Cloud Of Witnesses Series

Title: Uncharted: The Cloud of Witnesses

Theme: To show that we have examples of faith who lived before us so we must lay aside weights and sin and endure.

Text: Hebrews 12:1 - 3

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Hebrews 11, commonly known as the faith hall of fame, is full of names who walked and lived by faith. In this chapter there are

18 named and many alluded to.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

Therefore or wherefore “for which reason, consequently”. Because of what we read in the previous chapter or verse. In this instance the whole chapter is tied to the last verse of eleven.

Heb 11:39-40 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, (40) God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

You may sit there and say, what difference does it make? Well, read again with me verse 1 in chapter 12.

Who are these witnesses? These are those who have gone on before us. These are those who have endured and “kept the faith”. These are those who are examples of men and women of God who kept going.

Their life encourages us and cheers us on. In this chapter alone we have a list of men and women that held to the faith. When we get discouraged and think we can’t make it we look back and people and say, “God has not changed.”

Abel offered, Enoch pleased, Noah prepared (ark), Abraham obeyed, dwelt, and offered, Sarah received, Isaac blessed, Jacob worshiped, Joseph instructed, Moses parents hid, Moses refused, Israel passed (through the red sea), Jericho walls fell, Rahab received, Others: Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtah, David, and Samuel. Many others who are unnamed.

Heb 11:33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Heb 11:34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.

In Abel we see-the testimony of faith who “offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice”- faith without works is dead-action

In Enoch we see-the translation of faith “was translated that

he should not see death” translated means to be taken up to

be with the Lord without dying. This reminds us of the

resurrection and the rapture. One day we will be with God

as we trust in Him.

In Noah we see - safety of faith

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

In Abraham we see - the walk and the trying of faith “By faith

Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that

Had received the promises offered up his only begotten son”

In Sarah we see creation of faith - also see the power of faith

By faith we know that God can take nothing and make something.

In Isaac we see blessing of faith “favor of God”-generational blessings

In Jacob we see worship of faith – faith true commitment

In Joseph we see – expectations of faith “gave commandment

concerning his bones”-hope for a better future

In Moses parents we see– courage of faith, God has a better plan

In Moses we see – choosing of faith “By faith he forsook Egypt,

not offering the wrath of the king: for he endured as see

in him who is invisible”

In the Israelites we see – the baptism of faith, the Red Sea

In Rahab we see – salvation of faith

Our Duty

Paul gives us an illustration as someone who is running a race. They are in a stadium and people are cheering them on. They are encouraging them. They are giving them motivation.

Instructions

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,