Angels: Messengers of God
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SUBJECT: Angels
TITLE: Angels: Messengers of God
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will study the role of angels as messengers of God, and then we will note how that their role has diminished and ended as messengers of God and they are not just servants.
OBJECTIVE: To teach what the Bible says about the role of angels as messengers ending on earth.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Hebrews 1:14
2. About the Text:
3. Popularity of Subject
1) 2008 study Baylor University: 55% “Yes” to: “I was protected from harm by a guardian angel” (Biema).
2) Pew Research Center: “nearly seven-in-ten Americans (68%) believe that angels and demons are active in the world” (Pew 12).
4. What is the Bible’s teaching regarding the role of Angels?
1) Hebrew “mal’akh,” and Greek “angelos,” – “messenger.”
2) An “angel” is a messenger.
3) Messenger of God (e.g. Genesis 19:1);
4) Messenger of Satan (e.g. Matthew 25:41, Revelation 12:9).
5) Sometimes the Angel is God Himself (e.g. Exodus 3:2, 14:19).
6) The word “angel” carries no inherent notion of “good.”
7) “Thorn in the flesh” as an “angelos satana,” or “angel of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7).
8) Created beings (Psalm 148:2, 5), spirits, ministering to God and man (Hebrews 1:14).
5. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION:
I. Status as divine messenger is their fundamental character.
1. Several passages depict angels as bringing verbal messages from God to men.
2. Zechariah is portrayed as speaking with the angel of the LORD (Zechariah 1-6).
3. The same is true regarding the apostle John in the book of Revelation.
4. Angels also bear news of important events in God’s NT scheme of salvation.
5. Gabriel spoke to Zacharias to announce the birth of John the Baptizer (Luke 1:8-23).
6. Mary also spoke to the angel Gabriel who told her of Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:26-38).
7. Matthew 1:20-24 simply says an angel spoke to Joseph, but does not specify a name.
8. Angels brought news of the birth of Jesus to the nearby shepherds (Luke 2:8-15).
9. The first news of the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:5, Luke 24:23, John 20:12-13).
II. The work of angels became more and more limited after the great commission.
1. Men became the primary agency involved in disseminating the gospel.
2. This was facilitated by angels under certain circumstances.
3. Acts 1:10-11 seems to be a reference to angels.
4. An angel released Peter from prison and said, “Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life” (Acts 5:20).
5. In Acts 8:26, an angel told Philip to go to the south from Jerusalem to Gaza.
6. Cornelius was visited by an angel, but not told what to do to be saved; told him get Peter to preach words whereby he could be saved (Acts 10:3, 7, 22, 11:13).
7. Acts 12 – Angel released Peter from prison when Herod Agrippa I took him prisoner.
III. The role of angels provided support to the apostles in preaching God’s word.
1. The work of angels in giving revelation to men was at an end, and today is passed.
2. Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
3. What was once the message of angels in the world (Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 2:2), is now the message of inspired men.
IV. Scripture is completely sufficient to furnish for all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
1. Role of angels to reveal God’s word was not their primary work as in 1 Peter 1:12.
2. Peter said the prophets spoke of the sufferings of Christ beforehand (1 Pet.1:11).
3. Peter writes, “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
4. Angels were more or less ignorant of God’s plan for man’s salvation.
5. Those who claim personal angelic revelation today, misunderstand the role of angels.
6. The role angels play today limited to Hebrews 1:14, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
7. Although miracles have ceased, angels exist, and continue to work.
V. Are there “guardian angels?”
1. Psalm 91:11 “For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.”
2. Jesus corrects Satan’s application of this passage in Matthew 4:6.
3. Never intended as comprehensive insurance, especially when one tempts God.
4. Matthew 18:10 “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
5. “Little ones” refers to those who humble themselves (Matthew 18:4).
6. Jesus warns those who would cause stumble.
7. Angels work to so protect the saints only when such is consistent with God’s purposes.
8. Uninterruptible personal protection is not reflecting scriptural teaching of the subject.
CONCLUSION:
1. What do we learn about angels as messengers?
1) Angels once served as messengers.
2) Their role was limited after the great commission.
3) They enabled and served the apostles and prophets of the New Testament.
4) Scripture does everything today that angels once did and angels are no longer needed to deliver God’s word.
5) So-called guardian angels are not part of God’s plan.
2. Invitation