Slain Yet Standing: The Lamb, Resurrection, and Promise

Apr 04, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Climax of God's Story on Earth

We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as the pivotal moment in history. This event is the climax of the Old Testament narrative, the fulfillment of every promise and prophecy. Everything in the scriptures pointed to this victory over death. It is the foundation of our faith and the source of our hope. In this act, Jesus destroyed the power of death itself. [37:42]

“But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:24 NIV)

Reflection: As you reflect on the Easter story, what does the truth that death could not hold Jesus mean for your own fears and anxieties about mortality?

Day 2: The Eternal Plan of a Self-Giving God

God's plan for redemption was not a reaction to human failure but a revelation of His eternal, loving character. From before the creation of the world, God's nature was one of self-giving love, willing to offer Himself for the sake of His creation. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament was a foreshadowing of this ultimate expression of love. We are invited into a journey to experience this profound love. [41:38]

“He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:20 NIV)

Reflection: How does understanding that God's sacrifice was planned from eternity, not just as a response to sin, change the way you perceive His love for you?

Day 3: The Paradox of Our Savior: Lion and Lamb

Jesus Christ is presented to us in Scripture through beautiful paradoxes. He is both the powerful Lion of Judah, a king with all authority, and the gentle Lamb of God, a suffering servant who was led silently to the slaughter. These images are not contradictions but complementary truths that reveal the depth of His character and the nature of His victory. [46:35]

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7 NIV)

Reflection: Which aspect of Jesus' character—the powerful Lion or the sacrificial Lamb—do you need to embrace more fully in your current circumstances, and why?

Day 4: The Lamb, Slain Yet Standing, is Worthy

The vision in Revelation reveals the crucified and risen Jesus as the central figure of heaven. He appears as a Lamb, bearing the marks of having been slain, yet He is standing—fully alive and victorious. This is the climax of the Easter story: death was not the end. Because of His sacrifice and victory, He alone is found worthy to unlock God's ultimate purposes. [52:17]

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne... He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.” (Revelation 5:6a, 7 NIV)

Reflection: What does it mean for you personally that the one who rules heaven bears the wounds of His sacrifice for you?

Day 5: Living as a Rescued People in Promise

The story did not end with the empty tomb. Jesus ascended and sent His Spirit to live within us, making His presence a daily reality. We now live as a rescued people, yet we still live in a period of promise, awaiting the final climax when Jesus will return and make all things new. We are called to delight in God and do good works as we wait. [38:14]

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)

Reflection: In what practical way can you live today as a witness to the resurrection power of Jesus that is at work within you?

Sermon Summary

Easter arrives as a clear proclamation: Jesus rose from the grave, and this event anchors the cycle of Christian holy days that point to God’s redemptive work. The narrative traces the ancient rhythms of Passover and Atonement, showing how sacrificial lambs and ritual memory foreshadow the greater lamb whose death and life reframe covenant and rescue. Scripture presents that lamb as central to an eternal plan of love—God’s self-giving purpose existed before creation and intended restoration from the start. Human creation aimed for flourishing, stewardship, and communion with God, but a rebellion introduced death and distortion; the promised human seed would break that power and restore the good life.

The resurrection stands as the decisive earthly triumph over death: death could not hold the author of life, and the sting of death lost power in the rising. Yet resurrection on one Sunday does not finish the story; ascension and the sending of the Spirit extend the victory into life now, while the final renewal of creation still awaits. Revelation supplies a vision that widens perspective: John sees a brilliant throne room, the worship of the Creator, and a sealed scroll containing God’s comprehensive purposes. No power in heaven or earth can open that scroll until the one both lion and lamb appears.

That appearing surprises expectation. The one worthy to enact God’s final purposes combines paradoxes of royalty and suffering: the root of David and the lion of Judah stand revealed as a lamb that looks slain yet stands enthroned. This slain-yet-living Lamb opens the scroll, exercises authority, and calls humanity back into reconciliation. The crucified Lamb’s forgiveness and exaltation frame an invitation: return to the intended life of abundance, accept God’s mercy, and respond to the One who humbled himself and now reigns. The risen, reigning Lamb remains present through the Spirit and promises a consummation when God completes the new creation.

Key Takeaways

1. Resurrection is triumph, not endpoint Resurrection conquers death’s power and inaugurates a renewed economy of God’s rule, yet it propels a trajectory rather than a terminus. The risen life issues in ascension and the sending of the Spirit, which enable present participation in God’s reign while the ultimate renewal still lies ahead. This keeps hope both immediate and forward-facing: believers live by the reality of resurrection now and await its consummation in the new creation. [38:58]
2. The Lamb embodies paradoxical kingship God’s chosen Savior appears as both lion and lamb—sovereign authority expressed through suffering and service. This paradox rejects simplistic power and reframes victory as humble obedience that defeats evil without replicating its brutality. Worship in the throne room centers on a ruler who wins by laying down life, demanding a response that values humility over domination. [52:30]
3. Redemption precedes creation itself Divine love planned and provided redemption before time began; the lamb appears “slain from the creation of the world” as an eternal expression of covenantal intention. This means sacrifice does not react to failure but reveals God’s consistent character and purpose. Living in that truth changes devotion: trust a God whose remedy predates the problem. [40:18]
4. Worthy Lamb opens God’s purposes A sealed scroll holds the history and destiny of creation, and only the Lamb proves worthy to open it—demonstrating authority rooted in sacrificial love. That act signals victory over hostile powers and the inauguration of God’s irreversible plan for restoration. Personal response matters: the Lamb’s worthiness summons confession, trust, and a life redirected toward God’s reign. [53:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:38] - Easter proclamation: Jesus is risen
[34:52] - Christian holy days and rhythm
[35:11] - Passover and atonement foreshadowing
[36:37] - Death defeated; author of life
[38:58] - Resurrection’s place in God’s story
[40:18] - The Lamb slain from creation
[47:06] - Revelation: throne-room vision
[51:34] - The slain Lamb opens the scroll
[54:03] - Forgiveness, response, and invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Revelation 5:1-14 (NIV)
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Observation questions

What was the initial reaction in heaven when no one was found worthy to open the scroll?
What two titles are used to describe the one who is worthy to open the scroll?
What was surprising about the appearance of the one who was worthy?
According to the new song, what was the specific reason given for the Lamb's worthiness?

Interpretation questions

The scroll represents God's comprehensive purposes for history. Why is it significant that only the slain-yet-living Lamb is worthy to open it?
The sermon states that "redemption precedes creation itself" and that the Lamb was slain from the creation of the world [40:18]. How does this truth change our understanding of God's character and His plan for humanity?
The sermon describes the Lamb's kingship as a paradox of "royalty and suffering." How does this vision of a slain Lamb standing in victory challenge common worldly ideas about power and authority?
The sermon explains that the resurrection is a triumph, not an endpoint, and that "the risen life issues in ascension and the sending of the Spirit" [38:58]. How does this truth shape the Christian's present experience and future hope?

Application questions

The Lamb is declared worthy because of His sacrificial love. In what practical ways can a person demonstrate that they value this kind of humble, self-giving love over worldly power and domination?
The Lamb's victory is described as a trajectory rather than a terminus, meaning we live in the reality of the resurrection now while awaiting its consummation. How does this "already but not yet" tension affect the way you face suffering, disappointment, and the brokenness in the world today?
The sermon states that "the Lamb’s worthiness summons confession, trust, and a life redirected toward God’s reign." If the Lamb's sacrifice was God's plan from the very beginning, how might this truth impact a person's ability to trust God with their past, present, and future?
The vision in Revelation ends with all of creation worshiping the Lamb. The sermon calls this an "invitation: return to the intended life of abundance, accept God’s mercy, and respond to the One who humbled himself and now reigns." What would it look like this week to consciously accept this invitation and respond to the reigning Lamb in a specific area of your life?
The sermon mentions that the secret underground work of God's love is at work throughout the world, even in places like North Korea, Gaza, and Ukraine [43:53]. How can the reality of the Lamb's victory and ultimate authority empower a person to "delight in God regardless of their circumstances"?

Sermon Clips

38s

#HumbledThenExalted

“What is your response? To this one who humbled himself and through his humbling was rewarded with with complete humiliation. He humbled himself, and the world humiliated him. God raised him up where he is enthroned. This is your God. This is your Lord. What will you do with him?”

27s

#WorthyLamb

“The lamb of God is worthy to open the seal. The lamb of God is worthy to receive all glory and honor and power and adoration. This lamb died for our sins, remembered on Good Friday. This lamb was buried and placed in a grave. This lamb had done nothing wrong. This lamb died for us so that we might become right with God.”

20s

#SlainYetStanding

“The lamb did not stay dead. The lamb is standing in the throne and being worshiped, encircled. It looked as if it's being killed, and yet it isn't. Here's the lion of Judah, the root of David, the lamb of God, slain yet standing.”

49s

#CreatedForAbundance

“Humans were created to enjoy this abundance, wholeness, and wellness in harmonious relationships with themselves, with god, with one another, with creation. As we often have said from this pulpit, a good god created a good world for good people to enjoy god and to do good works. Works of graciousness, works of delight, works of kindness, works of greatness and generosity, of unity, of bringing together a harmonious world. It's not the world we live in today, but the secret underground work of the love of God is at work throughout the world.”

27s

#ForgivenessForAll

“This lamb forgives. Father, forgive them, he said, for they don't know what they do. This forgiveness is open to you today. This is a powerful illustration of God's love for us when he provided a way for us to come back into relationship with him so that we could experience again the good life that God has promised, life abundant.”

28s

#SevenSealsMystery

“And here is this fabulous scroll with seven seals on, And they're looking around. Who can open this? Who can open this? And we have now a picture beyond the Easter story from the beginning of time to the end of time. We have a picture now that focuses on the plans and purposes of God. But who can open the seal?”

28s

#ScrollOfGodsPlan

“And as I said, the scroll was of all the events, the plans, the purposes of God for creation from the beginning to the end into eternity. It was for all humanity. It was for the unseen realities of our world, the seen, the known, the unknown, the visible, the invisible, its forces and powers that were vying for the attentions of humans and tribes and nations.”

26s

#LambOnTheThrone

“And what do you expect? A strong, powerful, authoritative king to stand there, the one who can open it? And they look, and they see a lamb. It had been slain standing there. So here now you have this crucified lamb, and it is a slain lamb standing in this throne room.”

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