Honoring Those Who Have Gone Before Us

4/13/ 2008

Honoring those who have gone before us

Hebrew 12:1-3

Intro-

Hebrews 12:1-3

The Bible gives us a list of people who have been an example for us as believers.

President Dwight Eisenhower said about being a leader, “In order to be a leader a man must have followers, a man must have their confidence”. So the supreme quality of a leader is integrity. His actions must square up with his teachings. On Memorial day or a day like today, we honor the heroes of our lives. People who have made an impact.

What is a hero?

What characteristics does one need to be a hero?

Webster says- A person of great strength and courage, a person admired for nobility, their exploits regarded as role model. Society today has many ideas to determine their hero ’s. Even age will determine who you look at as a hero. I like my sports, but I would not call them my hero’s. I admire some of their talents and abilities in sports, but unless they do something more off the field I would not call them my hero. I do remember a man named Todd Beamer who looked at a plane that was going to crash into the White house as an opportunity to do something great for someone else, even if it would cost him his life. “Are you ready- Let’s roll”. The writer of Hebrews lays out some words of encouragement to the church that needed some encouragement. The church was new, and being a follower of Christ could cost them their lives. They could be made fun of, they could be tortured, imprisoned, or put to death. There is a challenge for us today, it is not easy to be a Christian, and it is getting harder all the time. Some today believe the church is not cool to go too, or your ridiculed because you go to church, you need according to them “the crutch of religion” I say to you this morning, if more people who claim that they are “Christians”, would take a stand for Christ, would be faithful to their church and the Lord like they claim, it would be the right thing to do. Needing more believers to stand up and look the enemy in the eye and say to him ”ready to go Let’s roll” In order to be a hero for God, we need to have a committed faith to God. .V1- “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” v1- anytime you see the word therefore, you must look to the previous verse to find out what they are talking about. The cloud of witnesses are all the people stated in chapter 11 of the faith chapter.

In no particular order:

we see Abraham- who God told to leave his land for the promised land of God.

We see Moses- who lead God’s people out of bondage

We see Enoch- He pleased God and God took him

We see Noah- who heard the warning of God, saved his family, and spent many years warning others to get them into the arch of safety.

You see the cloud of witnesses are out there now, they have been there in the past. Faith is the substance of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen. By faith these men and women grabbed a hold of the things of God. They realize without faith it is impossible to please God. Because anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Committed faith looks back for encouragement and looks forward with commitment for the future. Quickly, I want to show you three aspects of us becoming hero’s of the faith.

I. Inspired by those who have gone before us.

Those before us realized that God demands committed faith. They realized that every situation God puts you in , He promises to be with you. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will not let us down.

Illustration-

On New Years’s day, 1929, Georgia Tech was playing California. Late in the second quarter, Roy Regal’ recovered a fumble for California , and in his excitement became confused and began running in the wrong direction. After racing 65 yards he was finally tackled by his own player at the California 2 yard line. California attempted to punt from deep in their own end zone, but the kick was blocked and Georgia Tech scored a safety. In the locker room at half time, Roy Regal’ sat in the corner with his face buried in his hands, crying. The room was silent. The coach didn’t make his usual half-time speech, but shortly before the team was to take the field for the second half, he said, “the starting team is going back unto the field to begin the second half.” the whole team left the locker room except for Regal, who remained in the corner with his face in his hands, “I can’t do it coach, he said, I can’t play. I ruined the team. “The coach said, Get up Regal The game is only half over. You belong on the field.”