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In the past God spoke to our
forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He
has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through
whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact
representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After
He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He
has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels
did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father " ? Or again,
"I will be His Father, and He will be my Son"? And again, when God brings His
Firstborn into the world, He says, "Let all God's angels worship Him."
In speaking of the angels He
says, "He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire." But about the
Son He says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness
will be the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated
wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has set You above Your companions by
anointing You with the oil of joy."
He also says, "In the
beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are
the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear
out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will
be changed. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end."
To which of the angels did
God ever say, "Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for
Your feet"? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will
inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:1-14 |
Last night we were watching the Military Channel. They were
doing a special on the US Navy. It was a very impressive program! So…I bragged
on the Navy. A friend of ours – a former Army Infantry officer – was
unimpressed. He said, “Well, the Navy thinks they are really doing something
because they spend up to six months on a ship. What about the Infantry? They are
the ones who get shot at!"
Let’s face it – we all have our calling – our specialty – our uniqueness! And
that is good. That’s the way God created us! I encourage everyone to be who
you are and what you are. If God wants us changed, that is his role, not
the pastor’s or the deacon’s – or anyone else, for that matter.
Yet God
does expect some conformity.
Romans
8:28-30
Especially verse 29: For those God foreknew He also predestined to be
conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many
brothers.
Romans
12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's
will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Peter
1:13-16
Especially verse 14: “As obedient children, do not conform
to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”
Since Romans 8:29 says we are predestined (the way has been chosen, but God is
not going to make you do it) to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus, we
need to take a short look at what that means.
1. Jesus
is the heir of all things. God is going to turn it all over to Him!
2. Jesus
created the universe.
3. The Son
is the exact radiance of the Father.
4. Jesus
is higher than the angels.
5. Angels
are ministering sprits to those who will inherit salvation.
Donald
Stamps listed some of the major roles of angels. They:
1.
Rejoice over one sinner
who repents
2.
Serve on behalf of God’s
people
3.
Observe the life of the
Christian congregation
4.
Bring messages from God
5.
Bring answers to prayer
6.
Sometimes help interpret
prophetic dreams and visions
7.
Strengthen God’s people in
trials
8.
Protect saints who fear
God and hate evil
9.
Punish those who are God’s
enemies
10.
Fight against the demonic
11.
Carry the saved to heaven
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Although
we do the work of angels – and sometimes act like angels, which is good – the
bottom line is, we are God’s children and should approach every situation in a
godly spirit of love and service.
Former President Harry Truman had a unique way of describing people
without a purpose in life. He said, Men who live in the past remind me of a
toy I'm sure all of you have seen. The toy is a small wooden bird called the "Floogie
Bird." Around the Floogie Bird's neck is a label reading, "I fly backwards, I
don't care where I'm going. I just want to see where I've been."
The Words of Harry S. Truman,
selected by Robert J. Donovan.
Going in
the right direction means we are walking with God. Whether our role seems very
significant or insignificant to us is not that important. What is important is
whether or not we are being obedient to God’s call on our lives.
Sincerely,
Pastor Leon
Sunday, December 25,
2005
