A Great Cloud of Witness (2)

You Can Do It!

In Chapter 11, The Hall of Faith, we told of saints who by faith finished their faith well. Now we are commended to do the same.

Abel offered a better sacrifice.

Abraham obeyed

Sarah had a child

All these died in faith! That is the greatest complaint that you can give a follower of Jesus Christ; that they died in faith. Today, we will name saints that have went before us. They have entered that great cloud of witness that are “cheering” you can do this! You can finish your race in the faith! We did and you are much better off the I was when I died.

All of these people listed in the Bible in the hall of faith and all the people we will remember today, are to encourage you to keep going. They know that the Christian life, the life lived for God, is not an easy road to navigate. Life is hard.

Following God could caused you to

leave your home

Confront powerful people

Lead a people that are not sure they want to follow you.

Thrown to the lions

Tossed in the fiery furnace.

Stone

Sawn in two

To be poor, destitue, afflicted, mistreated, killed with the sword, mocked, flogged, chained, imprisoned,

How do we make the race of life “easier”

Cast off anything and everything that weights us down.

Don’t Let Sin Cling to You.

Keep Running The Race

How do I keep running?

Life is difficult and this year has been the worst ever.

We look to Jesus

Founder of our faith

Finisher the finisher of our faith

Jesus finished the race so that we can too.

There Is A Prize!

a. The joy set before him.

You Are That Joy.

One of the rewards of heaven is that we spend all eternity with Jesus!

Honor and Glory

Jesus received the highest honor and glory when he sat down at the right had of the throne of God. The place of authority and honor.

We too will be honored and glorified in Christ.

We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

We will receive this honor and glory not on our own merit but through the merit of Jesus’ action on the cross.

Are You Running The Race?