Angels Among Us St. Michael And All Angels

In Jesus Holy Name September 29, 2024

Text: Luke 1:26-38 St Michael & All Angels Redeemer

“Angels Among Us”

St. Michael and All Angels

In 1993 The Country Western Music group, Alabama, released a song entitled “Angels Among Us.”

“I was walking home from school on a cold winter day

Took a shortcut through the woods and I lost my way

It was getting late and I was scared and alone

But then a kind old man took my hand, and led me home

Now, mama couldn't see him, oh but he was standing there

And I knew in my heart he was the answer to my prayers

[Chorus]

Oh, I believe there are angels among us

Sent down to us from somewhere up above

They come to you and me in our darkest hours

To show us how to live to teach us how to give

To guide us with the light of love

When life held troubled times and had me down on my knees

There's always been someone to come along and comfort me”

Angels sent from above.

Today we celebrate St. Michael and All Angels day. What can we learn from the Bible about angels?

The Bible tells us that God created angels before He created the world. The Book of Revelation reminds us that angels are servants of God and give Him praise and glory. Michael, Gabriel are probably the most familiar to us. Gabriel approached Mary and said: “I am Gabriel and I stand in the presence of God.” Gabriel brought God’s message to Mary, explaining that soon she would give birth to the Savior of the world, in the person of Jesus.

Gabriel had previously brought God’s message to Zechariah that he and his wife

Elizabeth would become the parents of John the Baptizer. Gabriel brought the message to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus.

Michael is called the Archangel, he is in charge of God’s army of angels. Jude 9 refers to an event which is found nowhere else in Scripture. Michael had to struggle or dispute with Satan about the body of Moses whose body Satan wanted to claim. We also learn from the vision of Daniel that angels and demons fight spiritual battles over the souls of men and nations, and that the demons resist angels and try to prevent them from doing God’s bidding. Michael is called the “Archangel” for he carries out God’s justice, leading God’s army at the end of human history to defeat Satan and his evil hosts.

Angels are everywhere in our popular culture. They are in mail order catalogues and decorate our Christmas trees. There are popular TV shows and books written about “angels”. James Steward in the film “It’s a Wonderful Life” had a guardian angel. Michael Landon came to earth to give heavenly advice in the show “Highway to Heaven”. George Washington is said to have seen an angel at Valley Forge.

One survey stated that 77% of Americans believe that each person has a guardian angel. Why is that? Well, you can go to Amazon and buy hundreds of books with titles like: “365 Prayers to Your Angel. Sub title: “Get your prayers answered and fulfill all your dreams with the help of angels.”

Then there is “My Guardian Angel Prayer Book” for children. Unfortunately, these books promote idol worship. If you are trusting and praying to angels then you have broken the 1st commandment. You cannot worship angels. In Revelation 19:10 & Revelation 22:8-9 John receives a message from an angel. He writes: “I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me: do not do it I am a fellow servant with you. Worship God.” And of course we are reminded of the words of Jesus who said that Satan will at times masquerade as an angel of light to deceive the world.

The Bible never tells us that each person has a guardian angel, although He may send angels to protect us for they are at His beck and call. We know from the book of Revelation that God had angels were watching over the 7 churches. Angels were created to worship God and serve His creation. God is our protector. His angels are on call at all times. They don’t take vacation days. They don’t take sick days. They don’t take off for holidays. They never age and they are always ready and available to carry out God’s plans!

Read Hebrews 1:3-7

Angels carry God’s message to His people when and where needed. so that His will can be accomplished in our world. It was two angels that protected Lot and his family, while carrying out the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

In Colossians 1:16, Paul wrote: “For by Christ, all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” This verse makes it clear that the angelic realm was not created as an end in itself. The myriads of angels that God created were made to fulfill His divine purposes.