1. The Great Cloud of Witnesses: Hebrews 12:1-3 V. 1. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed abut with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

2. Hebrews 12:2-3 V. 2. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. V. 3. “For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

3. Background Information: Book of Hebrews written to Hebrew saints around A.D. 63. Two major reasons for this book: –Prevent apostasy due to false doctrine, Heb. 1:1-2,4-14; 3:3; 7:12; 8:13. –Prevent apostasy due to discouragement. Question: Have you ever gotten discouraged in your efforts to serve God?

4. Consider the Text: “Compassed…with so great a cloud of witnesses..” –“Cloud,” a “great mass of cloud covering the outer visible space of the heavens.” –Of Witnesses, one who testifies, or can testify, to what he has seen and heard. Used in legal sense. “Let us lay aside..” –“Every weight.” –“And the sin which so easily besets us.” “Let us run with patience”

5. The Christian’s Life is Likened to a Race To successfully run this race, one must: –Enter the race. –Run the appointed course. –Run in the right direction. –Finish the race. Cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8; I Corinthians 9:24.

6. More about Races: By their very nature, races are not easy. –Consequently, many start, but never finish. –Many, as Christians have entered and then dropped out. “The shores of time are strewn with the wreckage of those who started out to live the Christian life, but failed.” Invariably, it seems, when someone drops out of the race, he begins to offer excuses!

7. Excuse: “I would be Faithful, but my Family opposes me.” Note Abel, Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:3-5 –Abel offered “by faith,” cf. Rom. 10:17. –Cain followed reason and ignored divine revelation. Note Joseph, Hebrews 11:22. –Genesis 37:3-4,28. –From a 17 year old boy (Gen. 37:2) to a 39 year old man (Gen. 41:46; 45:6) when he sent for his father.

8. Excuse: “I Would Be Faithful, but there is too much work” Consider Noah, Heb. 11:7; Genesis 6:14; he built an ark to prepare for flood –Even though his tools were primitive. –No precedent for this sort of thing. –A long time involved. Cf. Genesis 6:3. –Had to preach during this time, 2 Peter 2:5. –He was doubtlessly subjected to much ridicule.

9. Excuse: “I would be Faithful, But it is too difficult” Consider Abraham, Heb. 11:8; Gen. 12:1; Heb. 11:17; Genesis 22. His was a growing faith. Cf. chap. 12,22 Abraham left his home land, never to return. He offered Isaac, the son of Promise, Genesis 22.

10. Excuse: “I would be Faithful, but the cost is too great” There is a cost involved! Luke 14:28-33. Consider Moses, Heb. 11:24-27. He gave up: –Honor, v. 24. –Power, v. 24. –The pleasures of sin, v. 25 –Earthly riches, v. 26. Moses Accepted: –A life of sacrifice, suffering, service, criticism.

11. Excuse: “I would Be Faithful, but it involves Persecution.” Persecution is involved in living the life of a Christian! 2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:20. But consider that list of unnamed witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 11:36-38! –“Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings; yea..of bonds and imprisonments. They were stoned..sawn asunder, were tempted, slain with the sword, wandered about in sheep skins and goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented..wandered in deserts, mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”

12. How to Avoid Getting Discouraged: By Looking Back – to that “great cloud of witnesses.” By Looking up to Jesus, Hebrews 12:2. Keeping things in perspective, 12:4 Consider the benefits of chastening: –For our profit, Heb. 12:9-10. –That we might be partakers of His holiness –Consider its fruit, Heb. 12:11.

13. Conclusion: “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed,” Heb. 12:12-13. “Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear,” Hebrews 12:28.