Angels in Acts - Sermon Notes for November 20, 2011

Main Text:

Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducces, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." Acts 5:17-20

                 Sermon Title: God Moves in Mysterious Ways

A popular cliche, but true.

Some notes from Sunday's Sermon....

We always want to know what and why. We want to figure it out.  If we can't  figure it out we often assume we are not good enough Christians. The root of this, as so many sins, is pride.

1. Sometimes God uses angels, and sometimes He doesn't.
2. Sometimes they show up to prevent an incident. Sometimes they show up to utilize the incident.
3. They are unlimited in their ability except when it concerns your obedience and your assignment.

1. In the Book of Hebrews we read: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2)

This assumes that angels exist and are present. It does appear, though, that God does not use angels as much today as He did in Bible times.

•  There is no consistent pattern of angelic activity in the Bible.
•  There is no indication that angelic activity is a sign of  special favor from God, nor that it occurs in a particularly bad situation.
•  Angelic activity fits the pattern of God's incarnational approach to man. [I love that point.]  He accommodates us in whatever way we need for God to reach us.

2. In Daniel 6:22 we read how an angel came to the lion's den and "shut the mouths of the lions."

3. When it comes to our own obedience and our assignment, no one can do it for us. A parent can make sure their child has all the things he needs to do his school work, but they cannot do it for the child.

In the text in Acts, the angel has not come to just get them out of jail. He is bringing a message from God.

Why would the apostles be in jail? They had important work to do. Why were the bad guy at home sleeping comfortably and the good guys in jail?

God moves in mysterious ways.....

"Go, stand in the temple courts...." they were told. "Stand," don't hide. Do we stand up and get others' attention - at work? in public? even for a few minutes?

They went right to the temple because God told them to. Angels do not make their own assignments - only God does. God uses human beings like you and me to do His kingdom work.

God Moves in Mysterious Ways...

                                                       ....Our Response

We must always keep in mind that His ways:

• Are not our ways
• Are superior to our ways
• Should be welcomed by us (even if unpleasant)
• Should be seen as the right ways

Bro Mike illustarted these points by referring to a high school football game -  at various times throughout the game, probably 80% of the men present are in disagreement with the officials -- That's not the way I would call it, etc....

Another thought about angels -- He does not need them....
so it is a mystery why God uses them.

He could have:

--prevented the arrest. (They were on a roll. Pentecost had come with its powerful gift of the Holy Spirit. People were being saved. The church growing.)
--inspired one of the temple leaders to persuade the others to let the apostles go
--caused an earthquake and had them freed with great attention, and not quietly, with only a few knowing what happened.

• What is God doing in your life?
• What if angels were at work in your life and you didn't know?
• Are you able to discern God's "ways" in your circumstances?
• Are we on a journey that includes surprizing, sometimes painful, circumstances?