We confess in the Nicene Creed that God is the maker of all things, “visible and invisible.” The angels belong to God’s invisible creation. They are spirit beings whom we cannot see. We, however, belong to God’s visible creation. We have both a body and a soul.
The spiritual world is largely hidden from our eyes. We cannot see the conflict between the kingdom of God and the forces of Satan. We can read about it in Holy Scripture. And we can see the evidence of Satan’s attacks in our culture today.
Satan was originally a holy angel, but he rebelled against God. Other angels sinned as well and joined Satan in his rebellion (2 Peter 2:4). The devil then appeared in the form of a serpent in the Garden of Eden. He tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. He lied saying, “If you eat this fruit you will not die.” She ate and gave some to her husband and he ate. As a result, we suffer from sin and death and from the assaults of the devil himself.
Yet God made a promise to send a Savior. There will be enmity (or a warfare) between Satan and the promised Savior. The Savior will be “bruised” (i.e. shed blood), but in the end He will “crush” (or defeat) Satan. That promise was fulfilled in Jesus.
The focus of this Feast of St. Michael and All Angels is ultimately about Jesus. Our attention today will be directed to Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, who conquered sin, death, and the devil by His death and resurrection.
Our culture often portrays angels as sentimental or romantic figures. But Scripture gives us an entirely different picture. We learn from Revelation chapter 12 that St. Michael is a mighty warrior of God. He leads the holy angels in a battle against Satan and his fallen angels. Revelation chapter 12 describes the great conflict between Michael and the dragon this way: “Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought.” Michael and the holy angels prevailed, and Satan was cast down. They have conquered Satan “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (v 11).
We are living in a time of spiritual warfare. We are living in the Church Militant. Ephesians 6 says that we wrestle “against the spiritual forces of evil” (v 12). Satan and his fallen angels oppose God and seek to destroy mankind. Scripture describes Satan as both a deceiver and one who accuses us of our sin.
First, the devil seeks to destroy the Church. He does not want God’s name to be kept holy. He does not want God’s kingdom to come to you through the Gospel and Sacraments. He will do everything he can to turn us away from God as Creator and Redeemer. The devil wants to undermine God’s Word and lead us away from the truth.
Second, the devil also seeks to destroy everything that God has established as good. The devil attacks the sanctity of human life, especially the life of the unborn. He attacks the institution of marriage, the union of one man and one woman. He seeks to undermine the family, which is foundational to society. He also seeks to corrupt government and those who exercise authority.
Finally, the devil seeks to pull us away from faith in Christ. He tempts us with money, pride, pornography, sexual immorality, and countless other sins. He seeks to turn us away from God. He is a liar and a murderer. He deceives and misleads us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice.
And yet, we do not need to live in fear. The devil is a powerful enemy, but he is a defeated enemy. The victory has already been won by Jesus.
The Son of God came down from heaven and took upon Himself our human flesh, yet without sin.
Jesus’ earthly ministry began with His baptism in the Jordan River. After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There Satan tempted Jesus three times to sin, but Jesus remained firm and faithful. He resisted Satan and won. After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, angels came and ministered to Him.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus made people whole by casting demons out of them. The Gospels repeatedly record Jesus’ authority over demons. All of this demonstrates that Jesus has complete authority over the devil and his demons.
Before Jesus was crucified, He said, “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:31–32).
And so, Jesus’ greatest victory was accomplished when He faithfully shed His innocent blood upon the cross as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Jesus is the Lamb of God who shed His blood for your sin and mine. His cry, “It is finished,” announced the completion of His saving work.
Three days later, Christ rose from the dead. Angels announced to the women at the tomb that Christ is risen. Jesus won the victory over our enemies of sin, death, and the devil. Through Christ, we are reconciled to the Father.
The devil may remind you of your sins. Sometimes his accusations may even be true. We have sinned. We have spoken words that we should not have spoken. We have failed to love our neighbor as we ought. We have trusted ourselves instead of God.
But Satan does not have the final word. Christ does.
The Gospel answers the accusations of Satan with the forgiveness of sins. The blood of Jesus covers your sin. His righteousness covers your shame. The Gospel gives you peace with God.
And God delivers Christ and His saving gifts to you through concrete means: the preaching of His Word, Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper.
Through Holy Baptism, Christ gave you His name. You are united to His death and resurrection. You are a child of God. You are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Christ, and the Holy Spirit is given to you.
The holy angels are God’s invisible messengers, but pastors are God’s visible messengers. Pastors are sent to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in His name.
Your pastor is God’s gift to you. He preaches the Word. He administers Holy Baptism. He pronounces Holy Absolution. He distributes Christ’s true body and blood in the Lord’s Supper.
God uses things that we can see—visible things—such as water and the Word in Baptism. He uses human lips to preach the Gospel and pronounce forgiveness. He uses bread and wine together with His Word to give us Christ’s true body and blood. Through these means of grace, Christ continually protects and strengthens you against the accusations of Satan. Christ’s righteousness is your righteousness.
There is both warning and comfort here. The warning is that there is a real enemy who seeks to deceive, accuse, and destroy you. Therefore, you should remain sober and watchful, resisting the devil and refusing to listen to his lies.
But you need not live in fear. The comfort is that Christ already conquered the devil. Christ shed His blood and paid for your sin. God’s Word exposes Satan’s lies. Christ’s resurrection guarantees your bodily resurrection.
We live in what is called the Church Militant. We are called to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” because we wrestle “against the spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:10–12). We fight against the devil and his many demons.
What tools does God give us to fight against the devil? What armor do we use?
We fight with the truth of God’s Word, with the Gospel, and prayer. We put on the armor of God. When God’s Word is faithfully preached, when sins are forgiven, and when we receive the Lord’s Supper, Christ is strengthening us against the assaults of Satan.
It may appear at times that the devil is winning. It may seem as though immorality is increasing, the Church is declining, persecution of Christians is growing, and opposition to the Christian faith is becoming more open.
Yet do not despair.
Remember that Jesus has already won the victory over sin, death, and Satan. Forgiveness, life, and salvation are yours in Christ.
Your journey to heaven will not be easy. Satan is around you, and sin is within you. Yet, by God’s grace, persevere. Do not despair. Press on toward the goal of heaven. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1–2). Run with endurance the race that is set before you, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:1–2).
The good news is that you are not alone. God will never leave you nor forsake you. Christ is your refuge and strength, “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
You are on the winning side—not because you are strong, but because Christ is victorious.
Therefore, do not fear the devil. Do not trust in your own strength. Do not listen to his accusations. Instead, remain in Christ. Remember your Baptism. Hear the Gospel. Receive Holy Absolution. Come to the Lord’s Table. Hear again and again the promise that Christ died for you and rose for you.
When we gather for the Divine Service this morning, we are not alone. We join with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven. Our voices are joined with theirs as we praise the Triune God. Especially in Holy Communion, we are reminded that heaven and earth meet around Christ, the Lamb of God.
On the last day, Satan will be cast in the dungeon forever. And when Christ returns, He will raise your body. He will give you an immortal and incorruptible body. Then the battle will finally be over. There will be no more sin, sorrow, or death.
And together with St. Michael and all the holy angels, we will forever praise the Lamb who was slain, who is risen, and who lives and reigns forever. Amen.
