· Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope
for and assurance about what we do not see.
· Ephesians 6:12 - 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
· When people die, they do not become angels.
· Psalm 8:4-5 - 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 5 You have
made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
· Angels sit on clouds and play harps.
· Angels plead our case before God.
· Romans 8:26-27 - 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
· Angels are messengers of God.
· Luke 1:26-29 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named
Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who
are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
· Angels praise God.
· Psalm 148:2 - 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all
his heavenly hosts.
· Praise is privilege, not burden.
· Angels execute judgment on the enemies of God.
· Acts 12:21-23 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public
address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
· Angels minister to believers.
· Hebrews 1:14 - 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
· PIX – John Paton
· Angels accompany Jesus when he returns to reign.
· Revelation 19:14 - 14 The armies of heaven were following
him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and
clean.
· We need to see how God works in our world.
· Heavenly Father, was that just luck? Or was that one of your angels?
Group Discussion Questions
Starter Question: When you hear people talk about angels, what are they referring to?
Go Deeper:
1. Read Ephesians 6:12.
2. In your opinion, what are common ideas people have
the unseen world?
3. Read Luke 1:11-13
4. Zechariah is afraid when he receives the message from the angel. In your opinion, why?
5. Read Revelation 15:1, 16:1.
6. How do you feel about God’s wrath being poured out by angels? Why might this be a positive thing? Why might it be a negative thing?
7. Read Hebrews 1:14 and Matthew 4:11
8. How might angels minister to people in our time?
9. If you had a greater awareness of angels, how would your understanding of God change?
