I Shall Give Him My Service
Introduction
As we continue to look at the Christmas narrative, our theme and thought is: “What Gift Shall I Give This King?”
On Sunday, we looked at Zacharias and Elizabeth who could well have said, “We Shall Give This King Our Son.”
Tonight, it’s on my heart to deal with the message of the angel Gabriel in Luke chapter 1. And Gabriel could well have said, “I Shall Give This King My Service.”
I don’t think anyone would argue that our society has developed a fascination with angels. In fact, when Billy Graham published his book entitled “Angels: God’s Secret Agents” in October of 1975, within four months it had sold one million copies.
Over the years, the popularity of angels has remained evident in the books that have been published and the television shows and movies that have been produced. Unfortunately, this secular fascination with angels often takes a mystical view rather than a Biblical view. And as one article stated, “For this reason, the Christian must turn to God’s Word to understand and grasp the ministry of angels.” *
*(http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/gendoct_23_angels.cfm)
Angels (do) make an appearance on the biblical stage in both the Old and New Testaments. Who are they? What are their jobs? Where did they come from? The Bible goes into little detail. When Billy Graham wrote his book on the subject, he pointed out that: “When I decided to preach a sermon on angels, I found practically nothing in my library.”
Therefore, at the very beginning of our study, it is important to note that the Bible gives us very limited information about angels. Therefore, we must be careful in the conclusions we draw. We have insufficient information to say much of anything about these beings.
The Hebrew word for angel is mala’ak. In meaning it is equivalent to the Greek word, angelos from which the English word is obviously derived. However, in both Hebrew and Greek, the term simply means “messenger” and was used for both God’s messengers as well as those of a king or ruler on Earth.
(Quartz Hill School Of Theology – http://www.theology.edu/theology/angel.htm)
Some have concluded that there are different classes and categories of angels. We certainly find the seraphim and cherubim of the Bible. And then Michael is called “the archangel” in Jude’s epistle.
It has often been suggested that Gabriel is also an archangel, which means “chief angel,” though he is never referred to that way in scripture.
Warren Wiersbe said, “Angels are mentioned twenty-three times in Luke, but only two are named in Scripture: Gabriel (Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19,26) and Michael (Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7).”
The references to Michael indicate that his service to God is typically associated with warfare, whereas the references to Gabriel indicate that his service is typically associated with imparting words of wisdom and divine announcements. In fact, J. G. Pilkington said that…
The rabbis had a story that the Archangel Michael, being God’s messenger of vengeance, had but one wing, that he might be slow in his flight; while Gabriel had two wings, that he might “fly swiftly” (Daniel 9:21) when bringing the message of peace. (From Paul Lee Tan’s Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations)
In this service, we’re looking at the angel named Gabriel and how he gave his service for the benefit of King Jesus, particularly in Luke chapter 1.
Basically in this chapter, Gabriel is delivering birth announcements! In Luke 1:5-20, he announces the birth of John to his father Zacharias. And then, in his finest hour, in Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to his mother Mary.
As we look at Gabriel…
I. Let’s Consider The Identity Of This Messenger
A. To Discover Who Gabriel Is, We Could Listen To The Voice Of Speculation
– For He Is Identified In The Traditional Realm
1. We Find Gabriel In Non-Biblical Documents
Gabriel is mentioned in the apocryphal Book of Enoch and in “Paradise Lost” by John Milton. In the teachings of Joseph Smith in Mormonism, Gabriel is said to be the same individual as Noah.
2. We Find Gabriel In Non-Christian Denominations
Gabriel is mentioned in the Jewish Talmud. Muslims believe that Gabriel was the angel who revealed the Qur'an to the prophet Muhammad. Gabriel is also mentioned in the writings of the Bahá'í faith.
When it comes to all of these other views of Gabriel, let me use an old conservative, fundamentalist cliché and say, “I just believe the Bible.”
B. To Discover Who Gabriel Is, We Should Listen To The Voice Of Scripture
– For He Is Identified In The Textual Record
1. In The Scripture, We Discover The Name Of This Being (Gabriel – 2 times in Luke 1)
(Luke 1:19) And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.
(Luke 1:26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
“I am Gabriel.” The name Gabriel signifies “The mighty messenger of God.”
(Frederic Godet from The Biblical Illustrator)
I am Gabriel. The meaning of the name Gabriel is “Hero of God,” or “Mighty One of God.”
(From The Pulpit Commentary)
Gabriel – means “Man of God”
(James Orr from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
2. In The Scripture, We Discover The Nature Of This Being (angel – 10 times in Luke 1)
(Luke 1:11) And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
(Luke 1:13) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
(Luke 1:18-19) And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. {19} And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.
(Luke 1:26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
(Luke 1:28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
(Luke 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
(Luke 1:34-35) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? {35} And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
(Luke 1:38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
angel – Greek 32. aggelos, ang'-el-os; from aggello [prob. der. from G71; comp. G34] (to bring tidings); a messenger; esp. an “angel”; by impl. a pastor: -- messenger.
The word angel is applied in Scripture to an order of supernatural or heavenly beings whose function it is to act as God's messengers to men, and as agents who carry out His will.
(John MaCartney Wilson from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
Contrary to the belief of some, people do not become angels when they die. I might add that…
“A person who is always up in the air and harping on something is not necessarily an angel.” (Unknown)
II. Let’s Consider His Involvement With Mankind
“I am Gabriel,” – We have heard of this angel before, and we lose something unless we look back to the circumstances with which he was previously connected. This … was the same angel who appeared to Daniel, to explain to him the time that was to elapse until the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:21-27). This being the case, we see at once the special fitness that the same angel should be employed to announce the near accomplishment of that which he had so long predicted. It is the same angel, moreover, who was sent a few months later to announce the birth of the Messiah Himself, as now of His harbinger. The same considerations apply to both transactions.
(Dr. Kitto from The Biblical Illustrator)
A. We See Gabriel’s Service To God In The Life Of A Prophet
James Orr said that…
Gabriel (is) the name of the angel commissioned to explain to Daniel the vision of the ram and the he-goat, and to give the prediction of the 70 weeks (Daniel 8:16; 9:21). (From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
1. Gabriel Brought Enlightenment To Daniel
(Daniel 8:16) And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
understand – Hebrew 995. biyn, bene; a prim. root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e. (gen.) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill (-ful), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand (-ing), view, (deal) wise (-ly, man).
(Daniel 9:21-22) Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. {22} And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
informed – Hebrew 995. biyn, bene; a prim. root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e. (gen.) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill (-ful), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand (-ing), view, (deal) wise (-ly, man).
skill – Hebrew 7919. sakal, saw-kal'; a prim. root; to be (caus. make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent:--consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent (-ly), (give) skill (-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand (-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise (-ly), guide wittingly.
understanding – Hebrew 998. biynah, bee-naw'; from H995; understanding:--knowledge, meaning, X perfectly, wisdom.
(Daniel 9:23) At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand (995 biyn) the matter, and consider (995 biyn) the vision.
2. Gabriel Brought Encouragement To Daniel
(Daniel 9:23) At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
God heard and answered his prayer “at the beginning of thy supplication.” And beyond that, Gabriel said that Daniel was...
greatly beloved – Hebrew 2530. chamad, khaw-mad'; a prim. root; to delight in: --beauty, , covet, delectable thing, ( X great) delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing).
(Daniel 9:21) Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly (to tire and fatigue as if from wearisome flight), touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
B. We See Gabriel’s Service To God In The Life Of A Priest
1. Gabriel Brought To Zacharias An Answer To Prayer
(Luke 1:11-13) And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. {12} And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. {13} But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
The Barnes’ Notes commentary explains…
[Thy prayer is heard] That is, thy prayer for offspring. This, among the Jews, was an object of intense desire. No prospect was more gloomy to them than that of dying childless, so that their “name should perish.”
2. Gabriel Beheld In Zacharias An Absence Of Persuasion
(Luke 1:18-20) And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. {19} And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. {20} And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Warren Wiersbe said…
You would think that the presence of an angel and the announcement of God's Word would encourage Zacharias’ faith, but they did not. Instead of looking to God by faith, the priest looked at himself and his wife and decided that the birth of a son was impossible. (The Bible Exposition Commentary)
I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God…
A.T. Robertson said that “The description of himself is a rebuke to the doubt of Zacharias.”
James Foote exclaimed…
Ah, friends, if God were as strict to punish us for our distrust of His word as he was to punish Zacharias for his, how many of us also would He strike dumb! (From The Biblical Illustrator)
III. Let’s Consider The Importance Of His Message
Wiersbe said…
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel brought a second birth announcement, this time to a young virgin in Nazareth named Mary. At least there was variety in his assignments: (from) an old man, (to) a young woman; (from) a priest, (to) a descendent of David, the king; (from) the temple, (to) a common home; (from) Jerusalem, (to) Nazareth; (from) unbelief, (to) faith. (From Warren Wiersbe – The Bible Exposition Commentary)
You’ll notice that Gabriel was “sent” from God.
(Luke 1:26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
sent – Greek 649. apostello; means set apart, i.e. (by implication it means to send out – on a mission)
His name suggests “the messenger of God”; “angel” means a messenger. So let’s notice the message of the messenger.
A. Gabriel’s Message Was Individually Important For The Woman
1. Gabriel Was Sent With A Message Of Greeting
(Luke 1:28-29) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail (Greetings), thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. {29} And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Gabriel said, “Greetings to the one who is accepted by God, accompanied by God, and appreciated by God.”
manner – (same word as in 1 John 3:1) means what kind it is and where is it from.
What was the origin of this marvelous message? James Montgomery wrote in 1816…
Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
salutation – Greek 783. aspasmos; a greeting (in person or by letter):--greeting.
2. Gabriel Was Sent With A Message Of Grace
(Luke 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
favour – Greek 5485. charis; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): --acceptable, benefit, , gift, grace, joy liberality, pleasure.
Notice how a message of grace affected her…
(Luke 1:29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
a. It Caused An Inner Disturbance In Mary
troubled – Greek 1298. diatarasso; to disturb wholly, agitate (with alarm). It has the idea of opening a channel of stirring.
b. It Caused An Inner Discussion In Mary
cast in her mind – Greek 1260. dialogizomai; (this Greek word is similar to our word “dialogue”) to reckon thoroughly, i.e. to deliberate (by reflection or discussion): -- consider, dispute, muse, reason, think.
B. Gabriel’s Message Was Immeasurably Important For The World
Point out that Jesus “shall be called” (verse 32, 35)…
1. Important Because He Spoke Of The Savior – The Son Of The Exalted God
(Luke 1:31-33) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. {32} He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: {33} And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
thou … shalt call his name JESUS (Jehovah is Salvation or freedom and safety – the one who opens the door)
And He shall be called the Son of the Highest
The Pulpit Commentary states…
It is singular that this title, given by the angel to the yet unborn child, was the one given to the Redeemer by the evil spirit in the case of the poor possessed (Gadarene) (see Mark 5:7). Is this the title, or one of the titles, by which our Master is known in that greater world beyond our knowledge?
(Mark 5:7) And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
The Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain notes…
A title for God, (literally ‘highest’) one who is supreme, primarily a reference to status – ‘the Most High, the Highest, the Supreme One.’ In some languages the concept of height is entirely unrelated to the idea of importance, and therefore it may be necessary to translate ‘the Most High’ as ‘the Most Important’ or even ‘the Greatest.’
2. Important Because He Spoke Of The Sovereign – The Son Of The Exclusive God
(Luke 1:34-35) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? {35} And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
NT:5207 (Son) Son of God – A title applied to Jesus, literally ‘son of God’; one who has the essential characteristics and nature of God - ‘Son of God.’ (From Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain)
NT:2316 (of God) theos – spoken of the only and true God. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
Conclusion
Out of all the things that we find Gabriel doing in the scripture, out of all the messages that he shared with humankind, the last and most important was the message about Jesus.
Speaking of Gabriel being “sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth” to tell a virgin about her Son named Jesus, one commentator said…
“I could envy thee, O Gabriel, these most exalted of all errands.” (From Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
And may I say to you this morning… Telling someone about Jesus is the most important thing we will ever do.
Is there any one living near you that can say, “No one ever spoke to me of my salvation”? You talk about the weather and the crops, and births, accidents, and deaths: do you ever speak to anyone about Jesus? Do you ever affectionately tell any to flee from the wrath to come? If not, is it kind? Is it faithful? Is it honest to your Christian profession? Does it accord with your prayers? Can you consistently pray for a revival of religion? Can you have any compassion for souls or any love for Christ? Never let anyone die in your neighborhood, or even live there long, and be able to say, “No one ever spoke to me of my salvation.” A tear, a sigh, a kind word, a pressure of the hand of Christian sympathy, a verse of the Bible, a page of religious reading, with the blessing of the Holy Spirit, may save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins. “It is the fact of responsibility that makes existence so solemn a thing.”
(from Practical Bible Illustrations from Yesterday and Today)
What gift shall I give this King?
Like Gabriel, you can serve Him by telling people about Jesus!