Revelation and Worship: Anchoring in God's Eternal Kingdom

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound themes of worship and revelation as illustrated in Daniel chapter 7. Living in a culture akin to Babylon, we are constantly challenged to determine where our worship truly lies. Daniel's visions, though strange and apocalyptic, reveal a deeper truth about the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and the eternal dominion of God's kingdom. The four beasts in Daniel's vision represent earthly powers that rise and fall, but the vision of the "Son of Man" coming to the "Ancient of Days" signifies the everlasting kingdom of God, which will not be destroyed.

The core of our existence is to worship God, yet humanity often misplaces its worship, leading to separation from God. This misplacement is evident in the history of Israel, who, despite being God's chosen people, turned to other gods, resulting in their exile to Babylon. This exile serves as a reminder that God sometimes allows us to experience the consequences of our misplaced worship to draw us back to Him.

Worship begins with a revelation—a divine perspective on our earthly circumstances. Daniel's revelation of God's eternal kingdom amidst the chaos of Babylon is a call for us to seek a personal revelation of Jesus. This revelation should lead to a repositioning of our lives, turning our focus and actions towards God in humility and repentance. Worship is not just a Sunday activity but a lifestyle that requires a redirection of our daily actions and thoughts towards God.

Ultimately, worship brings restoration. It connects us to God's eternal kingdom and brings healing to our lives and communities. In uncertain times, our worship should be anchored in the hope of God's unchanging kingdom. As we choose to worship God, we participate in His restorative work on earth, bringing His kingdom to bear in our lives and the world around us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Revelation as the Foundation of Worship: Worship begins with a revelation, a divine perspective on our earthly situation. This revelation is initiated by God and is essential for true worship. Without it, our worship lacks depth and direction. Seek a personal revelation of Jesus to transform your worship from mere information to a profound encounter with God. [51:53]

2. Repositioning Through Worship: A genuine revelation of God leads to a repositioning of our lives. It requires humility and repentance, turning our focus and actions towards God. This repositioning is not about pointing fingers at the world but recognizing our own need for God and aligning our lives with His will. [56:44]

3. Redirection in Daily Life: Worship is not confined to church services but is a lifestyle that requires a redirection of our daily actions and thoughts towards God. True worshipers live out their faith in spirit and truth, reflecting God's image in every aspect of their lives. [59:00]

4. The Temporary Nature of Earthly Kingdoms: Daniel's vision reminds us that earthly powers and systems are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal. Our worship should not be swayed by the transient nature of the world but anchored in the everlasting dominion of God. [52:28]

5. Restoration Through Worship: Worship brings restoration, connecting us to God's eternal kingdom and bringing healing to our lives and communities. In times of uncertainty, our worship should be anchored in the hope of God's unchanging kingdom, participating in His restorative work on earth. [01:03:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [38:23] - Introduction to Daniel's Vision
- [39:54] - The Four Beasts and the Little Horn
- [41:23] - The Son of Man and the Ancient of Days
- [42:51] - Understanding Apocalyptic Visions
- [44:06] - The Big Picture of Scripture
- [45:27] - The Gospel and Our Purpose
- [46:49] - Israel's Misplaced Worship
- [47:53] - Exile as a Call to True Worship
- [48:49] - Worship in the Book of Daniel
- [50:19] - The Question of Worship
- [51:53] - Revelation as the Foundation of Worship
- [56:44] - Repositioning Through Worship
- [59:00] - Redirection in Daily Life
- [01:03:34] - Restoration Through Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Daniel 7:7-18
- John 4:23
- Revelation 21:1-4

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Observation Questions:

1. In Daniel 7, what do the four beasts represent, and what is the significance of the "Son of Man" coming to the "Ancient of Days"? [41:23]

2. How does the sermon describe the reaction of Daniel to his visions, and what does this reveal about the nature of apocalyptic revelations? [42:51]

3. According to the sermon, what is the role of revelation in worship, and how does it differ from mere information? [51:53]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the temporary nature of earthly kingdoms compared to God's eternal kingdom? [52:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of revelation as a "heavenly perspective of your earthly situation" challenge or affirm your understanding of worship? [51:21]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that misplaced worship led to Israel's exile, and how might this apply to modern-day believers? [47:53]

3. How does the sermon interpret the role of worship in bringing restoration to individuals and communities? [01:03:34]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between worship and lifestyle, particularly in the context of living in a "Babylonian culture"? [59:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a personal revelation of Jesus. How did it impact your worship and daily life? If you haven't had such an experience, what steps can you take to seek one? [51:53]

2. Consider the areas in your life where you might be misplacing your worship. What practical steps can you take to redirect your worship towards God? [47:53]

3. How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine beyond Sunday services? Identify specific actions or habits that can help you live a lifestyle of worship. [59:00]

4. In what ways can you stand firm in your faith and take action in a culture that often opposes Christian values? What challenges do you anticipate, and how can you prepare for them? [01:01:55]

5. Think about a current situation in your life that feels chaotic or uncertain. How can anchoring your worship in the hope of God's eternal kingdom bring peace and restoration to that situation? [01:03:34]

6. Identify one area in your community or family where you see a need for restoration. How can your worship and actions contribute to healing and change in that area? [01:09:11]

7. Reflect on the idea that everything you do is an act of worship. How does this perspective influence your decisions and interactions with others? [01:02:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Revelation as the Foundation of Worship
Worship is deeply rooted in revelation, a divine insight that transforms our understanding of earthly circumstances. This revelation is not something we can manufacture; it is initiated by God and is essential for authentic worship. Without this divine perspective, our worship can become shallow and directionless. Seeking a personal revelation of Jesus is crucial, as it shifts our worship from mere information to a profound encounter with God. This encounter invites us to see beyond the chaos of our world and recognize the eternal kingdom of God, as illustrated in Daniel's vision. [51:53]

Daniel 2:20-22 (ESV): "Daniel answered and said: 'Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need a fresh revelation of Jesus? How can you position yourself to receive this revelation today?

Day 2: Repositioning Through Worship
A genuine revelation of God leads to a repositioning of our lives. This repositioning requires humility and repentance, turning our focus and actions towards God. It is not about pointing fingers at the world but recognizing our own need for God and aligning our lives with His will. This process involves a deep introspection and a willingness to change, acknowledging that we often misplace our worship. By repositioning ourselves, we align with God's eternal kingdom, moving away from the transient nature of earthly powers. [56:44]

James 4:8-10 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: In what ways have you misplaced your worship? What steps can you take today to realign your focus and actions towards God?

Day 3: Redirection in Daily Life
Worship is not confined to church services but is a lifestyle that requires a redirection of our daily actions and thoughts towards God. True worshipers live out their faith in spirit and truth, reflecting God's image in every aspect of their lives. This redirection involves a conscious effort to integrate worship into our daily routines, ensuring that our actions and thoughts are consistently aligned with God's will. It is about living a life that is a continuous act of worship, where every decision and action is a reflection of our devotion to God. [59:00]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine today? What specific actions can you take to ensure your life reflects God's image?

Day 4: The Temporary Nature of Earthly Kingdoms
Daniel's vision reminds us that earthly powers and systems are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal. Our worship should not be swayed by the transient nature of the world but anchored in the everlasting dominion of God. This understanding calls us to place our trust and hope in God's unchanging kingdom rather than the fleeting structures of the world. By doing so, we find stability and purpose, knowing that our worship is directed towards a kingdom that will not be destroyed. [52:28]

Hebrews 12:26-28 (ESV): "At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.' This phrase, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."

Reflection: What earthly powers or systems have you been placing your trust in? How can you shift your focus to anchor your worship in God's eternal kingdom?

Day 5: Restoration Through Worship
Worship brings restoration, connecting us to God's eternal kingdom and bringing healing to our lives and communities. In times of uncertainty, our worship should be anchored in the hope of God's unchanging kingdom, participating in His restorative work on earth. This restoration is not just personal but communal, as our worship influences and transforms the world around us. By choosing to worship God, we become active participants in His work of restoration, bringing His kingdom to bear in our lives and the world. [01:03:34]

Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Reflection: How can your worship contribute to the restoration of your community? What specific actions can you take to participate in God's restorative work today?

Quotes

1) "If you look at the overall picture, the big picture of scripture, let me tell you it's this: it's the gospel. It's the fact that there is a God who created everything including us and he created us for a purpose. What is that purpose? To reflect his image. What is reflecting his image? It is worship. So we were created to worship God but we chose to worship something other than God and because we chose to worship something other than God, it brought sin and brokenness and destruction and evil into the world. But more than that, it separated us from God who wants to be in relationship with us. And God loving us so much was not okay with this. So even though we worship something other than him, rebelled against him, went our own ways, did what we thought was right, God actively sought out to restore us back to relationship with him. How did he do this? Through his son Jesus Christ." [44:06] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "When you choose to worship God, he will preserve. And he will protect you. No matter what the situation you might be facing. Where is your worship? And then we see worship. From Babylon. From the king's perspectives. You know we see the king who has a dream. About a great statue. That represents his power. His might. He worshiped himself. And what happened to him? He went crazy. Was made like an animal. And was humbled. And then we see another king who saw a great tree. And thought. Oh this is all my power. All my might. And worshiped his own self. His power. And his might. And his earthly kingdom. What happened to him? He ended up dying." [49:18] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Worship starts with a revelation. Worship starts with a revelation. Worship starts with a revelation. And this is where we find ourselves back in Daniel chapter 7. And Like some of you are like hey you said you were going to explain it. You haven't explained it. I'm going to explain it to you. So imagine Daniel. He's living in Babylon. Following God. Honoring God. Still worshiping God. You have to imagine Daniel is like hey God when is this going to get better? I'm going to destroy Babylon and send me back to Jerusalem. God when is that going to happen? I love Daniel though. He worshiped no matter what. But God shows up to Daniel. And what we see in Daniel chapter 7. Is that God gives Daniel a revelation. Is that God gives Daniel a revelation. What is a revelation? A revelation is a heavenly perspective of your earthly situation." [51:21] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Worship requires a redirection. It's not just I'm turning and facing God, but no, now I'm walking and taking steps towards him. The patterns of my life are changing and I'm walking in a new direction. It requires a redirection. I love what Jesus says in John 4.23. He says, but the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father is the Lord, the Father is seeking such people to worship him. I love this. Worship goes beyond just us singing songs on Sunday because we could worship God in spirit together and have an amazing moment, but are you worshiping and are you living a lifestyle of worship Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, when you go home, when you're in the parking lot after this service and there's traffic and that person cuts you off, are we continuing to live, live a lifestyle of worship?" [59:00] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Everything you do is worship. The words you speak, the thoughts you think, the way you vote, the way you post, the conversations you have, all of it is worship. And either it's worshiping God as king or it's worshiping Babylon. Everything we do is worship. So what does the worship of your life point to? Does it point to Jesus? Does it point to him as king? Our life is worship. So let that action, let the way that you live be worship unto God. And lastly, this for worship brings restoration. And this is God's plan and purpose. When we worship God, he wants to be restored. He wants to be restored back into relationship with us." [01:02:25] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Our worship is not determined by our current circumstances. I want to say that again. Our worship is not determined by the here and now and how we feel. Our worship is anchored to our future hope. Our worship is anchored to a greater reality. I hope this doesn't offend you, but a few weeks ago, I was watching the movie Back to the Future. Anyone seen it? No? A few of you? Okay. Watching Back to the Future, and I'd seen it a bunch of times before, but I was watching like kind of the end of the movie when Doc is trying to connect that power cord so the lightning can strike and Marty can go back to the future. I'm watching this and the cord gets disconnected. And remember, it's hanging on his pants if you've ever seen it. And he's like trying to get it. I've seen the movie before, but I'm watching it like, oh no, he's not going to connect it in time. And I was getting all worked up." [01:04:06] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "It's amazing as believers, we can see the end. It's amazing how right here and now we can get so worked up and anxious, but we can see the end. If you don't know the end, let me show you what scripture says. Hebrews 11, 13 says this, says this, it's talking about the saints, believers. He listed off a bunch of people who had great faith. It says, If you are a follower of Jesus, we're exiles in this land. Yes, I'm grateful to live in this nation, greatest nation on the planet, or else I wouldn't be living here. Like we are blessed and people have laid down their life to fight for these free people. But guys, this is not our homeland. We're exiles here. Our homeland is a greater kingdom." [01:05:32] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "When we worship, it connects us with an eternal kingdom, a greater peace, a greater joy, a confidence, knowing that kingdoms come, kingdoms go, but one kingdom remains forever. And I love what it says at the end of Daniel 12, 13, and we'll end here. God tells him this. He says, but go your way till the end. What does that mean? Don't give up. Keep worshiping. Go your way till the end, and you shall rest. I love that. Your soul is looking for rest. It finds it in worshiping the King. Purpose. And you shall rest, and you shall stand in your allotted place at the end of days." [01:09:48] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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