Why Am I Here?

My scripture this morning is found in Revelation 5:1-14

As I began meditating on what God would have me say to you this morning, I found myself coming back time and time again to the same theme. What would bring people out this early in the morning for a sunrise service? What would cause people to come and sit in this cold weather on these cold metal chairs? Who or what is worthy enough for this kind of devotion? Our scripture this morning tells us who is worthy of all of this and more. It tells us who is worthy and it also tells us why He is worthy.

. The Revelation given to John tells us why we are here this morning.

. 1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.

2And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”

3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

4Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.

5But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.

7He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.

8And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

9And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”

11Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.

12And they sang in a mighty chorus:“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

13And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne

and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

14And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

. John describes a scene in Heaven - a search for someone who was worthy to begin the process of the final judgment.  He looked around and saw no one worthy of this honor. 

Then one of the Elders told him to look, The Lion of The Tribe of Judah was worthy. The one who had been sacrificed for the sin of all mankind. Jesus Christ was worthy. He was the only one in all of heaven, earth and under the earth who was worthy to start this process.  He was the only one worthy of the praise and honor that they gave Him afterword.

They wrote songs about Him and sang them just like we did this morning.  They praised what He had done for mankind and they worshiped Him.  Just like we are doing here this morning.  He was the only one that they would do this for.   Jesus is the only one that we will do this for.  We are here this morning to praise and honor and remember what Jesus Christ did for us.

Let me remind you again of why we are here this morning.  On Friday of what we call Passion Week, Jesus was crucified on a cross.  He died on that cross for the sins of all mankind. God had always required the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sin.  Jesus voluntarily placed Himself on that cross so that He could die for you and for me.  He told us that if we accept this sacrifice that our sins will be forgiven and we will be seen as righteous by God.  We will be in a right relationship with God.

 He was taken off that cross and buried. He was dead.  He was dead and buried and everybody thought that it was over.  Jesus had been a great teacher. An exceptional Rabbi but now He was dead.  All of His followers were confused. What do we do now.  On Sunday…today,  though all that changed.  What happened today changed the course of mankind.  You see, today, Jesus Christ came out of that tomb.

The women who loved Jesus went to anoint His body and they found that the tomb was no longer sealed and that Jesus’ body was gone.  Angels appeared to them and told them that they shouldn’t be looking for Jesus there. They told them that Jesus had risen from the dead and that they should go and tell His disciples that He would meet them in Galilee.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus appeared to over 500 of His disciples after the resurrection.  He did this so that we would believe that He had risen because of the witness of so many people.  He’s alive, I’m sure the women told the men when they saw them.  He’s alive, I’m sure Peter and John cried out when they saw the other apostles.  He’s alive I’m sure all the others who saw Jesus cried out when they saw Him

Folks we are here this morning in the cold because He is worthy of our honor and our praise.  He is worthy of this small sacrifice of comfort.  Why?  Why?  Because He Is Alive this morning.  Celebrate with me this morning…..my Jesus is alive this morning.