photo helped me feel the weight of the worth
of the One Who is worthy to open the scroll.
He
pointed out that worship reflects our hearts, and we should aim to worship with
both humility and gratitude.
I
appreciated the readings from Revelation, I cherished the opportunity to
participate in Communion accompanied by our granddaughter, and my heart was
glad to see family and friends.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we are thankful for the way Your church is helping raise the children to know
and love You. Amen.
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