Sermon Central
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The Messages Of The Angels
Contributed by John Gerald on Dec 7, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: One of the Christmas Messages - the part angels had in the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.
THE MESSAGES OF THE ANGELS
I. THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO MARY
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,(The sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy)
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Mary was unique in all of the human race! She was especially chosen for this honor.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Mary learns of her conception and of Jesus’ birth.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
She learns of his nature and honor. She knows that he shall be the son of God! and that he shall be the expected king of Israel!
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Mary knows that children must have a father, and she has not been with a man. She wants to know how this will be?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Now Mary knows that the conception will be of God, and that her son will be called the Son of God.
II. THE ANGEL’S REASSURANCE TO JOSEPH
Mat. 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Angels, the messengers of God, appear throughout the Bible when important announcements are to be made, and God wants to send a special message to someone. Sometimes the angel is called the "Angel of the LORD", which could mean that it was the LORD himself. Those Old Testament appearances are sometimes called the epiphaneia, or the showing of God himself as when God spoke to Abraham before he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
III. JOSEPH’S FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
Mat. 1: 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Joseph was a faithful man. His faith did not allow him any equivocation. He always obeyed immediately. When his mind was relieved, by faith in the words of the angel, he did not hesitate, he arose up and took unto himself his lovely wife, Mary.
IV. THE ANGELS’ MESSAGE TO THE SHEPHERDS
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Shepherds were considered common and unclean. Why would God choose them to receive the first public announcement of Jesus’ birth?
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The Saviour’s birth, time and place were announced to them. Bethlehem was the city of kings!
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
To be sure that the shepherds found the right babe, a sign of his circumstances was given. This was a most unusual circumstance!
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The angels praise God for offering mankind a redeemer through Jesus Christ, his Son.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
