Introduction:
Have you ever felt like someone or something just had to be watching over you? I am convinced that many times in our lives God has, in His providence, sent His angels to perform their angelic ministry on you and me. Psalms 91:11 tells us "For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways". This angelic ministry is made available to all of God’s children. Be careful because you never know when you might be in the company of angels! Who would have known this better than the master of deception? He knew it well because he used to be numbered among them. Are angels present then when you and I are in dire straits? They certainly are. Discover today how they ministered to Jesus.
I. Angels Came When Jesus Was Born (Luke 2:14)
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
A.They sang at Bethlehem
B.They sang because the Savior was born.
1.Life began there in that dark little stable with an enumerable company of angels singing and praising God.
2.They shouted the good news that the world needed to hear.
3.Their news wasn¡¦t welcomed by everyone but neither is it today.
C.They sing when you and I are born again.
1.Every time a person comes to know the Lord, the
angelic host repeat that joyous cry of victory.
2.They will sing when you and I enter the glory of
heaven.
II. Angels Came When Jesus Was Victorious (Matt. 4:11)
1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.
4But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
5Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
He shall give His angels charge over you,’and,
’In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone."
7Jesus said to him, It is written again, You shall not tempt the LORD your God."
8Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
10Then Jesus said to him, Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ’You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."
11Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
A.They ministered in the desert.
B.After He fought the battle of temptation.
1.They weren¡¦t there when He was in the midst of the battle.
2.Jesus had to endure as we do but more than that, He had to be placed in the most vulnerable position.
C.So it is with you and I.
1.It is only after we have fought the battle and have emerged victorious that we are bathed with blessing.
2.It is only after the battle is won that we are as Jesus was, met by an enumerable company of angels to minister to us.
III. Angels Came When Jesus Was Crucified And Buried (Matt. 28:1-6)
1Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5But the angel answered and said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
A.They watched over the tomb.
1.Those that visited the tomb were met there by angels.
2.One account says one while yet another says two.
3.I am convinced that their were angels all around if they had only had eyes to see them.
B.They did not come during the crucifixion but afterwards
1.It is only in victory that they minister to us.
2.Defeat leaves us to ourselves.
C.They watch over the followers of Jesus.
1.We all have our own cross to bear.
2.They will always be there to share in our victories.
3.We are left in the end with two, and only two choices.
a.Disown it.
b.Carry it.
4.When you do the former, you push away all that God has to offer.
5.When you do the latter you are met there by an enumerable company of angels.
