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Claim This Podcastby Plymouth Church of Christ
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This podcast is made available from Plymouth Church of Christ. Plymouth, MI
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5/14/2023
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Recent Episodes
March 15, 2026
What Do Angels Do?
<div>Title: "What Do Angels Do?" - Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 103:20-21; Revelation 5:11-12<br /> Series: Unseen - The Truth About Angels (Week 2)<br /> <br /> <br /> Last week we answered the question: What ARE angels? We discovered that angels are created beings—not eternal, not former humans. Dead people don't become angels. We saw that angels have a hierarchy—archangels, cherubim, seraphim—and that angels are powerful and terrifying, not cute cherubs.<br /> <br /> This week we asked a different question: What DO angels do? Not their nature, but their function. What role do angels play in God's plan? How do they spend their time? What are they doing right now?<br /> <br /> Scripture reveals three primary activities of angels: they worship, they serve as messengers, and they fight as warriors.<br /> <br /> First, angels worship. This is their primary function. This is what they were created to do. Revelation 4:8 describes living creatures who "day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!'" Angels worship continuously, without breaks, without vacations, without off days. Unending worship.<br /> <br /> Revelation 5:11-12 gives us an even fuller picture: "Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!'" Innumerable angels—countless multitudes—all worshiping the Lamb.<br /> <br /> Angels don't worship because they have to. They worship because they see God clearly. We struggle with worship sometimes because our vision is clouded by sin, by self, by the world. But angels see God as He is—His holiness, His glory, His majesty, His beauty. And the natural response is worship. They can't help it. When you see God clearly, worship is the only reasonable response.<br /> <br /> Angels refuse to be worshiped themselves. In Revelation 22:8-9, when John falls down to worship an angel, the angel says, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." Angels know their place. They're servants, fellow worshipers. But they're not worthy of worship. Only God is.<br /> <br /> If angels—who are greater than us in power and glory—spend eternity worshiping God, what should we be doing? Worship isn't optional. Worship isn't just something we do on Sunday morning. Worship is our purpose. It's what we were created for. And one day, we'll join the angels in unceasing worship around God's throne.<br /> <br /> Second, angels are servants and messengers. Hebrews 1:14 says, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" Angels don't just worship in heaven. They're sent on missions. They deliver messages. They serve God's purposes. They minister to believers.<br /> <br /> Acts 12 shows this powerfully. Peter is in prison, facing execution. King Herod plans to kill him after Passover. The church is praying earnestly for Peter. Then an angel appears in the prison cell—light shining, chains falling off. The angel gives Peter specific instructions: Get up. Get dressed. Put on your sandals. Wrap your cloak. Follow me. The angel leads Peter past the guards, through the iron gate, out into the street. Mission accomplished—the angel leaves.<br /> <br /> Notice what the angel did: The angel served God's purposes (God wanted Peter rescued, the angel carried out the mission). The angel served Peter (woke him, freed him, led him out, protected him). The angel delivered a message through action (God has intervened; you're free; go).<br /> <br /> Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern: Gabriel appears to Zechariah to announce John the Baptist's birth. Gabriel appears to Mary to announce Jesus' conception. An angel guides Joseph to flee to Egypt and later return. Angels announce Jesus' birth to shepherds. An angel directs Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch who comes to faith. An angel appears to Cornelius, opening the door for the gospel to go to the Gentiles. An angel appears to Paul during a storm, assuring him everyone will survive.<br /> <br /> Angels don't serve themselves. They serve God. Psalm 103:20 says, "Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!" They obey. They do His word. They listen to His voice and carry out His commands. And yes, they serve believers—but only as God directs. We don't command angels. We can't order them around. We don't pray to angels or ask them for help. We pray to God, and He commands His angels concerning us.<br /> <br /> God is working behind the scenes in ways we can't see. Angels are active—delivering messages, opening doors, protecting, guiding. We may never see them, but they're there. When we pray, God may answer through angelic ministry. The church prayed for Peter. God sent an angel. Keep praying. God is at work.<br /> <br /> Third, angels are warriors. Angels are engaged in warfare—spiritual warfare, cosmic battles, fights we can't see. Second Kings 6 provides the most dramatic example. The king of Syria sends an army to capture Elisha. Elisha's servant wakes up, sees the Syrian army surrounding the city, and panics: "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"<br /> <br /> Then Elisha says something profound: "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Elisha prays, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes, "and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." An angelic army. Surrounding Elisha. Ready to fight. The Syrian army didn't stand a chance.<br /> <br /> Elisha knew what his servant didn't: There's more happening than what we can see. The servant saw the Syrian army and was afraid. But when God opened his eyes, he saw the angelic army—far greater, far more powerful. This is the unseen reality. Angels are warriors, fighting battles we can't see.<br /> <br /> Daniel 10 gives us another glimpse of spiritual warfare. Daniel prays and fasts for 21 days. Then an angel appears and says, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me." The angel was delayed for 21 days by the prince of Persia—a demonic power, a fallen angel ruling over Persia. There was a battle. A spiritual battle between the angel bringing God's message and the demon trying to stop him. Michael the archangel had to come and help.<br /> <br /> This reveals something crucial: There are spiritual battles happening that we can't see. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." We're in a war. But the real battle isn't against other people. It's against spiritual forces of evil. And angels are fighting on our behalf.<br /> <br /> Revelation 12:7-9 describes war in heaven: "Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Angelic warfare. Michael and his angels versus the dragon and his angels.<br /> <br /> We are more protected than we realize. When Elisha's servant saw the angelic army, his fear turned to faith. If God opened our eyes right now, we'd see angels at work. Our prayers matter in spiritual warfare. Daniel prayed for 21 days while angels fought. Don't give up. Keep praying. Battles are being won in the unseen realm. The outcome is certain. Satan and his angels were thrown down. They're defeated. Michael and God's angels win. The war is already won—we're just waiting for the final victory.<br /> <br /> The message concluded with three applications: First, worship like angels worship. They never cease. We should be consistent. Make worship a lifestyle, not just an event. Declare God's holiness. Proclaim the Lamb's worthiness. Join the angels in their eternal song. Second, trust that God is working. You can't see the angels, but they're there. Serving. Ministering. Carrying out God's will. When you pray, angels may be dispatched. When you face opposition, angels may be fighting. Trust that God is at work. Third, don't live in fear. Elisha told his servant, "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." That's still true. Greater is He who is in you. Angels are fighting for you. The battle is already won.<br /> <br /> Angels worship God continuously. Angels serve God's purposes faithfully. Angels fight for God's people courageously. And we are part of the story they're writing. Live in light of the unseen reality all around you.<br /> <br /> Key Scriptures: Psalm 103:20-21; Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 4:8-11; 5:11-12; 22:8-9; Luke 1-2; Matthew 1-2; Acts 8:26; 10; 12:6-11; 27:23; 2 Kings 6:16-17; Daniel 10:12-13; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:7-9; 1 John 4:4<br /> </div>
March 8, 2026
What are Angels?
<div> <div>Title: "What Are Angels?" - Hebrews 1:14; Colossians 1:16<br /> Series: Unseen - The Truth About Angels (Week 1)<br /> </div> <div><br /> Most of what people think they know about angels comes from movies, TV shows, greeting cards, and folklore—not from Scripture. We imagine chubby baby cherubs with tiny wings, deceased loved ones watching over us from heaven, or angels earning their wings through good deeds. But the Bible paints a very different picture.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>Angels in Scripture are powerful, terrifying, warlike beings. They're not cute. They're not former humans. And their primary job isn't to make us feel warm and fuzzy, it's to worship God and carry out His will.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>This message clears away the misconceptions and reveals what God's Word actually teaches about angels. We examined three foundational truths:</div> <div>First, angels are created beings. Colossians 1:16 makes this clear: "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible...all things were created through him and for him." Angels are not eternal. They are not self-existent. God made them for His glory. This directly refutes one of the biggest misconceptions: dead people do NOT become angels. Angels and humans are two distinct orders of creation. When you die, if you're in Christ, you go to be with the Lord—but you remain human. A glorified human, yes. A perfected human, absolutely. But still human. You don't sprout wings. You don't earn a halo. You don't become a different species.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>Job 38:4-7 reveals that angels existed before the earth was created. When God laid the foundation of the earth, "the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Angels witnessed creation. They were there, worshiping God as He spoke the world into existence. Angels exist for God's glory—not primarily to serve us, though they do minister to believers.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>Second, angels have a hierarchy. Not all angels are the same. Scripture reveals different ranks, roles, and responsibilities. Colossians 1:16 mentions "thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities"—these are angelic ranks. There's an order, a structure, a hierarchy. We explored the roles of archangels like Michael (warrior and protector) and Gabriel (messenger), cherubim (guardians associated with God's holiness), and seraphim (worshiping angels around God's throne).</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>Isaiah 6:1-3 gives us a powerful picture of seraphim worship. Each seraph has six wings: two cover their faces (because even angels can't look directly at God's glory), two cover their feet (a sign of humility and reverence), and two are used for flying (for active service). And what are they saying? "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts"—the trisagion, emphasizing the absolute, perfect, complete holiness of God. This is what angels do. They worship. They declare God's holiness. They serve in His presence with reverence and awe. If angels—powerful, glorious beings—cover their faces in God's presence, how much more should we approach God with reverence?</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>Third, angels are powerful and terrifying. Nearly every time an angel appears in Scripture, the first thing they say is "Fear not" or "Do not be afraid." Why? Because people are terrified when they see angels. Angels are not the soft, cuddly creatures of popular imagination. They're powerful, overwhelming, and often terrifying.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>Daniel 10 provides a vivid example. When Daniel sees an angel, the description is stunning: face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, arms and legs like burnished bronze, voice like the sound of a multitude. This is not a greeting card angel. Daniel's response? He collapses. He has no strength. He falls on his face unconscious. That's the biblical response to seeing an angel.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>Throughout Scripture, people respond with fear: Zechariah was troubled and fearful (Luke 1:12), Mary was greatly troubled (Luke 1:29), the shepherds were filled with great fear (Luke 2:9), and the guards at Jesus' tomb trembled and became like dead men (Matthew 28:4). Angels are powerful beyond our comprehension. One angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35). An angel struck down King Herod (Acts 12:23). An angel will seize and bind Satan for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3).</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>But here's the good news: if you're in Christ, angels are on your side. Hebrews 1:14 says, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" These powerful, terrifying beings are sent to serve you—not because you deserve it, but because you belong to Christ. Psalm 91:11-12 promises, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." God commands His angels to protect His people. You are more protected than you realize.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>The message concluded with three applications: First, let go of false ideas about angels. Your loved ones didn't become angels. Angels don't earn wings. They're not here to grant wishes. Get your theology from Scripture, not culture. Second, worship God with reverence. If seraphim cover their faces before God, we should approach Him with awe. He's holy, majestic, and worthy of our deepest reverence. Third, trust God's protection. He commands His angels concerning you. You're more protected than you realize. Live in faith, not fear.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>The unseen world is real. Angels are real. And they're far more glorious, powerful, and awesome than anything Hollywood has shown us. But angels—as amazing as they are—are still creation. They point us to the Creator. They worship the One who is infinitely greater. Angels are created beings who exist for God's glory. And so are you.</div> <div><br /> </div> <div>Key Scriptures: Hebrews 1:14; 2:16; 12:22, 28-29; Colossians 1:16; Job 38:4-7; Isaiah 6:1-3; Daniel 10:4-9; Psalm 91:11-12; 2 Peter 2:11; 2 Kings 6:16-17; 19:35; Matthew 7:21-23; 28:4; Luke 1:12, 29; 2:9; Acts 12:23; Revelation 5:11; 20:1-3; 22:8-9</div> </div>
March 1, 2026
Eternity Starts Now
<div>Matthew Dowling, preaching minister for the Plymouth Church of Christ, preached a message titled "Eternity Starts Now" from John 17:3 and Colossians 3:1-4. This series is called "Heaven on Earth: Living in Light of Eternity."</div>
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