Worthy is the Lamb: A Call to Surrender
Summary
In Revelation 5, John is confronted with the sobering reality that no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is worthy to open the scroll that unlocks the plan of eternity. This realization brings him to tears, but then an elder points him to the Lion of the tribe of Judah—the Lamb who was slain. In the midst of the throne, surrounded by heavenly hosts, stands Jesus, the only one worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. All of heaven erupts in worship, declaring the worthiness of the Lamb who redeemed people from every tribe, tongue, and nation by His blood, making them kings and priests to God.
There is only one who holds the keys to eternity, only one who breaks the curse, brings peace, heals, and restores. Jesus alone saw us in our brokenness, took on our sin, carried our burdens, and walked to Calvary for us. He freely gave His life, declaring, “It is finished,” and conquered death, hell, and the grave. He rose again, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The invitation is personal: not just to know about Jesus, but to know Him as Savior and Lord, surrendering every area of life to Him.
Honoring Jesus means recognizing His supreme worth and responding with wholehearted worship, surrender, and generosity. Everything we have—our time, resources, talents, and even our very breath—belongs to Him. When we honor Him first, heaven responds, and the fullness of His character—peace, healing, freedom, and salvation—shows up in our lives. We are called to steward what He has given us well, not offering leftovers, but giving Him the first and best of all we are and have.
Fear and a poverty mindset can tempt us to hold back, to treat what is holy as common, and to give God only what remains. But God is not common; He is the King of Glory, the Creator, the Good Shepherd who provides and cares for us. As we repent of holding back and realign our hearts, we are freed to live generously, not out of obligation or fear, but out of love and honor for the One who is worthy. Our generosity becomes an overflow of our worship, a declaration that He alone is worthy of it all.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus Alone Is Worthy
No one in all creation—no angel, prophet, or human—can unlock the plan of eternity or redeem humanity. Only Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, is worthy to open the scroll and receive all honor, glory, and power. This truth calls us to recognize the absolute uniqueness and supremacy of Christ in our lives. [01:05:22]
- The Personal Invitation to Surrender
It is not enough to know about Jesus or to rely on the faith of others; each person is invited to know Him personally as Savior and Lord. Surrendering every area—our relationships, resources, and hidden places—means giving Him full authority and trusting Him with our whole lives. This surrender is the foundation of true discipleship and transformation. [01:10:36]
- Honoring God Unlocks Heaven’s Response
When we honor Jesus as King, heaven responds with the fullness of His character—peace, healing, freedom, and salvation. Honoring Him is not a ritual but a posture of the heart that welcomes His presence and power into every area of our lives. Our worship and honor create space for God to move in ways we cannot manufacture on our own. [01:35:32]
- Generosity Flows from Honor, Not Obligation
True generosity is not about giving out of fear, guilt, or obligation, but as an overflow of recognizing God’s worth and ownership of all things. When we honor Him with the first and best of our time, resources, and talents, we reflect His generosity and break free from the grip of fear and scarcity. This kind of giving is holy, set apart for the One who is not common but the King of Glory. [01:38:39]
- Rejecting the Orphan Mindset and Embracing Sonship
A spirit of fear and a poverty mindset can cause us to hold back from God, treating what is holy as common and giving Him only leftovers. But as children of the Good Shepherd, we are called to trust in His provision and care, knowing that He owns it all and we shall not want. Embracing our identity as sons and daughters frees us to honor God with everything, living from abundance rather than lack. [01:44:02]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:05:22] - The Scroll and the Search for Worthiness
[01:06:45] - The Lamb Takes the Scroll
[01:09:43] - The Uniqueness of Jesus
[01:10:36] - Jesus’ Sacrifice and Pursuit
[01:11:52] - The Cross and the Finished Work
[01:13:15] - Resurrection and Authority
[01:18:39] - Responding to the Call: Salvation and Lordship
[01:21:14] - Invitation to Prayer and Worship
[01:24:07] - Honoring the King: Heaven’s Response
[01:35:32] - The Outflow of Honor: Peace, Healing, Freedom
[01:37:13] - Generosity as Worship
[01:38:39] - Stewardship and Firstfruits
[01:40:48] - Rebuking Stinginess and Embracing Generosity
[01:44:02] - Breaking the Orphan Mindset
[01:47:45] - Putting God First in All Things
[01:50:55] - Repentance and Realignment
[01:53:25] - Freedom from Fear and Living Generously
[01:55:05] - Closing and Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: "Only Jesus Is Worthy"
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### Bible Reading
Revelation 5:1-14 (ESV)
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
“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
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein.
Proverbs 3:9 (ESV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Revelation 5, what is the significance of the scroll, and why does John weep when no one is found worthy to open it?
[[01:05:22]]
2. According to the passage, who is declared worthy to open the scroll, and what reasons are given for His worthiness?
[[01:06:45]]
3. What is the response of heaven and all creation when the Lamb takes the scroll?
[[01:06:45]]
4. In the sermon, what examples are given of Jesus’ unique role and actions that no one else could fulfill?
[[01:10:36]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important that only Jesus is found worthy to open the scroll and not anyone else in heaven, on earth, or under the earth? What does this say about His uniqueness and authority?
[[01:09:43]]
2. The sermon talks about surrendering every area of life to Jesus, not just knowing about Him. What does true surrender look like, and why is it foundational for discipleship and transformation?
[[01:10:36]]
3. How does honoring Jesus with the “first and best” of our lives (time, resources, talents) differ from giving Him our leftovers? What does this reveal about our view of God?
[[01:38:39]]
4. The sermon mentions a “poverty mindset” or “orphan mindset” that causes people to hold back from God. What are some signs of this mindset, and how does embracing our identity as sons and daughters change our approach to generosity and worship?
[[01:44:02]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “There’s only one who saw you in your mess…who took your burden and put it upon Himself.” When you think about your own life, is there a specific area where you need to let Jesus carry your burden instead of trying to handle it alone? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week?
[[01:10:36]]
2. Honoring Jesus means giving Him the first and best, not the leftovers. In what practical ways could you honor God with your time, money, or talents this month? Is there something you’ve been holding back that you sense God is asking you to give or surrender?
[[01:38:39]]
3. The sermon challenges us to reject a “poverty mindset” and trust God as our Good Shepherd. Are there areas in your life where fear of not having enough causes you to hold back from generosity or obedience? How can you take a step of faith to trust God’s provision this week?
[[01:44:02]]
4. The message says, “When we honor Jesus as King, heaven responds with the fullness of His character—peace, healing, freedom, and salvation.” Can you share a time when you experienced God’s peace or provision after choosing to honor Him first? What did you learn from that experience?
[[01:35:32]]
5. The sermon calls us to repent for treating what is holy as common. Is there a habit or routine in your life where you’ve been treating God or your worship as “common” or secondary? What is one change you could make to put God first in that area?
[[01:50:55]]
6. The pastor mentioned that generosity should flow from honor, not obligation or fear. When you give—whether it’s your time, money, or service—what is your usual motivation? How can you shift your heart to give out of love and honor for Jesus?
[[01:38:39]]
7. The sermon invites us to embrace our identity as sons and daughters of God, not orphans. How does knowing you are a child of God affect the way you approach your relationship with Him and with others? Is there a specific way you want to live differently because of this truth?
[[01:44:02]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person honor Jesus as King in every area of life, to trust Him as the Good Shepherd, and to live generously out of love and gratitude for all He has done.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Alone Is Worthy to Open the Scroll
There is only one in all of creation who is worthy to unlock the plan of eternity, to break the seals, and to set in motion the reign of God’s kingdom—Jesus, the Lion of Judah and the Lamb who was slain. No angel, prophet, or human could take the scroll from the hand of the Father; only Jesus, with perfect power, perfect vision, and perfect sacrifice, is worthy. All of heaven and earth worship Him, declaring His worthiness, for by His blood He has redeemed people from every tribe and nation, making them kings and priests to God. When you recognize that Jesus alone holds the keys to eternity, your heart can only respond in awe and worship. [01:06:45]
Revelation 5:7-14 (ESV)
And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “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 from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Reflection: What does it mean for you, personally, to acknowledge that Jesus alone is worthy to hold the keys to your eternity, and how does this truth shape your worship and your daily decisions today?
Day 2: The Earth Is the Lord’s—Honor Him with Everything
When you truly grasp that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord, your response is to honor Him with all you have—your time, your resources, your worship, and your very life. God is not common; He is the King of Glory, the owner of all things, and the giver of every good gift. Honoring Him means giving Him the first and the best, not the leftovers, and recognizing that every breath, every ability, and every blessing comes from His hand. Generosity flows from a heart that knows God owns it all, and honoring Him with your firstfruits is an act of worship and trust. [01:37:13]
Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.
Reflection: In what specific area of your life have you been holding back from honoring God as the true owner, and what would it look like to give Him your first and best in that area today?
Day 3: Generosity Is the Overflow of Honor
When you honor the King, generosity becomes a natural outflow of your life. Stinginess and self-centeredness are rebuked in the presence of the One who gave everything for you. You are called to be the most generous people on the planet, not out of obligation or to get something in return, but simply because He is worthy. When you hold tightly to what you have, you leave no room for God to move, but when you open your hands in generosity, you make space for His peace, joy, and provision to fill your life. [01:40:48]
Proverbs 3:9 (ESV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can practice radical generosity this week—whether with your time, resources, or encouragement—to honor God and reflect His character?
Day 4: Do Not Treat the Holy as Common
Giving God your leftovers—whether in time, money, worship, or attention—treats what is holy as if it were common. God is not to be approached casually or as an afterthought; He is the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings, the lover of your soul. He deserves to be first in every area of your life: your relationships, your work, your family, your worship. When you put Him first, you build your life on a firm foundation, and you honor the One who gave you breath and every good thing. [01:47:45]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Reflection: Before you begin your day tomorrow, how can you intentionally put God first—before your phone, your work, or your routine—and honor Him as holy?
Day 5: Freedom from Fear and the Orphan Mindset
Fear of not having enough, or an orphan mindset, can cause you to hold back from God and give Him only what’s left over. But God is your good Shepherd; you shall not want. He is Jehovah Jireh, your provider, and He calls you to trust Him fully, releasing fear and embracing the truth that He is enough. When you honor God and trust His provision, you are freed from the grip of fear and can live generously, knowing that everything you have is from Him and for Him. [01:53:25]
Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Reflection: Where do you sense fear or a scarcity mindset holding you back from trusting God’s provision, and how can you surrender that fear to Him in prayer today?
Quotes
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