Cloud Of Witnesses

Cloud of witnesses

Hebrews 12:1-3; Philippians 3:10-14

Introduction-

We have come together to honor the life and service of Meryl Wolfe, Mike Seilhammer, and George Gauker.

All three were a part of this Church family and each in their own way has made an impact in our lives.

Like the Scripture that Wes read, each has been a cloud of witness here on earth and now goes before us as a cloud of witnesses waiting for us to get home.

They were an encouragement in our daily lives and now are part of the cheering section that awaits believers to enter into the promises and blessings of God.

The Hebrew writer gives us insight and direction for being a witness to others.

To totally understand what he is saying, we must realize that the list of faithful examples comes from Hebrews chapter 11, the faith chapter.

The list of faithful followers that the people of that time would recognize and look up too. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Joseph, to name a few.

Some they would jump at and recognize and some we know did not start out well but became people of faith and witnesses to God goodness towards us and we think of Saul who become the apostle Paul and Rehab who’s lifestyle before faith was not a role model but became a role model that was recorded in the word of God.

Today for us, we add three names to our list of witnesses that have had an impact on our lives.

Each one of them brings smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts even though they have gone ahead.

So what does a cloud of witnesses look like for us today?

The Greek word (nephos) translated clouds was used to describe the highest seats in the bleachers of an amphitheater or stadium. So the usher might say your “seats are in the clouds”

The Holy Spirit of God uses the word cloud to tell and show us we are not alone! The grandstands of heaven all the way up to the clouds, the highest seats in the bleachers are pile high with people who stood the test of time and eventually saw their faith manifested and rewarded and they are waiting with excitement for each of the believers working to make it home.

The devil hates it when God’s people take a stand of faith or when they do kingdom work and drive back darkness.

Satan will try to wrestle you, pin you down, and will try to knock us out of the race to the finish line.

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

The early church was getting older and they were settling into the world and had lost its spark and wartime mentality and drifted through life without focus, and without energy.

Anyone know what I’m talking about?

Tired?

Growing weak?

Knees maybe a little feeble?

It was easier to meander than run the race.

The writer is telling us that it is easy to drift away from the race that we must instead stay focused and the only way to stay focused is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.

We have to lay aside anything that would cause us to stop running the race.

Things that entangle us and cause us to stumble.

Don’t meander, don’t stroll, don’t wander aimlessly- run the race with the finish line in mind at all times.

This scripture helps us prioritize our lives- is what we are doing the way to greater faith? Greater love of God?

Build up to greater courage?

If not, and it causes me to not run the race- it must be taken out of our lives.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus is personal and a part of community.

We are responsible for our walk with God but we need each other to help us get there. I need you and you need me.

We need to have fellowship with like minded people of faith to help us stay in the race and not lose focus.

The devil will use isolation to get a troubled believer off track. To have them think that no one cares, they are the only one going through these things. Lying to them to discourage, but we as a community lift each other up and help grab an arm to help take the pain away from those having a moment in their walk.

Jesus creates and perfects our faith!

King James Version says “author and finisher of our faith” I like that! The fight of faith is not done in our own strength.

Author and finisher of our faith is the description of Jesus as the main element of Christian faith!