Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC

Revelation 4:6-11
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
    who was and is and is to come!”

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they existed and were created.” 

One of the greatest memories I had in college was the opportunity to attend a football game between my alma mater Louisiana Tech and Texas A&M in Shreveport, Louisiana. The game was highly publicized due to there being several future pro football players on both teams. It was a back and forth game with Texas A&M winning 59-57. Perhaps the most amazing part of the whole night was how electric the crowd was there. The whole stadium was full of screaming fans hollering for one of those two teams. I could barely hear what my friend next to me was saying because of how loud it was. There were college students painted up in their team’s colors running around the bleachers. When a big play happened whole sections of the crowd would go into a frenzy. It was wild. As I think back to that time all I can think about is for many of those who were there it was more than a football game— it was a worship service.

Now there is nothing wrong with enjoying sports or other hobbies which you may find interesting. I am an avid sports fan and love cheering for my prospective teams (Go Cowboys). The issue arises when you choose to make an idol out of those things. In Revelation 4 John the Revelator gives us a great picture of worship and ultimately Who to ascribe worship to as a follower of Christ. He speaks of the vision the Lord gave Him of angels and the elders gathering around His throne to worship Him constantly. What a picture! The reality is that our Lord alone deserves ALL honor and glory for who He is and what He has done for us.

For us in our flesh we can easily replace God as the center of our worship with people, items, hobbies, etc. In doing so we are removing Him from His rightful place as the SOLE object of our worship, and instead choosing to live in idolatry. Here is the truth today- Jesus Christ is the only One who is worthy of all of our worship. He is the One who satisfies (Psalm 107:9). He is the One who is an anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19). He is the One who is with us in every season of life (Isaiah 41:10). He is the One who loves us, who saved us, and who sustains us! He is faithful. The gifts you have been given should not take the worship from the Giver of those gifts- Jesus Christ.

So this morning as you ponder on this imagery John gives pertaining to Christ and worship, is there anything in your life that you are allowing to have your worship other than Christ? What idols do you need to set aside so that you are able to sing Holy, Holy, Holy to the Lord God Almighty? May we always choose to give God all of our worship because He is the only One worthy of it!

SONG OF WORSHIP FOR TODAY: Revelation Song

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father Lord, You indeed are worthy of our worship! I worship You today. Reveal anything in my life that has become an idol. I lay it down today and choose to worship You alone! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Psalm 13:6
I will sing to the Lord,
    because he has dealt bountifully with me.