Angels: Top Flight Disciples Luke 2:8-20

Harris Poll Most Americans still do not believe in UFOs Most Americans still do not believe in UFOs Only 36% believe UFOs are for real Only 36% believe UFOs are for real 71% believe in angelic beings 71% believe in angelic beings

Live to Serve People often get it wrong about angels People often get it wrong about angels Angels are viewed as somewhat inactive beings who sit on clouds and strum harps of gold Angels are viewed as somewhat inactive beings who sit on clouds and strum harps of gold Multiple songs refer to angels singing Multiple songs refer to angels singing

Angels Singing Songs - The First Noel - Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Come All Ye Faithful - Silent Night, Holy Night - It Came upon a Midnight Clear - Sing Hosannas - Angels We Have Heard on High - Gentle Mary Laid Her Child - The First Noel - Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Come All Ye Faithful - Silent Night, Holy Night - It Came upon a Midnight Clear - Sing Hosannas - Angels We Have Heard on High - Gentle Mary Laid Her Child

Angels Singing Songs Based on Luke 2:13-14 Based on Luke 2:13-14 The text does not say they sang; it says they spoke The text does not say they sang; it says they spoke Only twice in the Bible do we find angels singing Only twice in the Bible do we find angels singing

Angels Singing Songs 1.Job 38:7 They sang at creation They sang at creation Some scholars believe satan was one of the leaders of the singing before his rebellion and fall Some scholars believe satan was one of the leaders of the singing before his rebellion and fall Isaiah 14:12 Isaiah 14:12

Angels Singing Songs 2.Revelation 5:8-12 Angels are here found singing at the removal of the curse and the victory of Christ Angels are here found singing at the removal of the curse and the victory of Christ Some have argued that angels cannot and do not sing right now while we are under the curse Some have argued that angels cannot and do not sing right now while we are under the curse

Live to Serve The references to singing are rare The references to singing are rare It is not wrong to think of them singing It is not wrong to think of them singing It is wrong to see this as their central activity It is wrong to see this as their central activity

Live to Serve Angels are created spiritual beings Angels are created spiritual beings They are known by various names: They are known by various names: Holy ones, spirits, watchers, thrones, dominions, principalities, powers and authorities

Live to Serve They do not ordinarily have bodies They do not ordinarily have bodies They cannot usually be seen by us unless we are enabled by God (Numb. 22:31) They cannot usually be seen by us unless we are enabled by God (Numb. 22:31) They are never said to be made in God’s image They are never said to be made in God’s image

Live to Serve Humans are not like the angels, nor will they ever become angels Humans are not like the angels, nor will they ever become angels What is clear about them is that they LIVE TO SERVE GOD What is clear about them is that they LIVE TO SERVE GOD They are engaged in helping God advance His cause They are engaged in helping God advance His cause

Live to Serve Angels perfectly and immediately give themselves in service to God Angels perfectly and immediately give themselves in service to God In that sense we are called to emulate them In that sense we are called to emulate them Matthew 6:10 Matthew 6:10

Live to Serve God’s goal is for us to grow to the point where we live to serve God’s goal is for us to grow to the point where we live to serve In one sense we will never do this as well as the angels this side of heaven In one sense we will never do this as well as the angels this side of heaven 1 Cor. 7: Cor. 7:32-33

Live for Worship Angels are consumed with worship Angels are consumed with worship They know how unexplainably awesome God is They know how unexplainably awesome God is Their lives are continually focused upon proclaiming His majesty, honoring His greatness, and calling creation to order itself around Him Their lives are continually focused upon proclaiming His majesty, honoring His greatness, and calling creation to order itself around Him

Live for Worship Isaiah 6 Isaiah 6 Seraphim reminding one another of His greatness in continual praise Seraphim reminding one another of His greatness in continual praise They are calling Isaiah to join them in a captivating life of worship They are calling Isaiah to join them in a captivating life of worship

Live for Worship The angels eyes are not clouded with the enticements of this world The angels eyes are not clouded with the enticements of this world They are engaged in worship and praise in the midst of their service (Luke 2:14) They are engaged in worship and praise in the midst of their service (Luke 2:14) I Am Resolved I Am Resolved

Live in Contentment We know there are ranks of angels We know there are ranks of angels A large group of angels rebelled; we call them demons. God chose to not provide salvation for them A large group of angels rebelled; we call them demons. God chose to not provide salvation for them These angels we see in Luke are among the elect angels These angels we see in Luke are among the elect angels

Live in Contentment They have never been unfaithful They have never been unfaithful They have never known sin They have never known sin They live in contentment in the rank of service God assigns They live in contentment in the rank of service God assigns

Live in Contentment They are for the moment above us (Heb. 2:7 They are for the moment above us (Heb. 2:7 In this announcement of a Savior they are announcing a process by which we will eclipse them (1 Cor. 6:3) In this announcement of a Savior they are announcing a process by which we will eclipse them (1 Cor. 6:3) They are content to obey God in what He says is best They are content to obey God in what He says is best