Simple Faith

Guest (Male): What's your view of worshipping God? Here's something to consider from Pastor Bill Henry.

Bill Henry: Worship isn't about us. If we walk out of the thing, "Man, that worship was so awesome, bro," it should be, "Lord, were you pleased with my worship? Not everybody else's, my worship. Was I loving you and praising you, Jesus? Was I not caring about what other people say if I sing out of tune?"

Who cares? Somebody saw me raise my hands? Oh, no, heaven forbid. Look, guys and gals, it's not about you. It's about Jesus.

Guest (Male): It's no big secret that this world is in a downward spiral morally and spiritually. Each year, ungodly agendas inch closer and closer to becoming mainstream thought. And it shouldn't shock you that even Christians are buying into it.

Hello and welcome to Simple Faith. This is a ministry of Simple Faith Calvary Chapel in Vancouver, Washington. Our senior pastor is Bill Henry, and today Pastor Bill will be leading us on a journey through the exciting book of Revelation as we again consider chapter 14. Today, we're going to focus on verses one through five once again as Pastor Bill gets us started with a quick glance back to Luke chapter seven.

Bill Henry: Luke chapter 7, look at verse 36 with me: "Then one of the Pharisees asked him, Jesus, to eat with him. And he went to the Pharisee's house and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at his feet behind him, weeping. And she began to wash his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed his feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

Now, when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, 'This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is and who is touching him, for she is a sinner.' And Jesus answered and said to him, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' So he said, 'Teacher, say it.'

'There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii'—which a denarius, by the way, is about a day's wage, so almost two years' worth of pay, a year and a half or so—'and the other 50. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him more?' Simon answered and said, 'I suppose the one whom he forgave more.' And he said to him, 'You have rightly judged.'

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with fragrant oil. Therefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.' Then he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'"

Please note with me here, beloved in Christ, that there are three main characters here. The first is Jesus Christ, and that's none of us here. But there are two others that we're either in either camp. The first is the self-righteous who thinks themselves not in need of forgiveness and loves little. And the second is the sinner who did sin greatly but loves much. Which camp are you and I in this morning?

Which camp do you see yourself in this morning? Do you see yourself in the self-righteous camp? "I was raised in a Christian home. I've never done very many things. I've been walking with the Lord for a long time. I haven't done a lot of terrible things, so I kind of see myself in more the self-righteous camp. I'm okay. I don't really even owe the Lord that much." But then, or do you see yourself as the sinner, the sinner who's been forgiven much?

You see, even for the one who begins to think that they're like the, "Well, I've been a Christian for a long time. I hardly sin anymore. I didn't even do a lot of those sins that a lot of people do." Guess what? You are just so steeped in pride that you don't even see it. And guess what pride is? Oh, it's a sin.

You know, it's interesting because so easily we can put down the scribes and the Pharisees, but we need to then be those who are relating to this woman and understand that even today as Christians, we all commit sins every day. We all continue to sin, a lot less because we're being sanctified by the spirit of God. And we can come when we do sin, praise God, 1st John chapter 1, and confess our sins because He's faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

But I'm telling you what: those who know that they're a sinner even still, guess what it does? It brings us back to our text in Revelation 14. It brings us to a place of thankfulness. It brings us to a place of love. And again, not just for the love of God, but for the love of His people and the love of the lost.

Look, I've met some Christians, and they can be sometimes some of the grumpiest people I've ever met, some of the meanest people I've ever met. And they, "Oh, I love Jesus. We just went to church yesterday," and yet they can't show forgiveness. They can't show mercy to people. They can't show love to people. They can't show grace to people. Instead, they look around, "Oh, those dirty sinners. Look at those dirty homeless people. Oh, don't let them in the church, Pastor Bill. We wouldn't want them." You know what I say? Come on in.

Because guess what? You're going to come into a bunch of other sinners. We might have the same sins or maybe we did at one time, but we're all sinners saved by the grace of God. Look, guys and gals, if we find it hard to forgive others, if we're wallowing because people have hurt us, and, oh, and but this was not just last week, this was two years ago, 10 years ago, 20 years ago, we're still wallowing in unforgiveness, then you might need to get saved.

Because forgiveness is going to be the natural outpouring of those who have been forgiven much. You see, when we know we've been forgiven much, we're going to love much. And that's what we're seeing here within our text this morning. This 144,000, they know they've been redeemed. Do you understand you've been redeemed? I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Bill, that's a kid song. I know, and I don't care.

You see, I'll praise Jesus just because He's redeemed me. And you know what's a beautiful thing when you remember that you've been redeemed? All of a sudden, it makes the hurt in your life, the disappointments in your life, the bad news—it should make it almost disappear to a point. Doesn't mean we won't mourn. It doesn't mean we won't be hurt. But it's like you can be going through the worst thing in the world. "I have cancer. I'm dying in a few days," but I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

"Man, I went through this stuff at church and these people really hurt me bad," but I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. I mean seriously, I'm getting thrown in jail because I'm a Christian now or the government's doing this or that and these things are coming. How do we find joy in those times? I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb because we've been redeemed. And whatever trial we go through here is only for a short time, guys and gals.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying our souls won't get vexed at times, that we won't weep at times. But even in the midst of weeping, I've been redeemed. Look, lastly, one quick thing here: notice they're singing a new song. The song they're singing to the Lord is a new song. Now, it's interesting because coming up in chapter 15, they're all going to be singing in heaven another song, and it's an old song. It's a song of Moses that he sang after they crossed the Red Sea. And then it's actually in the Psalms, too. They liked it so much, they put it in the Psalms.

So they're going to be singing these old songs too in heaven, but they're also going to be singing new songs. Look, here's the thing, guys and gals. Be careful. Be careful not to only like the new songs in church, right? Be careful not to like only the old songs in church because, guess what? There are beautiful new songs and there are beautiful old songs. But I know for some reason as Christians, don't we like to get into camps?

I hate camps. I remember when I first got saved and I was part of this charismatic retreat organization. It's kind of a whole weird crazy story. But there's all these people, everybody likes their little cliques. I hate cliques. I used to go to every clique and try to be friends with each clique, everybody in each clique. Because especially in Jesus Christ. But there are cliques that, "Well, you know what, we're at this church," and there's even denominations. "We will only sing hymns because they're old and they're trustworthy."

You know what I say? Those hymns were new at one time. They were a new song at one time. What, did they wait 200 or 300 years? "If it lasts 200 or 300 years, we'll maybe think of it." But then there's the other side. I know a guy who leads worship, and he says he won't do a song any older than two years.

So you have these two different camps: way older, way new. How about you just mix them all together? As long as a song is bringing praise to God, maybe teaching us things scripturally as well, but you know as long as it's biblical, man, I don't care if it's old, new, somewhere in between. Praise the Lord, hallelujah. I just want to praise the God. Why? I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

You know, lastly about worship real quick, actually two last things, and then 15 little subnotes. But first of all, worship should not be about us. Worship is not about you and I, guys and gals. It's pervaded the church today. It's all about you and how good is worship, bro, and smoke coming out, ooh, lights at you, boop, bop, boop.

I told one pastor—this was a Calvary Chapel pastor—I went up and said, "Dude, what are you doing, man? You have these lights coming at me. You have this smoke. You know what? I flash back to 1983 when I was still before I was saved and I was going to nightclubs. I don't want that flashback, bro. You just caused me to sin."

Look, worship isn't about us. If we walk out of the thing, "Man, that worship was so awesome, bro," it should be, "Lord, were you pleased with my worship? Not everybody else's, my worship. Was I loving you and praising you, Jesus? Was I not caring about what other people say if I sing out of tune?" Who cares? Somebody saw me raise my hands? Oh, no, heaven forbid. Look, guys and gals, it's not about you. It's about Jesus.

It's the one who has redeemed us. And lastly, if you're going through some rugged times, man, there's nothing better than to sing praise songs to the Lord. I might not be able to do anything else but I can sing, "Lord, I love you. I love you, Lord," weeping down. You know, Chuck Missler used to say the Psalms are a book of songs, okay? Psalms are songs. And Chuck Missler used to say, "Look, when you're really hurting, pray through the Psalms. Pray through the Psalms of the Scripture." Just a little thing that I think will help you in your life as a Christian.

Look at verse 4 back in our text. "These are the ones," the 144,000, "who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins." Now, it's interesting, the Greek literally reads like this: "These are they which with women not were defiled, virgins." So these 144,000 will be virgin men. Now, note something, though: they could have been married and remain undefiled because marriage between a man and a woman before God is not defiled. We need to understand that it's not defiled either one.

Yet these men will be virgins and, notice, they will also be undefiled. And this is in the midst of the worst time in the history of the world. Think about it's bad today; it's going to be even worse then. But they will be undefiled even during this 70th week of Daniel, this seven-year tribulation. So I believe this is mostly speaking about their purity before the Lord.

Now, what's interesting is we can learn from this, can't we? Today, more than I think probably in the history of the world, it is the easiest today to become sexually defiled more than any other time in the history of the world. Because think about it: before you had to go down to temples or the prostitutes might be walking on the street. Even 40 years ago, you had to go to a store to buy pornography. You couldn't watch it on your TV in but now today, it's on your phone, it's on your tablet, it's on your television. It's everywhere.

It's perverse, by the way, just like God said it would be as it was in the days of Noah, as it was in the days of Lot. But here's the thing: they say that most men, even within the church, 60% to 70% struggle with pornography even today. And it used to be the women were down at like 20% and 30% back when I was first teaching back in the 90s. Now, they're up to like 50% or 60% struggle with pornography.

Look, guys and gals, if you're struggling with pornography, let me tell you this: there is victory at the cross of Jesus Christ. You are a victor and you don't even know it. By the name of Jesus Christ, through the blood of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Spirit of God, you have been set free from that sin.

Here's the thing: confess it to the Lord, okay? Confess that sin to the Lord and get rid of anything else in your life that's going to bring you there. If you have to get rid of your phone and get an old flip phone that all it can do is text, praise God, hallelujah. You need to get rid of your cell phone or your iPads or your televisions or your computers, do it. Don't be afraid.

Confess your sin to those around you. But here's the thing, guys and gals: remember there's forgiveness at the cross for it. The enemy loves to come in and tempt us and then condemn us. There's forgiveness. Confess your sins, right? And God will cleanse us. He'll forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But remember what Jesus does say to you: get up, go forth, and sin no more. Stop it.

I love now, coming back to the 144,000, John Walvoord, a commentator, said this about them. He said, "Some people believe that the 144,000 will be evangelists in the Great Tribulation, but there is no indication that the 144,000 were preachers or prophets. Their testimony was largely from their moral purity and the fact that they were not martyred like many others. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes."

Look here in verse 4, the second part, notice it says, "These are ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes." So first, they're known for their purity. Secondly, here in verse 4 as it continues, these are ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Man, don't you love the blessed simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? They follow the Lamb.

How do I want to be a Christian? Follow the Lamb. To love Him, to know Him, to follow Him wherever He goes—this is what a Christian does. To follow Jesus is one of the main hallmarks or proofs of a true born-again disciple of Jesus. "Well, I like to go to this bar, you know, and I like to go get drunk, maybe not quite drunk, you know, but maybe sometimes. It's okay because I'll still be forgiven. I like to cuss. Cussing's not, you know, it's not a big deal, you know." I've heard quote-unquote Christians say this. "Oh, I like to smoke and get high, bro. It's not a sin."

All those things are sins. Just read your Bible. But you see, a disciple of Christ will already know that. Why? Because they're following Jesus. Why? I didn't see Jesus curse. I didn't see Jesus getting high. Never saw Jesus even get drunk. I saw Him drink, not get drunk. Interesting, isn't it?

We need to be those who are following Jesus, and someone who is born again, this is one of their hallmarks: that they are following Jesus. And wherever He was, they were. Let me just read through a bunch of scriptures. Timewise, I'll just read them to you.

Matthew 4:18-20: "Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Then he, Jesus, said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' They immediately left their nets and followed him."

Matthew 8:21 and 22: "Then another of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, let me first go bury my father.' But Jesus said to him, 'Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'"

Matthew 16:24: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and what? Follow me.' Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?"

John 10:27: "My sheep"—this is Jesus speaking—"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

John 12:25 and 26: "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me. And where I am, there my servant will be also."

John 21:17: As Jesus has appeared, risen from the dead a third time to His disciples, Jesus said and He's talking to Peter, He said to him, "Feed my sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, what? "Follow me."

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who had also leaned on His breast at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays you?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this guy? What about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me."

Can I ask this morning, are you a follower of Jesus? Notice it doesn't say—even Paul, I love how Paul said, "Look, follow me what? As I follow Christ." We're not followers of men and women if because again, if we are, then we're going to be so easily led astray. We follow them as they follow Christ, but we are followers of Jesus.

Look at verse 4 back in our text. It continues, "These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb." I love this. These 144,000 Jewish men are called the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Firstfruits of what? What does that mean, firstfruits? These are the firstfruits of Israel coming to know and recognize and believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.

This is awesome. Again, remember at the end of the 70th week of Daniel, the seven-year tribulation, there will be a continuation of these firstfruits as multitudes from Israel come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Zechariah 12:10 talks about it: "And I will pour out on the house of David and on all the or the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication, then they will look on me whom they've pierced and they will mourn for him as one who mourns for his only son, and grieve for him as one grieves for a firstborn."

How about in Romans chapter 11 verse 15? "For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?" Their acceptance is a certainty. Romans 11:26 and 27: "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.'" They are just the firstfruits. Beautiful.

Look at verse 5, as we're getting ready to close. "And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God." How can they be found without deceit? How can they be found without fault before the throne of God? Well, if we go to one place, we understand it. If we go back to the cross of Jesus Christ, we understand it once again, don't we? Do you understand that you and I are also faultless before God now?

Do you know that, that if you've been born again, if you've turned away from your sins, believed on Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of your life? If you've confessed Him, if you've believed that God let Him die for your sins and that He raised Him from the dead on the third day and believe in Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life, you will be born again of the spirit of God. And then what happens? You are made before God as without fault.

Guest (Male): This has been Simple Faith with Pastor Bill Henry from Simple Faith Calvary Chapel in Vancouver, Washington. Today, we brought you a message from Pastor Bill's series in Revelation. It's our sincere hope and prayer that you've been blessed by the words you heard from Pastor Bill today.

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