September 22, 1999
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
Make no mistake, angels aren't everything
___Hebrews 1:1-2:18
___By Brett Younger
___Lake Shore Baptist Church, Waco
___When the waitress takes them to a quiet table in the corner, he feels like this is going to be his night. Everything has been perfect. The lights are down low. The meal is delicious. He's amazed someone so beautiful, so angelic, would be with him. Now the pianist is playing "Special Angel"--his favorite song. He wonders if someday it could be "their song." He decides to tell her he loves her.
___He straightens his tie, clears his throat and begins: "There's something I need to say. I've enjoyed the time we've spent together. I love eating out with you, listening to music,taking long walks, going to Sunday School and reading the Baptist Standard aloud. I want you to know that you're my angel, my everything."
___She smiles as she looks into his dreamy brown eyes: "Which is it?"
___A puzzled look crosses his face: "What do you mean?"
___"Am I your angel or your everything?"
___He smiles as he takes her hand: "You're both."
___She's amazed she's in love with such a dense man: "For the last three weeks, we've been learning about angels in Sunday School. If you've been listening at all, then you know angels aren't everything. Angels are God's messengers, servants and worshippers, but angels aren't everything. Have you been paying attention?"
___"I was just thinking you would look cute in wings and a halo."
___His angel, or rather this woman who is not his angel, is not smiling anymore.
___He tries again: "I'm sorry. I guess I'm distracted in class. I can't stop looking at you."
___"Have you even read your lesson for Sunday?"
___"I can't stop thinking about you either."
___She's amazed she's in love with a man who doesn't read his quarterly: "This Sunday we'll discuss several passages in the Book of Hebrews that make it clear Jesus is superior to angels. Apparently, you're not the first to mistakenly think angels are everything."
___He's amazed he's in love with a woman who expects him to read his quarterly.
___She continues: "The writer of Hebrews uses several Old Testament texts to say that while angels are important, they can't be the focus of our attention."
___"I didn't mean anything by it."
___"Lots of people don't mean anything by it, but their fascination with angels leads to an artificial, superficial spirituality. It's easy to concentrate on angels, because angels don't make demands. Angels are easy. Following Jesus is hard."
___"This isn't exactly what I wanted to talk about."
___"The angels in Scripture don't draw attention to themselves, but are an expression of God's mysterious unexplainable presence. The English writer G.K. Chesterton said, 'Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.' It's ironic so many people make angels the focus of their attention."
___He's making a mental note to call her "Sweetie" from now on when the waitress interrupts: "Would you like dessert? Maybe some angel food cake?"
___"Could we have something simpler?" he quickly responds.
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