Rev. D. Johns ... Sunday June 10 2012 ... PILLARS - WORSHIP ...   Revelation chapters 4 & 5 ... Introduction: ... 1. Describe a time/experience when you really knew for sure you were in worship mode 2. Don't get sidetracked in the details of Revelation, examining every image - this train is rolling into the land of worship today!  3. Where's your focus? can't be on self if you're going to be involved in worship, witness and nurture ... 1. Worship is like Divine Theatre Ramsey Michaels = "what started as a heavenly tableau becomes a scene of active worship" popular book: Worship is a Verb descriptive, stationary, beautiful to look at OR participatory, energetic, sensory, engaging, expressive, a large cast from all nations = comes alive from 4:5 the verbs are in the present tense 4:8 = "day & night" = without rest or interruption ... "never stop saying" ... in the new heaven/new earth/coming kingdom = NO DISTRACTIONS! Ramsey Michaels = "John manages to convey a sense of something still going on heaven even as we read today" 2. Worship is not Limited by Location island of Patmos - exile, would normally discourage yet John enters into intense worship ... like Jesus in John chapter 4 * worship in churches, camps, on the beach 3. Worship transforms a dispirited, disheartened and persecuted church ... 4. The circle of worship expands - all creation is included (the lessons of Psalm 148, 150) ... 5. The spotlight rests on the central character: THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN, WHO SITS ON THE THRONE ... Throne = authority to rule & reign, a symbol of honor & power & dignity, elevated (high & lifted up) the document with 7 seals could be a symbol of the perfect coming kingdom - but no one is found in heaven or earth who has the credentials/authority to open the document ... like a testament/will/master plan - long ago determined - now to be revealed and executed - who is the legal executor? Don't worry 5:4, don't weep, there IS one who can 'step up' and meet the challenge ** his resume shows why:  a) WHO HE IS!  5:5 Lion of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10) + Root of David (Isaiah 11:10, Revelation 22:10) = Messiah    .... the Jewish Messiah is the Christian Messiah ... both Lion & Lamb! b) WHAT HE'S DONE!  5:5 Triumphed   5:9 Redemptive Death    5:10 Established a church of worshipers Conclusion: Open Door Invitation 4:1 (3:19) Lay your crowns down 4:10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rev. Doug Johns ... Sunday June 17 2012 ... Pillar  #2 WITNESS ...

Introduction: 1. pillars hold the place up ... example; masts from ships, brought up from bottom of St. Lawrence River in First Presbyterian Brockville Ontario 2. spotlight - what is the focus on - not me! ... worship = God; witness = those outside the church; nurture = those inside the church 3. illustration #3 - lifeguard party celebrating no drowning summer 4. who was the primary spiritual influence in your life? who witnessed to you? 5. the church will quickly die if no one take the initiative to witness ... following Jesus is about encountering people as he did - and it's going to look and feel weird   illustration #1 mouth to mouth on pet iguana Jesus is all about people - people on the edge, people in need, people outside the religious elite & establishment * if you think the poor & weak & brokenhearted aren't residing in your daily orbit of influence - take another look! * we may not have clinically diagnosed lepers next to us, BUT we do have sick, lonely, poor, shunned * Jesus purposefully crossed barriers of class, race, religion, gender, geography, age GOOD SAMARITAN = CROSSING THE ROAD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE it will be inconvenient, uncomfortable (illustration #2 get close to cannibals), risky, costly (illustration #5 lighted globe costs more) But it is really of no consequence - the witnessing must get done! .... here's why: Look at Luke 24:44-49 Because we have ... - met with the risen Lord - understood the Scriptures to be true - been called to obey THE GREAT COMMISSION - received the powerful Holy Spirit - received his blessing  - worshiped with great joy ...WE WILL WITNESS! But let's introduce a new concept into the discussion: for extra motivation Mother Teresa = "We need the poor more than the poor need us."   *** as we move into the circles of witness, we will find energy & fulfillment & maturity! The Dare: just try to prove Mother Teresa a liar! Here's what we communicate: 1 John 1:1-7, Luke 24:44-49, Matthew 28:16-20 Proclaiming repentance involves explaining what God is looking for in people - CONVICTION + CONTRITION + CONFESSION + CHANGE Proclaiming forgiveness involves explaining what God has done by the cleansing blood of Jesus Conclusion: 1. like the Good Samaritan, we must have the proper ATTITUDE ... we must be AWARE .... we must take ACTION 2. it is time to recover our nerve and renew our passion and remember the mission and release the power 3. it is time to be intentional - train & target 4. prayerful & patient - example of Yvonne coming to faith through Sandy praying & inviting for 5 years illustration #4 saints in circulation 

illustrations: 1. mouth to mouth on pet iguana page 62 Humor for Preaching & Teaching, Baker Books, Christianity Today 1996 2. missions to cannibals - getting close  page 118 Humor for Preaching & Teaching, Baker Books, Christianity Today 1996 3. life-guarding party celebrating season of 'no drowning' summer  4. saints in circulation -#771 1001 More Humorous Illustrations For Public Speaking, Michael Hodgin,  Zondervan 1998 5. globes, a lighted world costs more - page 183 More Perfect Illustrations