“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” Luke 2:13-14, NKJV
A. WHAT IS AN ANGEL?
1. Angel is aggelo means messenger. Their message was to worship Jesus Christ.
2. They are holy beings, who worship God, continually crying, “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3). “Holy angels” (Matthew 25:31).
3. Angels were created in the beginning. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Heavens is plural including everything contained therein, i.e., the thrones, angels, etc.
4. They sat on the front row of heaven cheering during creation. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth ... when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 32:4, 7).
5. “God’s Son is much better than the angels, just as the name Jesus is far greater than the angel’s names. The Father never said to any angel what He said to Jesus, ‘You are My Son, today I am Your Father’ ... when the Father presented His honored Son to the world, He said, ‘let all the angels worship Him.’ The Father said to His Son, ‘Your throne will endure forever.’ The Father never said to an angel, what He said to His Son, ‘Sit in honor at My right hand, until I make Your enemies footstools at Your feet.’ But angels serve (litegaeo) God in worship and serve (dikaneo) those who will receive salvation” (Heb. 1:4-8, 13-14, ELT).
a. Jesus has a better name than the angels (v. 4).
b. Jesus has a better relationship with the Father. “Thou Art My Son” (v. 5).
c. Jesus has a better glory than the angels (v. 6).
d. Jesus has a better position. “Thy throne O God is forever” (v. 8).
e. Jesus has a better exhalation. “Sit on My right hand” (v. 13).
B. LEARNING FROM ANGELS TO WORSHIP CHRIST
1. Their primary assignment is worship. “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3).
a. Because Christ came lower than the angels.
b. Because Christ gave up His glory, position and exaltation.
c. Because Christ is our Savior.
2. Because Jesus is lower than angels in His humiliation, angels worshiped at His coming, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men” (Luke 2:13-14).
3. If the angels searched the Old Testament to learn about Jesus – and they knew Him in Heaven. “The Holy Spirit spoke to the prophets to predict the coming of Christ, and the angels study their writings to know more about Him” (I Peter 1:11-12, ELT). Why should we study diligently to know Jesus? To worship Him better.
4. We must be like the angels who are willing and obedient to serve God.
5. We are more limited; not as intelligent, and not as strong as the angels, so let’s worship from our lower position.
6. We have a free will that angels don’t have, so we can worship God better than angels.
a. We can be creative – they have no independence.
b. We can pray – they have no free will.
c. We can build up believers spiritually – they minister physically.
d. We can voluntarily give our time, talent and treasure.
e. We can preach the gospel and win souls.
7. We should be extremely careful if we ignore what the Bible teaches. “If the message God delivered by angels has always been proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law ... what makes us think we can escape if we are indifferent?” (Hebrews 2:2-3, LB).
8. Are angels all about us at Christmas? Angels only appear in history when God re-directs His program on earth. The birth of Christ was the greatest epoch change in history, so it had the greatest display of angels. Maybe they still return to see what we do with Christmas.
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.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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