Seeing the Invisible

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 kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me.”

This is not what we expect, because this is not what we see. Children are not considered great. Rather children are despised. Our culture hates little children and looks at them as pests and even parasites. Sixty-five million babies have been murdered in the womb in our country in the last fifty some years. Eighty-five percent of abortions are done for unmarried women, meaning that if people would simply stop fornicating, we would have far fewer abortions. But our culture doesn’t care about children. Our nation cares more about protecting the “rights” of adults to sexual pleasure than it does about protecting children.

And while we can point the finger and condemn others for supporting the killing of these children, we in the church have accepted the major premise, which justifies the conclusion to kill children. We think it is appropriate to look at children as a problem and to not want them. We lie to ourselves and say that we want the church to grow, while we make sure that we don’t bring too many children to church, children to whom Christ said the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 19:14). Now it is God alone who builds a household and grants children (Psalm 127; Gen. 30:2). So, you must never pass judgment on others for not having children, because you do not know from whom God has withheld children according to His own purpose or what physical ailment may prevent children. However, we must change our attitude toward children and have a biblical attitude toward them. God says, “Be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:28; 9:1) and Psalm 27 declares, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.” And Psalm 28, “your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.”  And our Lord Jesus commands, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

So, we should put away the worldly wisdom, which has decimated our churches over the past several decades, and stop telling young married couples to hold off on having kids or stop having kids, so they can make more money. And instead, encourage young married couples to welcome the children God chooses to give them, trusting in God to protect and provide for them, and bring them to church to be baptized into Christ and raised in the true Christian faith, because this kingdom belongs to them. We see little children as expenses who prevent us from doing what we want to do. God sees them as the greatest in His kingdom, as little princes and princesses, lords and ladies, heirs to His kingdom. See that you do not despise them or hinder them from Christ’s kingdom, because their angels always behold the face of God your Father in heaven. And they are powerful to act.

Unless you become like such a child, you will by no means enter God’s kingdom. You become like a child by humbling yourself, repenting of your sins, repenting of your own wisdom and knowledge and pride, and accepting the wisdom of Christ. That is the only way to receive the forgiveness of sins through faith. Saving faith can only abide in the humble. And if you humble yourself like a child, you too will have an angel, who always beholds the face of God, who will fight for you and protect you.

Yet, this brings us to another topic. What do we need these guardian angels for? Michael declares from heaven, “But woe to you, o earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Rev. 12:12) These angels are not just neat. We need them! If God withheld the protection of the angels, we would be devoured by Satan and become his slaves (1 Peter 5:8). And so, you need to recognize the spiritual battle taking place around you for your very soul! So, we should always pray that God send His angels to protect us.

Yet, you must understand that what you watch in movies about angels and demons is fiction. To recognize Satan and his demons and to avail yourself of the assistance of the angels, you must look to Scripture. Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of lies and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44). This means that the weapons of Satan and his demons are words. Satan seeks to murder your soul with lies that you can hear with your ears. Scripture also tells us that the Law was given through the intercession of angels (Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19). And from the conception, birth, and resurrection of Christ, the Good News was always proclaimed by an angel (Luke 1:26-38; 2:8-20; Matthew 28:5-6). So, we know that we find the help of angels in God’s Word, both in the Law and the Gospel.

So, as you fight back against the devils, you must train yourself to recognize what your eyes do not see. While the world assures you that looking at certain things on the internet or in movies is harmless titillation, Scripture warns you to turn your eyes from worthless things, because Satan and all forms of evil may enter through your eyes and make your whole body dark (Psalm 119:37; Matthew 6:22-23). So, when Jesus tells you to cut off your hand or foot or pluck out your eye if it causes you to stumble, He is not telling you to mutilate yourself. He is saying that you should cut off anything in your life that would hinder you from entering the kingdom of heaven. Satan and his hordes will use pornography, drunkenness, immoral friends, and sinful habits to pull you away from Christ’s kingdom and make you a child of hell. Satan will lie about how harmless these things are. And since Satan is a liar, he will above all use false preaching and teaching to draw you away from Christ and His kingdom.

So, if you want the protection of the angels, where do you go? If Satan uses lies, then run to the truth! The angels obey God’s Word, so they are always present where God’s Word is proclaimed! They fight for you for the sake of Jesus’ blood, so the angels are ever prepared where the Gospel of Christ’s crucifixion is proclaimed. Michael declares in Revelation 12 that those who are accused by Satan, but now rejoice in heaven conquered Satan with the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even to death (vss. 10-11). And does not Christ avail you of that same Satan-slaying weapon? Did your Lord Jesus not say, “This is my body given for you; this is my blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”? And did St. Paul not tell you, “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”? Yes, and it is by this blood of Christ, and by this word of our testimony that our Lord died for us, that we too conquer that great dragon, that ancient serpent, who with his lies and slander seeks to drag us to hell. This is why we rejoice with angels and archangels every time we receive the Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood.

What you see is not all of reality. In fact, much of what you see, Satan uses to distract you from the truth. So, we hold fast not to what we see, but what we have heard from Christ in Holy Scripture. And we know that when we hold fast to Christ’s Word, in church and at home and at work, holy angels go with us to protect us from every evil. What is great and mighty and wealthy in this world is a delusion. Christ’s little children are greater than any power on earth. For them fight a mightier army than any nation on earth could muster. And God will send this army of angels to bring His children to their rightful inheritance, purchased with the blood of Christ. Woe to anyone, man or devil, who tries to stop them. Amen.  

I walk with angels all the way, They shield me and befriend me.

All Satan’s pow’r is held at bay When heav’nly hosts attend me;

They are my sure defense, All fear and sorrow, hence!

Unharmed by foes, do what they may, I walk with angels all the way. Amen.