2010-02-21 Are Angels Out There - Fringe - Part 1
ARE ANGELS OUT THERE?
FRINGE
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, February 21, 2010
“One day the angels came to show themselves before the Lord, and Satan was with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “I have been wandering around the earth, going back and forth in it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him. He is an honest and innocent man, honoring God and staying away from evil.” But Satan answered the Lord, “Job honors God for a good reason. You have put a wall around him, his family, and everything he owns. You have blessed the things he has done. His flocks and herds are so large they almost cover the land. But reach out your hand and destroy everything he has, and he will curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “All right, then. Everything Job has is in your power, but you must not touch Job himself.” Then Satan left the Lord’s presence.” Job 1:6-12 NCV
THERE IS A WORLD THAT WE CANNOT SEE.
“Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.” Ephesians 6:12, NCV
“After God forced the man out of the garden, he placed angels and a sword of fire that flashed around in every direction on its eastern border. This kept people from getting to the tree of life.” Genesis 3:24, NCV
“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.” Psalm 148:5-6, NRSV
“All the angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation.” Hebrews 1:14, NCV
“No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.” Hebrews 12:22, NLT
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2, NRSV
“And Ezra said: “You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. To all of them you give life, and the host of heaven worships you.” Nehemiah 9:6, NRSV
“ In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:1-3, NRSV
Angel means messenger.
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11, NRSV
“While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,” Luke 24:4-6, NRSV
Angels provide for and protect God’s people.
“Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14, NRSV
“Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.” Matthew 4:11, NRSV
“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10, NRSV
Angels will be there when we die.
“The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.” Luke 16:22, NRSV
Who is Satan?
“The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Revelation 12:9, NRSV)
Demons are the angels that fell with Satan and fight against the church.
“Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;” (Matthew 25:41, NRSV)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, NRSV)
Live with awareness and not weirdness to this message.
“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12, NRSV
Fight spiritual battles with cosmic weapons.
· Prayer
· Truth
· Power of the Holy Spirit
“No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13, NRSV
“and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:19-20, NRSV
Every time Satan reminds you of your past remind him of his future.
In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:7, NLT
Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8, NIV
GROWTHWORK
1. Memorize Luke 15:7
2. Become a bearer of good news.
3. Refresh others by serving them.
4. Join the angels in worshipping God.
5. Rejoice over those who repent and turn to Christ.