This is the third in a series of messages about angels. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the evening of September 1, 2013. This message Michael, Gabriel and archangels. This post contains an audio recording of my sermon, plus the sermon notes. The sermon notes are not a full transcript of the sermon.
SERMON AUDIO:
AUDIO DOWNLOAD LINK:
SERMON NOTES:
1 Thessalonians 4:16
ARCHANGELS
The archangel appears to be an angel of the highest order.
The word means chief angel, and is used only twice in Scripture.
From this verse (& Daniel 10:13), we can presume that there are more than one archangel (an archangel, as opposed to the archangel).
We can’t be sure what an archangel looks like, because Scripture never describes their appearance. However, they must be a powerful and terrifying sight.
Daniel 10:10-12
This unnamed angel is may be an archangel himself, although we can’t be totally sure.
We also know that they are associated with the rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
This particular archangel is probably Michael.
Daniel 12:1
The other use of the word, defines Michael as an archangel.
Jude 1:9
Michael is only mentioned by name 5 times in Scripture, but he plays a very important role.
Michael is described as a prince, which would denote a position of great authority in God’s hierarchy.
Daniel 10:12-13
Daniel 10:21
We know from Scripture that Michael is a very powerful warrior and protector, who is assigned to protect Israel.
Daniel 12:1
They also command other angels, akin to a general.
Revelation 12:7
Gabriel, although never called an Archangel, is widely thought to be one.
The specific identity of Gabriel as an archangel, is actually derived from the apocryphal books Tobit, Jubilees and 1 Enoch.
Since Scripture never identifies him as such, we can only speculate on this point, but he does have a very prominent and important role.
Unlike Michael, Gabriel’s role seems to be more of a messenger.
We will stop short of calling him an archangel, (I’ll leave that conclusion up to you), but we will include him in this study.
So, what can we learn from Gabriel?
Gabriel means “strong man of God” and is mentioned 4 times in Scripture.
Twice in the O.T., and twice in the N.T.
He is an interpreter of visions. He directly interprets God’s prophecy.
Daniel 8:15-26
Daniel 9:20-27
Not only that, but he is a messenger of the highest order. For it was Gabriel who brought the news John the Baptist and of Christ.
Luke 1:8-20
Luke 1:26-38
As we can see, these angels have a special role and authority in God’s kingdom.
Even so, we see that even in their great authority, they serve God by serving man.
They have guided man’s path by delivering interpretation of prophecy.
They have, and will, protected God’s people through perilous times.
They have directly brought news of the Savior.
That beings of such great power and authority would be of such service to us, should be very humbling.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on September 5, 2013
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