Soli Deo Gloria - part 6

Stand Up for Jesus

In this final part of our series, I would like to tie what we have looked at together, and then ask you a very simple question, “What is your role in the Kingdom of God?” We have been studying Scripture and looking at what the Bible teaches us about the local church from a larger perspective, but today, it is important that we end by moving to the heart of each person here today.

Review Time

To begin, let’s look at the four terms discussed:

Theology - what we believe about God and His work

We saw that all Scripture centers around the work of Christ. Both Old and New Testaments tell the grand story of humanity’s creation, fall, and redemption because of the work of God in Christ Jesus. Likewise, all our practice and belief should be rooted in the reality of the Incarnate Deity who walked among us, taught us, and laid down His life for us.

Ecclesiology - how we function as a local church

The general principles of unity and love should govern the local church. As a body of believers who gather each week, we must be united in purpose, mission and doctrine. Through this unity, we can be a blessing to our town and surrounding communities ultimately working toward the completion of the Great Commission—to make disciples of all nations.

Doxology - how we worship as a local church

From our theology and ecclesiology, we then can make the decision for how we should worship. But, more than just Sunday singing, we saw how authentic worship affects the whole life of the believer. We are called to sacrifice our own desires in favor of God’s desires. Our music, our offerings, our prayers, our acts of kindness, everything we do as a body of believers to worship our Lord should come from a pure motive to be a blessing to God, rather than seeking a blessing for ourselves.

Missiology - how we seek the lost as a local church

Last, we looked at the Missionary nature of God and the Church. Again, coming out of our theology, we recognize that God wants the lost to be saved. We also see that God has designed humans to bear His image, and thus, we are His agents to tell the story of Christ who came to seek the lost. That mission has been passed down through the generations to us today who call Jesus ‘Lord’.

So, if these four aspects of the Church are working as they should, what does that look like? I believe it will be different for each individual local body, but the end-goal is the same for all of us. Turn with me to Revelation 7.

The End Matters

I began this series with the phrase ‘The End Matters’. Thankfully, John received a vision of what that end looks like. In Revelation 7:9-17, we get a glimpse.

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God

and serve him day and night in his temple;

and he who sits on the throne

will shelter them with his presence.

‘Never again will they hunger;

never again will they thirst.

The sun will not beat down on them,’

nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne

will be their shepherd;

‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’’

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:9-17

Now, we know the Lamb is Jesus Christ. Earlier, the supremacy of the Lamb was sung by those in heaven in 5:9-10:

“Worthy are you to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

Look at the theology at work, because Jesus is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” the One who was slain, and “by [His] blood ransomed people for God,” this multitude of people worship Him singing “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

The Truth of Christ drives the Church and should drive us.

Look again, who are all these people? Where did they come from? It is a great multitude “that no one could number.” And, they are from every nation, tribe, people and language. The unity that we fail to achieve on earth is made perfect in heaven. But, if we recognize our failings to achieve unity, that is not an excuse to continue in sin. Instead:

The unity of Heaven should inspire unity in our church.

As we continue down, notice in verses 11 & 12 who joins in the worship of this multitude. The angels, the elders, and the four living creatures all join and sing saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Our worship here should reflect and inspire heavenly worship.

Now, some may ask, “How in the world are we supposed to inspire heaven to worship? They’re already in heaven!” I’m glad you asked.

Jesus told us,

“Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” - Luke 15:10

Worship should draw our hearts to God. When we are drawn to God, the first thing that will happen is the sin that we flaunt and the sin that we hide, is brought to light. Then, we must beg for forgiveness in the light of God’s glory, or we must flee His presence. Now, many quote this verse with the idea that every time a lost person comes to Christ, the angels rejoice. No doubt this is true. But look at what He said “one sinner who repents.” I believe the angels also rejoice every time one cantankerous Christian who has forgotten his first love repents of his sin. I believe that when a church who is facing extinction, because of their lack of repentance, turns to the face of Jesus Christ,

begs for forgiveness, and rejoices in the eternal life they have been given,

seeking unity rather than division,

love instead of bitterness,

And looks with sympathy and compassion for the lost world around them, rather than resting in their own lazy version of faith,

The angels rejoice!

So, let the Truth of Christ be what drives us, what unites us, the reason why we worship, and let it be what inspires our evangelism with our lost friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family who desperately need to know Jesus died for their soul, too.

“What is your role in the Kingdom of God?”

Before we close, I would like to point out one more detail in our passage. Look closely at verse 15. Typically, people gloss over 15, because they are excited about verse 16 and 17, and rightly so—but look. This multitude who have washed their robes making them white by the blood of the Lamb, “are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple.”

What’s this? People have jobs in heaven?!? YES!

The Church has been plagued by this false belief that people in heaven just sit on clouds playing a harp, or they float around in some garden of earthly delights. But, what we miss is that each person in heaven has a job to do. They serve the Lord in His temple. Now, later, we read that the Lord’s Temple becomes the new heaven and new earth which are joined together, but the fact still stands:

We will have some type of work to do in heaven.

If that bothers you, remember the alternative is to sit lazily in hell. There is not much to do in a lake of torturous fire, so, no, no jobs for those spending eternity in punishment.

We should also keep in mind that even before the Fall, Adam was given a job. He was to be the gardener. So, let me ask you this:

If there was work to do in the paradise of Eden, and there is work to do in the paradise of Heaven, what does that say for right now on Earth?

If we, as a local body of believers, are called to give glory to God in all that we do, and reflect the transformed life that we will experience in heaven, then what does that say for us now in this local church?

We have work to do here and now.

I know many of you will reply, “Yes, it’s a job. Leave me alone.” I know you have a job, but I don’t mean just your job. Whatever we do, we are to do unto the Lord (Col 3:23). So, yes, your 9-5, or dusk to dawn, job is part of what God has called you to do here on earth. But, when we look at the local church, each one of us also has a role to fulfill.

Every member of the local church has a role to fill.

So what is your role in the Kingdom of Heaven?

Is it related to theology? Should you be teaching a group, encouraging those who do, serving alongside, or leading a group to engage with others?

Is it related to ecclesiology? Should you be encouraging unity, maintaining the physical campus, helping with administrative tasks, or serving on a team?

Is it related to doxology? Should you be in the choir, playing an instrument, giving your testimony, running the technology or performing some other act of worship?

Is it related to missiology? Should you join with a group of believers planning and actively engaging with the lost? Perhaps you could help a group within the church to actively engage during community events to tell people about Christ and what He is doing at Chilhowee Baptist?

Whatever your role is, I guarantee you it is not sitting back while everyone else does the work. Each believer is given gifts and talents which God calls them to use for His glory and to build His Kingdom.