Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 3
Hebrews 11 & 12
Chapter 12 starts off with aspects of what our lives should look like. First, we are instructed to lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us. It is interesting that there are things that can entangle us that are not sin. Encumbrances are things that impede, burden, deter, hinder, hold back, inhibit, interfere, obstruct, and shackle us according to Webster. Matthew Henry says it this way, “Every weight, that is, all inordinate affection and concern for the body, and the present life and world. Inordinate care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a dead weight upon the soul, that pulls it down when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they would be.” What are those things that draw us away from the Lord and what He has called us to do? Is it money or possessions? He tells us that we can’t serve God and manna. (Matt. 6:24) These things not only in and of themselves encumber us, but they also usually bring debt that encumbers us and holds us back. Is it the pleasures of this world? I am not just talking about drugs, alcohol, sexual pleasures, and such things. I am also talking about those TV programs we have to watch, the music that makes us dance and forget the world around us, the computers that suck up our time as we chat, Facebook, and play games. Is it other people? Not just the people that want us to go to bars, try new drugs, and go to inappropriate places. How about the ones that talk us into that little compromise of watching that movie that has just a little bit of sex, or to gossip and to complain about those around us, that make us think about what we deserve and are not getting, or that distract us from our true prize for the temporary prizes of this world. There are so many things that are even not bad things, but they are not the best things. Friends are not bad, but do we spend more time with them than with Him? Money is not bad, but does it have a higher priority than the priority God has given us? Technology is not bad, but does it fill our hearts and mind taking the place of the word? These things must be put off so we will not be encumbered.
We must also get rid of the sin that so easily entangles us. Webster defines entangle as, “to wrap or twist together, to involve in a perplexing or troublesome situation, or to make more complicated”. Matthew Henry described it as “The sin that has the greatest advantage against us”. What is it that always seems to get you? It’s that one thing that we have to pray for strength to resist all the time. That one area of our life that is our weak spot and if we don’t continually war against it and guard our hearts from it will be the place the enemy attacks. That very thing you are thinking about is what must be taken captive unto the obedience of Christ. There is a poster I put up in my classroom. It says, “Watch your thoughts they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character.” The Bible says it this way in James 1:12-16, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be conceived, my beloved brethren.” When our hearts are not totally His there are lusts that take up residence there and entice us to sin. Our hearts must be purified and wholly His. David knew this when he penned Psalm 139:23-24. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” We must guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 warns us that we must “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”
Lastly, we are to run with endurance the race that is set before us. Matthew Henry has four points about this last command that I really liked. He said,
“1. Christians have a race to run, a race of service and a race of sufferings, a course of active and passive obedience.
2. This race is set before them; it is marked out unto them, both by the word of God and the examples of the faithful servants of God, that cloud of witnesses with which they are compassed about. It is set out by proper limits and directions; the mark they run to, and the prize they run for, are set before them.
3. This race must be run with patience and perseverance. There will be need of patience to encounter the difficulties that lie in our way, of perseverance to resist all temptations to desist or turn aside. Faith and patience are the conquering graces, and therefore must be always cultivated and kept in lively exercise.
4. Christians have a greater example to animate and encourage them in their Christian course than any or all who have been mentioned before, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ: Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,”
Scripture is full of verses that talk about running the race. Here are just a few:
• 1 Cor. 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize. Run in such a way that you may win.”
• Gal. 5:7 “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
• Phil. 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
• 2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”
How are we running? Are we enduring and running well or are we hindered by the sin and encumbrances? Are we running according to the rules, which is this book of life we have or have we allowed someone to hinder us with words of deceit? Have we fought the good fight and are we finishing the course and keeping the faith or are we coasting through and being tossed around by every wind of doctrine and trend of the world?
In worship one day we were singing about incense arising.
My mind was taken to the scripture about how the sacrifices were offered and fragrances were placed with them allowing an aroma to arise to the Lord. The sacrifices had a standard that had to be met. No matter how nice the fragrances were, if they were not spotless and without blemish they would stink before the Lord. Romans 12 exhorts us to offer ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice. We are to be a living, walking, and breathing, sacrifice that is without spot or wrinkle. Everyday our lives should be a sweet fragrance that goes up to the One that has given so much for us.
We are running this race in the presence of great men and women of the faith. They cannot be fooled and they accept no excuses. They have lived the life, they have kept the faith, and they have given up everything for the cause of Christ. They have turned their back on the temptations of the world clinging to nothing including their own lives and the lives of those they love. They held nothing back from the God whom they so loved and revered. Can we say the same? With such a great cloud of witnesses how should we live?
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Such A Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 2
Such A Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 2
Hebrews 11 & 12
All who are willing to live a life of a living sacrifice have qualities that I know I want. So I found my heart pounding and aching to be like them and to possess qualities that will help me to stand, live, and even die with the confidence and dedication that those who are watching exhibited. One of the qualities they had was that they pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 tells us that Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death and was not found because he obtained the witness that he was pleasing to God. The thought that I would be pleasing to God seems impossible. What does it take to be found pleasing to God? Matthew Henry breaks down the statement “he walked with God” to mean “That he walked with God, that is, that he was really, eminently, actively, progressively, and perseveringly religious in his conformity to God, communion with God, and complacency in God.” (Definition of complacency: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.) His relationship with God wasn’t passive. It was an active engaged relationship. He walked with God. Matthew Henry goes on to describe the later part of the verse saying, “That before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. He had the evidence of it in his own conscience, and the Spirit of God witnessed with his spirit. Those who by faith walk with God in a sinful world are pleasing to him, and he will give them marks of his favour, and put honour upon them.” Enoch’s spirit testified within him that he was pleasing God. He had a peace within him that he was pleasing to God. There is a contentment, confidence, and boldness that comes only when a person is walking in a manner that is pleasing to God. (Gen. 5:21-24, Heb. 11: 5)
Of course our greatest example of One who pleased God was Jesus. Everything He did was pleasing to His Father. From the way He cared for His mother, the way He lived among the least of them and loved them, the way He invited in the little children, to the way He stood up for the woman caught in adultery, proclaimed truth in the synagogues, and embraced the cross. He did nothing without His Father’s leading. John 12:49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.” In John 14:31 He says, “… that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” It is because of this total, single focus on His Father that we read, “ and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Mark 1:11. In the Greek another meaning for well pleased is to find pleasure in.
How do I please God? How do we please God? I want Him to find pleasure in me. So what things please Him? I think the obvious first answer is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. Everything about us should point to Him, glorify Him, love on Him, and praise Him. When I was looking at the stars one night a thought came to me. I am a sort of a writer and so I think about things from different perspectives. Sometimes this is good and sometimes it is just weird. This particular night a thought came to me. You see every time I look up into the sky at night and can see the stars the first thing I say is, “Wow God You are so awesome!” or “Wow God You are incredible!” or “Wow God You are so magnificent”. I never say, “Wow star you are so cool, awesome, incredible, or magnificent”. Never. That star always turns my entire attention to its Creator. So then I began thinking, imagine how awesome it must be to that star knowing your soul purpose in living was for your Creators highest creation to look at you and automatically praise Him. Then it hit me. It is my purpose. Whenever someone looks at my life they should be able to say, “Wow God You are so incredible!” If I love Him with all of who I am I will do everything that pleases Him. I will not be influenced by mans opinion, I will take care of the innocent, poor, and strangers, I will be generous, show mercy and grace and so much more. (1 Thess. 2:4,Heb 13:16, James 1:27, Isaiah 1:17). Is it possible to be perfect? Not to my knowledge. However, I do believe that we can live a life that is purposed to please Him and is quick to return to Him when we fall. How I long for my Heavenly Father to look at me and say well done my good and faithful servant.
These great witnesses not only pleased God they also had a tested faith that was founded in their confidence in God. Verse 6 of chapter 11 says’ “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” I believe that Abraham is a great example of this trait. He had his weak moments but there were many more times he acted with confidence in God. In chapter 11 starting in verse 8 we see a man who was willing to leave everything he knew to go where God told him to go. He didn’t know where he was going, living as an alien in strange lands for years. This takes a great confidence in your relationship with God. Leaving familiar, safe, and comfortable for the strange, unsure, and challenging is not easy. He also had a tested faith when it came to trusting Him with Lot, trusting Him with a covenant, trusting Him with His only son, and so much more. (Gen. 12-25, Heb. 11: 8-12, 17-19) Job rested in what He knew about His God during trials. (Job 13:15) Daniel and the three Hebrew children trusted their God. (Dan. 6:10, Daniel 3) David over and over again clung to His God that he knew was faithful. The disciples, Paul, Stephen, and so many more who experienced difficult times but never lost faith. To the many today that truly have only their God and yet can still sing songs of praises. They have a faith that has been tested and found to be true.
On a very small scale I understand this kind of faith. When God began moving on my heart to move to West Virginia I thought I needed some serious help. I was not an adventurous person. I liked to be surrounded by people, places, and things I knew. They brought security to me even if it also contained some dysfunction. I was good at my job, just finished my masters, about to be tenured as a teacher, things were going great, mostly. God wanted me to move to where? Where I knew all of 2 people very superficially. No job. No church. No friends. By myself. The more I tried to run the more He confirmed until I had to give in and say yes. Then when I began telling friends and family I began hearing things such as: You are moving to where? Where is that? Why?! There are mountain people there who will kidnap you and kill you and we will never be able to find you! That is too far away! Are you in a cult?! Etc. Needless to say most weren’t very supportive. I had a few who believed and encouraged. So I came. And the first day my sister and her family left I called home and said I made a horrible mistake and wanted to come home. The second day I got lost in some mountains and thought, “Great I am never going to see my family again!” But I knew God was faithful. I knew He had been faithful before and He never changed. He had seen me through many things so He would see me through this. Within a few weeks things began to sort out. I found a job. I found a good church. Made some friends. And things began to settle.
The final characteristic I want to talk about, though there are many more, is that they had an endurance, courage, attitude of self-sacrifice and denial that is so opposite of what even Christians have these days. Their whole perspective, paradigm, and strength shakes the very foundation of the boxed in version of God that many carry with them everyday in their pocket. Noah is one example of this kind of relationship “He did not dispute with God why he should make an ark, nor how it could be capable of containing what was to be lodged in it, nor how such a vessel could possibly weather out so great a storm. His faith silenced all objections, and set him to work in earnest.” I can’t imagine what it was like to have God tell you that you were suppose to build this huge thing to prepare for a storm no one had ever seen in the existence of mankind. He persevered through the scorn, laughing, mocking, and cursing. He endured through the pain his family must have endured. (Gen. 6-9, Heb. 11:7) Moses chose to leave a mansion and the perfect life for a life in the desert with His God. He then came back to a people whose faith was weak and fear was great to lead them to freedom. They stood often aside watching to see what would happen. He faced Pharaoh again and again knowing that he could die at anytime. But he chose to endure and obey. (Exodus 2-14, Heb. 11: 24-29) Chapter 11 goes on to mention the many who are nameless that endured so much for their God. Never considering their lives sacred or their own, they stood to gain the approval of the only one that mattered, their God. (Heb. 11:32-40)
Of course, our greatest example of this is Jesus. Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross for our sakes. (Heb. 12:2) He endured cursings, beatings, mockings, and the burden of the world’s sins in obedience to the Father and out of love for His bride. His life was the ultimate model of endurance, courage, self-sacrifice, and self-denial. 1 Peter 2:21 tells us “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” In times coming we will have the opportunity to endure, have courage, exhibit self-sacrifice and self-denial in the face of danger and persecution. How will we do? It will highly depend on how we build our faith now. If in the easy times we do not turn our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths to Him alone then in the hard times I fear our foundations will crumble and we will fall in the shakings.
Hebrews 11 & 12
All who are willing to live a life of a living sacrifice have qualities that I know I want. So I found my heart pounding and aching to be like them and to possess qualities that will help me to stand, live, and even die with the confidence and dedication that those who are watching exhibited. One of the qualities they had was that they pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 tells us that Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death and was not found because he obtained the witness that he was pleasing to God. The thought that I would be pleasing to God seems impossible. What does it take to be found pleasing to God? Matthew Henry breaks down the statement “he walked with God” to mean “That he walked with God, that is, that he was really, eminently, actively, progressively, and perseveringly religious in his conformity to God, communion with God, and complacency in God.” (Definition of complacency: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.) His relationship with God wasn’t passive. It was an active engaged relationship. He walked with God. Matthew Henry goes on to describe the later part of the verse saying, “That before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. He had the evidence of it in his own conscience, and the Spirit of God witnessed with his spirit. Those who by faith walk with God in a sinful world are pleasing to him, and he will give them marks of his favour, and put honour upon them.” Enoch’s spirit testified within him that he was pleasing God. He had a peace within him that he was pleasing to God. There is a contentment, confidence, and boldness that comes only when a person is walking in a manner that is pleasing to God. (Gen. 5:21-24, Heb. 11: 5)
Of course our greatest example of One who pleased God was Jesus. Everything He did was pleasing to His Father. From the way He cared for His mother, the way He lived among the least of them and loved them, the way He invited in the little children, to the way He stood up for the woman caught in adultery, proclaimed truth in the synagogues, and embraced the cross. He did nothing without His Father’s leading. John 12:49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.” In John 14:31 He says, “… that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” It is because of this total, single focus on His Father that we read, “ and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Mark 1:11. In the Greek another meaning for well pleased is to find pleasure in.
How do I please God? How do we please God? I want Him to find pleasure in me. So what things please Him? I think the obvious first answer is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. Everything about us should point to Him, glorify Him, love on Him, and praise Him. When I was looking at the stars one night a thought came to me. I am a sort of a writer and so I think about things from different perspectives. Sometimes this is good and sometimes it is just weird. This particular night a thought came to me. You see every time I look up into the sky at night and can see the stars the first thing I say is, “Wow God You are so awesome!” or “Wow God You are incredible!” or “Wow God You are so magnificent”. I never say, “Wow star you are so cool, awesome, incredible, or magnificent”. Never. That star always turns my entire attention to its Creator. So then I began thinking, imagine how awesome it must be to that star knowing your soul purpose in living was for your Creators highest creation to look at you and automatically praise Him. Then it hit me. It is my purpose. Whenever someone looks at my life they should be able to say, “Wow God You are so incredible!” If I love Him with all of who I am I will do everything that pleases Him. I will not be influenced by mans opinion, I will take care of the innocent, poor, and strangers, I will be generous, show mercy and grace and so much more. (1 Thess. 2:4,Heb 13:16, James 1:27, Isaiah 1:17). Is it possible to be perfect? Not to my knowledge. However, I do believe that we can live a life that is purposed to please Him and is quick to return to Him when we fall. How I long for my Heavenly Father to look at me and say well done my good and faithful servant.
These great witnesses not only pleased God they also had a tested faith that was founded in their confidence in God. Verse 6 of chapter 11 says’ “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” I believe that Abraham is a great example of this trait. He had his weak moments but there were many more times he acted with confidence in God. In chapter 11 starting in verse 8 we see a man who was willing to leave everything he knew to go where God told him to go. He didn’t know where he was going, living as an alien in strange lands for years. This takes a great confidence in your relationship with God. Leaving familiar, safe, and comfortable for the strange, unsure, and challenging is not easy. He also had a tested faith when it came to trusting Him with Lot, trusting Him with a covenant, trusting Him with His only son, and so much more. (Gen. 12-25, Heb. 11: 8-12, 17-19) Job rested in what He knew about His God during trials. (Job 13:15) Daniel and the three Hebrew children trusted their God. (Dan. 6:10, Daniel 3) David over and over again clung to His God that he knew was faithful. The disciples, Paul, Stephen, and so many more who experienced difficult times but never lost faith. To the many today that truly have only their God and yet can still sing songs of praises. They have a faith that has been tested and found to be true.
On a very small scale I understand this kind of faith. When God began moving on my heart to move to West Virginia I thought I needed some serious help. I was not an adventurous person. I liked to be surrounded by people, places, and things I knew. They brought security to me even if it also contained some dysfunction. I was good at my job, just finished my masters, about to be tenured as a teacher, things were going great, mostly. God wanted me to move to where? Where I knew all of 2 people very superficially. No job. No church. No friends. By myself. The more I tried to run the more He confirmed until I had to give in and say yes. Then when I began telling friends and family I began hearing things such as: You are moving to where? Where is that? Why?! There are mountain people there who will kidnap you and kill you and we will never be able to find you! That is too far away! Are you in a cult?! Etc. Needless to say most weren’t very supportive. I had a few who believed and encouraged. So I came. And the first day my sister and her family left I called home and said I made a horrible mistake and wanted to come home. The second day I got lost in some mountains and thought, “Great I am never going to see my family again!” But I knew God was faithful. I knew He had been faithful before and He never changed. He had seen me through many things so He would see me through this. Within a few weeks things began to sort out. I found a job. I found a good church. Made some friends. And things began to settle.
The final characteristic I want to talk about, though there are many more, is that they had an endurance, courage, attitude of self-sacrifice and denial that is so opposite of what even Christians have these days. Their whole perspective, paradigm, and strength shakes the very foundation of the boxed in version of God that many carry with them everyday in their pocket. Noah is one example of this kind of relationship “He did not dispute with God why he should make an ark, nor how it could be capable of containing what was to be lodged in it, nor how such a vessel could possibly weather out so great a storm. His faith silenced all objections, and set him to work in earnest.” I can’t imagine what it was like to have God tell you that you were suppose to build this huge thing to prepare for a storm no one had ever seen in the existence of mankind. He persevered through the scorn, laughing, mocking, and cursing. He endured through the pain his family must have endured. (Gen. 6-9, Heb. 11:7) Moses chose to leave a mansion and the perfect life for a life in the desert with His God. He then came back to a people whose faith was weak and fear was great to lead them to freedom. They stood often aside watching to see what would happen. He faced Pharaoh again and again knowing that he could die at anytime. But he chose to endure and obey. (Exodus 2-14, Heb. 11: 24-29) Chapter 11 goes on to mention the many who are nameless that endured so much for their God. Never considering their lives sacred or their own, they stood to gain the approval of the only one that mattered, their God. (Heb. 11:32-40)
Of course, our greatest example of this is Jesus. Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross for our sakes. (Heb. 12:2) He endured cursings, beatings, mockings, and the burden of the world’s sins in obedience to the Father and out of love for His bride. His life was the ultimate model of endurance, courage, self-sacrifice, and self-denial. 1 Peter 2:21 tells us “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” In times coming we will have the opportunity to endure, have courage, exhibit self-sacrifice and self-denial in the face of danger and persecution. How will we do? It will highly depend on how we build our faith now. If in the easy times we do not turn our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths to Him alone then in the hard times I fear our foundations will crumble and we will fall in the shakings.
Such A Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 1
Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 1
Hebrews 11-12
Athletes are aware of those who are watching how they perform. Usually it is family, friends, coaches, and just what they would call normal people. Though a good athlete will always want to do their best, these people watching do not usually produce a higher level of anxiety or pressure. However, when it is a game where there are scouts watching or high-ranking players watching the stakes are suddenly higher and more pressure is felt. This pressure occurs because now that player knows that those who know the sport and the details of every play are watching. The observers know what it takes to make the plays and they know what didn’t happen when a mistake is made. They are not just playing in front of those who just enjoy watching the sport or have come to cheer on their friend or family member. They are playing in front of experienced, seasoned experts. Experts who could not be fooled and whom excuses would not be accepted.
I have read Hebrews many times. I have heard Hebrews 11 preached and I have heard Hebrews 12 preached. However, I have never heard Hebrews 11 and 12 preached together or connected. In fact I never really connected Hebrews 11 to the therefore of Hebrews 12. Recently in my reading of Hebrews I read chapter 11 and decided to continue into chapter 12 and something clicked. That great cloud of witnesses that are watching me changed from just being friends, family, and people to the great witnesses that chapter 11 had just described in great detail. Suddenly, I realized I am not just running this race in front of those who are watching for enjoyment or because they know me. I am running this race in front of experienced, seasoned martyrs who know the cost, paid the cost, and now watch me run. They have passed the baton and it is my turn.
These are those who God is not afraid to be called their God, who the world were not worthy of and so now my race has a heavier burden to carry as I continue what they have begun. So who are these witnesses? Are they just people from long ago who have nothing to do with life now? Is the way they lived their lives irrelevant to us because it was a different time and culture? Should we really even stop to look at what they did? I believe we should. Primarily, because it is in scripture and scripture tells us that all scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. (2 Tim 3:16) Also, because we can learn great truth from others lives and walks with God. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. I believe that we can learn from their lives. God was pleased with these and I want Him to be pleased with me. Let’s examine those listed in Hebrews 11, others in scripture, and others throughout history, and even modern day to see what we can learn. First there are the men of old found in Hebrews 11. This passage talks about men of old. It starts with Abel and him offering a better sacrifice than Cain and he still speaks though dead by his faith. (Gen 4) Then it talks about Enoch who never saw death because he was pleasing to God. (Gen 5:22-24) There is Noah who built an ark amid ridicule and mocking by faith in a God he revered. (Gen 6-7) Abraham comes next because he left his country and followed God not knowing where he was going. He lived as an alien in the land of promise. Offered up his only son, the promise, and hope of God to him. (Gen 11-26) Sarah was able to have a baby pass the time of child bearing considering Him faithful who had promised. (Gen 18) Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (Gen 27) Jacob blesses the sons of Joseph and worshipped. (Gen 47-48) Joseph prophesied about the exodus and gave orders concerning his bones. (Gen 50) Moses had faithful parents who hid him, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter and to endure ill-treatment, left Egypt, kept the Passover, led the people through the Red Sea. (Exodus 2-14) Joshua led the children of Israel around Jericho for seven days. (Joshua 6) Rahab welcomed the spies in peace. (Joshua 2) Then there are the others like Gideon (Jdg 6-8), Barak (Jdg 4-5), Samson (Jdg 13-16), Jephthah (Jdg 11-12) , David (1 Sam, others), Samuel (1 & 2 Sam), the prophets.
There are other examples in the Bible that we can look at that set examples for us to follow. Mary (Jesus mom) agreed to will of God knowing the persecution she would endure. (Luke 1) Joseph chose to obey and follow the hard road and take Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1) John the Baptist chose to live a life of dedication and sacrifice with single-hearted devotion to God, beheaded. (Gospels) Stephen proclaimed the Gospel even through being stoned to death. (Acts 7) Paul laid aside his desires and life to follow God any and everywhere He led him. Suffered beatings, persecutions, being imprisoned, being in want, and so much more. (Acts, Epistles) Soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword. Then there are the disciples. To find this information I went to Foxe's Book of Martyrs online. Simon Peter was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was. Andrew on his arrival at Edessa was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. James (Son of Zebedee) was beheaded in A.D. 44. John from Ephesus was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. Phillip suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54. Bartholomew was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters. Matthew was slain with a halberd (a weapon especially of the 15th and 16th centuries consisting typically of a battle-ax and pike mounted on a handle about six feet long) in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60. Thomas preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.1 James (Aplheus’ son) at the age of ninety-four was beaten and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club. Thaddeus/Jude was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72. Simon (The Zealot) was crucified, A.D. 74. Matthias (Replaced Judas) was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.
But some would say where are the modern day believers? There are also a multitude of modern day martyrs. William Tyndale was brought forth to the place of execution, he was tied to the stake, strangled by the hangman, and afterwards consumed with fire, at the town of Vilvorde, A.D. 1536; crying at the stake with a fervent zeal, and a loud voice, "Lord! Open the king of England's eyes." There is also a huge collection of the lives of these believers that can be found in biographies, in Fox’s Book of Martyrs, at Voice of the Martyrs, and at opendoorusa.org. At Voice of the Martyrs and in devotionals such as Extreme Devotion you can find current day martyrs.
Hebrews 11-12
Athletes are aware of those who are watching how they perform. Usually it is family, friends, coaches, and just what they would call normal people. Though a good athlete will always want to do their best, these people watching do not usually produce a higher level of anxiety or pressure. However, when it is a game where there are scouts watching or high-ranking players watching the stakes are suddenly higher and more pressure is felt. This pressure occurs because now that player knows that those who know the sport and the details of every play are watching. The observers know what it takes to make the plays and they know what didn’t happen when a mistake is made. They are not just playing in front of those who just enjoy watching the sport or have come to cheer on their friend or family member. They are playing in front of experienced, seasoned experts. Experts who could not be fooled and whom excuses would not be accepted.
I have read Hebrews many times. I have heard Hebrews 11 preached and I have heard Hebrews 12 preached. However, I have never heard Hebrews 11 and 12 preached together or connected. In fact I never really connected Hebrews 11 to the therefore of Hebrews 12. Recently in my reading of Hebrews I read chapter 11 and decided to continue into chapter 12 and something clicked. That great cloud of witnesses that are watching me changed from just being friends, family, and people to the great witnesses that chapter 11 had just described in great detail. Suddenly, I realized I am not just running this race in front of those who are watching for enjoyment or because they know me. I am running this race in front of experienced, seasoned martyrs who know the cost, paid the cost, and now watch me run. They have passed the baton and it is my turn.
These are those who God is not afraid to be called their God, who the world were not worthy of and so now my race has a heavier burden to carry as I continue what they have begun. So who are these witnesses? Are they just people from long ago who have nothing to do with life now? Is the way they lived their lives irrelevant to us because it was a different time and culture? Should we really even stop to look at what they did? I believe we should. Primarily, because it is in scripture and scripture tells us that all scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. (2 Tim 3:16) Also, because we can learn great truth from others lives and walks with God. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. I believe that we can learn from their lives. God was pleased with these and I want Him to be pleased with me. Let’s examine those listed in Hebrews 11, others in scripture, and others throughout history, and even modern day to see what we can learn. First there are the men of old found in Hebrews 11. This passage talks about men of old. It starts with Abel and him offering a better sacrifice than Cain and he still speaks though dead by his faith. (Gen 4) Then it talks about Enoch who never saw death because he was pleasing to God. (Gen 5:22-24) There is Noah who built an ark amid ridicule and mocking by faith in a God he revered. (Gen 6-7) Abraham comes next because he left his country and followed God not knowing where he was going. He lived as an alien in the land of promise. Offered up his only son, the promise, and hope of God to him. (Gen 11-26) Sarah was able to have a baby pass the time of child bearing considering Him faithful who had promised. (Gen 18) Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (Gen 27) Jacob blesses the sons of Joseph and worshipped. (Gen 47-48) Joseph prophesied about the exodus and gave orders concerning his bones. (Gen 50) Moses had faithful parents who hid him, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter and to endure ill-treatment, left Egypt, kept the Passover, led the people through the Red Sea. (Exodus 2-14) Joshua led the children of Israel around Jericho for seven days. (Joshua 6) Rahab welcomed the spies in peace. (Joshua 2) Then there are the others like Gideon (Jdg 6-8), Barak (Jdg 4-5), Samson (Jdg 13-16), Jephthah (Jdg 11-12) , David (1 Sam, others), Samuel (1 & 2 Sam), the prophets.
There are other examples in the Bible that we can look at that set examples for us to follow. Mary (Jesus mom) agreed to will of God knowing the persecution she would endure. (Luke 1) Joseph chose to obey and follow the hard road and take Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1) John the Baptist chose to live a life of dedication and sacrifice with single-hearted devotion to God, beheaded. (Gospels) Stephen proclaimed the Gospel even through being stoned to death. (Acts 7) Paul laid aside his desires and life to follow God any and everywhere He led him. Suffered beatings, persecutions, being imprisoned, being in want, and so much more. (Acts, Epistles) Soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword. Then there are the disciples. To find this information I went to Foxe's Book of Martyrs online. Simon Peter was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was. Andrew on his arrival at Edessa was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. James (Son of Zebedee) was beheaded in A.D. 44. John from Ephesus was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. Phillip suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54. Bartholomew was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters. Matthew was slain with a halberd (a weapon especially of the 15th and 16th centuries consisting typically of a battle-ax and pike mounted on a handle about six feet long) in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60. Thomas preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.1 James (Aplheus’ son) at the age of ninety-four was beaten and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club. Thaddeus/Jude was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72. Simon (The Zealot) was crucified, A.D. 74. Matthias (Replaced Judas) was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.
But some would say where are the modern day believers? There are also a multitude of modern day martyrs. William Tyndale was brought forth to the place of execution, he was tied to the stake, strangled by the hangman, and afterwards consumed with fire, at the town of Vilvorde, A.D. 1536; crying at the stake with a fervent zeal, and a loud voice, "Lord! Open the king of England's eyes." There is also a huge collection of the lives of these believers that can be found in biographies, in Fox’s Book of Martyrs, at Voice of the Martyrs, and at opendoorusa.org. At Voice of the Martyrs and in devotionals such as Extreme Devotion you can find current day martyrs.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)