Two Little Words

November 25, 2018
Two Little Words

1Thessalonians 1-10            NOTES NOT EDITED

SIS – “Thank You!” are two little words that have practical value and eternal significance.

Shari and I raised (are still involved as consultants) two children. We have spent our lives involved with youth and children in church, through a private preschool in our home, and through the preschool at church. One of the most basic instructions you will hear if you are around children and their parents is this: "Did you say, Thank You?" I don't think we realize how ubiquitous this idea of "gratitude" is in our culture--at least in theory anyway. "Thank You" were the two earliest words I spoke I am sure--just after "no" and "mine." My parents were sticklers on "gratitude." I had more than one "talking to" when I failed to show proper gratitude for some act of kindness bestowed upon me. Gratitude is really a very "religious" concept. In fact, one of the significant offerings in the Book of Leviticus was the "thank offering" (Lev. 22:29). "Thank You!" doesn't even seem to approach an adequate response in regard to what Jesus Christ did for me (for us all) when He sacrificed Himself on the cross so that I could have eternal life. How can "Two Little Words" adequately repay Jesus for such kindness! Well, when those "Two Little Words" become an over-arching attitude in life represented by appropriate actions, at least we are headed in the right direction.

Thanksgiving is all about “eating”—a lot of eating.  I am thankful for my wife.  As with many wives she will start preparing the Thanksgiving Day meal days in advance.  She will stay up late the night before, and awake early Thanksgiving Day and cook right up to mealtime.  What took her days to prepare, will be devoured in only minutes!  We owe our wives a great debt of gratitude for cooking.

I once remember Phyllis Diller—not known for her domestic skills—saying that “My cooking is so bad my family thinks Thanksgiving Day is set aside to commemorate the bombing of Pearl Harbor.”

We celebrate Thanksgiving Day to show our gratitude for the good favor of God that falls upon our lives.  It has become a tradition that the President of the United States, who has the power to pardon those condemned to die, pardons a turkey slated for someone’s dinner table.  It was last year, or maybe the year before, that Obama followed this tradition and pardoned a turkey from California.  The President was shocked when the turkey turned down the pardon.  The turkey scratched out a letter saying, “Thank you for your kindness Mr. President but I don’t need a pardon—I need a job!”

When you think about it, the turkey has a point.  Having a job is certainly something for which to be thankful.  In fact, the list of things we can be thankful for is nearly endless.  I’d go a step further even saying that “thanksgiving” is not an act, but an attitude—a driving force in life.  As I was reading in preparation for this week’s sermon I came across a great perspective on “gratitude” from a lady named, Nancy Demoss.  Here’s what she had to say,

"I'd like to coin a new word for those who may be deficient in the gratitude department (which includes all of us from time to time). I'm calling for ‘gratitudinal change.' . . . . When gratitude becomes your default setting, life changes... the whole world looks different when you see it through gratitude-colored glasses. A problem that used to bury you now takes its rightful place behind twenty other blessings that are bigger than it'll ever be. A recurring issue that once brought out a whole range of pent-up emotions now only produces a new excuse for praising God with greater fervor than ever, knowing He is more than true and trustworthy."

I think Ms. Demoss nails it.  “Thank You!” are two little words that have practical value and eternal significance.  Let’s read what the Apostle Paul set forth as the Holy Spirit moved upon him.

READ 1Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul began every one of his letters to the churches with a note of thanksgiving except one—that was the Galatian church that was being lead by worldly men who had their own agenda for salvation and had discarded God’s plan of grace.  Yet, except for The Church at Galatia Paul was unable to say “Thank You” enough.  In fact, in 1Thessalonians Paul mentions thanksgiving in 3 out of 5 chapters.  Let’s survey what Paul said about the “Two Little Words.”

1.  True thanksgiving has an ETERNAL element (vv 2-3)

Verses 2 and 3 of this first chapter of 1Thessalonians contain one the most important issues in regard to “gratitude.”

² We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers. ³ We recall, in the presence of our God and Father,  your work of faith,  labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

In the letter writing style of First Century Greek culture it was customary to include some type of blessing or thanksgiving.  In Greek form Paul (along with Silvanus, or Silas, and Timothy) gave his name as the writer, and also the name of those to whom he was writing.  He then added a blessing.  As often was the case, the writer would add a note of thanksgiving.  Paul went much further than just what was customary.  As I said above, Paul mentions his gratitude in three of the five chapters of this Book of Thessalonians. 

Paul truly loved this church, which he had established on his second missionary journey.  It was his “baby,” so to speak.  He, like a proud father, mentions their excellence in regard to “faith, love, and hope” (v3).  Paul genuinely admired the spiritual passion of this group of believers—and he says so.  But, here’s an interesting point that we need to highlight—Paul did not give thanks “to” the Thessalonians, but “to” Almighty God.  “We always thank GOD.”  I find this to be very interesting and very important.  True gratitude has an “Eternal Quality” to it.  It is something more than “deep appreciation for a kindness bestowed upon us.”  It goes way beyond that.  It is about something “Eternal.” 

Verse 4 gives us further insight into the “eternal quality of gratitude.”

⁴ knowing your election,  ^•brothers loved by God.

An attitude of gratitude has a “lifting aspect” to it.  It lifts one up into the Presence of God.  Notice that Paul mentions this in verse 3:  in the presence of our God and Father.

Nothing will tether a soul to this world and create an attitude of despair and dissatisfaction like “ingratitude.”  Ingratitude is like the tethers that hold a hot-air balloon to the earth.  Ingratitude has a “worldly quality to it.”  It’s all about Christmas, without any time for Thanksgiving.  A soul diseased by ingratitude will never be satisfied no matter how much stuff may be acquired.

Gratitude lifts one up into the very Presence of God.  It keeps one focused on the eternal and so one’s satisfaction and joy are not tethered to this world.  The tethers are cut and the balloon filled with gratitude rises toward the heavens.

True thanksgiving has an “eternal quality” to it.  True gratitude also has

2.  a Practical Quality to it (vv 5-9)

What happens when we are truly thankful for what God brings into our lives at the hand of others?  Paul (along with Silas and Timothy) were truly thankful for the Thessalonian church. Look verses 8 & 9:

⁸ For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith  ^r in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, ⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception  we had from you: how you turned  to God from idols  to serve the living  and true  God ¹⁰ and to wait  for His Son  from heaven, whom He raised from the dead —Jesus, who rescues us  from the coming wrath.

Here’s what happened.  Paul and his team labored among the Thessalonians.  They were so thankful for Paul’s ministry, and Paul was so thankful for their hospitality.  Gratitude saturated the relationship between Paul and the Thessalonian believers.  They just could not say enough good things about each other.  They praised God, and spoke well of each other and “things happened.”  People throughout the region of Macedonia (Turkey and environs, today) saw the message of love and mutual appreciation being modeled and the Thessalonians became a witness to the entire region about how God changes lives.

When we are genuinely—and passionately—thankful to God for Who He is and what He has done (and is doing); and, we are genuinely thankful for those God brings into our lives for mutual instruction, the church will grow—guaranteed!  Such an attitude of gratitude will have practical, as well as eternal results.  Paul calls this ability to effect radical change, “power.”  Look at verse 5:

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance.

Many of you have heard teachers remark about, “dynamite power.”  The Greek word for power used here (and there are several Greek words related to power) is the root word from which we derive our word, “dynamite.”  “Dunamis” refers to an “innate ability or quality that makes someone or something capable of bringing about change.”  That’s how the word “dynamite” would come over into our language.  Dynamite has the capability of bringing about “great change.”  What once was a mountain—add a little dynamite, or a lot—and it is now a tunnel.

Gratitude to God has an eternal quality to it to be sure, but it has many practical benefits also.  Look at verse 6:

⁶ and you became imitators of us and of the Lord

when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message
with joy from the Holy Spirit.

Now, don’t lose track of the big picture here.  The Thessalonians were imitating what they saw in the life of Paul.  What exactly did they see?  Let’s go back and look at verse 2 again: “We always thank God!”  Stop right there.  The Thessalonians witnessed in the lives of Paul and his partners men who were “eternally grateful to God and showed their gratitude through their devotion to His work.”

That’s what the Thessalonians learned from Paul and his crew and the practical result of that was they were able to overcome great persecution in their lives—and still remain full of joy!  DON’T MISS THIS IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS MESSAGE.

The area of Thessalonica was particularly hostile to the gospel, especially because of the strong Jewish influence in the area.  Recall that when Paul was in Thessalonica they were run out of town by an angry mob of Jews who wanted to kill them (Acts 17:5-10).  Now, write this down.  You may need it for the future.

When our love and gratitude for God is greater than our concern for our own well-being and comfort we can experience joy, “in spite of severe trouble and persecution.” 

Gratitude is enormously powerful.  When we are constantly giving praise to God and thanks to others, good stuff happens.  Not only were they able to SURVIVE great persecution, but they were able to THRIVE in spite of great persecution.  Look at verse 8:

⁸ For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out.

When our lives demonstrate a genuine gratitude for all—and I mean all—that God has done AND IS DOING for us, good things will happen.  Good things not only “for” us, but “through” us.  A genuine passionate attitude of gratitude has a practical quality to it.

Not long ago a 10-years long research study of over 200,000 managers and employees (200,000!) revealed that saying “thank you” in the business world results in bigger profits.  When people are thanked for what they do, they are more motivated, and often, their productivity improved (www.homileticsonline.com).

Now, we should never become so cynical that we say “thank you” only to get some kind of measurable return.  But, Paul sure focused a lot on thanksgiving, and it sure made a huge difference in the lives of not only the Thessalonians, but the whole region.  Dare I say, the whole world!  Gratitude is contagious.  Paul’s gratitude led to the Thessalonians’ gratitude which spread to

Those “Two Little Words” are extremely powerful because they have both an “eternal quality” and a “practical quality.”  Now, that would certainly be reason enough to live according to an “attitude of gratitude”  but I see yet another reason why these “Two Little Words” are so extremely important.

3.  Thanksgiving has an “Exciting Quality” to it.  (v10)

I said earlier that gratitude had an “eternal” quality.  It lifts us up to heaven, focusing our lives on what is “most important”—the eternal as opposed to the temporal.  That very quality of being “eternal” also makes gratitude “exciting.”  Here’s why.

It’s just better to be happy and nothing brings a sweeter happiness and more sublime joy than a genuine gratitude for every little blessing God allows to roll our way.  I’m talking about blessings as simple as being “silly with our grandchildren.”

Now, most of you would not describe me as “silly.”  I don’t do many “silly” things—at least not on purpose.  I don’t take a turn on the dunk tank at our picnics.  I don’t let kids who raise the most money in a fundraiser shave my head (not that there’s much to shave) or throw pies in my face.  I have an Associate Pastor for that stuff.

Yet, you get me alone with my grandkids and I can be “silly.”  It’s like my grandchildren are the alien body snatchers and the snatch all my inhibitions away.  When I get a little wound up too tight as I am inclined to do, I just dip me a great big bowl of “grandkids!”

Now, what’s that have to do with our text.  Well, this:  gratitude helps us focus on what’s important and not what’s trivial.  Gratitude helps us to see God in every face, every place, and every activity.  Gratitude keeps us “focused” and that focus breeds and indescribable excitement.  Look at verse 10.  We need to pick up verse 9 again to give us the context:

⁹ for they themselves report  what kind of reception  we had from you: how you turned  to God from idols  to serve the living  and true  God ¹⁰ and to wait  for His Son  from heaven, whom He raised from the dead —Jesus, who rescues us  from the coming wrath.

Woooooooooooooooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh! That’s just downright exciting!  I am soooooooo glad that God has “rescued me from the coming wrath.”  I am now in line “waiting to meet Jesus!”  How is it possible NOT to be thankful to God?  How is it possible not to be animated with a childlike excitement about the soon coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?  The word translated, “waiting,” is a strong word that brings out strong emotions.  It is a word that described an army waiting for the enemy to attack. It is an intense anticipation of a very significant event.  Sort of like, a child waiting for Christmas morning.  When one is truly “thankful” for the love and deliverance of God, one “waits” with intense anticipation for His coming. Thankfulness generates an intense excitement about life.

If you are genuinely saved you will be genuinely thankful and if you have been taught what the Scriptures say about the soon coming of Jesus Christ you can’t help but be excited. 

I think the best way to illustrate this point is to show a film clip I ran across in my studies.  It demonstrates the “Exciting Quality” of thanksgiving better than I can describe it in words.

VIDEO CLIP:  LITTLE GIRL GETS PRAYER ANSWERED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XACH-1EX4f8

The little girl in the clip we saw earlier really does give us a good picture of what it means to be “truly thankful to God.  The “Two Little Words, “Thank you,” have an eternal quality, a practical quality and an exciting quality in them.  I hope you will be truly thankful to God this season, and each day following for all that He has done for you.

Without the Lord, we are nothing, our lives will come to nothing—nothing but pain and disappointment in the end.  Those Two Little Words, “thank you,” remind us of what life is ALL about.

Alex Haley, the author of "Roots," had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, "Why is that there?" Alex Haley answered, "Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words & think that they are wonderful, & begin to feel proud of myself, I look at the turtle on top of the fence post & remember that he didn’t get there on his own. He had help."

Be thankful for all the help God brings your way.  Thankfulness reminds us of two important truths: one, we cannot get by without God’s help, and two, God never intended that we would.

Pt8_Back to the School of Faith: Angels

November 4, 2018                                 NOTES NOT EDITED

Back to the School of Faith, Pt8:  Angels

Hebrews 13:2

SIS: Angels are a powerful resource God has created to assist believers in our work to build the Kingdom of God.

Angels appear from the first book of the Bible to the last.  They appear in many contexts.  “Angels are mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament.”  That is 273 references which is NOT insignificant.  For comparison, “joy” appears about 218 times.  Angels are an important theme in the Bible.

I was introduced to this concept very early in my life.  In fact, it is one of my earliest memories.  I remember our family was going (or coming) from a shopping event.  I was in the back seat with my four siblings, sitting behind Dad who was driving.  We came to a corner.  Dad rolled down his window and gave a man standing on the corner some money.  The man was wearing dirty, torn clothing so I put two and two together and realized he was poor.  I asked Dad why he gave the man money.  Mom answered (she often answered for Dad.  In fact, they were so in tune with each other they could have a full conversation and neither one complete a sentence).  Mom said, “You must always be kind and generous to others, especially the less fortunate, because you never know when you are entertaining an angel unawares (as in in our text).  For years I had sort of a misunderstanding of this whole situation.  I could not get the idea out of my head that angels wore underwear!

This text has both explicit and implicit meaning.  The explicit teaching of the text refers to “brotherly love” and treating others with kindness, especially those in the church.  The implicit application is, “angels are everywhere!”  As cautionary background let me quickly list some characteristics of angels, drawn from the Bible.  One, they are “created” beings.  They are not gods and should never be worshipped in any way.  Two, they can be visible, taking several forms, including human, or they can be invisible.  They can be lost (as with Satan) but cannot be saved.  As such, they cannot have “experiential knowledge of God or a personal relationship.  Three they neither marry or have offspring, though every appearance is as a male figure, they are asexual.  Four, they exceed humanity in their knowledge (2Sam. 14:20).  Five, they exceed man in their power (2Pet. 2:11, NASB).  Five, there are different species of angels and different ranks.  Cherubim and Seraphim are examples.  Six, they are highly organized, with Michael being the “Archangel,” meaning highest rank.  Seven, a third of all angels created followed Satan into rebellion in the distant, pre-human past (********).  They are lost for ever, cannot be saved, and do the bidding of the Devil.  Those are seven general characteristics of angels.  Now, let’s look at three additional characteristics that highlight the nature and work of angels. 

I cannot cover the vast material relevant to angelology, or the study of angels.  I want to offer a framework for understanding the doctrine of angels—a brief overview.  The Bible introduces angels as having three basic tasks in God’s story of redemption.  One, they are Heavenly Worshippers.  Two, they are Heavenly Warriors.  Three, they are Heavenly Workers.  Angels are everywhere.  Let’s read a Scripture text to  launch our study this morning.  READ Heb. 13:2..

1.  First, Angels are WORSHIPPERS (Isa. 6; Rev. 5:11-14)

Throughout the Bible, we have depictions of angels worshipping around God’s throne, both in the O.T. and N.T.  One of my favorite images comes from a Scripture I’ve shared before, Isaiah 6.

In the year that King Uzziah  died, I saw the Lord  seated on a high and lofty  throne,  and His robe  filled the temple. ² Seraphim  were standing above Him; each one had six wings:  with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  ³ And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth.  ⁴ The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke.

The picture of angels as worshippers is not limited to the O.T.  Even in the last book of the Bible we have a picture of angelic worship (Rev. 5:11-14).:

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. ¹² They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! ¹³ I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth,  on the sea, and everything in them say: Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The primary task of angels is to “worship God” and give Him glory continually.  Long before man appeared on earth, angels had been serving God in this way.  It is their “primary” duty.

From this picture of angels as worshippers, whose primary duty is to give God glory continually, I draw a very significant application. The heavenly worship depicted in the Bible by angels who are near the very throne of God should inspire us to raise our level of worship.  Believers have something that angels cannot even imagine—redemption.  If angels, who are mere created beings, can worship with such power and passion, certainly those of us who have been blood-bought and Spirit-filled should do better.

2.  Angels are WARRIORS (Eph. 6:20-12; 2Kngs. 6:14-17)

In Ephesians 6 we are reminded that as believers in a fallen, sinful world we are engaged in a great battle.  Eph. 6:10-12:

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.  ¹¹ Put on  the full armor  of God so that you can stand against the tactics  of the Devil. ¹² For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,  against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
 

Many of you have heard this passage preached before.  Most sermons focus on the “armor of God”:  the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, fighting shoes of the gospel, and the shield of faith.  We need the full armor of God to be sure, but I want us to consider also the context in which this fight is raged.  Notice verse 12, “spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.”  I am afraid that the Christian church has lost sight of where the real battle lies.  Our greatest enemies are not Republicans or Democrats, politicians or foreign powers, but our greatest enemies are “spiritual forces in the heavens.”  We cannot win this fight without fighting in the spirit realm.  Consider what 2Cor. 10:4 says,

³ For though we live in the body,  we do not wage war in an unspiritual way,  ⁴ since the weapons of our warfare  are not worldly,  but are powerful  through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments ⁵ and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge  of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.

Now we have many resources in this fight, the greatest of which is the Indwelling Holy Spirit.  We also have the double-edged sword of prayer and the Word of God.  But, we have an additional resource we do not appreciate enough as believers in Christ.  We have the “Heavenly Host”  (tzevaot or Sabaoth).  The word, “hosts,” means “armies.”  There is an entire army of countless angels at the ready to assist God’s people.  Consider this example in the life of Elisha (2Kings 6:14-17).  Israel was at war with the Arameans (modern Syria).  Elisha the prophet was able to predict the movement of the Aramean army so Israel could plan a good strategy to protect the nation.  This greatly angered the King of Aram.  He sent a force out to find Elisha and kill him.  Here’s what the Bible says,

¹⁴ He [the King of Aram] sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city.  ¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” ¹⁶ Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid,  for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” ¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The next time you are in a tight place in a terrific spiritual battle think of God’s Warriors, the angels, and remember, “those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.”

Be confident in the distressing times.  You are never alone as a believer.  You have the Holy Spirit inside of you and the Heavenly Host surround you.  Fight on!  Angels are heavenly worshippers, heavenly warriors, and

3.  Angels are Heavenly WORKERS

The Bible says of angels are “ministering spirits.”  ¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?  (Heb. 1:14).  Angels are the personal “workforce” for God’s people.  We don’t worship angels, and angels do not worship us, but angels are workers sent to accomplish various tasks on behalf of God’s people. 

Now, keep this in mind.  Are you listening?  Most of the work, nearly all of it, that angels accomplish on our behalf is “invisible.”  If you are seeing angels all the time, you are being mislead by the Devil.  Angels work much like the “anti-virus software” on our computers.  It works in the background while we are doing other tasks.  If you misunderstand this aspect of the work of angels, you are opening yourself up to being deceived by evil spirits.  If you are not sure about an experience, speak to a spiritual leader like the pastors of our church.

This “background” work of angels can be divided into three major areas.  It should give us an unshakable confidence that we can achieve the goals that God sets for our lives.

A.  Angels are GUIDING Agents

Throughout the Bible angels were sent to God’s people to give them guidance.  Remember the most noted angelic messenger in the Bible with the most glorious message ever given.  Gabriel told Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.”  (Lk. 1:30-31).  And, what would have happened to humanity if God had not sent a guiding angel to Joseph when he was considering divorcing Mary for being unfaithful?  The Bible says, “behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. (Mat. 1:20-21).

B.  Angels are GUARDING Agents

All my life, for as long as I can remember, I have believed I had a “Guardian Angel.”  Matthew 18 teaches us about guardian angels:

² Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

¹⁰ “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

We saw this idea in a broader way when we studied the idea of Angels as Warriors.  This is a more personal aspect of the work of angels in the life of a believer, as a personal guardian.  Many commentators on this verse dismiss the idea of an “personal guardian angel” but take it to mean, the guarding of angels in general.  I see no basis for that interpretation.  Angels in the Bible often have very specific assignments.  Jacob referred to an angel who had had concern for him (Gen. 48:16), while in the book of Daniel it seems that each nation has its angel (Dan. 10:13) and in Revelation we are introduced to the angels of churches (Rev. 1:20).  [See Pillar NT Commentary].  I see no reason to have it say anything other than what it clearly says.  The passage begins by the introduction of “individual children on the lap of the Lord.”  I also see there is not enough information to be overly dogmatic about it.  I just take it as God has a personal interest in me and has assigned me a personal heavenly assistant.  Maybe that’s why I can drive for five minutes and realize I don’t remember one thing about it, but I still survive.  Maybe my Guardian Angel took the wheel?

C.  Angels are GIRDING Agents

This is not a word we usually associate with “angels.”  It is a word we usually associate with a woman’s clothing “apparatus.” I am talking about a “girdle.”  Today, girdles have given way to a more modern, less torturous clothing device we call, “Spanx.”   To gird means, “to pull up or support,” as with the phrase, “gird up your loins.”  (Jer. 1:17, KJV).

This practice was usually in reference to preparing for battle.  Men of the day wore a “toga.”  In order to be better prepared to fight they would pull the toga between their legs and secure it to the belt to make it more like a pair of pants.  This gave them more support and freedom of movement (the opposite of the idea of a woman’s girdle I might add).  This practice applies to a battle strategy or a beauty device (or torture device, depending on whether we are talking about man’s point of view or a woman’s).  Angels “gird us up.”  That is, they support our ministry.  Angels encourage us when we are discouraged and strengthen us when we are weary.  The Bible does not fully explain “how” angels accomplish this work, but only that they do.  Remember when Jesus was tempted for forty days. He had been challenged by Satan and had not eaten for that entire time.  The Lord was weary.  Matthew 4:11 says,

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.  These were “girding” angels, supporting Jesus during a difficult time in His ministry.

At another difficult time angels “girded up” the Lord.  It was the night before His crucifixion.  He was in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The burden was so heavy upon Him knowing He was soon going to be tortured and killed for the sins of the world that He “sweat drops of blood (******).  This is what the Bible says about that dark time:

 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him (Luke 22:43).

Remember what I said, most of the work of the angels is “invisible.”  We don’t see it taking place.  Or, we may see it taking place but not be aware.  The verse we started with tells us, some have entertained angels unawares (Heb. 13:2).  Sometimes we assist others not knowing they are angels God has sent to remind us to “minister to others.”  Other times, angels appear in our lives as other people.  Perhaps someone who stops on a lonely road to help us fix a flat, or give us a ride to find assistance, or any number of experiences we regularly have.

Angels are all around us.  They are God’s Workers on our behalf, “guiding us, guarding us, and girding us up.”

Angels are WORSHIPPERS.  Angels are WARRIORS.  Angels are WORKERS.  Angels are everywhere ready to serve those who are serving God.

In 1975, Billy Graham wrote a book titled, “Angels, God’s Secret Agents.”  I have that book in my library. In it, Billy writes, “I have never heard anyone preach a sermon on angels.”  He wrote his book to help correct what was lacking in preaching regarding angels.  Of course, as with any “supernatural” phenomenon, or anything else for that matter, an angelic experience must be evaluated according to the clear teaching of the Bible.  Supernatural experiences should NOT be dismissed altogether.

Britain’s air force saved England from German invasion, especially in the early days of WWII.  Shortly after the war, a celebration was held honoring Air Chief Marshall, Lord Hugh Dowding. Everyone of note was at this celebration:  the King, the Prime Minister, and other dignitaries.  In his remarks, Air Chief Marshall Dowding recounted the fierce battles in the air over England during the war.  England’s complement of fighter pilots was pitifully small.  The men rarely slept, but their planes never stopped flying.  Dowding also told of a particular mission in which many of the airmen were hit and either dead or incapacitated, but still, their planes kept flying and fighting.  There are several accounts by other pilots of seeing a figure operating the controls of dead or incapacitated pilots.  Air Chief Hugh Dowding said he believed angels had actually flown those planes.

Were these figures, angels?  I believe they were.  I believe angels are everywhere about us.  I believe God created angels to not only be worshippers of Him and Warriors in His cause, but Workers for His children as we fulfill the Great Commission.

For often we encounter “angels unawares.”