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,
lay aside every weight
- Original: ??´???? - Transliteration: Ogkos - Phonetic: ong'-kos
- Definition: 1. whatever is prominent, protuberance, bulk, mass a. hence a burden, weight, encumbrance
- Origin: probably from the same as G43 - TDNT entry: 05:41,7 - Part(s) of speech: Noun Masculine
- Strong's: Probably from the same as G43; a mass (as bending or bulging by its load) that is burden (hindrance): - weight.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
and the sin which so easily ensnares us
Interesting word here. Paul uses the word sin instead of sin. This could refer to the original sin that plagues us all. The original sin a rebellion against God. But looking at the context it is almost as we read it personally.
The sin which so easily ensnares (traps) us. Me as an individual. We usually have one sin that tries to plague us. This sin could be addiction, it could be sexual, it could be money or monetary things. That which ensnares us. Me personally.
Obstacles will distract us. They will keep us from enjoying the journey. Sin will take us on a different path and a different journey.
Someone once said that the gates are narrow for the Christian because you can only get you through it. You cannot bring stuff with you.
the word ensnare means to surround, as building a fortress.
1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
We could go on and on, but the thrust is edification. Anything that does not build us up and make us stronger is excess weight that slows us down. The Christian runner must do exactly what the Olympic runner does: strain to remove all excess weight. Do nothing—absolutely nothing—that hinders or hampers him from running at full speed. He must strip off all unnecessary weight.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Hebrew, James.
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us
How?
(2) looking unto Jesus, (fix our eyes on Jesus) the author and finisher of our faith,
The way we cannot be ensnared and overcome sin is by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Don’t become distracted but staying close to Him.
Biblical Illustration
Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Author – beginner, originator, gave birth to
Finisher – perfected, completed
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).
Our Example
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
“How did Jesus run His race? We know that He won His race, but how? This verse reveals that He was focused on “the joy that was set before him.” Jesus endured pain and suffering as no one else ever has. He not only endured this in the physical realm as He bore the sickness and disease of the whole world, but He suffered spiritually as He literally became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Yet He wasn’t occupied with the suffering, but the spoils of victory. That’s why He was able to endure such contradiction of sinners against Himself, and that’s the same for us.” Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.
despising the shame,
shame – disgrace, dishonorable conduct.
Jesus despised shame. He put it aside. It was a shame to be nailed to the cross. The disciples were ashamed to be called Jesus disciples when He was crucified. This shame was brought on not by Him or something He did but by others.
Shame can be our fault or others, but we must not let it hold us back. We must move on.
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus was rewarded for His obedience.
(3) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
“Do not become weary in well doing”
The greatest example of all. The witness whom we can look to the most is Jesus. He endured hostility from sinners.
Conclusion
Will you accept Jesus as your savior? In the uncharted road will you lay aside the weight and sin that distracts and weighs you down?
Therefore, next time you feel you're being "wailed on," think of Jonah. He's up there cheering you on. Next time you feel like you're in a fiery trial, look for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the stands. Next time you feel like you're up against a giant of a problem, remember David, the giant-slayer, and take heart. – Jon Courson Commentary on Hebrews 12
