Help Support our mission

Your generosity makes a difference! Give to General, Missions, Benevolence, Youth, Kids, or other funds to spread hope, serve our community, and share God’s love. Thank you for partnering in our missions and ministries!

Ways to give:

Securely with card or bank via The Rock's App
Simply drop off your donation during services.

From Tears to Triumph

Pastor Mike reminds us that in a broken and chaotic world, our only hope, stability, and future are found in the One who sits on the throne and the Lamb who alone is worthy.

Download The Rock's App for access to archived sermons

Sermon Notes

Revelation 5:1-14

The Answer Is Always Jesus
Pastor Mike begins by acknowledging the heavy events of the week and the deep grief many are carrying. As a shepherd, he points us back to the only steady place to stand, Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Throughout history, whether in persecution, revival, or national crisis, the church has always been sustained and strengthened by Christ alone.

A Blessing for Those Who Look at the End (Revelation 1:1–3)
Revelation isn’t meant to terrify believers but to pull back the curtain on Jesus. Those who read, hear, and obey it are promised blessing. Pastor Mike reminds us that “the time is near,” calling the church to urgency, prayer, and mission right where God has placed us—especially in a spiritually dark region like Sonoma County.

The Throne, the Scroll, and the Search for Worthiness (Revelation 5:1–4)
John sees God seated, actively reigning on the throne with a sealed scroll in His hand. A search across heaven, earth, and under the earth finds no one worthy to open it. John weeps over humanity’s sin and helplessness, a reminder that no human leader, system, or movement can fix what’s broken.

The Lion Who Is the Lamb (Revelation 5:5–10)
An elder tells John to stop weeping because the Lion of Judah has conquered. John turns and sees the Lamb who was slain, Jesus, the victorious King who ransomed people from every tribe and nation by His blood. He alone is worthy to open the scroll and complete God’s plan for history.

Worthy of All Worship (Revelation 5:11–14)
Heaven erupts in praise as angels and every creature declare, “Worthy is the Lamb!” Pastor Mike challenges believers to live like citizens of Christ’s kingdom, to call sin what it is, to reflect Jesus in a darkening world, and to live with urgency, conviction, and visible faith as we await His return.

Practical Takeaways:

  • Turn to Jesus first when the world feels dark and overwhelming.

  • Read Revelation as a blessing that reveals Christ, not a book to fear.

  • Remember that God is seated on the throne and actively ruling today.

  • Let the victory of the Lamb shape your politics, priorities, and responses to evil.

  • Live as a visible follower of Christ so others can see His character in you.

 
 
Share this Sermon:

Related Sermons

**Alt text:** Sermon thumbnail featuring a speaker standing behind a wooden pulpit with an open Bible, smiling as he teaches. Large text reads "Letter to the Church of Ephesus" with "Revelation 2:1–7" below. The background shows a blurred ancient stone street and archway, with the "7 Churches of Revelation" series title in the upper right and the Calvary Chapel The Rock logo in the lower left.

Intro to the Seven Churches of Revelation

Jesus commended the church in Ephesus for their hard work, perseverance, biblical discernment, and refusal to tolerate false teaching. He rebuked them for leaving their first love, their devotion and affection for Him. A church can be busy serving, doctrinally sound, and morally faithful while still drifting from a close, joyful relationship with Christ. Jesus …

Calvary Chapel The Rock

June 25, 2026