Ministry of Angels III
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Introduction
We are now in the concluding portion of our study about God’s special creation, the angels. Though there’s a lot more to include here, I would rather do it on our Bible Study. What I want to emphasize here really is their ministry on us believers. Great things the Lord have done using angels to minister unto us.
I. Another true story:
In 1944, the penniless wife of a pastor and evangelist in Switzerland, Susie Ware prayed, “God, I need five pounds of potatoes, two pounds of pastry flour, apples, pears, a cauliflower, carrots, veal cutlets for Saturday, and beef for Sunday.” A few hours later, someone knocked on the door, and there was a young man carrying a basket, who said, “Mrs. Ware, I am bringing what you asked for.” It was precisely what she’d prayed for—down to the exact brand of pastry flour she wanted. The young man slipped away, and even though Rev. and Mrs Ware watched at the window to their building, the man never exited. He just disappeared (Anderson, Joan Wester. Where Angels Walk, New York: Ballantine Books, 1992, pp. 60-62).
Sue Bohlin a reputable Christian in her book entitled, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” Wrote:
I was about thirteen years old when I had my first encounter with an angel. I was going upstairs to my room, pulling my entire weight on the handrail, when it suddenly came off in my hand. I fell backwards, head first. Halfway into a terrible fall, I felt a strong hand on my back push me upright. There was nobody there—well, nobody visible!
Angel stories are always fascinating, and in this essay I address angels: the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good angels are the holy ones, the bad angels are the evil ones, which the Bible calls demons, and the ugly angels are demons disguising themselves as good angels. These ugly angels have deceived many people in a culture that has embraced “angel mania.
II. Works of Angels
1. In heaven – they honor, worship, and serve the Lord. Rev. 5:11-12, 8:3,4
2. On earth – They protect God’s children. Ps. 34:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth around about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
a. Angels protected Lot from the Sodomites (Gen. 19:10 – 11).
b. Angels protected Elisha from the Syrians ( 2 Kings 6:15-17).
c. Angel protected Daniel from the lion’s den (Dan. 6:22).
d. They keep watch over us. 1 Cor. 4:9, Eph. 3:10,
e. They watch the women, 1 Cor. 11:3, 10.
f. They watch over the preacher, 1 Tim. 5:21.
g. They minister to heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:13-14)
3. They guide believers – an angel guided Philip to meet the Ethiopian eunuch. Acts 8:26, they help in world evangelism.
4. They deliver – Acts 5:19, opened prison doors, releasing chains from Peter. Acts 12:7. They watch God’s children. Mt. 18:6, 10.
5. They take saved people to heaven at death. Lk. 6:22.
6. They execute God’s judgments- Kill Herod (Acts 12:23), separate and burn the tares at the final judgment of God (Mat. 13:41).
7. They would return with Jesus from heaven and help establish the kingdom. Mt. 24:30-31, 2 Thess. 1:7-10.
8. Angels guards the gates of New Jerusalem. Rev. 22:8-9
III. What can we learn from angels
1. Worship. Rev. 5:11, They are not to be worshiped. Rev. 22:8-9.
2. Service and obedience. Ps. 103:20-21.
3. Love for Jesus. Lk. 2:13-15, Mat. 4:11
4. Interest in God’s work and plan. 1 Pet. 1:12
5. Excitement about sinners being saved. Lk. 15:10
IV. Conclusion:
Angels are wonderful beings created by the Lord to minister unto us and to serve Him. They are wise but not all knowing, they are strong but not omniscient, and they are powerful but not omnipotent. They have been the object of much speculation in the olden times and recently much publicity in the media and churches. We must be careful on how to handle these matters. As created beings they are not to be worshiped for God alone is to be the center of our worship.
