Who is worthy to open the scroll of history and eternity? In this message, we dive into Revelation 5 to witness the “Special Search” for the one worthy to loose the seven seals. While John wept when no one was found in heaven or earth, his tears were turned to joy at the revelation of the Lion of the tribe of Judah—the Root of David who has prevailed.
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Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll
written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
Revelation 5:2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy
to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”
Revelation 5:3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able
to open the scroll, or to look at it.
Revelation 5:4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and
read the scroll, or to look at it.
Revelation 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion
of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to
loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the
four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though
it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits
of God sent out into all the earth.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
So worship in eternity in heaven is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll
written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
Those great theologians the Eagles in their song “The Last Resort” sang:
And you can see them there on Sunday morning
Stand up and sing about what it’s like up there
They call it paradise, I don’t know why
You call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye
1. THE SPECIAL SEARCH FOR THE WORTHY ONE.
Revelation 5:2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy
to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”
Revelation 5:3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able
to open the scroll, or to look at it.
The person doing the saving can’t have the same problem as the one who needs
to be saved.
Revelation 5:4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and
read the scroll, or to look at it.
W. A. Criswell once wrote: “These tears of John represent the tears of all God’s
people through all the centuries.”
2. THE SPECIFIC SELECTION OF THE WORTHY ONE.
Revelation 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion
of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to
loose its seven seals.”
Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David,…
Jesus not only comes from David, but David comes from Him.
Matthew 22:45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?
Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the
churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
Revelation 5:5 “… the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to
open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:5 (NLT) “… 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.
3. THE SLAIN SACRIFICE KNOWN AS THE WORTHY ONE
Revelation 5:6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the
four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though
it had been slain, ,,,
Exodus 12:3 (EASY) Tell all the Israelite people to do this on the tenth day of this
month: Each man must choose a lamb to kill as a sacrifice for his family.
That will be one lamb for each home.
1 Corinthians 5:7 “… For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
The bridge of the song “Here I Am to Worship,” written by Tim Hughes
“I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross”
Revelation 5:6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the
four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though
it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Revelation 5:12 …”Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches
and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Next to John 3:16, Revelation 3:20 is perhaps the most famous evangelistic passage in the New Testament. It has been described as the simplest explanation of the plan of salvation in the Word of God. In this sermon, we explore the profound invitation of Jesus Christ to every individual.
Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace
from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who
are before His throne,
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead
and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from
our sins in His own blood,
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day …
Revelation 1:18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Revelation 2:8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says
the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Next to John 3:16, — Revelation 3:20 is perhaps the most famous evangelistic
passage of Scripture in the New Testament
This verse of Scripture has been described as “the simplest explanation of the plan
of salvation contained within the Word of God.”
1. WHOSE STANDING AT THE DOOR?
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door …
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
2. WHAT DOES THE DOOR REPRESENT?
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock ….
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (CJB) Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of
life’s consequences.
Proverbs 4:23 (GNT) Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.
There is an old hymn that includes these lines:
Somebody’s knocking at your door
Sounds like Jesus
Oh sinner why don’t you answer
Somebody’s knocking at your door.”
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God, to those who believe in His name:
3. WHO CAN LET HIM COME IN?
Revelation 3:20 “… If anyone … ”
Unbelief is never neutral
Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me …”
Matthew 13:58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Mark 6:5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a
few sick people and healed them.
Mark 6:6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages
in a circuit, teaching.
Mark 8:18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do
you not remember?
Someone said, “We repeated the words without thinking about what they meant.”
4. HOW DOES HE SEEK ENTRANCE INTO OUR DOOR?
Revelation 2:20 “… If anyone hears My voice and opens the door…”
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rita Coolidge said, “Too often the opportunity knocks, but by the time you disengage
the chain, push back the bolt, unhooked the two locks and shut off the burglar
alarms, it is too late.”
5. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I OPEN THE DOOR?
Revelation 3:20 “… I will come in to him,…”
The Christian life is defined as, “I in Christ and Christ in me.”
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live
by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Revelation 2:20 “… I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
With the Lord’s supper we dine with Him in remembrance of His sacrifice for us.
6. WILL WE HAVE TO OVERCOME OPPOSITION?
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
7. WHY DON’T YOU LET HIM COME IN?
Revelation 3:22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.'”
The “Hymn” “The Savior is Waiting” includes these lines:
The Savior is waiting to enter your heart
Why don’t you let Him come in
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart
What is your answer to Him
Time after time He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you’re willing to open the door
Oh how He wants to come in
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, …
This passage from Galatians 1:1-5 highlights Paul’s apostleship, his message of grace, and the mission of Christ to redeem sinners. It emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work on the cross, rejecting any addition of human effort to salvation. The text outlines the themes of ministry, message, mission, and motive, pointing to God’s glory and the transformative power of the gospel. Supporting Scriptures from Corinthians, Psalms, Matthew, John, and Titus further reinforce the doctrines of grace, redemption, and God’s sovereignty.
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Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus
Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Galatians 1:2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present
evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Don’t add anything to the finished work of the Cross of Christ
It’s not Christ plus…
Christ plus my performance…
Christ plus my good works…
Christ plus the meetings…
Christ plus holy communion,
Christ plus keeping away from bad things…
Christ plus doing good things…
Christ plus baptism, christening …
Christ plus baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues …
Christ plus church membership, church confirmations …
Christ plus denominations …
Christ plus the sacraments …
1) ONE MAN’S MINISTRY: GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES.
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus
Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy
to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his
special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than
any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me
by his grace.
Galatians 1:2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
2) ONE MAN’S MESSAGE: GRACE OF GOD.
Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
3) ONE MAN’S MISSION: GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present
evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Matthew 12:29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods,
unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill destroy; I have come that they
might have life, and have it to the full.”
1) It meant a transfer from darkness to light.
2) It meant a transfer from slavery to freedom.
3) It meant a transfer from condemnation to forgiveness.
4) It meant a transfer from the power of Satan to the power of God.
Psalm 22:4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them.
Psalm 22:5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were
not ashamed.
4) ONE MAN’S MOTIVE: GLORY OF GOD.
Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God.
Hymn “To God Be The Glory”
To God be the glory great things He has done
So loved He the world that He gave us His son
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in
Max Lucado (quote)
“You may be decent. You may pay taxes and kiss your kids and sleep with a clean
conscience. But apart from Christ you aren’t holy. So how can you go to heaven?
Only believe. Accept the work already done, the work of Jesus on the cross.
Only believe . . . It’s that simple? It’s that simple. It’s that easy?
There was nothing easy at all about it. The cross was heavy, the blood was real,
and the price was extravagant. It would have bankrupted you or me, so he paid
it for us. Call it simple. Call it a gift. But don’t call it easy. Call it what it is.
Call it grace.”
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
In this insightful sermon on “God’s Guiding Principles for Gray Areas (Part 2)”, we explore biblical wisdom from Romans 14 and other scriptures about making decisions in morally ambiguous situations. Drawing from Paul’s teachings, we examine 7 key questions to guide our choices: Will it direct or detour us? Build up or tear down? Help or hinder? Free or enslave? Free or violate our conscience? Lead us by faith or feelings? Lift up or weigh down? Learn practical biblical principles for navigating life’s complex moral decisions while respecting others’ convictions and maintaining spiritual freedom. Perfect for Christians seeking wisdom in decision-making and understanding biblical perspectives on personal convictions. Based on Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23, Galatians 5:16, and Hebrews 12:1.
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Romans 14:1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over
doubtful things.
Romans 14:2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats
only vegetables.
Romans 14:3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not
him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he
stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him
stand.
Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every
day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind..
1. WILL THIS DIRECT ME OR DETOUR ME?
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient;
2. WILL THIS BUILD ME UP OR TEAR ME DOWN?
1 Corinthians 10:23 “… all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
3. WILL THIS HELP ME OR HINDER ME?
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful ….
4. WILL THIS FREE ME OR ENSLAVE ME?
1 Corinthians 6:12 … All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under
the power of any.
Romans 14:1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over
doubtful things.
Romans 14:1 (GWT) Welcome people who are weak in faith, but don’t get into an
argument over differences of opinion.
Romans 14:2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats
only vegetables.
Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every
day alike.
Romans 14:3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not
him who does not eat judge him who eats ….
Romans 14:3 … for God has received him.
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he
stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him
stand.
5. WILL THIS FREE MY CONSCIENCE OR VIOLATE MY CONSCIENCE?
Romans 14:5 “… Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.”
Romans 14:5 (PHILLIPS) Let every one be definite in his own convictions.
Romans 14:5 (GWT) Every person must make his own decision.
Romans 14:5 (MSG) So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.
Romans 14:5 (TLB) On questions of this kind everyone must decide for himself.
Romans 14:5 (VOICE) In these matters, all must reach their own conclusions
and satisfy their own minds.
Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by
which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
The is not just “Would it hurt you?”
The question is also “Will it hurt somebody else?”
Romans 14:22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God …
Romans 14:22 (NLT) You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing,
but keep it between yourself and God…
In other words, don’t impose your beliefs in gray areas on other people.
Some things are wrong for you that are right for others.
And some things are right for you that are wrong for others.
6. WILL I LIVE BY FAITH OR BY FEELINGS?
Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned … for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Galatians 5:16 “… Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh..
We don’t pray because we are trying to change God.
We pray because we are trying to change ourselves..
7. WILL THIS LIFT ME UP OR WEIGH ME DOWN?
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1 (TLB) “… let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back,
Hebrews 12:1 (VOICE) “… ‘let us drop every extra weight
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) “… let us lay aside … the sin which doth so easily beset us …”
Hebrews 12:1 (CEV) “… especially the sin that just won’t let go
Hebrews 12:1 (GNT) “… the sin which holds on to us so tightly
Hebrews 12:1 (NET) “… the sin that clings so closely
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) “… especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress
Hebrews 12:1 (TLB) “… especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around
our feet and trip us up
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us.
In this sermon, “God’s Guiding Principles for Gray Areas,” we explore the biblical wisdom that challenges the idea that “all things are lawful.” Drawing from scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 10:23 and 6:12, Proverbs 4:7, Romans 15, and Galatians 5, we learn that while many choices may be allowed, not every decision leads to growth, edification, or freedom.
Key questions guide our reflection:
Will This Direct Me or Detour Me?
Discover how to choose paths that lead to constructive outcomes rather than distractions.
Will This Build Me Up or Tear Me Down?
Understand the importance of actions that edify and strengthen not just ourselves, but the community around us.
Will This Help Me or Hinder Me?
Evaluate whether our choices contribute to our well-being or become stumbling blocks in our journey.
Will This Free Me or Enslave Me?
Learn that true freedom is not about indulging every desire but about living under God’s guidance, avoiding the chains of sin and unhealthy habits.
We also address modern challenges—from lifestyle and health issues to societal trends—that echo the timeless struggle between liberty and bondage. Join us as we unpack how living with wisdom and moderation not only honors God but also transforms our lives, ensuring that our freedom truly sets us free.
Tune in to discover a biblical blueprint for making choices that lead to a healthier, more fulfilling life in Christ!
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1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient;
all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.
All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your
getting, get understanding.
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me …
All things are lawful for me …
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me …
all things are lawful for me …
1 Corinthians 6:12 (TLB) I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no …”
All things not unlawful are lawful to me.
1. WILL THIS DIRECT ME OR DETOUR ME?
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient;
2. WILL THIS BUILD ME UP OR TEAR ME DOWN?
1 Corinthians 10:23 “… all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
1 Corinthians 10:23 (AMP) All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive…
1 Corinthians 10:23 (VOICE) “All things are permitted,” they say. Yes, but not all
things build up and strengthen others in the body.
Romans 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
Romans 15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself;…
The world tears down, so the church better build up.
1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, …
Let all things be done for edification. ’
3. WILL THIS HELP ME OR HINDER ME?
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful ….
Psalm 37:21 The wicked borrows and does not repay
Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,
or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
4. WILL THIS FREE ME OR ENSLAVE ME?
1 Corinthians 6:12 … All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under
the power of any.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (PHILLIPS) I may do everything, but I must not be a slave of anything.
We are the sickiest country in the world.
In 1960, 6% of Americans had chronic disease, today 60% do.
Our children are the sickest generation in American history.
Our kids have autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, obesity,
300% increase in diabetes
38% of teenagers are now prediabetic
We are on the verge of, at best, a health crisis and, at worst, a societal collapse
with 20% of GDP going to health expenditures.
Jesse Watters quote on The Five on 01/29/25
” I want to tell you a little story about Jimmy. So Jimmy wakes up in the morning
and both parents work, so they don’t have time to make him eggs, so he has
frosted flacks and fruit juice. So he goes to school and he is all hopped up on sugar
and he crashes. And then he does the school lunch program and he does grilled
cheese, cheetohs and cherry coke, so he is hopped up again then he crashes.
The people at the school tell the parents this kid must be bi-polar or ADHD so
you gotta medicate him. So he is medicated. Then he doesn’t do recess because
he is looking at his phone the whole time. And at the after school program he is inside.
Then he goes home and since his parents are helicopter parents, they don’t let
him outside to play in the neighborhood because they are worried about pedophiles.
So he goes inside and plops himself in front of the television until his parents
come home and they are too busy because they are back from work and so they
order ‘take out’ more fried food. And then he sits in front of his ipad before he
goes to sleep and he doesn’t get a good sleep because he has had screen time
all day, no sunlight and no exercise. And this cycle repeats itself for years until
he is single, suicidal, overmedicated, fat, sick, lonely and depressed.”
There are millions of Jimmys out there in this country who have been neglected,
preyed upon and they want to get healthy but they don’t have the knowledge,
the support system or the environment to make it happen.”
Philiippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (VOICE) So you say, “For me, all things are permitted.” Here’s my
response: I will not allow anything to control me.
John 8:32 (ESV) And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed
Galations 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not
submit again to a yoke of slavery
Freedom is not living independent of God, freedom is living dependent on God.
There is no freedom apart from God.
Galatians 5:13 (NLT) … Don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.
Galatians 5:13 (TLB) … You have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong
Galatians 5:13 (TMG) Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an
excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.
Kris Kristofferson quote:
Freedom is just another word for nothin’ left to lose.
Quote from the novel, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”
“And when nobody wakes you up in the morning. And when nobody waits for you
at night. And when you can do whatever you want. What do you call it? Freedom
or loneliness.”
The deceptive power of sin is so great that it makes it possible for a person to be
a slave to something and think they are free..”
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of
sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Romans 6:7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
