The Greatest Rescue Mission Ever // Ps Sean Stanton
Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him.
With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to Him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:47–53 (NIV)
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53 (NIV)
Jesus — The Angel Of The Lord
The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers. Psalm 34:7 (AMP)
1. He Sees Us — Hagar
Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. The Angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert. …And He said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” Genesis 16:6-8 (NIV)
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
2. He Does Miracles — Samson’s Parents
A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah… had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son.” Judges 13:2–3 (NIV)
Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “What is Your name, so that when Your words come true, we may do You honour?” And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is Wonderful, beyond comprehension. It’s a name that works miracles?” Judges 13:17–18 (AMPNIV/GWT)
3. He Provides For Us — Abraham
God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:2 (NIV)
But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.Genesis 22:11 (NIV)
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. Genesis 22:13 (NIV)
So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (BSB)
4. He Commands Heavens Armies — Joshua
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the Commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshipped and said to him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” And the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:13–15 (ESV)
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53 (NIV)
“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:38–39 (ESV)
Song — Rescue
Communion
Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15–17 (ESV)