Showing posts with label sovereignty of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sovereignty of God. Show all posts

Sunday, August 23, 2026

The LORD Reigneth

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-23-2026

Psalm 99

 

Introduction:

A.  Why such a Psalm? Hmmm, let me take a wild guess?  Because of me?  Because of you?  Because of circumstances?  Because of spiritual and physical hardships?  Because of finances?  Hmmm, the answer is yes!  Because we are human and often weak spiritually!

 

B.  What causes such spiritual conditions?  Unbelief!  Simple enough.  Though the Bible says:

 

1.  Trust in the LORD!  Aha, an all too familiar verse?  Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

2.  Be careful for NOTHING!  Aha, remember the verse we quote every Wednesday night?  Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

3.  Casting ALL your Care upon Him!  Yes, I remember!  1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

4.  Put your confidence in the LORD!  Oh, Pastor, why are you doing this?  Because I need it!  Psalms 118:8-9  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  (9)  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

 

Philippians 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

 

C.  I thought of other verses of Scripture that WE love to quote but, in times of adversity, they hardly ever come to mind.  God reminds us in Psalm 99!

 

D.  I want to look at this Psalm of Praise tonight because of the first three words, “The LORD reigneth.”  Again, I call your attention to the “eth” ending of the word “reign”.  This word expresses the truth of God’s sovereignty throughout the ages.  The LORD did reign, the LORD does reign, and the LORD will always reign.  You can take that to the bank!

 

E.  This Psalm reminds us that the LORD will be “LORD of all” today, tomorrow, and forever!.  No matter what comes; no matter what problems that we face; no matter what disappointments and discouragements that we endure; the LORD will be the LORD and He will continue to control all things.

 

Acts 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

 

F.  The last verse of the Psalm exhorts us to 1)  “Exalt the LORD for He is our God”  and 2)  “Worship the LORD for He is holy.”

 

G.  “The LORD reigneth” speaks of His sovereignty, purpose, and power.  His sovereignty cannot be denied, His purpose cannot be hindered, and His power is unstoppable.

 

1.  Verse 1.  The LORD is sovereign in Heaven.  “He sitteth between the cheribums.”  He is LORD of heaven and, from there, controls His universe and all that is within it.

 

Isaiah 6:1-4  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.  (2)  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.  (3)  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.  (4)  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

 

2.  Verse 2.  The LORD is sovereign in Israel.  “The LORD is great in Zion.”  God still loves His covenant people and will graft the natural branch back in one day.  What we see in Israel today is controlled by God!

 

Psalms 102:16  When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

 

3.  Verse 3.  The LORD is sovereign in His name.  “LORD.”  “I AM THAT I AM” means that He Self-existent and Eternal. Jehovah God!  He needs nothing or anybody, He needs no advice nor counsel, He knows everything, He can do all things and is ever present!  He is LORD! 

 

Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

4.  Verse 4.  The LORD is sovereign in His Judgment.  “thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.”  Rest assured that God knows all that goes on and will make it right, His time and His way! The judgment of God will be a right judgment and a right reward.

 

Romans 2:2-3  But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.  (3)  And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

 

5.  Verse 5.  The LORD is sovereign in Our Praise.  “Exalt ye the LORD our God.”  We worship the LORD and Him alone!

 

Psalms 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

 

6.  Verse 6.  The LORD is sovereign in His Answers to Prayer.  “they called … He answered.”  When God answers our prayers, He will answer in a perfect way.  No matter where you are, no matter what you need!

 

Jeremiah 33:1-3  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,  (2)  Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;  (3)  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

 

7.  Verse 7.  The LORD is sovereign in His Word.  “they kept His testimonies.”  You can trust your Bible in life, salvation, and death.

 

Psalms 138:1-2  A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.  (2)  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

 

8.  Verse 8.  The LORD is sovereign in Forgiveness.  “thou wast a God that forgavest them.”  Oft times, we are slow to forgive but God is a God of forgiveness.  No matter what sin you have committed, failure that you have had, His ears are open to your cry and His arms are open to your embrace.

 

1 John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

9.  The LORD is sovereign in in Holiness.  “for the LORD our God is holy.”  God will always do right!  God cannot and will not do wrong so His ways will be right ways.

 

1 John 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

 

Conclusion:  Because God is all these things, we need not fear or worry concerning this life as He holds our lives in His hands!

Sunday, June 28, 2026

The Lord Reigneth!

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-28-2026

Psalm 97

 

Introduction:

A.  We live in a time prophesied throughout the Bible, but there is much biblical ignorance among God’s people.  I fear that many in our day believe that everything is out of control.

 

1.  In nature.  Stronger storms, greater tragedies.  Romans 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

 

2.  Among the saved.  Greater confusion, greater apostasy among the saved, greater falling away, and a lack of spiritual concern.

 

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

3.  Among the unsaved.  Greater wickedness, greater spiritual blindness and unconcern for eternal things, more atheism and agnosticism, more idolatry.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  (2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  (3)  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

 

4. Politically.  Greater turmoil in government, more wars and political unrest worldwide, greater hatred for the Nation of Israel and the United States.

 

Matthew 24:6-7  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

 

5. More questions seemingly unanswered.

 

B. Psalm 97 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign rule over all the earth. In a world filled with uncertainty, injustice, and fear, this psalm reminds us that God is still on His throne. The central message is simple yet profound:

 

C. "The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice" (Psalm 97:1).

 

1. Rejoice Because God Reigns (Psalm 97:1-6)  "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice..."

 

a. His Rule Is Universal.

 

God is not merely King of Israel; He is King over all creation. Nations rise and fall, but God's kingdom stands forever.

Nothing catches God by surprise.

 

b. His Rule Is Righteous.

 

"Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne" (v. 2).

God never makes a mistake.

His decisions are always just and holy.

 

c. His Presence Is Powerful.

 

Fire, lightning, and trembling mountains reveal His majesty.

These images remind us that God is not a weak or distant ruler.

He is all-powerful and worthy of reverence.

When circumstances seem out of control, remember that God is still in control.

 

2. Rejoice Because God Overrules. (Psalm 97:7-9)  "Confounded be all they that serve graven images..."

 

a. Idols Always Fail.

 

Ancient idols were made of wood and stone.

Modern idols may be money, pleasure, success, popularity, or self.

Anything that takes God's place in our hearts becomes an idol.

 

b. God Alone Is Exalted.

 

"For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth" (v. 9).

No person, possession, or power compares to Him.

Every knee will ultimately bow before Him.

Examine your heart. What receives your devotion, attention, and trust more than God?

 

3. Love the Lord and Hate Evil. (Psalm 97:10-11)  "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil..."

 

a. Genuine Love Produces Holy Living.

 

Loving God means embracing what He loves and rejecting what He hates. Christians are called to separate from sin.

 

b. God Preserves His Saints.

 

God protects and keeps His people.

Though believers face trials, they are secure in His hands.

 

c. Light Awaits the Righteous.

 

"Light is sown for the righteous."

Dark seasons do not last forever.

God has prepared joy and blessing for those who trust Him.

The evidence of true love for God is not merely words but a life that turns from evil.

 

4. Respond with Joyful Worship (Psalm 97:12)  "Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness."

 

a. Rejoice in Who God Is.

 

Our joy is rooted in God's character, not our circumstances.

His holiness, power, and faithfulness never change.

 

b. Remember His Holiness.

 

Worship begins with seeing God as He truly is.

The more we understand His holiness, the more we appreciate His grace.

 

c. Give Thanks Continually.

 

Gratitude is the natural response to God's goodness.

Thankfulness strengthens faith and glorifies God.

A believer who understands God's reign cannot help but rejoice and give thanks.

 

Conclusion: No matter what is happening in our nation, churches, families, or personal lives, the message of Psalm 97 remains unchanged: "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice."

Sunday, February 25, 2024

The Landmark of The Sovereignty Of God

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-25-2024

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

 

Introduction:  When mentioning the sovereignty of God, because of the Calvinistic Movement of our day, I always give an opening disclaimer.  We totally reject the damnable heresy of Calvinism, also called Reformed Theology.  Theology has never need reformation!  Theo – God  logy – knowledge or study of.

 

A.  God is ABSOLUTELY SOVEREIGN!!  He does what He desires, when He desires, where He desires.  He answers to nothing or no man.

 

1.  God stands alone, the pinnacle of all existence, self-existing (Jehovah God – LORD), all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient),  everywhere present (omnipresent), creator of all things, ruler of all things, sustainer of all things, He needs nothing, and He needs nobody!

 

2.  God is Absolutely Sovereign:   completely, entirely, totally, utterly sovereign!  HE TRULY STANDS ALONE! 

 

3.  God has no comparison. God has no competition. 

 

B.  The word “sovereignty” or “sovereign” is not found in your Bible, but neither are the words “trinity” or “rapture” found there either.  Since the word “sovereignty” is not a bible word, let us look at its definition for clarification:

 

Sovereignty – Free from all external control; reigning or royal authority; the dominion of a monarch, the complete authority to govern a state; exclusive in right to control one’s thoughts and actions; autonomous; greatest in status, authority, and power; supreme; exceptional in quality.

 

C.  The doctrine of the “Sovereignty of God” is one of both the least understood and the most misunderstood.  Many believe that things happen by chance instead of through divine providence.  I do not believe in luck.  I believe in the providence of an all-knowing, thrice holy God!

 

D.  Sovereignty is a doctrine that we have allowed the Calvinists to “hold hostage.”  Every time I use the word, I feel that we must give a disclaimer concerning Calvinism. 

 

E.  By the sovereignty of God, it is to be understood that—as Creator of all things both visible and invisible—God is both owner or and ruler over all things. There are many verses in the Bible that show God’s absolute sovereignty and I have listed some for you if you receive or want to receive this sermon in print.

 

Deuteronomy 32:39  See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

 

1 Chronicles 29:11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

 

Psalms 115:3  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

 

Isaiah 45:9  Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

 

Ezekiel 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

Daniel 4:35  And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

 

Matthew 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

Matthew 20:15  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

 

Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

 

Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

Revelation 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

F.  Because God is sovereign:

 

1.  He Requires No Counsel - Romans 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

 

2.  He Seeks No Advice - 1 Corinthians 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

3.  He Lacks No Wisdom - James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

4.  He Asks No Permission – Job 33:13  Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

 

5.  He Answers To No Man - Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

 

G.  In our text, 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, for this morning, we have another Full Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation.  If there had been no other of the afore mentioned verses in the Bible, THESE VERSES SAY IT ALL.

 

1.  Verses 10.  God is Sovereign in His Person.  “Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.”

 

1 Timothy 6:15-16  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

There was none before Him, there will be none after Him, and there is none like Him! You cannot do anything about Him.  You cannot change Him.  You cannot circumvent Him.  You cannot ignore Him.  And you had better not die without Him!

 

2.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Power.  “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty”

 

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

3.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Possession.  “for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine;”

 

Colossians 1:15-16  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

4.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Position.  “thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all”

 

1 Timothy 1:17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

5.  Verse 12.  God is Sovereign in His Performance.  “Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”  

 

Psalms 75:6-7  For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  (7)  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

 

6.  Verse 13.  God is Sovereign in His Praise.  “Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”

 

Revelation 4:9-11  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,  (10)  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  (11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Sunday, January 31, 2021

The Sovereignty Of God

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-31-2021

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  God is absolutely Sovereign.  The words “absolutely” and “sovereign” are synonyms instead of our usual oxymorons that I use that are antonyms.  My word processor tried to remove absolutely but I did not allow.  God is ABSOLUTELY SOVEREIGN!!  He does what He desires to do anytime He desires to do it!

 

B.  The word “sovereignty” or “sovereign” is not found in your Bible but neither are the words “trinity” or “rapture” found there either.  Since the word “sovereignty” is not a bible word, let us look at its definition for clarification:

 

Sovereignty – Free from all external control; reigning or royal authority; the dominion of a monarch, the complete authority to govern a state; exclusive in right to control one’s thoughts and actions; autonomous; greatest in status, authority, and power; supreme; exceptional in quality.

 

C.  The doctrine of the “Sovereignty of God” is one of both the least understood and the most misunderstood.  Many believe that things happen per chance instead of through divine providence.  I do not believe in luck.  I believe in the providence of an all-knowing, thrice holy God!

 

D.  Sovereignty is a doctrine that we have allowed the Calvinists to “hold hostage.”  Every time we use the word, we feel that we must give a disclaimer concerning Calvinism. 

 

E.  By the sovereignty of God, it is to be understood that—as Creator of all things both visible and invisible—God is both owner or and ruler over all things. There are many verses in the Bible that show God’s absolute sovereignty and I have listed some for you if you receive or want to receive this sermon in print.

 

Deuteronomy 32:39  See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

 

1 Chronicles 29:11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

 

Psalms 115:3  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

 

Isaiah 45:9  Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

 

Ezekiel 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

Daniel 4:35  And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

 

Matthew 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

Matthew 20:15  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

 

Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

 

Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

Revelation 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

F.  Because God is sovereign:

 

1.  He Requires No Counsel - Romans 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

 

2.  He Seeks No Advice - 1 Corinthians 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

3.  He Lacks No Wisdom - James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

4.  He Asks No Permission – Job 33:13  Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

 

5.  He Answers To No Man - Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

 

G.  In our text for this morning, we have another Full Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation.  If there had been no other of the afore mentioned verses in the Bible, these verses have said it all.

 

1.  Verses 10.  God is Sovereign in His Person.  “Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.”

 

 

1 Timothy 6:15-16  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

There was none before Him, there will be none after Him, and there is none like Him! You cannot do anything about Him.  You cannot change Him.  You cannot circumvent Him.  You cannot ignore Him.  And you had better not die without Him!

 

2.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Power.  “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty”

 

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

3.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Possession.  “for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine;”

 

Colossians 1:15-16  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

4.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Position.  “thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all”

 

1 Timothy 1:17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

5.  Verse 12.  God is Sovereign in His Performance.  “Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”  

 

Psalms 75:6-7  For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  (7)  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

 

6.  Verse 13.  God is Sovereign in His Praise.  “Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”

 

Revelation 4:9-11  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,  (10)  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  (11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.