Ministering Spirits - The Ministry Of Angels To Christ

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                         "MINISTERING SPIRITS"

                    The Ministry Of Angels To Christ

INTRODUCTION

1. We've seen that angels and other spiritual beings rendered service to
   God...
   a. Angels as messengers and executors of God's will
   b. Cherubim as guardians and bearers of His throne
   c. Seraphim as proclaimers of His holiness

2. Angels also provided significant service to Jesus Christ...
   a. Their ministry to Christ emphasizes His deity - He 1:4-14
   b. A ministry that is part of the "mystery of godliness" - 1Ti 3:16

[What service did angels render to Christ?  What service will they yet
render on His behalf...?]

I. THEIR PAST MINISTRY TO CHRIST

   A. FORETOLD HIS BIRTH...
      1. Gabriel appeared to Mary - Lk 1:26-38
      2. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream - Mt 1:18-21

   B. ANNOUNCED HIS BIRTH...
      1. First, a single angel to the shepherds in the field - Lk 2:8-12
      2. Then, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God - Lk 2:
         13-15

   C. PROTECTED HIM IN INFANCY...
      1. By warning Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt - Mt 2:13
      2. By telling Joseph in a dream to return to Israel - Mt 2:19-20

   D. MINISTERED TO HIM AFTER THE TEMPTATION...
      1. After the devil had left Him - Mt 4:11; Mk 1:13
      2. May have included encouragement, perhaps even food - e.g.,
         1Ki 19:5-7

   E. STRENGTHENED HIM AT GETHSEMANE...
      1. As He struggled in prayer and agony - Lk 22:41-44
      2. Perhaps similar to the way in which Daniel was strengthened
         - cf. Dan 10:18-19

   F. ROLLED AWAY THE STONE AT THE TOMB...
      1. Sitting on the stone after doing so - Mt 28:2
      2. Terrifying the guards at the tomb by his appearance - Mt 28:3-4

   G. APPEARED FOLLOWING HIS RESURRECTION...
      1. To the women sans Mary Magdalene (who had gone to tell Peter
         and John upon seeing the stone removed from the tomb) - Mt 28:
         5-7; Mk 16:5-7; Lk 24:4-7,22,23; Jn 20:1-2
      2. To Mary Magdalene who went into the tomb after Peter and John
         left - Jn 20:11-13

   H. ATTENDED HIS ASCENSION...
      1. As two men in white apparel - Ac 1:9-10
      2. Announcing the promise of His return - Ac 1:11

[With angels so prominent in the first coming of Christ, we should not
be surprised with their role in His second coming...]

II. THEIR PRESENT AND FUTURE MINISTRY TO CHRIST

   A. THEY WORSHIP AND SERVE HIM...
      1. They worship Him around the throne - Rev 5:11-14
      2. They revealed things to take place - Re 1:1; 22:16 (note also
         the many references to angels throughout Revelation)

   B. THEY WILL ACCOMPANY HIS SECOND COMING...
      1. When He comes in His glory - Mt 16:27; 25:31; Mk 8:38
      2. When He comes to raise the dead - 1Th 4:16
      3. When He comes to bring judgment and condemnation upon the
         wicked - 2Th 1:7-10

   C. THEY WILL SEPARATE THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED...
      1. Gathering out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those
         who practice lawlessness, casting them into the furnace of fire
         - Mt 13:40-42
      2. Separating the wicked from the just - Mt 13:49-50

CONCLUSION

1. As previously mentioned, the ministry of angels emphasize the deity
   of Christ...
   a. As we see them serving Him
   b. As we see them praising Him

2. Hopefully, our study of angels will encourage us in the same
   direction...
   a. To serve Christ, who was, is and will be served by angels
   b. To praise Christ, who certainly deserves our praise both now and
      forever

Will we join with the angels by adding our service and praise to Jesus
who has "obtained a more excellent name than they (angels)...", both now
and in the world to come? - He 1:4
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