Angels At Christmas

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Messengers for God. (The word angel means messenger). What is the main purpose of angels? "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14).

2. There are several appearances of angels surrounding the birth of Jesus. While they appear throughout the Bible, when are the times they must appear? At cross roads in history when God begins:

a. A new direction in ministry.

b. A new message for His people.

3. Not recognizing them. Will we have angelic messengers in our life? "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb. 13:2).

Angels are among us, but we don’t recognize them.

We should not deny them, or God who sent them.

B. WHAT NEW THING DID THE ANGELS BRING?

1. To Zacharias, Luke 1:11-20.

a. The forerunner of Jesus. What did the angel promise to Zacharias? "Thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son" (1:13). "He (John the Baptist) shall go before Him (Messiah) . . . to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children . . . to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (1:17).

b. A message of a miracle. How was the message of the angel going to happen? Elizabeth would conceive, when she was too old.

c. A message of judgement. Zacharias did not believe the promise of the angel and was struck dumb until the child was born. "Because thou believeth not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season" (1:20).

2. To Mary, Luke 1:26 – 38.

a. Mary was chosen because of her excellence. What did the angels tell Mary about herself? "Thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women" (1:28).

b. To be the mother of the Messiah. What was Mary’s task? Thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son . . . the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David" (1:31-32).

c. Name the child Jesus. What was a specific direction? "Thou . . . shalt call his name Jesus" (1:31).

3. To Joseph, Matthew 1:19-21.

a. He did not understand. Why did the angel come to Joseph? "Fear not to take unto thee, Mary thy wife" (1:20).

b. The miracle of conception. What was the angel’s message to Joseph? "That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost" (1:30).

c. Salvation of lost people. What was the purpose of the Son? "Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins" (1:21).

4. To the shepherds, Luke 2:9-15

a. They were symbolic of all. Why did the angel(s) choose these shepherds? "Fear not for I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people" (2:10).

b. A Savior. What was their message? "For unto you is born this day in the city of Bethlehem, a Savior which is Christ the Lord" (2:11).

c. A normal human body. For what were they to look? "This shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (strips of cloth, NIV), lying in a manger" (2:12).

d. To worship God. What was the response of angels to this message? "A multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (2:13-14).

5. To Joseph in a dream, Matthew 2:13-23

a. Warning. Why did the angel come to Joseph? "For Herod will seek the young child to destroy him" (2:13).

b. Direction. What did the angel say? "Take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt" (2:13).

WHAT GOD DID NOT DO

1. Change Herod’s anger.

2. Eliminate Herod.

3. Tell Joseph to fight.

4. Protect with a miracle.

Answer: Timing

c. God’s timing. How long was Joseph to stay in Egypt? "Until I bring thee word" (2:13). "For they are dead that sought the young child" (2:20).

C. WHAT DO ANGELS DO TODAY?

1. Angelic transportation at death into the presence of God. Luke 16:22.

2. Angels deliver messages for God.

3. Angels protect God’s people, i.e., guardian angels. Matthew 18:10.

Angels relate to us physically. The Holy Spirit relates to us spiritually.

4. Angels encourage God’s people.

5. Angels carry out God’s judgments.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.