THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS

TEXT: PSALM 91:11-12

Angels are mentioned 375 times in the Bible, more times than love, gospel, peace etc. 33% in the O.T and 67% in N.T. There are Holy angels and evil angels like Satan and demons. Satan and demons are cursed angels (Galatians 1:8-9, 2Cor. 11:14) Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, servants of Satan can also pretend to be godly ministers. But in the end, they will get every bit of punishment for their wicked deeds.

The likes of Mohammed and Joseph Smith of the Mormons had been deceived by an angel of light (Satan). Any angels that preach any message outside that which was preached by the apostles are false. Any angel that seeks worship is false, the true angels of God will rebuke the moment we every try. Any angels that won’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and is man’s only hope of salvation is false.

There are many ways of testing the spirits. The angels that came to Mohammed said that Jesus was just one in a long line of prophets, but Mohammed was the last true prophet – that should tell you something. The angel that came to Joseph Smith introduced Jesus as a mere man and brother of Lucifer (Satan) that should tell you something.

The angel that came to new age worshippers and new world order will not accept that Jesus is the only way of salvation – that should tell you something.

The only danger in talking to angels is our own pride. It is not hard to spot the deception if we walk in humility. Remember there is only one gospel and only one way to God and that it is through Jesus Christ, no angel will receive worship if they are truly from God. There is a long list of those who spoke to angels, Hagar, Gideon, David, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Peter, John Stephen, Paul etc. There also instances when Jesus Christ appeared to Mary as “the angel of the Lord”

Praise God for angels for He created them to serve us (Hebrews 1:14)

Let us learn:-

1. WHO ARE ANGELS

• Angels are Spirit beings created by God. (Heb.12:22)
• There are an innumerable company of angels in heaven
• You should not worship angels or bow before them
• Jesus Christ sometimes appeared in the Old Testament as “the angel of the Lord” and was worshipped by men like Moses worshipped and took off his shoes, to Joshua also.
• Satan was formerly Lucifer, the archangel of God.
• His heart was lifted up and he wanted to ascend to the throne of God, even after his fall, Satan still demands worship from men.
• Together with the fallen angels, demons, devils and principalities, he is the enemy of the Christian and enemy of God.

II.   DUTIES OF ANGELS

• Guardian angels watch over us, each one of us has at least two guardian angels (Matt 18:10). “Their angels do always.”
• Angels work by the word of God and respond to obedience.
• If you want to be in touch with angels and receive their ministry be in line with God’s words.
• We are heirs of salvation and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17, Heb. 1:14)
• These angels keep charge over us and they maintain security in all ways (Psalm 34:7)
• There is a special angelic protection ministry for these who “Dwell in the secret place of the Most High” those who are fully consecrated to God.
• Angels are ever working on your behalf, to keep you from danger, harm, accidents and the snares of the fowler (Satan’s trap). (Acts 5:12-21, 16:25-34)
• Angels hearken to your words, they listen to your every word (Matt 12:34-37), be careful of your idle words. (Pro. 6:2)

III.  GOD SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER THEE, TO KEEP THEE IN ALL THY WAYS. (PSALM 91:11)

• We are pilgrims on our way to Canaan. He who set us free by the Passover deliverance also provides for our journey to the land flowing with milk and honey.
• All the way to the promised land is covered by this divine safe, nevertheless:

1. There Are Ways Which Are Not In The Promise

• “All your ways” are mentioned, but some tracks are not to be followed by children of God and are not their ways.

1. Ways of presumption. In these men court danger and as it were defy God “cast thy self down” said Satan to our Lord. (Matt. 4:6)
2. Ways of sin, dishonesty, lying, vice, worldly conformity etc., we have no permit to bow in the house of sin (Eph. 5:12)
3. Ways of worldliness, selfishness, greed, ambition, the ways by which men seek personal aggrandizement are usually dark and crooked and are not of God (Pro. 28:22-24, I Tim. 6:9-10)
4. Ways of pride, self-conceit, boastful promises, pretended perfection.
5. Ways of will worship, obstinacy, fancy, day-dreaming (Jer. 2:18)
6. Ways of erroneous doctrine, fashionable ceremonies and flattering delusion (2 Tim 2:5)
7. There are ways in which safety is guaranteed.
8. The way of humble faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
9. The way of obedience of divine precepts.
10. The way of children trust in providential guidance.
11. The way of strict principle and stern integrity
12. The way of consecrated service and seeking of God’s glory.
13. The way of holy separation and walking with God.
14. The Ways Lead Us Into Varied Conditions

• They are changeable and varied “all thy ways”
• They are sometimes stony with difficulties “foot against a stone”
• They may be terrible with temptation
• Devils may throng the path, only to be met by Holy angels.
• These ways are essentially safe, while the smooth and easy roads are perilous.

4. But While Walking In Them All Believers Are Secure

• The Lord Himself concerns Himself them “He shall give His angels charge over thee.” David gave charge to his troops to spare Absalom, but they killed Absalom, it is not so with God.
• Each one is watchfully and personally protected (Isa. 13:6, Gen. 28:15)
• That watchfulness is perpetual “all thy ways” Psa 121:3-4)
• All these come to them by Jesus, whose angels are and whom they serve (Isa 43:4)

CONCLUSION

• How safe we ought to feel, how fully trustful we ought to be! “Alexander slept soundly ‘for’ he said ‘permenio wakes’”.
• How Holy we should be with such Holy ones for watchers! Great privileges involve great responsibilities.