Morning Message: A Great Cloud

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "A Great Cloud"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

To the Hebrews that the writer addresses in this Epistle, Chapter 11 serves as a reminder of their history, and to God’s faithfulness to them, through each individual listed in the text. And today in Chapter 12, those Heroes of Faith have become a great cloud of witnesses. Each of the names listed in the last chapter are familiar to every Jew, their stories fill the Old Testament, indeed their stories are the Old Testament: the battles, the successes, the failures, the victories and the defeats. And still, God has exhibited a faithful, gentle leading to the Promised Land that they inhabit today.

Their history has become the cloud of witnesses mentioned in the opening verses of Chapter 12. But interestingly, God has used His Chosen People as examples of unfaithfulness, when compared to His faithfulness. It makes for an interesting understanding of God’s relationship to what He calls a “stiff-necked” people. Their lives have brought us the Redeemer of every race, and creed! God’s purpose will always prevail!

Yes, they were Chosen to bring the promised redeemer into the world, but other than that, they are representative of every other race on the planet. God’s grace and mercy are evident throughout their history, and His plans for them dictate His continued faithfulness as they rule over His Holy City on Earth. And like every race, every religion, there are those who are committed to their people and to their faith, and those that identify as followers but lack the depth of commitment.

They are not alone, for the New Testament introduces us to a second great cloud of witnesses, as the Apostles took the Gospel to the ends of the known world, and still others have taken it to the four corners of the Earth today.

In Ephesians 4:11, Paul writes to that church, “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” God’s work among mankind is not finished yet, so in every generation, man will continue to hear the voices pointing us back to God, and to His Son, Jesus Christ. 

“But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth." - Acts 1: 8

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Hebrews 12:1-17 - "A Great Cloud"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

This morning, we will take a look at the first 17 verses of chapter 12 of the book of Hebrews.

This is a powerful exhortation for believers to persevere in their faith journey, drawing inspiration from the witnesses of the past, shedding hindrances, running with endurance, and fixing their eyes on Jesus.

This cloud of witnesses, the author of Hebrews illustrates so eloquently in chapter 11 expounding on the Heroes of Faith and then ends the chapter by telling us that the forefathers had faith to guide and direct them, but God had something better planned. He begins chapter 12 with a reference to these faithful men and women who paved the way for us. What the Old Testament believers looked forward to in faith—the Messiah—we look back to, having seen the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning His first coming.

This passage encapsulates the essence of the Christian life as a race that requires steadfast commitment, discipline, and unwavering trust in God’s providence and promises. Believers equip themselves to navigate the challenges of life with faith and endurance by internalizing these timeless truths, keeping their eyes fixed on the author and perfecter of their faith, Jesus Christ.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Wherefore (12:1) - A transitional word offering an emphatic conclusion to the section which began in Hebrews 10:19.

Witnesses (12:1) - The deceased people of chapter 11 give witness to the value and blessing of living by faith.  Motivation for running "the race" is not in the possibility of receiving praise from "observing" heavenly saints.  Rather, the runner is inspired by the godly examples those saints set during their lives.  The great crowd is not comprised of spectators but rather is made up of ones whose past life of faith encourages others to live that way. 

Let Us (12:1) - Reference to those Hebrews who had made a profession of Christ, but had not gone all the way to full faith.  They had not yet begun the race, which starts with salvation.  The writer has invited them to accept salvation in Christ and join the race.

Every Weight (12:1) - This refers to the main encumbrance weighting down the Hebrews which is the Levitical system with its stifling legalism.  The athlete would strip away every piece of unnecessary clothing before competing in the race.  the outward things emphasized by the Levitical system not only impede; they also "ensnare."

Sin (12:1) - In this context, this focuses first on the particular sin of unbelief - refusing to turn away from the Levitical sacrifices to the perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ (John 16:8-11), as well as other sins cherished by the unbeliever.

Patience (12:1) - Endurance, the steady determination to keep going, regardless of the temptation to slow down or give up (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24, 25).

Race (12:1) - The athletic metaphor presents the faith-filled life as a demanding, grueling effort.  the English word agony is derived from the Greek word used here.

Looking (12:2) - They were to fix their eyes on Jesus as the object of faith and salvation.

Author (12:2) - The originator, or preeminent example.

Finisher (12:2) - The term is literally "perfecter," having the idea of carrying through to perfect completion (cf. John 19:30).

The Joy (12:2) - Jesus persevered so that He might receive the joy of accomplishment of the Father's will and exaltation (Psalm 16:9-11; Luke 10:21-24).

Consider Him (12:3) - Jesus is the supreme example of willingness to suffer in obedience to God.  He faced hostility and endured even the cruel cross.  The same opposition is faced by all who follow Him (Acts 28:22; Galatians 6:17; Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 3:12).

Wearied and Faint (12:3) - Discouragement. Believers' pressures, exhaustion, and persecutions (cf. Galatians 6:9) are as nothing compared to Christ's.

Resisted Unto Blood (12:4) - Bloodshed. None of the Hebrews had experienced such intense exhaustion or persecution that it brought them to death or martyrdom.  Since Stephen (Acts 7:60), James (Acts 12:1), and others (Acts 9:1; 22:4; 26:10) had faced martyrdom in Jerusalem, it would appear to rule out that city as the residence of this epistle's recipients.

Scourgeth (12:6) - Flogging with a whip, a severe and painful form of beating that was common Jewish practice (cf. Matthew 19:17; 23:34).

Sons (12:7, 8) - Because all people are imperfect and need discipline and training, all true children of God are chastened at one time or another, in one way or another.

Bastards (12:8) - Illegitimate. The word is found only here in the New Testament, but is used elsewhere in Greek literature of those born to slaves or concubines.  There could be in this an implied reference to Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 16), Abraham's concubine and illegitimate son.

Subjection (12:9) - Respect for God equals submission to His will and law, and those who willingly receive the Lord's chastening will have a richer, more abundant life (cf. Psalm 119:165).  

Father of Spirits (12:9) - Probably best translated as "Father of our spirits," it is in contrast to "human fathers."

Our Profit (12:10) - Imperfect human fathers discipline imperfectly; but God is perfect and therefore, His discipline is perfect and always for the spiritual good of His children.

Exercised (12:11) - Meaning "trained."

Follow peace . . . Holiness (12:14) - Pursue it. Drawing near to God with full faith and a cleansed conscience, and a genuine acceptance of Christ as the Savior and sacrifice for sin, bringing the sinner into fellowship with God.  Unbelievers will not be drawn to accept Christ if believers' lives do not demonstrate the qualities God desires, including peace and holiness (cf. John 13:35; 1 Timothy 4:3; 5:23; 1 Peter 1:16).

Looking Diligently (12:15) - Looking Carefully. Believers are to watch their own lives in order to give a testimony of peace and holiness, as well as to look out for and help those in their midst who are in need of salvation.

Fail of the Grace of God (12:15) - Fall short, miss the mark. This means to come too late and be left out.  Here is another mention of the intellectually convinced Jews in that assembly who knew the gospel and were enamored with Christ, but still stood on the edge of apostasy.

Root of Bitterness (12:15) - This is the attitude of apostates within the church who are corruptive influences.

Fornicator (12:16) - The sexually immoral in general.  Apostasy is often closely linked with immorality (cf. 2 Peter 2:10, 14, 18; Jude 8, 16, 18).