Soli Deo Gloria » Jesus Christ

Worthy is the Lamb

Jay — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:47:17 +0000

My wife is doing a study of Revelation and as we were discussing it over breakfast this morning it got me wanting to dig back into that glorious book. I’ve taught from Revelation several times and every time I am more and more amazed by the description of Christ in chapter 5. The description of the throne room of God and the worship of the Lamb who was worthy to be slain at its center is awesome. I remember reading in a commentary on Revelation that one of the best deterrents to sin is to meditate on this amazing scene in heaven. There is great truth in that recommendation! Chapter 5 is a short one but it is seething with the magnificence of Jesus Christ. Every time I read this chapter I hear Handel’s Messiah – especially the ending movement entitled ‘Worthy is the Lamb’.

Marvel at these glorious words from Holy Scripture…

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 strong 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. (Revelation 5 ESV)

Soli Deo Gloria!

The Centrality of Christ

Jay — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:47:29 +0000

In this excellent sermon, Paul Washer gives great insight into the importance of the difference between a love for Christ and a love for the benefits of Christ. Far too many come to Christ for His benefits which amounts to nothing less than idolatry while there is little or no love for Christ Himself. I agree with Washer that we’ve reduced the gospel down to a series of questions and a signature on a card and forgotten the great and awesome truths of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. May we repent and return to the full proclamation of the full counsel of God’s Word and marvel at the glorious truth that “He made Him who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf so that we might have the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5:21)

[wpaudio url="http://www.jaywingard.com/files/centrality.mp3" text="Paul Washer: The Centrality of Jesus Christ" dl="1"]

My King!

Jay — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:41:01 +0000

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are like flames of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a rope dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on the white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Revelation 19:11-16

Love for Christ, Hatred for Sin

Jay — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:08:52 +0000

“Biblical faith, in the end, begins and ends with a simultaneous love for the Savior and a hatred for sin. Without either component, faith never leaves the ground. If we profess to love Jesus Christ but never deal with our sin, we are lost, unforgiven by the Father, and will not enter heaven. If we hate our sin but never run to Christ to receive His atoning grace, we have no remission of sins and we will not see eternal life. The Spirit must propel each of these doctrines into the sinful heart and mind if we are ever to know the grace of God and the glory of true Christianity.”

From Jonathan Edwards on True Christianity

To The Only God Our Savior

Jay — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:35:52 +0000

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” – Jude 24-25

Orissa Persecution

Jay — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:51:18 +0000

Gospel for Asia missionary Ojas Ganj can only see out of one eye today. On February 19, four anti-Christian extremists beat him severely, inflicting multiple wounds including an eye injury. This was the second time fanatics attacked him this year, both times in his village in Orissa, India. For the past two years, Orissa has been India’s most dangerous state for Christians.

A Christian named Hruday Nayak was killed by anti-Christian fanatics two days ago,” wrote GFA’s correspondent in the area. “The “persecution in Orissa is still prevailing, and the Christians are not safe even today.”

Please pray for our brother and sisters in India and for the Lord to continue granting faith and repentance to those who walk in darkness!

Continue reading at Gospel for Asia …

Before the Throne of God Above

Jay — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:54:26 +0000

Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea. A great high Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart. I know that while in Heaven He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of my guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free. For God the just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb, My perfect spotless righteousness, The great unchangeable I AM, The King of glory and of grace, One in Himself I cannot die. My soul is purchased by His blood, My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ my Savior and my God!

“Before the Throne of God Above” by Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863.

He Saved Me

Jay — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:48:05 +0000

Are you trusting in yourself, in going to church, in good deeds or in giving to charity as a means to merit salvation before God? If you are, did you know that Scripture says that these deeds are like filthy rags to God? (Isa. 64:6) God requires absolute perfection to enter heaven and only His righteousness will do. Do you have His righteousness? Please take a moment to listen to this outstanding video testimony of a young woman who was lost in the Roman Catholic teachings and then was saved by God through the full Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!

He Saved Me from I’ll Be Honest.

The Dragon of Pornography

Jay — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:52:14 +0000

Pornography continues to the be “silent” killer within the American church today. It’s a topic that few discuss and many believe it to be a “normal” process of a man’s life. The Bible screams otherwise and Jesus is clear that if you don’t fight lust you will go to hell. (Matt. 5:28-29) (See an excellent sermon by John Piper on exactly this.)

Pornography is a dragon that will grow and grow until is consumes your soul. (1 Peter 2:11) The following video clip is from a show called “Wretched” hosted by Todd Friel of Way of the Master Radio. It’s a convicting and excellent statement on the dangers of the sin and rebellion that is lust and pornography.

If you are in this sin of lust and pornography you are not alone. You need to realize the seriousness of this sin. It is a direct rebellion against God. There is release of the bondage and captivity of sin through Jesus Christ. There is an excellent group called “Setting Captives Free” that offers help through Biblical counseling. One of the best books I have read on the subject of sexual sin is entitled “At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry” by Steve Gallagher. I would also recommend viewing some of the videos over at I’ll Be Honest. May we continually fight and make war with sin through the power Christ gives us through His Word and His Spirit!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Put No Confidence in the Flesh

Jay — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:39:53 +0000

Romans 9:26
“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ’sons of the living God.’”

Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

The Idolatry of “Decisional” Evangelism and the American Church

Jay — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:23:47 +0000

Paul Washer, speaking at the Deeper Conference last weekend, proclaims the truth of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In this message, he speaks on the condition of the evangelical church today and how far we have fallen in how we handle the gospel and the idolatry of decisional evangelism. This is an excellent message in typical Washer fire and is one that every single pastor in America should hear carefully. This goes along well with an article I posted a few weeks ago on the “Serious Error of Decisional Evangelism“.

[audio:http://www.jaywingard.com/mp3/washerdeeper.mp3]

You can also watch the video of brother Paul at the Deeper conference here.