Date: SAT 7:30pm 22nd November 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
(An epilogue delivered at a special service of praise in memory of the hymn-writer Fanny Crosby)
The preacher begins by warmly thanking everyone who contributed to the evening of praise and expresses delight at the large attendance. After reading Revelation 5:9–14, he leads the congregation in prayer, thanking God for the hymns of Fanny Crosby, for the testimony of her life, and for the privilege of gathering to honour the Christ whom she loved and served.Text: Revelation 5:12
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
Theme: Singing the Anthem of HeavenThe preacher compares the familiar singing of the British national anthem (“God Save the King”)—a song that expresses identity and includes a prayer—with the far greater anthem of heaven recorded in Revelation 5. There, countless angels, redeemed saints, and all creation unite in one thunderous song of praise to the Lamb. He structures the brief epilogue around three simple headings drawn from the passage:
- The Person Who is Praised – The Lamb
- From the very first announcement of Jesus by John the Baptist (“Behold the Lamb of God”) to the final vision in Revelation, Scripture presents Christ as the Lamb.
- The conquering Lion of Judah turns out to be the crucified Lamb; true worthiness is rooted in sacrifice and service, not domination.
- A hymn line is quoted: “The Lamb is all the glory in Emmanuel’s land.” Heaven’s praise is exclusively and eternally centred on Christ, not on human achievement, the church, or self-righteousness.
- The Passion That is Presented – “That Was Slain”
- Every soul in glory feels profound indebtedness to the Lamb who was slain. Without His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, and bodily resurrection are the sole grounds of redemption.
- Had Christ not accomplished these things, heaven would be empty and every hope vain.
- The redeemed in heaven do not sing of their own goodness but of His worthiness, declaring with overflowing gratitude, “Thou art worthy… for Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood.”
- The preacher lists some of the blessings purchased by the Lamb: full pardon, peace with God and the peace of God, eternal life, assurance, adoption into God’s family, and countless daily mercies.
- He urges the congregation to praise God because He made us (not evolution), redeemed us, keeps us, provides for us, and helps us in every trial.
- The Provision That is Proclaimed – Sevenfold Ascendancy of the Lamb
- On the cross Christ fought and won the greatest battle ever—against sin, Satan, death, hell, and the grave.
- Because He emerged victorious, He is now worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing.
- These same resources are made available to every believer: salvation is found only in receiving Christ by faith; the Christian life is lived through His strength; death for the believer becomes the doorway to being with Christ; and the resurrection will make us like Him.
- Fanny Crosby’s lifelong service and sacrifice flowed from this same source—she was saved by Christ’s righteousness alone, yet lived for His sake she poured out her life in grateful devotion.
Closing Appeal and Benediction
The hymns sung that evening were only a faint foretaste of the perfect praise that awaits in heaven. One day every believer will join the heavenly choir in singing without hindrance, “Worthy is the Lamb!” The preacher invites any who are still outside of Christ to come to Him tonight, and any struggling Christian to fix their eyes afresh on the Lamb who is worthy of all praise. He closes with warm thanks, an offer of personal help, and a heartfelt blessing upon the congregation.
