Christmas- The Significance Of Angels.
Luke 2:8-21TLB
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! 12 How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang,“and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”15 When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on! Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 They ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story expressed astonishment, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them. 20 Then the shepherds went back again to their fields and flocks, praising God for the visit of the angels, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had told them. 21 Eight days later, at the baby’s circumcision ceremony, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was even conceived.
“As you can tell, angels had a very important role to play in the birth of Jesus. Throughout scripture the presence and actions of angels have changed events.’
‘Can I tell you when we get to heaven there won’t be any broken angel wings, No weak ones, No emotionally disturbed ones, no lame or feeble ones.’
‘All of heaven will light-up as we approach heavens gates. It will be filled with the glory of God, along with hundreds of thousands of angels praising and glorifying the name of our Lord and our King—Jesus Christ!” P.H
This morning, I want to give you some exciting biblical facts about angels.
1. God created angels
Angels haven’t always existed. According to Scripture, they’re part of the universe God created.
In a passage that refers to angels (the“host” or “armies” of heaven), we read in Nehemiah 9:6 “You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host . . . and the host of heaven worships you!”
In the New Testament, Paul tells us in Colossians 1:16, That God created all things “visible and invisible,” and specifically includes the angelic world with the phrase, “Whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities.”
Key Note: “I think it’s amazing that God allowed His angels, His created ones, to proclaim the name of Jesus that was given by God, to these shepherds, and to the world.” P.H
2. God created angels to excel and do God’s Word.
Psalms 103:19-22TLB The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything there is. 20 Bless the Lord, you mighty angels of his who carry out his orders, listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, bless the Lord, you armies of his angels who serve him constantly. 22 Let everything everywhere bless the Lord. And how I bless him too!
The fact is, “When you proclaim God’s word over everything you do, angel’s excel to do God’s Word for your behalf!” P.H
3. Throughout the Bible, angels can’t usually be seen by humans unless God reveals them. —And reveals He does!
In Numbers 22:31TLB Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes and he saw the Angel standing in the roadway with drawn sword, and he fell flat on the ground before him.
2 Kings 6:17TLB Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes so that he could see horses of fire and chariots of fire everywhere upon the mountain!
In today’s text, Luke 2:13-14TLB Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang,“and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”
4. Angel’s bring joy, encouragement and excitement; Angel’s carry God-news.
Angel’s proclaim what God say’s. Angel’s manufacture— if you will, Praise to their God, and their King— King Jesus!
Again notice from today’s text, Luke 2:15TLB When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on!— Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Think about it, “These shepherds were moved to action by angels; I’m sure these men were never the same.” P.H
5. In the Bible, Only two angels have names.
Michael is mentioned in Jude 9, Revelation 12:7–8, and Daniel 10:13 and 21.
Gabriel is the only other angel named in the Bible. He’s mentioned in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21 as a messenger who comes from God to speak to Daniel.
He’s also identified as God’s messenger in Luke 1, He tells Zechariah, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God” Luke 1:19.
Then we read in Luke 1:26-28 “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin . . . and the virgin’s name was Mary”
Michael seems to be a warring angel; Gabriel, a massager sent from God.
6. From time to time angels took on a bodily form and appeared to various people in Scripture.
Matthew 28:5TLB Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be frightened!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified,
Hebrews 13:2TLB Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
7. There are three types of angels in the Bible.
1. Cherubim.
2. Seraphim.
3. Living creatures.
Cherubim are mentioned in several places throughout Scripture:
In Genesis 3:24, They guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden.
Ezekiel 10:1–22, God is enthroned above them.
Psalm 18:10, God rides on them.
In Exodus 25:18-22, Two golden figures of cherubim sit above the Ark of the Covenant, where God promised to dwell among his people.
In Isaiah 6, Another type of angel, the seraphim, are only mentioned once where they continually worship the Lord and say: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Ezekiel 1, and Revelation 4, speak of other kinds of heavenly beings known as “living creatures” around God’s throne.
They appeared like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, representing various parts of God’s creation (wild beasts, domesticated animals, human beings, and birds).
They, too, worship God continually, Revelation 4:8 “Day and night they never cease to sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
8. Angels are not omnipresent.
Angels frequently appear as messengers in the Bible, traveling from one place to another. In Luke 1, Gabriel, “Was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth.”
9. We don’t know how many angels exist,
The Bible doesn’t tell us how many angels God created. But apparently, there are a lot of them.
Here are a few of the ways the Bible tells us how many angels there are:
On Mount Sinai, God “came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand” (Deuteronomy 33:2).
We also learn that, “the chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands” (Psalm 68:17 NIV).
Key Point: When we come to worship, we come into the presence of “innumerable angels” (Hebrews 12:22).
Every biblical reference to the total number of angels suggests that they’re beyond counting.
10. The Bible indicates that guardian angels exist.
God sends angels to protect people:
Psalm 91:11–12 “He will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
11. Angels are very powerful.
Angels are certainly “greater in might and power” than humans (2 Peter 2:11).
Angels use their power to battle against Satan’s demonic forces (Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7–8, 20:1–3).
Neat fact: During our earthly lives, we’re “lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7).
But as powerful as angels are, when Jesus returns, followers of Christ will be raised higher than them (1 Corinthians 6:3).
12. Angels are examples for us.
An Angels delight is to be… God’s humble servants, faithfully performing their assigned tasks, great or small. Our desire and prayer should be that we will do the same.
Angels also model worship. John sees around God’s throne a great angelic army, “numbering thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5:11–12).
Key Note: “If the angels find it their highest joy to praise God continuously, shouldn’t we, too?”
13. Angels carry out many of God’s plans
There are numerous ways in which angels carry out God’s plans on earth:
They frequently bring God’s messages to people (Luke 1:11–19, Acts 8:26, 10:3–8, 22, 27:23–24).
They carry out some of God’s judgments, bringing a plague upon Israel (2 Samuel 24:16–17), smiting the leaders of the Assyrian army (2 Chronicles 32:21).
When Christ returns, angels will come with him as a great army accompanying their King and Lord (Matthew 16:27, Luke 9:26, 2 Thessalonians 1:7).
They patrol the earth as God’s representatives (Zechariah 1:10–11).
They carry out war against demonic forces (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7–8).
John records that an angel “seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit . . .” (Revelation 20:1–3).
When Christ returns, an archangel will proclaim his coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
In closing, When Christ was born in Bethlehem, a multitude of angels praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).
Jesus tells us, “There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10), indicating that angels rejoice when someone turns from sin and trusts in Christ.
In 1 Peter 1:12, “Angels long to look” into the glories of the plan of salvation as it works out in the lives of believers each day.
Here’s the great news, presently angels watch over God’s word, plus they watch over you.
Moreover, when you enter into heaven to receive your great reward, you will be in the center of this angelic worship!
Benediction.
