Somebody is WATCHING you

Somebody is watching you!

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God . (Heb 12:1–2).

How many of you growing up enjoyed scary movies? Movies like Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream, Exorcist. So many of them. Now I know we in church and you dare not admit that you still may get you some popcorn and jump and every sound. One of the moments that gets us moving is when the killer is watching his victim. Gets me every time when they start playing that music that says something is about to happen. Boo!!! This is Halloween weekend. While the world celebrates the darkness I wanted to shed some light on some who are watching us.

The Hebrew writer suggest that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witness who are in a sense cheering us on to make it to the finish line. Like can be tough and each us have a race to run to make it in. 1 Cor 9:24 says 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Co 9:24).

We must finish strong. 25 and 26 of that same chapter reminds us 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Co 9:25–27).

So I suggest that our great cloud of witness are observing not to do us harm but knowing we have such witnesses should bring encouragement. Encouragement to do as the Ephesian writers emphasizes 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. . (Eph 4:22–24). How many know you don’t want me to encounter your old self. Well you did not want to meet my old self!

Our challenge is how do we get to this finish line and who is our goal. The Hebrew writer says as we run the race we are ever looking to Jesus! I recently shared a song with Carvel. Its an old song by Albertina Walker. Safety Zone. She sings of an enduring race but says if you want to make it to heaven you have to stay in the safety zone. That zone is always looking to Jesus! Like the Psalmist said,

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. Ps 27:4).

He is the one that despised the shame of the cross and did it with joy! When you feel like giving up verse 3 said consider the one who endured hostility from sinners so you may not grow weary. Wouldn’t be good to hear Jesus say to you what he said to the Church of Ephesus in Rev 2. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. (Re 2:3). The Galatian writer said, 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

( Ga 6:8–9). Which literally means don’t loose heart or become discouraged.

This leads to my first point.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance is the ability to keep going, to keep pushing, to keep striving, even when the odds are stacked against us, even when the road is rough and the journey is long. It's the grit and determination that keeps us moving forward, no matter what life throws our way.

Evident throughout the Bible: From the Old Testament heroes who faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles, to the New Testament disciples who spread the gospel in the face of fierce opposition. And it's a power that's available to us today, as we navigate the challenges and trials of our own lives.

Verse 1: The writer of Hebrews encourages us to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This is not a sprint, but a marathon, a long-distance race that requires stamina and endurance. It's a race that's marked by hills and valleys, by twists and turns, by unexpected obstacles and unforeseen challenges. But it's also a race that's marked by incredible opportunities for growth and transformation, for deepening our faith and strengthening our relationship with God.

Staying the course when things are going well: It's about remaining faithful and committed, even when the excitement of the new has worn off and the routine of the everyday has set in. It's about continuing to strive for excellence, to seek God's will, to pursue His purpose for our lives, even when it's easier to settle for good enough.

This is demonstrated by

Resilience: It’s about bouncing back from setbacks and disappointments, about not letting failure or criticism or rejection deter us from our path. It's about learning from our mistakes, about growing from our experiences, about using our struggles as stepping stones to greater success and fulfillment.

Fueled by hope: By the belief in a better tomorrow, by the conviction that our efforts are not in vain, that our struggles are not for nothing. It's a power that's rooted in faith, in the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, as Hebrews 11:1 puts it.

A communal force: We are encouraged to run this race together, to support and encourage each other, to lift each other up when we stumble, to cheer each other on when we succeed. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, by those who have run the race before us and those who are running it with us, who inspire us and challenge us and spur us on to greater heights.

Exemplified by Jesus: Who "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus is our model of perseverance, our example of steadfastness and endurance, our inspiration for running the race with patience and determination.

A transformative force: One that can shape our character, refine our faith, and bring us closer to God. It's a power that can help us overcome obstacles, achieve our goals, and fulfill our potential. It's a power that can make us stronger, wiser, and more resilient. It's a power that can turn our trials into triumphs, our tests into testimonies, our mess into a message.

The Necessity of Endurance

Endurance is not just a physical attribute but a spiritual one as well. God wants our spiritual muscle to increase! Jesus endured the cross and he encourages us to endure. Paul told Timothy 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. ( 2 Ti 2:3–4). If you are to endure you must know your word.

Ephesians 6:13: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

Philippians 4:13: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

John 16:33: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

The Hebrew writer is suggesting that endurance is tied to laying aside every weight and the sin that besets us. That’s the stuff that clings so closely. Now that’s for you to figure out! For each of us have some stuff.

Tell your neighbor let go of that stuff

Remember hearing the race is not given to the swift but to the one endures to the end.

“I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.”

Eccl 9:11

There are laws created by God that generally govern the universe. However, sometimes “chance” happens, and what seems as though it should be, isn’t what is. Occasionally the fastest runner falls before the finish line and various other chances and oddities cause surprise results in life. The world attributes this to bad luck, but we would do well to trust in the sovereignty of God, who ultimately is in charge of all outcomes.

A principle that runs right through the whole Bible is the principle of stewardship. Christians never have wonder if they should do their best at what they endeavor, for that is what we are called to do.

Tell your neighbor just do your best!

Finally lets

The Confidence of Concentration

We cant lose focus. Looking to Jesus. The author and finisher of our faith.

Can I share with you again verse 2 and 3 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Heb 12:2–3).

Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus. We can be sin conquerors! We have not met a struggle that Christ has not already over come. You can do if you keep looking to Jesus.

We are climbing Jacob's ladder. We are climbing Jacob's ladder. We are climbing Jacob's ladder, Soldiers of the cross.

2

Every round goes higher, higher. Every round goes higher, higher. Every round goes higher, higher, Soldiers of the cross.

3

Sinner, do you love my Jesus? Sinner, do you love my Jesus? Sinner, do you love my Jesus? Soldiers of the cross.

4

If you love Him, why not serve Him? If you love Him, why not serve Him? If you love Him, why not serve Him? Soldiers of the cross.