ANGELS on SermonAudio

Galatians 3:13-21 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 ¶ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Where did angels come from? When were they created? What are their limitations? We consider these questions and more in this study.

The sermon explores the theological concept that Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfilment of humanity, addressing the question of why God is mindful of man. It examines the original design of man as crowned with glory and honour and given dominion over creation, noting that this status was lost through the fall but is restored through Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. The preacher emphasizes that Christ, as the God-man, voluntarily tasted death to secure victory over the grave and to reclaim the inheritance lost in Adam. This restoration allows believers to reign with Christ, judging angels and experiencing the full potential of human existence in the new heaven and new earth. The message concludes by highlighting that this elevation is entirely by the grace of God, demonstrating His kindness toward insignificant humanity.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1Timothy 3:16)

How should Christians watch for Christ's return? What does Jesus actually mean when He commands us to "keep watch"? In Mark 13:32–37, Jesus gives His disciples a final and repeated command concerning His Second Coming: "Keep Watch!" But this passage raises an important question: If no one knows the day or hour—not the angels, and not even the Son—what does it actually mean to be ready for Jesus' return? In this sermon, we work carefully through Mark 13:32–37, with connections to Matthew 24:32–35, 43–44, Luke 21:29–36, Romans 13:11–14, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–8, Acts 1:7, and Revelation 3:10. Rather than trying to calculate the date of Christ's return, Jesus teaches us to live in a state of constant spiritual readiness. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

GOD'S LETTER TO THE CHURCH TEXT: Revelation 1:10-21; Matthew 16:18 SUMMARY: God's letter to the churches in Revelation, if it is to have its necessary effect on us, must be read through the eyes of John, as he fell in fear like a dead man at the feet of the glorified Christ. I. THE NATURE OF THE LETTER. A. Its origin. B. It's Urgency. II. THE AUTHOR OF THE LETTER A. John, the Human Instrument. B. Christ, the Divine Author. III. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE LETTER, vv. 17-21. A. The Church Identified. 1. The Universal (Invisible) Church defined: see 1689 Confession, 26-1; Westminster Confession, 25-1) -The Invisible Church has a sure Foundation and Builder. -The Invisible Church has Opposition. -The Invisible Church Perseveres. 2. The Local (Visible) Church defined: see 1689 Confession, ch. 26-3; Westminster Confession, 25-5] B. The Church Examined. Who are the individuals referred to as "angels"? -Heavenly beings sent out to the churches as God's messengers? -Human messengers sent out to carry the letter [the book] to the seven churches? -Guardian angels, one for each congregation? -A Pastor, an elder or a group of elders, who are messengers of God's Word to their congregations, and carry some responsibility for their welfare? C. The Church Exhorted. The letters are written: 1. to "the angel," probably a pastor or group of elders. 2. to the visible church on earth as a whole. 3. to specific local churches. 4. to individuals within the church.

The sermon emphasizes the urgent need for believers to give earnest heed to the gospel message to prevent spiritual backsliding or apostasy. It argues that the book of Hebrews serves as a warning to Jewish Christians who were tempted to return to the Old Covenant, highlighting that Christ's divinity and superior status over angels make His message the ultimate authority. The speaker distinguishes between true believers who cannot lose their salvation and those who have merely tasted God's grace without fully trusting in Christ's finished work. By illustrating the gravity of the gospel with personal anecdotes, the message encourages the congregation to meditate on recent sermons and secure their assurance of salvation. The tone is pastoral and convicting, urging the audience to maintain their spiritual grip and seek higher ground in their faith rather than letting spiritual insights slip away.

Though the last days can be fearfully dark, they are wonderfully bright because in them God is speaking to us by his Son. The opening verses of the letter to the Hebrews provide us with one of the most splendid testimonies to the glory of the Messiah, the Jesus of whom the writer speaks with such delight and reverence. He is the heir of all things, the agent of creation, the revealer of God, the upholder of all, the purger of sin, the ruler on high, and the name over all. Do we trust and adore this Jesus, our Christ, as he set before us in the Scripture?