Faith Scripture:

Romans 1:16-17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

As we follow Jesus and walk in "Everyday Faith," this series is designed to help you get free and walk in life more abundantly.

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The Everyday Faith Steps:

• Born-again – Saved
• Water Baptized
• Holy Spirit Activated
• Healed and Set Free
• In Community
• Contributing
• Personal Growth
• Reproducing

Revelation 12:11 “And they have conquered (overcome) him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Today we are concluding what has been an amazing series on “The Blood.” Over the last 8 weeks, we have traced a crimson trail. We have stood at the checkpoints of grace, watching the Savior pour out His life piece by piece, drop by drop, in seven distinct places.

We watched Him sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, redeeming our willpower and reclaiming our peace. We stood by as they struck His face, healing our identity. We felt the agony of the whipping post, where His back was torn open for our physical healing. We saw the crown of thorns forced onto His brow, breaking the curse of poverty and mind-battles. We saw His hands pierced to claim our dominion, and His feet pierced to direct our path.

That brings us to the seventh place. The final outpouring. The Roman soldier takes a spear and drives it straight into the side of a crucified King. The Bible says immediately, a sudden flow of **blood and water** poured out.

Today, we aren’t just looking at a historical event. We are looking at the ultimate legal transaction in the history of the cosmos. That final spear thrust didn't just signal physical death; it signaled the ratification of a contract. It was the birth of the New Covenant and a New Song.

When they rolled that stone in front of that tomb it was a sad day. We’ve experienced a lot of death as a church body here lately. It is a moment that causes us to live in the most complex duality. Weeping and worship. What was happening in heaven while the Lamb was being slain down here?

1. The Crisis: The Sealed Scroll (v. 1-4)

The Problem: The scroll represents God’s ultimate plan for history, judgment, and redemption. But it’s sealed. John weeps because a sealed scroll means God's promises are locked away, evil goes unchecked, and humanity remains broken.

The Empty Search: No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is worthy. Human effort, political power, and even angelic majesty fall short.

The Application: Start where John started. Acknowledge the "weeping" of our world. Without a Savior, history is directionless and hopeless.

2. The Contrast: The Lion who is a Lamb (v. 5-7)

What John Hears: The elder tells him to look at the Lion of Judah—a symbol of military conquest, fierce power, and kingly authority.

What John Sees: He turns around and sees... a Lamb as though it had been slain.

The Core Truth: Christ didn't conquer through brute force or political dominance; He conquered through sacrificial death. His wounds are His credentials.

3. The Benefits of the Sacrifice (v. 9-10)

The "new song" sung by the elders explicitly lists three massive, life-altering benefits of Jesus' sacrifice: This is the shift in worship in Heaven!

• Benefit 1: Ultimate Ransom Redeemed us to God by Your blood: The word redemption refers to buying back a slave or captive. (Return for deposit)
• Benefit 2: Radical Inclusion Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation: The sacrifice broke down every human barrier. The Kingdom of God isn't exclusive to one culture or ethnicity; it is beautifully global. No one is too far gone or too "outside" to be included.
• Benefit 3: Restored Identity and Purpose Made us kings and priests... and we shall reign. Jesus didn't just save us from hell; He saved us for a purpose.

As priests, we have direct access to God. (As we have already learned how to minister to each other.)

As kings, we are restored to our original calling in Genesis to represent God and rule over creation with justice and love.

4. Our Response: Unstoppable Worship (v. 8, 9-10)

Why should we respond by worshiping? Look at how heaven reacts the moment Jesus takes the scroll.

Worship is the only logical response to grace: When you realize that the King of the Universe became a slain Lamb to buy you back, silence isn't an option. Worship is love answering Love.

Worship is a surrender of status: The twenty-four elders (representing all God's people) fall down before the Lamb. They lay down their own authority because they recognize His ultimate worthiness.

Worship connects our prayers to heaven: Notice that they hold "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Our worship and our prayers are sweet-smelling aromas to God, held in golden bowls. Our earthly struggles are directly connected to heavenly worship. (LeAnn said last week put a praise on it!)

Big Takeaway

We worship Him not just because of His power as the Lion, but because of His love as the Lamb.

John was told "Do not weep" because the Lamb prevailed. Whatever "weeping" you are walking through this week—grief, anxiety, shame—you can bring it to the Lamb who was slain. His sacrifice is finished, our redemption is secure, and our response should be a "new song" of praise.

Let us join in with heaven…They never cease crying Holy…..