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Wednesday, June 05, 2024

Wisdom Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Wisdom


Devotional Thoughts


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Proverbs 1:2, 7, 20 NLT - 2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. ... 7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. ... 20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.
Proverbs 2:2, 6, 10, 12, 16 NLT - 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. ... 6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ... 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. ... 12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. ... 16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.
Proverbs 3:7, 13-15, 18-19 NLT - 7 Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. ... 13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. 14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. 15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ... 18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. 19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.
Proverbs 4:5-8 NLT - 5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. 8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.
Proverbs 5:1 NLT - 1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Proverbs 7:4 NLT - 4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.
Proverbs 8:1, 11-12 NLT - 1 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! ... 11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it. 12 "I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
Proverbs 9:1, 10-12 NLT - 1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. ... 10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
Proverbs 11:2 NLT - 2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 14:6, 33 NLT - 6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. ... 33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
Proverbs 15:33 NLT - 33 Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
Proverbs 16:10, 16 NLT - 10 The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. ... 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
Proverbs 17:24 NLT - 24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 18:4 NLT - 4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
Proverbs 19:8 NLT - 8 To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.
Proverbs 21:30 NLT - 30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.
Proverbs 23:23 NLT - 23 Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
Proverbs 24:3, 7, 14 NLT - 3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. ... 7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say. ... 14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.
Proverbs 28:26 NLT - 26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
Proverbs 29:3, 15 NLT - 3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. ... 15 To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
Proverbs 30:3 NLT - 3 I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.


Wisdom
    The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)
    To find wisdom, first, find God (Proverbs 2:6–12)
    Wise people accept advice (Proverbs 13:10)
    Wise people boast not in their wisdom but in knowing God (Jeremiah 9:23–24)
    The wise understand God’s ways and follow his guidance (Hosea 14:9)
    Wise people build on the solid foundation of God and his Word (Matthew 7:24–27)
    God’s wisdom is different from the world’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1–16)
    God will give us wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5)

Logos Dictionary Themes
God, wisdom of

Scripture declares that God alone is wise and discerning, and that human wisdom is often unable or unwilling to understand his ways. God’s wisdom is expressed in both creation and redemption.

  • God’s wisdom described. Isa 28:29 See also 1Sa 2:3; Ro 16:27
  • God’s wisdom is beyond measure. Ps 147:5 See also Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7; Ro 11:33
  • God’s wisdom is profound. Isa 40:28 See also Job 9:4; 28:12-24; Ps 92:5; Ecc 8:17
  • God’s wisdom is superior to human wisdom. Isa 55:9 See also Job 21:22
  • God’s wisdom exhibited. God’s wisdom in creation Jer 10:12 See also Job 28:25-27; 37:14-16; Ps 104:24; 136:5; Pr 3:19-20; Isa 40:12-14
  • God’s wisdom as an agent in creation. Pr 8:22-31 Wisdom here is given personality, and may refer to the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.
  • God’s wisdom in historical events. Isa 31:2 See also Job 12:13-25; Da 2:20-22
  • God’s wisdom in knowing the human mind. 1Ch 28:9 See also Ps 139:2,4,6
  • Jesus Christ the wisdom of God. 1Co 1:30 See also Isa 9:6; 11:2; 1Co 1:24; Col 2:2-3
  • God’s wisdom in the gospel. 1Co 1:25 See also 1Co 1:18-21; Eph 3:10
  • God gives his wisdom to human beings. Eph 1:17 See also 2Ch 1:11-12; Ezr 7:25; Pr 2:6; Ecc 12:11; Da 2:23; 1Co 2:6-16; Jas 1:5
  • Examples of God’s wisdom. 
  • 1Sa 16:7; 1Ki 3:28; Isa 28:24-29; Lk 11:49

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. Martin Manser.


You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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Monday, February 19, 2024

Faith Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Faith


Fearless and Faithful




Do You Struggle With This?


Are You Strong Enough For This?




Devotional Thought
Faith

This is the great and momentous word in Scripture, which hath given rise to endless disputes, and employed the minds of men in all ages to explain; and yet to thousands still remains as obscure as ever. But notwithstanding: all that the bewildered and erroneous mind of man may say on faith, the scriptural account of faith is the simplest and plainest thing in the world. Faith is no more than the sincere and hearty assent and consent of the mind to the belief of the being and promises of God, as especially revealed to the church in the person and redemption, work of the Lord Jesus Christ. JEHOVAH, in his threefold character of person, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, hath mercifully been pleased to reveal himself as "forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin," and giving eternal life to the church in Christ Jesus. And these blessings are all declared to be in the person, and procured to the church by the sole undertaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the glorious Head of his body the church, the fulness of him "that filleth all in all."

The hearty, cordial, and sincere belief in these blessed truths of God is called faith, because it is giving credit to the testimony of God, and relying upon his faithfulness for the fulfilment of them. The apostle John, in his first Epistle, fifth chapter, and ninth and following verses, puts this doctrine in so clear a point of view, that, under divine teaching, if attended to, it would be impossible to mistake it. "If we receive (saith John) the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record that God hath given to us, eternal life; and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life."

No form of words could have been more happily chosen to state what is the act of faith, and to put it in a clear and full light. Immense and unspeakable blessings are promised by God. It is not the greatness of the blessings which demands our faith, but the greatness of the Being promising. Indeed, the greater the blessings are, the greater would be the difficulty of believing, unless some other warrant and authority become the foundation for belief. The bottom, therefore, of all faith is, that what we are called upon to is that cannot lie; JEHOVAH that will not lie. An Almighty Promiser that never can out-promise himself. Hence, when Moses at the bush desired a confirmation of the truth, the Lord gave him to deliver to Israel, by knowing his name, and having such assurances to make to them as might silence every doubt. "Behold," (said he,) "when I come to the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you, and they shall say unto me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM." That is, I AM a being self-existing, and eternal; and which, therefore, gives a being to all my promises. So that this is the sure ground of faith. Not the greatness and blessedness of the promise; but the greatness, blessedness, and faithfulness of the Promiser. And to believe in the almighty Promiser in his assurances in Christ, is faith. I only add, however, under this article, that though faith is the simplest and plainest act of the mind, yet both the possession and the exercise of it is the gift of God. "Unto you," (saith an apostle,) "it is given to believe." (Php_1:29) And hence every truly awakened and regenerated believer finds daily reason, to cry out, as the apostle did to Christ, "Lord, increase our faith!" (Luk_17:5)

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James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
Galatians 3:9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.
Hebrews 11:3 (MSG) By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
Matthew 17:20 (MSG) “Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”
James 2:18 (MSG) I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.
Luke 17:6 (MSG) But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it.
2 Corinthians 1:24 (MSG) We’re not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We’re partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours.
Luke 17:5 (MSG) The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.”
Galatians 3:12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”
Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11 Faith in Action Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. ...
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Logos Dictionary Themes

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Dave Bland No. 1 Foundation of Character Formation

http://preachersretreat.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-26T21_41_49-07_00
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Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Balance Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Balance


Devotional Thoughts


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#Balance

2 Peter 3:17 (CEV) My dear friends, you have been warned ahead of time! So don't let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. 
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ...
Ecclesiastes 7:18 (MSG) It’s best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it.
Proverbs 11:1 (MSG) God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.
Proverbs 11:2 (MSG) The stuck-up fall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm.
Proverbs 16:10 (MSG) A good leader motivates, doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit.
Proverbs 16:11 (MSG) God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business.
Proverbs 16:11 A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Proverbs 16:11 NASB95 - A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern.
Proverbs 16:11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.
Proverbs 16:12 (MSG)  Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation.
Proverbs 20:23 (MSG) God hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage.
Psalms 62:9 (MSG) Man as such is smoke, woman as such, a mirage. Put them together, they’re nothing; two times nothing is nothing.

Logos Dictionary Themes

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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Friday, December 24, 2010

Prodigal Son in Key of F

Prodigal Son in Key of F
------------------------------------

Feeling footloose and frisky, a featherbrained fellow
forced his fond father to fork over his farthings. He
flew far to foreign fields and frittered his fortune,
feasting fabulously with faithless friends.

Finally facing famine and fleeced by his
fellows-in-folly, he found himself a feed flinger in a
filthy farmyard. Fairly famished, he fain would have
filled his frame with foraged food from the fodder
fragments.

"Fooey, my father's flunkies fare far fancier," the
frazzled fugitive fumed feverishly, frankly facing
facts.

Frustrated by failure and filled with foreboding, he
fled forthwith to his family. Falling at his father's
feet, he floundered forlornly, "Father, I have flunked
and fruitlessly forfeited family favor."

But the faithful father, forestalling further
flinching, frantically flagged the flunkies to fetch
forth the finest fatling and fix a feast.

The fugitive's fraternal faultfinder frowned on the
fickle forgiveness of former folderol. His fury
flashed, but fussing was futile.

The farsighted father figured, "Such filial fidelity
is fine, but what forbids fervent festivity for the
fugitive is found. Unfurl the flags with flaring, let
fun and frolic freely flow. Former failure is
forgotten, folly forsaken. Forgiveness forms the
foundation for future fortune."

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Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Angels Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Angels
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Matthew 4:11 ESV - 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Matthew 13:41, 49 ESV - 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, ... 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
Matthew 16:27 ESV - 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 22:30 ESV - 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Matthew 24:31 ESV - 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Acts 7:53 ESV - 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."
Romans 8:38 ESV - 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,


Logos Dictionary Themes

Notes:

Angels
    Angels carry out God’s judgment (2 Samuel 24:16–17)
    Angels serve God (Psalm 103:21)
    Angels praise God (Psalm 148:2)
    Angels are messengers (Daniel 4:17)
    Angels protect God’s people (Daniel 6:22)
    Angels do not marry (Matthew 22:30)
    Angels do not die (Luke 20:36)
    Angels will be judged by people (1 Corinthians 6:3)
    Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)
    Angels encourage Christians (Hebrews 1:14)
    Angels who sinned were thrown into hell (2 Peter 2:4)
    Angels are holy (Jude 1:14)
    Angels are in the presence of God (Revelation 4:8)
    Angels should not be worshiped (Revelation 22:8–9)

Angels

THE NATURE OF ANGELS

1.    Angels are spirit beings (Heb. 1:14; 1 Kgs. 22:19-21)

§  Angels are sexless and do not marry (Matt. 22:30)

§  Angels are never represented as females

§  They are created beings (Ps. 148:2,5; 1 Kgs. 8:27; Deut. 10:14; Ex. 20:11). 

§  They are not equal with God. (Note Job 38:4-7 where angels are pictured as shouting for joy when the foundation of the earth was laid).

§  They have distinct personalities and possess names such as Michael and Gabriel (Dan. 8:16, 9:21, 10:13-21, 12:1; Lk. 1:11-38; Matt. 1 & 2; Acts 8:26; 10:3ff, 27:23; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7ff).

2.    Angels are "heavenly hosts” (2 Kgs. 21:3; Jer. 33:22; Dan. 7:10; Zeph. 1:5; Lk. 2:13-15) 

§  Called "sons of God" (Job 1:6, 2:1; Ps. 29:1, 89:6)

§  They are 'elohim or godlike beings (Ps. 8:6, 97:7, 138:1; cf. Heb. 2:7). 'elohim is translated aggelos in these passages.

3.    Angels are regarded as "holy ones" (Job 5:1; 15:15; Psa. 89:5 7; Dan. 8:2,13; Matt. 25:31; Gal. 4:14; Jude 14)

§  These holy ones assemble in a council (Ps. 89:5-7)

§  They may be regarded as of unquestioned integrity, goodwill and obedience (cf. 1 Sam. 29:9; 2 Sam. 14:17-20, 19:27).

4.    They are subject to Christ (Heb. 1:4, 13)

Not to be worshipped, they are fellow servants (Rev. 19:10).

5.    They almost always take human form when in contact with men

§  At the tomb: Matt. 28:2-6 “angels” compare to Luke 24:4-8 “men"

§  With Abraham and Lot (Gen. 18:2, 33, 19:1-2)

§  With Joshua (Jsh. 5:13, 6:2)

§  With Gideon (Judges 6:11-13)

§  With Manoah and his wife (Jdg. 13:3-6)

§  The "man" Gabriel speaks to Daniel (Dan. 9:21)

 

Angels were capable of making themselves both visible and invisible (Num. 22:31) and to appear under circumstances obviously miraculous in nature (Ex. 3:2).

 

1.    Angels are capable of sin (2 Pt. 2:4; Jude 6; Rev. 12:7).

(See also Job 4:18; Ez. 28:12-19; 2 Cor. 11:14; Gal. 1:8-9).  Eternal fire was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41).

2.    While angels are never pictured as having wings, cherubim and seraphim do have wings (Is. 6:2; Ex. 25:20). 

The living creatures around the throne of God have wings (Ez. 1:6; Rev. 4:8).

§  Cherubim function as throne bearers and custodians of the sacred places (see Gen. 3:24; Ex. 25:18-22; 26:1, 31; Num. 7:89; 1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2; Is. 37:16; Ps. 80:1, 99:1).  Compare the four living creatures of Ezek. 1:5ff.; 10:20.

§  Seraphim appear only in Isaiah 6.  Their reverence is graphically depicted and they praise God.  They are described as winged creatures.  The root word seems to signify "to burn," and is found in Numbers 21 as "fiery serpents."  Note the burning coal in Isaiah 6.  Seraphim have six wings.

§  Angels do have the ability to cover vast distances immediately (Ex. 12:29-30).  Gabriel came from the presence of God into the presence of Daniel.  Angels are pictured as flying (Rev. 14:6).  Artists have assumed that they have wings.

3.    Number of angels: innumerable company (Dan. 7:10); camps or army (Gen. 32:2-3); myriads (Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11).

THE FUNCTION OF ANGELS

·         God's Messengers (malak, aggelos)

§  At the conception of John the Baptist (Lk. 1:11-20)

§  Gabriel appeared to Mary (Lk. 1:26-38) to announce the news to her that she would conceive. After the conception of Christ, angels appeared to Joseph (Matt. 1:20-24).

§  At the birth of Jesus to the shepherds (Lk. 2:8-15)

§  Joseph warned to go to Egypt (Matt. 2:19-20)

§  At the resurrection of Jesus and the tomb (Matt. 28:2-6)

§  At the ascension (Acts 1:10-11) 

§  At the birth of Samson (Jdg. 13:3-23)

§  "you have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." (Acts 7:53)

§  "The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator" (Gal. 3:19)

§  "For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment . . ." (Heb. 2:2)

·         Agents of Divine Judgment (destroying angels)

§  Genesis 19:1,13 – two angels sent to destroy Sodom

§  Exodus 12:21-23; Psalm 78:49-51 – band of destroying angels killed firstborn in Egypt

§  2 Samuel 24:1-17 – the pestilence sent for David's sin killed 70,000 (cf. 1 Chr. 21:9-16).

§  2 Kings 19:35 – the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrians (cf. 2 Chr. 32:21; Is. 37:36)

§  Acts 12:23 – Herod struck by an angel because he did not give God the glory.

§  Exodus 33:2 – God sent an angel to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites

§  Present at the Judgment: Matthew 13:39-41 – angels will weed out of the kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, throw them into fiery furnace; Matthew 13:49 – angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace

§  Genesis 3:24 – angel guarded way to the tree of life

§  Revelation 20:1-3 – angel binds Satan and throws him into the abyss for a thousand years

·         Unseen protectors of those who fear God

§  Psalm 34:7 - "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." Isa. 63:9 "In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them." 

§  Genesis 48:16 - Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons:  "the Angel who has delivered me from all harm; may he bless these boys."

§  2 Kings 6:15-17 - chariots of fire surrounding Elisha at Dothan

§  Matthew 26:53 – Jesus could call more than twelve legions of angels (cf. Ps. 91:11)

§  Revelation 12:7 – Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (devil) and his angels

§  Daniel 6:22 - “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions." (cf. 3:25, 28) angel rescued three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace.

§  Matthew 18:10 – Little ones' "angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."

§  Jude 8-9 – archangel Michael disputed with devil over body of Moses

§  Angels assist nations (Is. 37:36-37, 63:9; 2 Kgs. 18:13-19:37; Dan. 10:21, 12:1).

·         Ministering spirits

§  Hebrews 1:14 – “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Cf. Psalm 103:21 where the heavenly hosts are regarded as servants or ministers.)

§  Serving Jesus (1) at Jesus' temptation (Matt. 4:11; Mk. 1:13) and (2) at Gethsemane (Lk. 22:43)

§  Serving Peter by opening the doors of the jail (Acts 5:19) and waking Peter up in prison and removing his chains (Acts 12:7)

§  Serving Paul by encouraging him during the storm (Acts 27:23)

§  Serving Lot and his daughters (Gen. 19:15-22)

§  An angel secured Isaac a wife (Gen. 24:7)

§  Angels met Jacob on his way to Esau (Gen. 32:1-2)

§  Angel fed Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:3-7).

§  Angel directed Philip to Eunuch (Acts 8:26)

§  Angels rejoice when sinner repents (Lk. 15:7-10; cf. Heb. 12:22)

§  Confession and denial of Jesus will be done before the angels of God (Lk. 12:8-9)

·         Angels take away our souls to God at death (Luke 16:22 23)

·         Duties before God

§  They praise God (Ps. 91:11, 103:20, 148:1-2).

§  Members of the heavenly court (1 Kgs. 22:19-20; cf. Job 1:6ff, 2:1ff; Ps. 89:6-8).

CONCLUSION:

In his book, These Things Speak, Hugo McCord has written concerning angelic help: 

"From what we know by sight and feelings and experience, we cannot affirm that angels are real.  But from what we know by faith, the faith that comes by God's word, we are positive that 'for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation' angels are 'ministering spirits sent forth to do service' (Heb. 1:14).  Christians rejoice because the angel of the unchanging Jehovah 'encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them' (Mal. 3:6; Ps. 34:7).  Specifically what the angels do is an untaught matter, but the reality of their help for Christians is a positive and encouraging doctrine of revealed religion."

 


You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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