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Giving Adoration to the Lamb
“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (v. 12).
Here and now, even before we arrive at that moment, we are overwhelmed. This Lamb is worthy! Through the corridors of time humanity has worshipped at the feet of the unworthy. And, as God warns, “they followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves” (Jeremiah 2:5).
Our Redeemer is worthy! He humbly condescended to become one of us, to be our Kinsman. He alone was sinless and thus qualified as the spotless, innocent Lamb of God. He paid the price no one else could pay; He satisfied the just demands of the holy God and rose triumphant over mankind’s terrifying enemies - sin, death and hell. He is worthy!
Did you notice the “loud voice”? It actually means shouted! Could it be that this angel will begin in clear, dignified, resonant tones, but in the awesome presence of our mighty and glorious Redeemer he is captured and conquered by wonder and his angelic voice will crescendo in uncontrollable adoration, “Worthy is the Lamb…!!!”
For all eternity, we will be endlessly overwhelmed and worship with unashamed abandon our worthy Redeemer.
Don’t you think we should begin such worship now? (Phillip Gumbs)
This devotional is the Sunday, July 10, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
Update your prayer list and pray over your list
One of the easiest ways to develop community in your class is to take some time to ask students about their concerns and needs. Not only does this allow your students to share with one another about their lives, it also helps you as a teacher know how to speak to their needs from God's Word. If you have committed to praying daily for your students, this time also allows you to update your prayer list with new requests and answers.
One of our Sunday school teachers has an admirable method for class prayer. Every week, he brings a half-sheet of paper for each student with a list of prayer requests his class has been praying for, as well as recent answers to prayer. The class takes time to read through the list, add requests, and pray for the needs. As a result these prayer requests are not forgotten immediately after the brief time of prayer, but this list can guide the students' prayers throughout the week.
Questions you may want to consider include:
- How long should you take for prayer during the typical class period?
- How will you track ongoing prayer requests and answers?
- How can you ensure an appropriate level of privacy/confidentiality?
Our Worthy Redeemer
Lesson 6 - July 10, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 5:1-14
Central Truth: Christ is worthy to receive all honor and praise in heaven and in earth.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify various ways we can honor Christ as our Redeemer.
Lesson Outline:
- The Sealed Book (Revelation 5:1-4)
- The Worthy Lamb (Revelation 5:5-7)
- The Praise of the Redeemed (Revelation 5:8-14)
Happy Independence Day!
Let us thank God today for the freedoms our country enjoys and ask again that God bless America!
Prayer – Lesson 5, A Vision of God's Throne
Heavenly Father, as our classes today study about the revelation of Your throne in Heaven, help our students to reexamine their lives to see if You occupy the throne of their lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The King of Glory
“Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory” (v. 10).
Cassius Marcellus Clay, one of our nation’s boxers of renown, said of himself, "It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am." Athletes are not the only segment of society that hold high opinions of themselves or are worshiped by people who do. A singer who was popular in the 60's was and still is referred to as the King. Both boxer and singer reveled in the adulation given them. But their fame does not begin to compare to that of the King of glory! In that comparison, all the praise, honor, and fame of man’s history would look like a teardrop compared to the world’s oceans.
Who is the King of glory? He is the Lord of hosts. Is He only Lord over the angels of heaven? No. More. He is the Creator and Sustainer of this tiny terrestrial ball called Earth, but He keeps all the orbits of the planets in proper alignment so as to compliment and keep this world functioning. He is the designer of every atom of every living thing. But more than that – He so loved that He planned and executed His redemptive purpose to allow us to be in right relationship with Him now and prepared to live in His house eternally. He is the King worthy of all glory! Amen and Amen! (Lonnie Witt)
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p style="text-align:center;font-style:italic;">“All the praise and all the glory,
Of earth’s most noted men
Pales before the splendor
Of the coming King of Kings.” (Gordon Snider)
This devotional is the Tuesday, June 28, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.