Angels Among Us:
This video message explores the role of angels in the lives of Christians.
Angelic Protection and Intervention:
The message recounts a story of Diane, a Christian college student who was protected from harm by angelic presence. A potential attacker saw "two tall men walking with her," deterring him from committing a crime. This story illustrates the unseen protection believers can experience and emphasises that angels are constantly active in our lives: "Angels never cease to support us 24:7 ….if you can say that about eternity!" and encourages believers to be similarly active in God's service. Quoting C. H. Spurgeon, "‘Activity is the mark of holy spirits and should be the mark of holy men.’"
Angels vs. Extraterrestrial Life:
The message argues against the popular fascination with extraterrestrial life and UFOs, stating that the universe is already filled with spiritual beings: "Of course, the Universe is full of beings travelling all through it all the time." It further suggests that the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is a waste of resources when "God is right next [to] us!" and emphasises the truth found in Acts 17:26-27: "God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us."
Limitations of Angelic Ministry:
Contrary to some beliefs, angels are not charged with preaching or teaching God's word. "There isn’t a single record anywhere in the New Testament that encourages or endorses the concept that angels are charged with preaching or teaching God’s Word." This task is assigned to believers gifted by the Holy Spirit for the five-fold ministry: "apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers." Angels cannot speak from personal experience of God's grace as they are not redeemed beings.
Examples of Angelic Assistance:
Meeting Physical Needs: The message cites the example of angels ministering to Jesus after his 40-day fast.
Giving Strength: An angel strengthened Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, highlighting their ability to impart supernatural strength.
Supernatural Guidance: Numerous examples of angels guiding people in the New Testament, including Joseph, Peter, Philip, Cornelius, and Paul.
Angelic Announcements and Human Preaching:
While angels do make divine announcements, their role is distinct from human preachers and teachers. Angels deliver God's messages verbatim, acting as "repeaters, not preachers." Human ministers, on the other hand, require study, prayer, and preparation to effectively communicate God's word.
The Christian's Call to Action:
The video concludes by urging Christians to embrace their unique responsibilities, including:
Trusting Christ and experiencing redemption.
Living a life that glorifies God.
Growing in grace through prayer and Bible reading.
Sharing the Gospel with others.
Overall, the message emphasises the reality of angelic presence and their support in the lives of believers. However, it also highlights the unique responsibility and privilege given to humans to live out their faith and share the message of God's grace.
