A Great Cloud of Witnesses

All Saints Sunday

November 3, 2024

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1-3

Sermon Slide

Good morning on this day of remembrance. Today, we remember the saints who have passed from this life to the next in the past 12 months as we also remember the life, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the sacred act of Communion.

The celebration of All Saints Day dates back to the 7th Century, then in the 8th Century the date was established on November 1 and has been celebrated on the first Sunday after November 1 for generations… and so, we stand in that 1400 year history of annually honoring those who have died in the year. I think of these, and all those that have gone before, as a part of the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.

We have heard the familiar passage from Hebrews considering the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. Before we get into that passage, let us pause for prayer.

<Prayer>

Roger Bannister Run Video

What you are watching is the first recorded sub-4-minute mile. Some argue that runners had completed this feat prior, like Big Hawk Chief in 1876, or Glenn Cunningham in 1920, but this race you are seeing was the first to be timed as a part of a sanctioned recorded race. The announcer of the race is quoted as saying, “3 minutes 59.4 seconds, shattering the 4-Minute mile, the Everest of athletic achievement.” Think about that. In 1954, the 4-minute mile was the “Everest of athletic achievement”. It was the pinnacle of running prowess. It was the ultimate goal for any professional runner.

Today, the 4-Minute Mile is the standard for professional middle-distance runners.

Sermon Slide

Aside from the obvious reference to a race in the scripture, why would I begin the sermon on All Saints Day with that point?

Well, think of all that these saints have seen in the days of their lives… The average year of birth for those we have honored today was 1939. They are in good company joining Neil Sedaka, Marvin Gaye, and Francis Ford-Coppola, who were born that same year.

It is the same year Silicone Valley was launched along with the company Hewlett Packard.

It’s the same year Einstein and Roosevelt began talking about the possibility of a nuclear bomb.

And

The same year the Aggies won their last National Championship.

Maybe I should have left that one off…

These saints not only saw great things in the years of their lives; but they were also a part of bringing about the amazing world we live in.

They were religious leaders, teachers, musicians, soldiers and sailors, salespeople, and rocket scientists who helped build the world we live in today. They represent some of the kindest and warmest people you could have ever known.

Jeannie’s wit was unmatched, and she helped establish some of the great institutions of our community.

Ray’s charming laugh was contagious, changing the shopping experience for all who came into Brookshires.

Ron’s service changed this community.

Bill’s “you can count on me” attitude impacted each of us who met him.

Ronnie’s generosity never let anyone feel unknown - he was a friend to all.

Jerry outfitted the stage and the community with both her seamstress skills and her flowers.

To read the tributes to John by his students… I wish I had a history professor like him.

And to stand in this pulpit after someone like Jack is beyond humbling.

These saints that we honor today are just a small part of the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us.

We all have members of that cloud that have impacted us.

I think of my mom who died in 2019… and I can still hear her singing “One Day at a Time” when I start trying to get ahead of myself.

I think of my dad who died in 2003… and I know that he is part of my cloud of witnesses… I remember him reading his Sunday School lesson every night before going to bed.

I think of Renee’s sister Lisa who, about 13 years ago, taught this church about the importance of organ donation.

I know you have more members of that great cloud of witnesses that you could add.

As you think of your cloud of witnesses, I want you to think of all they have seen…

The transition from the Typewriter to the word processor and then to the home computer.

The change from party lines to the cellular phone.

The evolution of the cellular phone into something more powerful than the computers that put a man on the moon.

War after war, followed by rebuilding and restoration.

The Civil Rights movements that brought equality to women and minorities.

They not only saw these things happen, they were a part of these things happening.

They have run their race and they now rest from their labors.

Paul was saying the same thing about the great cloud of witnesses he had listed in the chapter before. In Hebrews 11, Paul lists everyone from Able to Abraham and Rahab to David. He was saying they did amazing things through their faith. They conquered kingdoms and shut the mouths of lions. They endured pain and torture for their faith, yet never received what they had hoped for… knowing that it was yet to come.

We now walk in the grace of what those of the Old Testament had hoped for… We now walk in the knowledge that Jesus Christ, our Savior, lived and died, and rose again. We live the faith that they hoped for.

He started the 11thChapter with these words:

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

They were confident in what they hoped for… Our faith is built upon their hope.

And, so it is with those that we honor today. The legacy of faith and service that they leave for us compels us forward… like Paul wrote:

Hebrews 12:1-2

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.

Our life is a race… it isn’t over until we cross the finish line… so we run that race with perseverance… with determination… with endurance… keeping our eyes on the prize at the end… Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer…. The author… the forerunner and the perfecter of our faith.

Sermon Slide

Our cloud of witnesses, the saints we have honored today have run their race and achieved the prize. They now watch us run our race and what a race we have to run.

We think of all the great things they saw and accomplished in their life… and yet you and I will see much more… we will accomplish much more. Like Jesus said,

John 14:12

whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

When I think back to Roger Bannister’s amazing run in 1954, he did something that seemed impossible, even for a professional runner. Today, it is the standard for professional runners and something that even an amateur can work toward. Today, we do so much more than they ever dreamed possible.

It’s like the coach encouraging and pushing the athlete to break his own records… We want those who follow to do greater things than we did…

And so it was for these saints… Because of all that our great cloud did before us, we are poised to do even greater things.

Sermon Slide

So, as we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…

As we are surrounded by friends and family from of old…

as we remember the past…

We look to the future in this historic meal before us.

Now, in some mystical and mysterious way that I can not explain, we gather at this table with the saints of the past, present, and future as we partake of this holy mystery…

<Prayer – Prepare the Table>

Communion…