Touched By An Angel, But Changed By The Lord!

I read a very interesting excerpt from a book written by Malcolm Godwin that is worth pondering. Malcolm Godwin in his 1990 book, Angels: An Endangered Species, estimates that over the last 30 years one in every ten pop songs mentions an angel. But that was just romantic fun. He also writes,

Now our culture takes angels seriously, if not accurately. In the last two years Time, Newsweek, Ladies' Home Journal, Redbook, and a host of other popular magazines have carried articles about angels. In mid-1994, ABC aired a two-hour, prime time special titled "Angels: the Mysterious Messengers." In Newsweek's November 28, 1994 issue an article titled "In Search of the Sacred" observed that "20% of Americans have had a revelation from God in the last year, and 13% have seen or sensed the presence of an angel" (p. 54). Newsweek is right; modern society, so seemingly secular and hopelessly materialistic, desperately searches for some spiritual and supernatural meaning. If angels can provide it, then angels it will be. Certainly they are more cheerful and brighter than our long-standing infatuation with movies about demons and evil spirits, along with endless Dracula revivals.

What is the truth about angels today? Are angels morally indifferent to our lives? Are angels singularly focused on helping us get what we want in life? Are we to worship angels? Does God have anything to teach us about the existence of angels and their purpose in God's great plan? Oh, I am so glad you asked because this morning we are going to be spending our time together taking a look at angels according to Hebrews 1:4-14. As we study God's Word we are going to find that Jesus is far superior to the angels in every way. Won't you turn in your Bibles and let's read together.

4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire." 8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." 10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:4-14 NIV)