Title Two Angels (2004)/John 20:11-16
Two Angels (2004)
☞Text:11 Mary was standing outside the tomb and weeping. As she wept, she bent over and looked into the tomb, 12 and found two angels in white sitting on the place where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 The angels said to her, “Woman! Why are you weeping? He said, "I do not know where they have taken my Lord and I do not know where he has put him. 14 After saying this, he turned and saw Jesus standing, but he did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to him, "Woman, why are you weeping? Are you looking for it?” Mary said, knowing that he was the gardener, and said, “Lord, if you have moved it, tell me where you have put it, and I will take it. Ira)
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There are many records of angels in the Bible. Angels are spirits of God, and they come out as creatures of God much higher than humans. They are innocent and completely obedient to God. However, because God has made us sons through Jesus Christ, the angels are said to be envious of those who have been saved. It is God's great grace.
As I approached 2004, I thought of the word “this angel (2004)” or “two angels,” and thought that it would be great if our lives could have the image of an angel this year.
In the Bible, there are two places where two angels appeared. One is that two angels visited Lot in the city of Sodom in Genesis 19:1, and the other is that two angels appeared in the tomb of the resurrected Jesus in the text.
What is the image of an angel? Two things come to mind first. "Clean" "Nice" and can go anywhere. I think etc. Another image of an angel to a Christian is "sent from God" and "absolutely obedient to God."
And people who have a clean image in appearance are said to be like angels. However, it is said that a person with a neat appearance but not possessed is a devil wearing an angel's mask.
In any case, the image of an angel is very good, and it is true that we all want to live like angels. However, today, we simply think about the image of an angel on a more religious level than the image of an angel that ordinary people say, and living like an angel with an image on a religious level is the “year of two angels” (2004). It will mean more to us.
1. Angels are servants of God, and they are those who absolutely obey.
Angels are God's servants and obey God absolutely.
Hebrews 1:14 "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to minister for those who will be saved?"
Thinking of the angels, it seems very unfair. We can do all the things God has ordered us to do, but doesn't it seem like it would hurt our pride to serve us who have been saved? No matter how much we compare, humans are no better than angels, because angels serve people. However, angels are not dissatisfied with serving us who have been saved. Why? Because he is an angel. This is the image of an angel. Like us, 'Why do I serve them?' 'Do you think I have no pride?' 'What do you see me as?' All the arrogant complaints will do. People don't serve, and try to be served if they think they are better than their age, career, and academic background.
As servants of God, we are likewise servants of God. Even though we are the same servant, the angels obey absolutely, and we are obedient, not absolute. Lots of problems! Therefore, in 2004, I hope that you will lead a life of absolute obedience rather than selective obedience.
2. Angels are messengers of God.
In the Bible, there are angels who are in charge of judgment, but most of the angels in the Bible preach God's message. The two angels who came to Lot came to tell Lot that they had to leave the city of Sodom to escape God's judgment, and the two angels who were at Jesus' tomb also came to tell people about the resurrection of Jesus. The angel Gabriel, who came to Mary, informed Mary that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit in her womb and that he was the one who would save the world, and also delivered the news to Joseph and Zacharias, the father of John. The message delivered by the angel can be divided into two main categories. It is the message of God's salvation and judgment. However, this was the message of salvation that He wanted to save people.
Just as angels are messengers of God's message, we are also messengers of God's message. It is the messenger of the gospel that saves people. The angel zealously preached the news. In 2004, let's diligently preach God's message, that is, the gospel of salvation, like an angel.
3. Angels are those who praise God.
The greatest role of angels is to praise God.
Revelation 5:11-12 "And I saw and heard the voices of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, the number of which was ten thousand ten thousand, a thousand thousands. And he said with a loud voice, "The Lamb that was slain has power and riches and wisdom, You are worthy to receive strength and honor and glory and praise.”
7:11-12 "And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, Amen, praise and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength. To God forever and ever, Amen."
What is the greatest role of God's people or children of God on this earth? It is to praise God.
In 2003, during the last Sunday worship service, I preached a sermon under the title "Praise for ever." “Praise the Lord forever. Amen, Amen.” (Psalm 89:52) God is eternal and worthy to be praised forever. We who are saved also live forever. Therefore, I said that what we should do forever is to praise God. "Lord who accepts true songs more happily than giving bulls"
Let's live in 2004 praising God like an angel.
Dear saints, this is the year of the two angels (2004). Unlike angels and us, of course. However, they have something in common in terms of their functions. That is, as a servant of God, living a life of absolute obedience, preaching the message of God of salvation, and praising God are the same.
Thinking that the year of the two angels (2004) is my year, let's not neglect obedience, evangelism, and praise.