Episode Details

You can read below or go to Christforus.org. 

Michaelmas

Matthew 18:1-11 and Revelation 12:7-12

Pastor James Preus

Trinity Lutheran Church

September 29, 2024

“I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.” We confess these words in the Nicene Creed. From Scripture we learn that God has created not only what we see, but also what we cannot see. For today’s sermon, I want to teach you about what we do not see. In 2 Kings 6, the Syrian army surrounded the city where Elisha lived to kill him, so Elisha’s servant despairing said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” to which Elisha responded, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then he prayed, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So, the Lord opened his eyes and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire! Thus, God rescued Elisha with the help of angels. Yet, the angels did not come into existence when Elisha’s servant saw them. The angels were already there! And so, Scripture teaches us, the angels are around us now, though we do not see them.

Hebrews 1 says of angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (vs. 14) And Psalm 103 calls them “mighty ones who do [God’s] Word.” They obey God’s commands and God commands them to protect us. Psalm 91 states, “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (vss. 10-11) And Psalm 34:7 declares, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” So, we should believe fervently that angels form a hedge around us, protecting us from evil and serving us for Christ’s sake. Yet, even more, we should start believing what Scripture says, so that we recognize that a lot more is going on than what we see.

On the cross we see a dying man, bleeding and weak. It’s a pitiful and gory sight, which inspires no hope of victory. Yet, Scripture tells us that while this is what we see physically, in the heavenly realm Michael and His angels are fighting Satan, the ancient dragon, and his evil angels, and that they cast Satan and his hordes of demons out of heaven by the blood of Christ shed for us! What we see with our eyes is not the whole picture.

Likewise, we saw little William get baptized this morning: a tiny infant had water poured on his head as a few words were spoken. To the unbeliever, a quaint tradition, which accomplishes nothing but getting a baby’s head wet. Yet, what does Scripture say? When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ like a dove, and God the Father spoke from heaven, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” And so, we should firmly believe that when little William was baptized, although we could not see it, the heavens indeed were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him and God the father declared William His own dear child. This is attested enough by Christ and the Apostles, who tell us that Baptism is a washing of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-6; Titus 3:5-8) and that we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in Baptism (Acts 2:38), and that Baptism grants new birth and makes one an heir of Christ (Titus 3:5-8; Galatians 3:27, 29).  

So much more is going on around us than what we see with our eyes or sense with any of our senses. We must walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). So, what else is true that we do not see with our eyes? The disciples asked Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And our Lord calls to Himself a little child and says, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this child is the greatest in the kingdo