Unseen-2-Our Unseen Allies

We continue with our October series, "Unseen." Today Pastor Brad teaches us about our Unseen Allies.

Pastors Notes:

2 Kings 6: 8-17NKJV

8 Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” 9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 10 Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice.

11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.”
And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everybody!

It’s so good to see you all. I hope you enjoyed last week as we talked about demonic spirits, what they are, how they operate, and the victory that we have over them in the name of Jesus.

Today, we’re going to be looking at the ministry of angels.

ILLUSTRATION

There is so much misinformation out there in the world today, especially concerning angels.

Hollywood is notorious for misinformation on angels. They often depict angels as puny, feminine, and winged. Sometimes they are depicted as naked babies playing harps and floating on clouds.

Remember that cute little kid at the end of” It’s a Wonderful Life”? “Teacher says, ‘Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.'”

That’s just another way we have been taught to think about angels.

TRANSITION

What are they? What do they do? What should we know?

Today, I’m going to show you from scripture things about angels that I believe will bless and encourage you, but first, let’s look at our background passage.

BACKGROUND

In our text, what we see is the Syrian army coming against Israel. The servant of God was very distraught because he was being moved solely by what he could see. Elisha prayed that God would open his eyes. and that’s what happened. He saw Heaven’s host ready to fight.

APPLICATION
1. Angels are created beings.

- Angels witnessed the creation of earth, as is seen in Job 38:4,7, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.... when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Genesis 2:1, the Bible tells us God created these heavenly beings before the seventh day of creation. “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.”

- There is an immeasurable number. Psalm 68:17 and Hebrews 12:22

- NOTE: Men do not become angels after death. That is a Hollywood myth that people should quit perpetuating at funerals.

2. Angels have differences.

- Seraphim, Cherubim, Archangels and Guardian angels. and Cherubim are considered to be angels that guard sacred things (Genesis 3:24).

- The Bible tells us that guardian angels are indeed real. In fact, God commands many angels to guard us. In Daniel, the angel Michael is described as “the great prince who has charge of your people” (Daniel 12:1), and in the Gospels, Jesus tells us “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). Scripture assures us that God surrounds with heavenly angels to guide and protect us in Psalm 91:11-12, Exodus 23:20 and Psalm 34:6-7. I personally believe that this angel or angels are the ones assigned to us as birth, and escort us to Heaven at death (rich man and Lazarus).

3. Angels are ministering spirits

- His angels are ministering spirits. Hebrews 1:7 - They deliver messages.

They brought announcement message to Mary. Luke 1:30 They brought peace to Joseph. Matthew 1:18

- They can give divine assistance.
They shut the mouth of lions. Daniel 6:22 They busted Peter out of prison. Acts 12:5

- They can fight battles.2 Samuel 24:15

CONCLUSION