Focusing on Jesus

Bible Study

December 1, 2012

By Anne Graham Lotz

During the wonderful season of Christmas, do you ever get down? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by life? A feeling that seems to be in stark contrast with the music, the festivities, the decorations and all that goes with the holidays? I wonder if the pressure, stress, job assignments, battles and the 24/7 service that angels render to their King ever tempt them to stutter in their praise and worship of Him. Even as I ask that question, I immediately know the answer. No! They are never interrupted in their worship (Revelation 4:8). And that must be intentional, because they do a lot of work (Psalm 103:20-21), including the work they did that starry night 2,000 years ago, when their announcement of the birth of Jesus erupted in praise: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” (Luke 2:14, NIV 1984).

One key to living a life of continuous praise is that our focus is not on ourselves or someone else or anything else … our focus is on Jesus, and who He is.

READ REVELATION 5

BECAUSE HE IS UNEQUALED ?IN POSITION
Revelation 5:1-5

• What does the scroll reveal? See Revelation 5:7, 9; 11:15-18; 12:10-12; 15:7; 21:5.
• What is His position? See Ephesians 1:20-23, Colossians 1:17-20, Hebrews 1:3.
• Name people throughout history, until this present day, who would want to rule the world.
• What is the question in Revelation 5:2? What is the difference between wanting something and being worthy to have it?
• Why did John weep? What was at stake if no one was found who was worthy to rule the world from God’s perspective?
• In all of the universe, in every generation, how many people were found to be worthy to take the scroll?
• What else is Jesus able to do, according to: 2 Timothy 1:12, Ephesians 3:20, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Hebrews 2:18, Jude 24, Philippians 3:21?
• Name some of the rulers that people today submit their lives to.
• Evaluate what preoccupies your thoughts, what you spend the most time doing, where you spend the most money, in order to determine who or what holds the position of ruler-ship in your life.
• If Jesus is able to rule the world and fulfill God’s big plan for the human race, do you think He is able to rule the details of your life so that your life works?

BECAUSE HE IS UNDISPUTED ?IN POWER
Revelation 5:6-10

• Who is the Lamb? Read Isaiah 53:1-12, John 1:29.
• Why did He look as though He had been slain? See John 20:24-29.
• Were any objections raised to His taking the scroll? See Revelation 5:6-7.
• In all of the universe, why did no one object to Jesus taking the scroll, claiming His right to rule the world? Give phrases from Revelation 4:11 and 5:9.
• Describe the difference between the scene in Revelation 5 and the scene in John 19:1-11.
• In what way did Jesus have the last word? Read Mark 16:6; Acts 4:8-10, 12; 2 Timothy 2:8-10; Revelation 1:4-8.
• If no one in the universe disputes the authority of Jesus, why would you and I resist it?

BECAUSE HE IS UNRIVALED ?IN PRAISE
Revelation 5:11-14

• What is one purpose of our existence, according to Ephesians 1:4-6?
• Comparing Revelation 4:6-11 with 5:8-13, what lesson do you learn?
• Who is praising God because you are?
• When are we to praise the Lord? Give some of the reasons from each of the following verses: Genesis 29:35; 2 Samuel 22:47-51; Ezra 3:11; Nehemiah 9:1-5; Job 1:6-22; Psalm 7:17, 96:2, 139:14, 142:7; Isaiah 25:1; Daniel 4:37; Joel 2:26; Luke 1:68; Romans 15:7-13; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 12-13; Hebrews 13:15-16; Psalm 113.
• What is one of the benefits to you of praise to the Lord? Read Isaiah 61:1-3.
• What or who has interrupted your praise?

This Christmas, if your praise has been interrupted for any reason, would you restart it? Praise God for just giving us Jesus. Why? Because He is unequaled in His position, undisputed in His power, and unrivaled in His praise. He is worthy of all your praise 24/7!