11 May 2025

WORSHIP RESOURCES

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Revelation 7:9-17

Hunger and Thirst No More

 

Additional Scriptures

Psalm 23; John 10:22-30; Acts 9:36-43

Preparation

Today is the third week of five in the book of Revelation. Worship planners might want to consider linking the services. For example, have the same character in period biblical costume read the Revelation scripture each week. Or choose a hymn that will be used each Sunday. It would be helpful to have the five speakers collaborate on their approaches to the theme scriptures. For additional information on the book of Revelation, listen to this podcast with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith: Projectzionpodcast.org/podcast/558--newbrew--revelation.

 

Prelude

 

 

 

Welcoming Hymn

            “Come Now, You Hungry”     CCS 227

            OR “Amazing Grace”   CCS 19

 

Welcome, Announcements, Joys, and Concerns

 

Call to Worship: Psalm 23

            Ask readers to read this Psalm from several different versions of the Bible, changing

versions after each paragraph. Some suggested versions include: NRSVue; King James; The Message; The Inclusive Psalm among many others.

            Reader 1:         (version 1) Psalm 23:1-3

            Reader 2:         (version 2) Psalm 23:1-3

            Reader 3:         (version 3) Psalm 23:1-3

            Sung Scripture

                        “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Stanzas 1 and 2    CCS 262

 

Reader 1:         (version 1) Psalm 23:4

            Reader 2:         (version 2) Psalm 23:4

            Reader 3:         (version 3) Psalm 23:4

            Sung Scripture

                        “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Stanzas 3 and 4    CCS 262

 

Reader 1:         (version 1) Psalm 23:5-6

            Reader 2:         (version 2) Psalm 23:5-6

            Reader 3:         (version 3) Psalm 23:5-6

            Sung Scripture

                        “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Stanzas 5 and 6   CCS 262

                                                                                   

Invocation

 

Response

 

Prayer for Peace

Peace Hymn

“Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”    CCS 309

OR “We Are People of God’s Peace”     CCS 306

 

Light the peace candle.

Peace Prayer

Spirit of Protection,

Sheep do not comprehend injustice—they simply eat and sleep and search for more delicious greens to eat. They will walk the craggiest of cliffs to sit by a waterfall and eat. Everything in their day is focused on food.

 

May we pursue peace as the sheep pursue nourishment! May we go to the most unlikely places to share your love! May we trek over roads and beyond fences in pursuit of peace! May we remember that everywhere we look is an opportunity to share joy and defeat injustice!

 

Sheep may not recognize injustice, but we do. Be with us and open our eyes to your presence as we forage for peace.

In the name of Jesus, the good shepherd. Amen.

             Tiffany and Caleb Brian

 

Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:9-17

 

Hymn of Assurance

            “The Lord’s My Shepherd”    CCS 259

            OR “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”     CCS 247

 

Spoken Word

            Based on Revelation 7:9-17

 

Disciples’ Generous Response

Generosity Hymn

“We Lift Our Voices”      CCS 618

OR “Help Us Express Your Love”  CCS 621

 

Statement

God’s astonishing compassion and love in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate example of generosity. God loves us abundantly and unconditionally. As we open our hearts to courageously and generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we reflect the movement of God’s astonishing love and compassion for the world.

 

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give           through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider      displaying these URLs).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

 

Closing Hymn

“Beauty for Brokenness”   CCS 302

OR “We Are a Family of Faith”   CCS 350

 

Benediction

 

Postlude


 

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

 Year C—Letters
F
ourth Sunday of Easter

 

Revelation 7:9–17

 

Exploring the Scripture

Preaching from the book of Revelation can be tricky. Popular books cast the book of Revelation as a message of fear. God brings suffering and destruction to unbelievers. Believers are “raptured.” From the destruction, God creates a new heaven and Earth. These popular books warn us the end times are now. But this interpretation is distorted and narrow. It is not a responsible approach to the book of Revelation because it leaves out the important historical background and other information.

John’s Revelation indeed portrays end times. The book of Revelation is called apocalyptic literature. This style of writing deals with endings and beginnings. The imagery of John’s revelations is vivid. The nature of apocalyptic writing is symbolic. It uses images, symbols, significant figures, and events to portray spiritual powers that move, make, and reshape the world. The Bible is not the only book with apocalyptic literature. But you may see why this writing is included in scripture.

Consider the book of Revelation’s setting. It is written to the earliest Christians. In contrast to what popular books suggest, it is early believers in Jesus who are suffering persecution. John’s apocalyptic visions send a message of hope to early believers that persecution and suffering will end. Against all evidence, John says the God revealed in Jesus is the true God, and in the end, God and the Lamb triumph. A diverse and inclusive community endures (v. 9) and ushers in God’s reign.

Revelation 7:9–17 stands out as an interlude amid the opening of seven seals. Its imagery is striking. Consider the image it paints. The passage begins with a bird’s-eye view of a great multitude so grand no one could count it. It is a gathering of every nation, from all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before God’s throne and the Lamb. The message? God and the Lamb are Lord of all!

The multitude is robed in white, with palm branches in the people’s hands. The image of the multitude with palms may be intended to remind Jewish readers of the Festival of Tabernacles (see Leviticus 23:33–44, especially v. 40). Or it reflects Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, John 12:12–19). The multitude is depicted with angels, elders, and the forces of nature portrayed as mythical creatures. This is an epic image of the inhabitants of Earth, the forces of nature, and heavenly hosts praising God.

The white robes symbolize purification and redemption in a culture that uses ritual washing to clean people of sins and misfortune. They have come through a great ordeal and are washed in the “blood of the Lamb” (v. 14).

The passage uses ancient language and symbols of sacrifice. Ancient religions believed bloodletting brought peace and favor between humanity and God. The blood of the sacrifice had purifying power and life-giving qualities. This is what the blood of the Lamb does. It redeems and purifies those who face tribulation with faith and the power of life.

Verses 15 through 17 tell us the multitude arrives at the other end of the struggle. Justice and lavish grace come on the people. Reminiscent of Jesus’ feeding of the 4,000 and 5,000, they no longer hunger. Fulfilling the promise Jesus gives to those who drink the water he gives; they thirst no more (See John 4:14). God wipes away their tears (v. 17).

In a reversal of roles, the Lamb is their shepherd, and they are the sheep brought safely through the dangers and predators of life. It is a prophetic image of God’s redemption of those who trust in the Lamb and God’s triumph over the world through him.

Central Ideas

1.     For John, who wrote Revelation, and the book of Revelation’s first readers, God overcomes death and the world through Jesus. Divisions among people and nations, and the hostility such divisions bring, are overcome in Christ.

2.     The book of Revelation is about endings and beginnings. The apocalyptic imagery tells a story. The story is of God’s triumph over the world through what God has done in Jesus.

3.     Revelation 7:9–17 uses the language and symbols of ritual washing and sacrifice to explain the good news of what God has done. Those who believe in Jesus are delivered through real persecution and life’s suffering between the powers of life and death. We arrive in the end with God in life anew.

 

Questions for the Speaker

1.     The book of Revelation tells the good news in cosmic terms. Belief in Jesus does not mean only that God overcomes individual sins and death. Through the Lamb, God overcomes the powers of death moving and shaping the world. Have you or the congregation considered what this means for the Christian faith? If discipleship calls us to risk greatly for God, does the promise of God overcoming the world through the Lamb offer you strength and hope to face the world’s injustice and suffering?

2.     Is belief simply believing in what God has done in Jesus? Or is faith more? Does it require our response to living as if God has triumphed and God’s justice will prevail in the end, no matter how long it takes?

3.     Share how you put the promises of John’s revelations into action. How would you tell what God has done in Jesus? Could you paint a picture like John’s vivid and powerful images? Or would you communicate your faith in a different way?

 


 

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY 

Year C—Letters
Fourth Sunday of Easter

 

Revelation 7:9–17

 

Gathering

Welcome

Today is the fourth Sunday of the Easter season. The Easter season continues for fifty days and concludes with the Day of Pentecost.

 

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

God of wonder and grace, we can’t begin to comprehend the love you show us, a love that made you willing to come among us in flesh and bone, to endure the hardship of humanity; to move among the persecuted and marginalized so we might learn new ways to be in relationship with you and one another.

Open our eyes and hearts to the message you have for us, to the opportunities you provide us each day to reach out to others and live your love and compassion—to truly see our neighbor and extend your hands.

We pause now Lord, that we might listen. Listen to your promptings, guidance, and desires for our lives that you may speak the ways in which we can bring peace; that we might hear your voice and respond.

Pause for one to two minutes of silence.

In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Breath Prayer

Read the following to the group:

In Psalm 23, the Psalmist declares “the Lord is my shepherd…even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me.” During this Easter season, our spiritual practice is a breath prayer. During the prayer, we use a word to breathe in and a word to breathe out. In keeping with the twenty-third psalm, we will breathe in the word comfort and breathe out the word fear.

Slowly read the following instructions:

Sit with relaxed posture and close your eyes. We will spend three minutes in centering prayer. Breathe in a regular, natural rhythm.

As you breathe in, focus on comfort; as you exhale, release fear.

Breathe in and out. Continue to focus on breathing in comfort and exhaling fear.

Watch the time for three minutes. Urge participants to continue the breath prayer for the full three minutes.

When time is up, share these closing instructions:

Offer a brief word of thanks to God, take a deep breath, and open your eyes when you are ready.

 

Sharing Around the Table

Revelation 7:9–17 NRSVue

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat, for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

During the time of John’s vision, young Christian churches were struggling with persecution. They no longer were considered a protected group, as they had been when they were considered a branch of Judaism. Roman authority required Christians to treat the emperor as a god, and Christians were punished if they refused.

To clarify today’s reading, we begin in Chapter 6 as Jesus begins to break the seals, revealing new understandings. With the first four broken seals, a different living creature announces the arrival of one of four horses and their riders. Each symbolizes a breaking of moral laws: conquest, war, famine, and death:

·       The first broken seal reveals a white horse whose rider has a bow and comes to conquer.

·       The second seal reveals a bright red horse whose rider is allowed to take peace from Earth and is given a sword.

·       The third horse is black. Its rider holds a pair of weighing scales, used for measuring a day’s wage in grain, resulting in unequal distribution of food and famine.

The fourth horse is pale green, the color of decaying flesh, and its rider is Death. The dead from Hades follow the rider, and together they bring famine and pestilence. Left in their wake is a place where people once lived, but now only wild animals survive.

Zechariah 6:1–5 (written about six centuries before) also refers to horses of various colors. The breaking of the next two seals causes action in heaven:

·       The breaking of the fifth seal brings cries for justice from those who had been slaughtered while in pursuit of God’s work. Each one who suffered is given a white robe and told to “rest a little longer.”

·       When the sixth seal is broken, an earthquake brings devastation and punishment to those guilty of wrongdoing.

Chapter 7 opens with angels protecting Earth from the earthquake’s devastation, holding back winds from harming God’s faithful. Then John sees a multitude “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,” robed in white, holding palm branches, proclaiming victory, and crying out “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb!”

Salvation in this context is understood to be the deliverance of all creation that has been held captive. This may sound like the end of the story, yet the story is not linear, and the end is shown at several times throughout John’s vision.

In today’s reading, when an elder asks John, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from,” we learn that they:

·       Came from the “great ordeal.”

·       Their robes were washed in the blood of the lamb, and the robes were made white.

·       They are promised that God will shelter them, the Lamb will be their shepherd, and “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

John’s vision demonstrates that even though all power comes from God, calamities abound, as in this case where Romans were misusing power and treating the Christians unfairly. Readers would know that a time would come when they no longer would hunger, thirst, or suffer abuse and injustice. Christians would know that liberation might not be immediate, or even in their lifetime, but that justice will come.

 

Questions

1.     How are the four horsemen used in today’s culture to threaten and bring fear? How is the entire Revelation used to threaten and bring fear?

2.     What do you think is the significance to the early Christians of the white robes given to those who are told to “rest a little longer?”

3.     What ordeal had those in white robes been through? How have you come out of a “great ordeal?”

4.     What is the implication of the multitude being “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages?” How might we apply Community of Christ’s Enduring Principle of Worth of All Persons to this multitude?


 

Sending

Generosity Statement

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

This offering prayer for the Easter season is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.

God of rejoicing, we share our gifts joyfully and with thanksgiving in response to the generous gifts you have given us. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others so they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

 

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 254, “Jesus, Jesus, Ever Near Us”

 

Closing Prayer

 

Optional Additions Depending on Group

  • Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
  • Thoughts for Children

 


 

Thoughts for Children

Materials:

·       Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants

·       slips of paper with scripture verse written out (Matthew 22:38–39)

Show the three books of scripture.

Say: Here are three books we call scripture: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. Scripture is one way we learn about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The scriptures are stories, poetry, songs, histories, visions, and guidelines that have been passed down for generations.

The people who wrote down the scriptures did their best to share what was most important, or most helpful, for people to know as they journeyed with God.

We always are careful to remember that scripture is not used to prove things, or to make some people seem bad or unwanted. Scripture always tells us that loving God and others are the most important things we can do as disciples.

Let’s learn this scripture from Matthew 22:38–39.

Hand out slips of paper with this scripture printed out:

This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

—Matthew 22:38–39 NRSVue

Ask children to repeat after you, phrase by phrase. Then ask everyone to say it with you.

Say: Let’s always remember this important scripture.

Thank the children for participating.

 


Older Post Newer Post