August 9, 2021 — A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

“Warren Wiersbe comments that the men and women of Hebrews 11 “are the “cloud” that witnesses to us, “God can be trusted! Put your faith in His Word and keep running the race!” When you read the Old Testament, your faith should grow, for the account shows what God did in and through people who dared to trust His promises. (Wiersbe, W: With the Word: Chapter by Chapter Bible Handbook. Nelson)

For we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses. This is what keeps me going often – knowing that people who have experienced greater problems and troubles than I will ever encounter, have been sustained in their faith, and have continued to believe. We need to constantly remember that our foremothers and forefathers fought the good fight of faith. But their strength, their ways and their accomplishments are not ones to freeze us to only maintain the ways of the past. Instead we are to honor them, and then to continue into the future. Nothing remains the same. Everyone and everything changes. We no longer sacrifice animals to assuage our sins – instead we are saved by faith, through Grace. We put our trust and faith into the words and the actions of Christ – not in the practices of those who died a century ago. They are watching us and shouting – “keep going; we did it; we found our way; so can you.”

It is upon us as believers to find our way in Christ and to establish our worship and ministry and witness that fits our community today.

Pastor Dave