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.”
I like too hear stories of people who won’t give up. Quitters are not much inspiration. They are inspiration for us- those that have gone ahead ,they are our examples, they illuminate the road for us so we can finish the race strong. If you are still breathing, the game is not over yet. This place is not our final home. Apostle Paul tells us that we are strangers in an alien world. Actors would work harder if the audience was full of actors. Athletes would double their efforts if they knew the stadium was full of athletes. Ours is a cloud of witnesses who were our examples, who have run the same race we are now running, and were determined to finish strong.
II. Be prepared for the hardships that come
“throw off everything that hinders” we are to run the race - the race to finish our lives on this Earth strong. Getting rid of everything that would hinder and keep us from finishing. This race is for the long haul. People come to Jesus and begin by running full blast and the first obstacle sends them to the ground and they don’t want to get up. It’s a marathon not a sprint- you got to be ready to pace yourself to the end and not let anything stop you. Runners know there are two critical times in a race. You know I’m not a runner, but here they are:
1. In the beginning, you feel good and you are tempted to run too fast. You go full bore and you don’t have enough to finish.
2. The second time is about half way , you begin to look how far you come and your tired, and you look ahead and see how far you have to go- it is called “hitting the wall” don’t get weary and don’t lose heart- “Run the race” with perseverance worked out for us”
III. Focus on Jesus
we glance on the hero’s of the faith, we glance at who has personally made an impact on our lives. But the Bible tells us to Gaze upon Jesus.Don’t drop the baton.And if you do drop it, pick it back up and get you eyes back focused on Jesus. Every Christian , every Church, needs to hear this. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, it is all about Jesus. Don’t let the fought battles get you down, don’t look at future battles in your own strength, keep focused on Jesus and his Strength to see you through.
If you want to be distressed- look within yourself
If you want to be defeated- look back
If you want to be dismayed- look ahead
If you want to be delivered- look up
Jesus can finish what He has started in each of us. He can deliver what has been promised.
Closing;
Running the race is not easy. Anyone who says it is, is lying or has lived in a bubble. There is negatives and positive elements to succeeding :
negatively- we must lay aside things that would hinder us
positively- keep your focus on Jesus
Hebrew 10:36- “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise”
Altar call:
