Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Those Witnesses of Faith
1. The cloud of witnesses (Testifiers, those who offer Affirmation) Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses …” testify
• A great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, says the apostle.
• Who are these witnesses, this vast cloud of people who surround us on every side? The preceding verses lay it all out for us.
2. The cloud of witnesses is those of great faith
• Folks like Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Joseph, Moses and the Israelites
• A prostitute named Rahab —who helps Joshua fight the Battle of Jericho —
• people who suffered mightily to keep the faith and for the Faith
3. Why talk about these heroes of the past? We can learn from them They suffered and endured
• The cloud of witnesses: martyrs of the faith they received what was promised.
• They were witness to God’s love. They bear witness still, because we have heard what they did.
4. Who are these heroes of faith? Hebrews was written to Christian believers who are suffering for their faith. This is a church undergoing hard persecution.
• The writer of this letter— is wishing for them the spiritual gift of endurance, so they can get through this season of heartache and one day bask in God’s glory in this life or the next.
• Would these words have been helpful to those heroes of faith “Everything happens for a reason. ”God never gives us more than we can handle.”
• “Just hang in there, things will get better. ”Keep thinking positive thoughts
• “I know exactly how you feel.” (No, you don’t. No one knows exactly how another person feels, ever.) None of these sayings are likely to bring much comfort.
5. What should we say? I think be there
• You don’t need to say much of anything. You don’t need to stay long, either — and probably shouldn’t. But your mere presence says more than words
• When you spend quality time with a suffering person — when you practice the ministry of presence — you take your place among the crowd of witnesses.
• How did these heroes of faith survive by the Presence of God in mighty ways. God was present
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6. What did the Heroes of Faith say? They had Faith as their Life. Here is how they spoke:
• Abraham said nothing but believed was willing to sacrifice his son knowing God would provide a lamb
• Moses spoke by refusing the gods of the (Egyptians) , refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Christ was a greater treasure
• Rahab, spoke by leaving the family gods, “I believe in the Hebrew God YAHWEH she welcomed the spies,
• Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33spoke by being Kingdom conquerors ;
• Some spoke by trusting God and the mouths of lions were shut,
• Some spoke by walking with a fourth man in the fire
• Some spoke by giving to God or the prophet a last morsel 35widow of Zarapheth Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
• Some refused denying the Christ as God in flesh 36So they faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stonedF; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword.
• Some spoke by living meagerly, and They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
• Let us speak by being a testifier, let us speak by our endurance “[L]et us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (12:1-2).
