Thank God for Heavenly Allies
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on September 27, 2024 in 10, 2 Kgs.6:8-17, Matthew 18:1-5, Revelation 12:7-12
Sermon for Saint Michael & All Angels Sunday Sept. 29, 2024
Lessons: Revelation 12:7-12; 2 Kgs. 6:8-17; Mt.18:1-5,10 24:2463b
Theme: Thank God for Heavenly Allies
In the early 1900s my father grew up in Nebraska speaking German. When he was drafted into the army in World War II, he was assigned to the army’s intelligence unit where his job was to break German codes and uncover the enemy’s strategy.
One rainy night he was out gathering information when he heard the whistle of a bomb falling above him. “Lord, this is it,” he said and dropped to the ground as the bomb hit. Nothing happened. No flash, no explosion, no deafening roar – nothing! Dad was still alive and offered a prayer of thanks.
The next day he asked the bomb squad the reason the bomb failed to explode. He was told that Hitler had his bombs made in Norway. As the Norwegians went to the factories in the morning, they filled their pockets with sand and dirt to mix in the bombs’ detonators. The bombs couldn’t explode. Whenever he told the story, Dad would end it with a smile on his face saying, “I love those Norwegians!”
That’s the kind of ally you want on your side when life is on the line! You may never see them, but they thwart the enemy’s efforts.
In this world our lives are constantly on the line, our eternal lives. The fight is against forces superior to us, the devil and his evil demons. Paul writes, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ep.6:12ff). How can we stand? Paul answers, “Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to take a stand on the evil day…Stand with the belt of truth buckled around your waist and the breastplate of righteousness…take up the shield of faith…the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
About that Martin Luther writes, “Tho’ devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us, we tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us. This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will. He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done; one little word can fell him.” God’s Word! Wield it every day! Don’t ignore it.
And there is more help, God’s angels. Call them heavenly allies, sent by God to defend us and defuse anything Satan hurls at us. You don’t see the angels; you don’t feel them. But they are present. Their work is the focus of our lessons today. Thank God for Them.
- Our battle is a spiritual one. (Revelation 12:7-12)
Often, it’s things not seen that win the battle – such as undercover work, intelligence gathering, spying that reveals the enemy’s plans, etc. Without help behind the scenes, many a battle would be lost.
A similar thing is true for us in the battle for our souls. We have our own “secret service” at work defending us, and we don’t even see it because its agents are invisible to our eyes. The battle of good against evil rages around us every day; and we are oblivious.
All the sad and frightening events that take place in our world – the turmoil among nations, the threat of war, the murder down the street, the break-in to your house, the bullying in the schoolyard, etc., all are evidence of the battle against evil waged daily. These are not just sad events or unfortunate things taking place. There is more going on than meets our dull eyes. This you should know; everything is part of a spiritual battle taking place that we often fail to see.
This battle is a ferocious one. Satan does not rest in his efforts to destroy your soul. It began in Eden. It raged throughout the Old Testament times and into the New Testament. It continues in our day as Satan seeks to attack God’s people to destroy them eternally.
In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John describes in figurative language this battle and how the enemy is defeated. He writes: 7 There was also a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon. The dragon fought back along with his angels, 8 but he was not strong enough. There was no longer a place for them in heaven. 9 The great dragon was thrown down—the ancient serpent, the one called the Devil and Satan, the one who leads the whole inhabited earth astray—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 They conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives in the face of death.12 For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and those who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, for the Devil has gone down to you. He is full of rage, because he knows that his time is short.
You hear of Michael. He is Jesus’ right-hand commander in the army of heaven. Some think that he stands for Jesus Himself who with His angels fights against Satan to defend us. Because Michael and his angels fight for us, Satan cannot overcome the Church. Still, Satan tries his hardest to drag with him to hell as many as possible.
He tried with the believers of old as he brought about persecution that led to the death of many early-day Christians. Even today, there are many Christian martyrs who give up their lives in this world as they stand on and for their witness of the Gospel of Christ. But Satan attacks. He attacks all Christians everyday with temptations and hardships in order to pull them away from Christ. He tries to raise such havoc in our world through evil that runs rampant around us. We struggle to know what to do. And we come up with few answers.
Because of that it is great to know that God in the past and today sends His angels into this spiritual battle in our behalf to support us. But what is most comforting is knowing that Jesus eternally defeated Satan on the cross when He paid for our sin and won our forgiveness. “Now the ruler of this world is thrown out,” He said, “when I am lifted up from the earth” (Jn.12:31). Trusting in His work of salvation, you will not be lost, unless you turn away from Christ. The devil cannot defeat you as you remain in Christ for the Lamb of God has defeated and thrown him down. But Satan will not quit trying; he didn’t in the apostles’ day; and he won’t quit in our day either.
You can’t fight him with ordinary human weapons. Guns and bombs don’t work in spiritual battles. But the Word of God does, and Jesus promises to comfort and strengthen us through it. It’s comforting to know that Satan’s attempts to overturn God’s saving plan ended in utter failure at the cross and empty tomb. Christ triumphed over him when He cried, “It is finished!” And it’s good to know that God promises to daily send His angels concerning us to guard us in all our ways. They will lift you up in their hands (Ps.91:11) until one day, in steadfast faith, you will shine like the stars forever and ever above (Dn.12:3).
The battle is a spiritual one. But God prevails for His people who continue to trust in Him. Thank God for our Heavenly Allies.
- Lord, open our eyes to “see” them. (2 Kings 6:8-17)
8 Now when the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, he would make plans with his officials, saying, “My camp will be at such and such a place.” 9 But the man of God would send a message to the king of Israel, saying, “Be careful when you pass this place because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel would send scouts to the place that the man of God had pointed out. So the man of God warned him, and he was kept safe—and not just once or twice. 11 The king of Aram was enraged because of this. He summoned his officials and said to them, “Won’t you tell me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 One of his officials said, “No, my lord the king. It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who tells the king of Israel the words which you speak in your bedroom.” 13 Then he said, “Go and see where he is. Then I’ll send men and capture him.” He was told, “Dothan is where he is.” 14 So he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They came at night and surrounded the city. 15 When the man of God’s servant got up early and went out, there were soldiers, horses, and chariots surrounding the city. So his attendant said to Elisha, “Oh no, my lord! What will we do?” 16 He answered, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, open his eyes so that he can see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire, all around Elisha.
Look up and around you. What do you see? What do you see in the pew beside you? What do you see in our Ozark hills? What do you see in the yard around your house? What do you see in the seat next to you in the car? What do you see standing at your bed at night? Child of God, what do you “see?” Are you “blind” like Elisha’s servant so that you don’t know what is always around you?
The king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers behind closed doors, he determined how he was going to march against Israel. Secretly, he planned to set up camps in Israel in areas not known to Israel’s king. But every time he arrived at such a place Israel’s king was already there. Time and time again it happened. Enraged because his plot to overthrow the country always failed, he called his officers together, “Who is our traitor?” he cried. The officers responded, “None of us, my lord, but Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak.”
How did Elisha know? He was a prophet of the LORD, and the omniscient LORD, who knows all things, revealed it to him.
Ah, the omniscience of God is a comfort for His redeemed people who trust in Him. Here you see most clearly how God knows what our earthly and spiritual enemies are up to. And when the enemy plots to destroy us, God sends His servants, the angels to them.
The psalmist writes, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cries.” And again, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers him” (34:15,7). Isn’t that exactly what happened here?
When Elisha’s servant awoke the next morning, all he could see surrounding the city was the enemy. Fear gripped his heart. Elisha responded, “Do not be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then he prayed, “O LORD, open my servant’s eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” God was protecting His people.
Dear friends, we are surrounded by dangers every day. People think we are not even safe in church anymore. We are so tempted to cry out like Elisha’s servant, “Alas, my master, what shall we do?”
Dear friend, “Lift your eyes to the hills. From where does your help come? Our help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps.121:1f). “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands” (Ps.91:11f).
“Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are against us.” Thank God for Heavenly Allies. Lord, open our “eyes” to see them.
III. For God has sent them to serve us. (Matthew 18:1-5,10)
1 At that time the disciples approached Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child, had him stand in the middle of them, 3 and said, “Amen I tell you: Unless you are turned and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven…. 10 See to it that you do not look down on one of these little ones, because I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Who is the greatest before God? His “children,” no matter what age, 2 weeks old to 100 years old – His children are all who believe in Him. In faith you are attached to Christ in a way that even the holy angels aren’t. You hold a position as a son, an heir of heaven. They don’t hold that. What a wondrous, astonishing truth of grace that is.
One would think that the angels, who haven’t lost their high position that God gave them from the start, one would think that, surely, they are attached to Him in a high and glorious way. And they are, as His holy servants. But the fact is that they are God’s servants, sent by Him to serve us. The book of Hebrews (1:14) says, “They are ministering spirits, sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.”
You see, dear friends, the astounding part of grace is that in Christ you, by faith, are the heir. An heir holds a totally different position from the servant.
Earthly servants carry out the bidding of their masters. A servant might nobly carry out his orders and be commended. A servant, through faithful service, could rise to a high position as manager of the estate. A servant could be thought of so highly that the owner would confer on him important matters and would entrust all affairs to his care (e.g.,Eleazar; Joseph). But there is one thing about such a relationship that never changes for the servant, even if he is so great in his service that the owner can’t do without him. The estate would never belong to him because the servant is not the heir – the son is.
And the Bible says concerning heavenly things, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And since you are a son, God has made you also an heir” (Ga.3:26;4:7). The term “son,” even for all females, is there because it links you through your faith with the Son of God, your Savior. He makes you what you are not on your own, saved eternally and heirs of heaven. The angels are great in their service. But the fact of grace is that the son is the heir.
When I think of such matters of grace, it astounds me. It goes beyond my present human understanding. But I believe it, and one day we shall all, in faith, thrill to understand this whole matter as God intends it. Even now this much I know: Christ is great for He is the Savior who died for us. He calls His “children” who believe in Him “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” And the angels whom God sent to serve us are great for they are holy and carry out His saving plans for us. Thank God for such Heavenly Allies.
God grant us peace and joy in these truths; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Zion Ev. Lutheran Church of Springfield
(Member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)
Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor Lehmann’s cell phone: 417.693.3244
www.zionluthchurch.com Email address: revelehmann@gmail.com
Saint Michael and All Angels Day September 29, 2024
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Welcome in Jesus’ name. We are happy to have you worshipping with us today and pray that the words and promises of God that you hear may fill you with confidence and courage for the upcoming week. He shall protect and provide help for His redeemed people.
One of the special ways that God graciously protects and helps His people is through the ministry of the angels who stand before His face. They are His servants whom He uses to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of believers.
In commemoration of this, the Church long ago set aside a day in the church calendar to address the care God provides His people through the angels. We do not worship them. But in such a remembrance we praise God for His gracious acts that meet the needs of His people.
The word angel means “messenger.” At the head of these messengers stands Christ Himself, the Word made flesh. He provides us with the means and the message of salvation, which the angels serve. Any festival within the Church has that as its focus. So also the commemoration of St. Michael and All Angels Day. With that in mind, we consider the gracious works of God that He performs for the eternal welfare of His people through His holy angels, and praise Him for it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Order of Worship
Opening Devotion: (Please rise)
Pastor: O Lord, teach us Your ways.
Congregation: That we may walk in Your truth.
Pastor: You comfort and help us day by day.
Congregation: We trust Your loving care.
Pastor: You are the King of heaven and earth;
Congregation: We give You praise and thanks. Alleluia!
Pastor: Lord Jesus, You invite us to pray and promise that where two or three come together in Your name, there You are with us. Answer our prayers, and fulfill our desires according to Your wisdom and love. Strengthen us in the knowledge of Your truth, and grant us life everlasting; for Your name’s sake. Amen.
The Opening Hymns: “Just As I Am, without One Plea” 814
“Open, Lovely Doors” 912
Scripture Lessons
(Here follows a series of Scripture Lessons and devotions based on the care that God provides His people of faith through the ministry of His holy angels. Each lesson will be interspersed with hymns that seek to reflect some of the lessons’ thoughts.)
Introduction: Thank God for Heavenly Allies.
The Hymn: “O God, Our Lord, Your Holy Word” 643
Revelation 12:7-12 Our Battle Is a Spiritual One.
The Hymn: “In Christ Alone” 510
2 Kings 6:8-17 Lord, Open Our Eyes to “See” Them.
The Hymn: “On Eagles’ Wings” 821
Matthew 18:1-5,10 For God Has Sent Them to Serve Us.
The Hymn: “Fight the Good Fight” 876
The Offering
Hymns: “Take the World, but Give Me Jesus” 699
“I Love to Tell the Story” st.1,4,3 746
Prayer: (Please rise)
Pastor: In peace let us pray to the Lord. Heavenly Father, how great is Your love to us in Christ Jesus. For the sake of His sacrifice on the cross, You have forgiven all our sins and assured us that by faith we are Your children and heirs of eternal life.
Congregation: Because we are heirs of salvation, You have sent Your holy angels to serve us. When we feel weak and helpless, comfort us with the knowledge that Your powerful angels surround us.
Pastor: As the Archangel Michael once fought against the devil and his angels, assure us that Your angels are still overcoming the power of evil around us in the world.
Congregation: Whether we live or die, Your angels continue to watch over us and at last will carry our souls to heaven to be with You.
Pastor: May more and more people come to faith in Christ as the Savior and experience the comfort of forgiveness and life in Him along with the blessed assurance that His heavenly angels are always present in life.
Congregation: We pray for those who are sick or in pain, those who are troubled or afraid, those who labor and those who mourn, we pray that in faith they understand that You and Your holy angels are there to watch over them, to soothe them in their turmoil, to calm them when afraid, and to protect them in all danger.
Pastor: Hear us, Lord, as we bring You our private petitions
(Silent Prayer)
Pastor: As the angels praise Your name forever, so move us to offer You our constant thanks and praise for all that You have done in Your grace and continue to do for us daily. Hear us for the sake of Jesus our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: Hymnal page 168
The Blessing:
Pastor: Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless in the presence of His glory with great joy;
To the only God, our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, now, and to all eternity. Amen. (Jude 24-25)
(Be seated)
The Closing Hymn: “To God Be the Glory” 627
Silent Prayer
* * *
Point to Ponder: “Since they are our angels assigned to serve us, we should recognize God’s great love for us poor people, that these noblest creatures, the purest spirits, are sent to us, who are so saturated with the impurity of sin that all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment (Is.64:6). How wonderful that God created heaven and earth, foliage, grass, birds, fish, and all animals for man’s good! But a much greater kindness and mercy is that He sends the angels to minister to us. For this we should thank Him daily.”
— Johann Gerhard, an early Lutheran theologian, on Our Attitude in Response to the Angels’ Service
Saint Michael and All Angels – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: 2 Kings 6:8-17 – Guarded by Angels
8 Now when the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, he would make plans with his officials, saying, “My camp will be at such and such a place.” 9 But the man of God would send a message to the king of Israel, saying, “Be careful when you pass this place because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel would send scouts to the place that the man of God had pointed out. So the man of God warned him, and he was kept safe—and not just once or twice.
11 The king of Aram was enraged because of this. He summoned his officials and said to them, “Won’t you tell me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 One of his officials said, “No, my lord the king. It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who tells the king of Israel the words which you speak in your bedroom.” 13 Then he said, “Go and see where he is. Then I’ll send men and capture him.” He was told, “Dothan is where he is.”
14 So he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They came at night and surrounded the city. 15 When the man of God’s servant got up early and went out, there were soldiers, horses, and chariots surrounding the city. So his attendant said to Elisha, “Oh no, my lord! What will we do?”
16 He answered, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, open his eyes so that he can see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire, all around Elisha.
Epistle Lesson: Revelation 12:7-12 – Satan Thrown Down
7 There was also a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon. The dragon fought back along with his angels, 8 but he was not strong enough. There was no longer a place for them in heaven. 9 The great dragon was thrown down—the ancient serpent, the one called the Devil and Satan, the one who leads the whole inhabited earth astray—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying:
Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 They conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives in the face of death.12 For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and those who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, for the Devil has gone down to you. He is full of rage, because he knows that his time is short.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18:1-5,10 – Who Is the Greatest?
1 At that time the disciples approached Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child, had him stand in the middle of them, 3 and said, “Amen I tell you: Unless you are turned and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven…. 10 See to it that you do not look down on one of these little ones, because I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Lutheran Church
| Today
Sept.29 |
Mon.
Sept.30 |
Tues.
Oct.1 |
Wed.
Oct.2 |
Thurs.
Oct.3 |
Fri.
Oct.4 |
Sat.
Oct.5 |
Next Sun.
Oct.6 |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service Favorite Hymns 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
St, Michael & All Angels |
10 am
Jean Carol Hobson Christian Funeral Service at Peace, Marshfield |
5 pm
Ronald McDonald House Meal
|
|
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Trinity 19 |
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Norine Richardson; Melissa Morlock-Jaeger; Liz Lisenby; Barbara Long; the family of Robbie Woessner (Bob and Geri’s son); Pastor Roger Neumann from Oskaloosa, IA; the family of Jean Carol Hobson, whom the Lord drew to Himself in eternity this past Wednesday.
Divine Call Returned Pastor David Karow has returned the call to us. The Holy Spirit led him to remain at his present call at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rock Springs, WI. We will let you know when another Call Meeting will be arranged.
By God’s Grace Moving Forward – The food pantry outside ministry box is now in operation where those in need may stop to pick up items. Now we need to provide the resources. If you are able to help with food donations, please deposit non-perishable items in the yellow box in the narthex.
– In October we will seek to reach out in nearby neighborhoods with a Thursday morning women’s Bible study. Letters and door hangers are being assembled.
– Once again, we will help in preparing meals and seeking to bring encouragement to residents at the Ronald McDonald House on the south side. In a week or two we will let you know how you can help. May God bless our outreach efforts.
Upcoming Services and Events
Friday, October 4 – Ronald McDonald House evening meal
Saturday, October 12 – LWMS Fall Rally at Peace, Marshfield, registration 9:30 am until 2:30 pm
Saturday, October 19, 2-6:30 pm – Renaissance/Reformation Festival at Faith LC, Carthage, MO
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Trinity 19: Genesis 28:10-17; Ephesians 4:22-28; Matthew 9:1-8 Historic Pericope Series
Last Week in Review:
Sunday’s Worship Attendance: 28 ; Bible Class: 14; Last Sunday’s Offering: $1,347.
