Transcript [00:12] First want to start that the message [00:15] Our message today is part of [00:17] one of two parts. Today is first part [00:19] and next week will be in part number [00:21] two. [00:22] And in both parts we will focus on [00:25] Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 to 3. But [00:28] before we will begin [00:30] let's open with a prayer. [00:33] Heavenly Father, again we pray that this [00:36] time [00:38] will be a time that you use, that you [00:40] speak to our hearts. [00:42] Each and every one of us what whatever [00:44] we need to hear. Please [00:46] help us [00:48] to be focused and hear your [00:50] voice in Jesus' name. [00:53] Amen. [00:57] So we're going to spend two messages in [01:00] the book of Hebrews. [01:02] And what we'll do is we will focus on [01:04] three verses that many of us are [01:06] familiar with. [01:08] We love to read the scriptures. [01:11] But in order to understand the [01:12] background [01:14] we'll just have a general background of [01:16] this book [01:18] of this epistle. [01:20] And we'll read the end of chapter 11. [01:22] It's a famous chapter speaking about the [01:25] heroes of the faith. And then we think [01:27] about [01:28] about the verses in verses [01:31] in the 12th chapter from two [01:34] aspects. The cloud of witnesses that [01:38] surrounds us [01:39] and as we look at Jesus, at Yeshua. This [01:43] is the next time. Talking about the race [01:45] of the believer, how we can deal with [01:47] this race and continue running [01:50] the race. [01:51] So let's take a short [01:53] very short [01:55] background of the book of Hebrews. It's [01:57] a book quite long. [02:00] With a lot of quotes from the scripture, [02:02] from the Old Testament, and there's a [02:04] reason for this. And we we're not sure [02:06] who wrote this this letter. There are [02:08] all kind of speculations, but we don't [02:10] know for sure who wrote it. [02:13] But it was written probably [02:16] to Jews who came to faith. [02:18] To believe who believed in Jesus. [02:21] With all what it means and we here and [02:23] we can relate to it in this country. [02:26] And that's why there are many quotes [02:28] from the Old Testament. [02:31] Many [02:32] analysis and comparison. [02:36] And we know that these believers, the [02:38] Jewish believers, suffered. Suffered a [02:40] lot of persecution because they received [02:42] the faith, because of their faith. [02:46] And one of the things that we see in [02:47] chapter 10 [02:50] from verses 32 [02:52] 24 to 30 and there's a lot of trouble [02:54] and suffering. [02:59] Remember the former days. [03:03] When we stood in the hardships and [03:04] difficulties. [03:06] Many times you suffered. [03:10] You suffered hardships. [03:14] Your heart went out to the prisoners and [03:18] you sac- you you suffered with them in [03:20] his joy out of the knowledge that you [03:22] have [03:23] good heritage [03:26] in heaven. And in the first days [03:29] they stood in a difficult struggles and [03:31] hardships. [03:33] They were taking their their [03:34] possessions. [03:36] But they suffered that even joyfully, it [03:38] says. [03:40] And a lot of this [03:42] uh epistle was written to encourage. [03:45] That was its aim. [03:47] And the writer [03:49] uses a few tools in order to achieve [03:51] this. [03:52] It says, "What you believe the the [03:55] the New Testament is something greater. [03:57] The New Testament [03:59] and Jesus is greater, is a higher, is [04:01] more perfect perfected." [04:04] Talking about the high priest, about [04:07] sacrifices in the temple. And if if you [04:09] read it, [04:10] of course, we cannot do it. [04:12] But you see this comparison all the [04:14] time. [04:15] What you believed in the past [04:17] is higher, is great. [04:20] It's not the shadow, but the but the [04:22] things itself. Another way that he is [04:24] encouraging is by exhortation. He [04:27] actually says [04:28] in harsh words, "You're still babies in [04:31] the faith. You were supposed to be more [04:33] mature, but you're still babies." [04:36] Chapter 5. [04:39] And also warns them [04:41] of the consequences of sin, [04:44] of not following Christ. [04:47] And [04:48] area that we'll focus on is the [04:50] encouragement. He's encouraging time [04:52] after time and tells them, "Continue [04:55] this race. Continue. Complete the race." [04:58] And I had to choose a few examples. [05:00] So, just for example, in chapter 2, [05:02] verses 17 18. Therefore, he had to be [05:05] made like his brothers in every respect, [05:09] so that he might become a merciful and [05:11] faithful high priest in the service of [05:13] God to make propitiation for the sins of [05:16] the people. [05:18] For because he himself has suffered when [05:20] tempted, [05:21] he is able to help those who are being [05:23] tempted." [05:25] Talking about Christ, of course, that he [05:27] went through what we are dealing with. [05:30] In chapter 4, for example, verses 15 16. [05:33] "For we do not have a high priest who is [05:35] unable to sympathize with our [05:37] weaknesses, but one who is every respect [05:40] has been tempted as we are, [05:42] yet without sin. Let us then with [05:45] confidence draw near to the throne of [05:47] grace that we may receive mercy and find [05:50] grace to help in a time of need. Many [05:54] examples like this of encouragement. [05:57] It's encouraging. Continue on. [06:00] Come to Jesus. He knows you. He knows [06:02] what you're dealing what you're going [06:03] through. He also was [06:06] but he did not see. He also went through [06:07] this but did not see. And with this very [06:09] short introduction we [06:12] get to chapter 11 and the reason will be [06:15] chapter 11 [06:17] is because chapter 12 [06:19] comes right after this portion, right? [06:22] So, there is a very strong relation. [06:26] So, if you know chapter 11, it's a long [06:28] chapter about the heroes of the faith. [06:31] A long list of of people heroes in the [06:34] Bible things they did. [06:36] Their faith, how it worked out in their [06:38] life. [06:40] And what [06:41] comes and repeats itself [06:43] >> [snorts] [06:43] >> is this question. What characterizes [06:46] them? [06:47] What characterizes these [06:49] people? And it says it says like the [06:52] words of out of faith through faith, by [06:54] faith, holding the faith. [06:58] Their faith their faith is repeated [07:00] again and again. Their faith. [07:03] And there's another question we'll [07:06] And the question is is this the list we [07:08] would come up with? [07:10] When we read the list, the people there [07:12] we kind of say hold hold on. They're not [07:15] perfect. They were [07:16] they were far from being perfect and [07:18] we'll we'll mention this. [07:20] Some of the names of course [07:22] you know the chapter Abraham, Sarah, [07:25] Isaac, Moses, Gideon, Barack, Samson. [07:28] These are people flesh and blood like [07:30] us. [07:33] Sometimes they lived a extraordinary [07:35] life we would say wow, but sometimes [07:37] they what? How could they do such a [07:39] terrible thing? How did they act in such [07:42] a bad way? [07:44] But Despite all of that, the good and [07:46] bad of their life, [07:48] they're in that list because one reason. [07:53] By the faith, through the faith. [07:55] Because of the faith, their faith pushed [07:58] them forward. [08:00] And the [08:01] beginning of the [08:03] beginning of the chapter, there's this [08:04] definition [08:06] of what it is faith. Faith is the [08:09] assurance [08:11] of things hoped for, the conviction of [08:13] things not seen. [08:17] Meaning that these people, despite [08:19] everything that they failed, [08:21] that they didn't obey, that they were [08:23] not faithful, [08:24] they believed that God can, [08:27] wants, and will [08:29] fulfill [08:31] his promise. That's what characterizes [08:33] it. [08:35] When I prepare When I prepare the [08:37] message, I have a commentaries, and [08:40] sometimes I I read the commentaries [08:41] about verses. [08:43] And about this verse it says in the ESV [08:45] Study Bible, it says, [08:48] "It's not about the vague or unclear [08:50] faith that's based on imaginary [08:54] thoughts or wishful thinking, but [08:57] assurance, established assurance, [08:59] something that in the future [09:01] which is promised through by the Lord, [09:04] which is not seen yet, [09:06] because God will fulfill it. [09:09] And the biblical faith is the assurance [09:11] in in our eternal God [09:13] that he can do all things and is [09:16] infinitely wise." [09:22] Let us take a few moments [09:24] to read the end of chapter [09:27] 11, and look how this chapter after he's [09:30] talking about the heroes [09:32] of the faith, look how it concludes the [09:34] chapter [09:35] 11, the book of Hebrews. [09:39] And what more shall I say? [09:41] For time would fail me to tell of [09:42] Gideon, Barak, Samson, [09:44] Jephtah, David, and Samuel, and the [09:47] prophets who through faith conquered [09:49] kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained [09:52] promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [09:55] quenched the power of fires, escaped the [09:57] edge of the sword, [09:59] were made strong out of weakness, became [10:01] mighty in war, put foreign armies to [10:03] fight to flight. Women received back [10:06] their dead of by resurrection. Some were [10:08] tortured, refusing to accept release, [10:11] so that they might raise again in a [10:13] better life. [10:14] Others suffered mocking and flogging, [10:18] and even chains and imprisonment. They [10:20] were stoned, they were sawn in two. [10:22] They were killed with sword. [10:24] They went about in skins, sheep, and [10:26] goats, [10:28] destitute, afflicted, mistreated, of [10:30] whom the world was not worthy, wandering [10:33] about the deserts and mountains and in [10:35] the dens of caves of the earth. All [10:38] And all of these through [10:40] commended through their faith did not [10:42] receive [10:43] what was promised since God had provided [10:46] something better for us. [10:48] That apart from us, they should not be [10:50] made perfect. [10:52] That by the faith, verse 33. [10:55] Look at what what kind of things did [10:57] they What amazing [10:58] They conquered kingdoms, walked [11:01] justed, [11:02] shut the mouths of lions. [11:04] What miracles they did. [11:07] But we also know how they were [11:10] imperfect. [11:12] They're people of faith. They understand [11:14] that what they do [11:15] is not in their own strength, but by the [11:17] power of God. [11:19] And this is what we'll talk about. [11:22] Their strong faith did not just carry [11:26] them through, [11:27] but also caused them trouble. [11:31] We talked about these people. [11:34] They were mocked. [11:36] They were stoned. [11:38] Even so [11:40] the suffering that they [11:42] willing to go through. [11:44] A lot of suffering. [11:47] Very difficult. But what character as [11:49] they they didn't give up. [11:52] And continued continued believing. [11:57] And now we're coming straight to the [11:58] verses we following from chapter 12. [12:04] And we'll talk about this cloud of [12:06] witnesses. [12:08] And this is who they are. This that's [12:10] them. [12:12] So let's read verse [12:14] chapter 12 1 to 3. [12:16] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so [12:19] great a cloud of witnesses, let us also [12:21] lay aside every weight and sin which [12:24] clings to closely so closely. And let us [12:27] run the endurance and the the race that [12:30] is set before us, looking to Jesus, the [12:32] founder and perfecter of our faith. [12:35] For the joy that was set before him, he [12:37] endured the cross, despising the shame. [12:41] And he is seated at the right hand of [12:43] the throne of God. [12:49] Consider him who endured from sinners [12:51] such hostility again, so that you may [12:53] not grow weary [12:56] and fainthearted. [12:58] We wrote read about this this race said [13:01] continue to run the race. [13:04] Continue to run the race. [13:08] You're welcome to read continuing of [13:10] this chapter. It talks about suffering. [13:13] In here it gives also a an example of a [13:16] father who [13:18] disciplines his children. [13:22] He wants to leave them a fruit of [13:24] righteousness. [13:25] This is what kind of uh [13:29] and falls everything. [13:30] So, the context is believers who [13:33] suffered [13:34] and they needed encouragement. Believers [13:36] that the race of their life became [13:39] difficult, maybe for some of them too [13:41] difficult. Maybe they thought about [13:43] giving up. [13:44] They didn't have the strength to carry [13:46] on. [13:51] And these verses are written to [13:53] encourage us, but also to warn us. [13:56] If you have seen, if you have burdens on [13:59] you [14:00] that are preventing you from prevailing, [14:02] from running the race, [14:03] get rid of them. [14:07] And you look at the about this uh [14:09] picture. [14:10] Philip talked about the race, remember [14:12] about running. [14:14] And if you're in a race, [14:21] it's not somebody who runs where [14:22] everything is light, but he has burdens. [14:24] He has bags on his back. He's carrying [14:27] something that is not supposed to carry. [14:30] There are sins, something that hurt him [14:34] that's preventing me is not running [14:36] properly or in a very fast way. [14:39] There are two things that are hindering [14:41] him. [14:44] But unlike these two things, he has also [14:46] two amazing tools [14:48] how to be encouraged, how to continue to [14:50] run. [14:52] This cloud of witnesses that we'll talk [14:54] about [14:56] and beyond and we'll talk about this uh [14:58] next week, the perfect example of the [15:00] Lord Jesus himself. [15:02] The one who suffered [15:04] and did not sin. [15:06] The one who was tempted, but did not [15:08] sin. [15:09] The one who was the perfect example. [15:15] So, how this cloud of witnesses [15:17] encourages we were running our race. [15:20] We have burdens on us. We have sin in [15:22] our life. [15:23] Things that hinder us from running [15:25] properly or easily. [15:27] Maybe others people's sin who influence [15:30] us. [15:31] Why all these examples are here, these [15:33] people? [15:34] Why are there so many stories in [15:36] scripture? Sometimes I ask, there's so [15:38] many examples, so many stories. [15:41] Good stories. [15:43] And some of the story are really bad. [15:46] And I'm sure one of the objectives is [15:48] that we can learn from this. Learn from [15:51] history. [15:53] Learn from these people. [15:56] And when we run [16:02] and things go okay [16:04] maybe it's quite smooth. [16:09] In either case, one of the ways to [16:11] endure, to continue [16:13] is to think about what happened, those [16:15] who ran before you. It can help you. [16:20] To either rise up again if you fall, we [16:22] all fall. [16:23] Or to continue on [16:25] to the good [16:26] place. [16:28] And we look at these two aspects uh [16:32] It's about this cloud of witnesses, as a [16:35] people flesh and blood like us. [16:40] And what what can what can we learn from [16:43] ordinary people actually? [16:47] So, they are flesh and blood. [16:50] And sometimes you can read the verses [16:52] and say [16:54] You have the picture now right in the in [16:56] the Catholic uh [16:58] you see the saints with a big uh [17:01] the lights around their head. [17:03] They pray to. [17:05] And there's like this awe, like they're [17:07] they're righteous, they're so holy, and [17:09] they're so you can they're kind of above [17:11] us, right? Way above us. [17:14] They are superheroes. [17:17] But we know [17:18] that there people who live on this earth [17:21] even here, right? Eliot [17:23] in the neighborhood [17:25] with the challenges, with tensions, [17:27] there were family issues. [17:29] And it's interesting [17:31] you know the [17:32] the story of Samson talking about [17:35] a whole chapter how the angel appeared [17:38] to his parents and talking with his [17:40] parents explaining what's going to be [17:42] with Samson. And after explain [17:45] the parents are sacrificing an offering [17:50] and the angel of God [17:52] uh goes up with the [17:54] Oh, now it's the now it's the angel it [17:56] was the angel of the Lord. [18:00] Now I understand. But he says, "Hold on. [18:04] The angel [18:06] the angel is coming to kill us." But his [18:08] wife is calming down says, "No, don't [18:10] worry. He's not He didn't come to kill [18:12] us." [18:13] This kind of impulsive or kind of taking [18:16] decisions [18:17] fast or [18:19] but did it influence him? [18:21] It come from It comes from parents, from [18:24] certain family. [18:26] There were political issues [18:28] especially in the judges time. [18:31] Uh Philistines, Ammonites, Midianites, [18:34] there were wars going on. [18:36] And we can identify with that this, [18:38] right? In the last years [18:40] there were economical [18:42] there were droughts [18:44] there's no food. [18:47] And the story of their life [18:50] shows us that ordinary people can be [18:54] can work in amazing ways, in extra- [18:56] extraordinary ways. [18:58] And how? [19:00] When their faith is not in themselves. [19:03] When their faith is established in God. [19:06] That God can act, God can do. He is all [19:09] the almighty. [19:10] And after mention that in our home group [19:12] we talked about Amos Amos [19:15] >> [sighs] [19:15] >> When he says me [19:17] I was with my flock. I was doing my [19:20] daily ordinary work but God called me [19:22] and told me go be a prophet. [19:25] He was kind of a [19:27] taking a farmer or something but God [19:29] acts wonders. He went and talked with [19:33] kings [19:34] leaders told them very harsh words [19:37] but with God's power. Our ordinary [19:40] person a simple person [19:42] that acted [19:43] miraculously. We come from different [19:45] backgrounds, families and it influences [19:47] us of course. [19:49] We're put in different pressures and [19:52] tensions. [19:53] We fall into sin. We carry burdens. [19:57] And we talk about this cloud of [19:59] witnesses these people we see flesh and [20:02] blood and say if they could do it, what [20:04] can God act through me? [20:07] I'm an ordinary person [20:09] but they were also ordinary regular [20:11] people that God [20:12] worked through. [20:15] We are we feel like broken to [20:18] brass broken tools were fragile. [20:22] It could look very nice but if it falls [20:25] down it breaks to pieces but God can act [20:28] miracles. [20:31] And we also learn [20:33] not just the positive side of their [20:36] life, right? The sins they did. [20:40] But despite their mistakes, God chose to [20:44] act through their life. Despite their [20:45] mistakes, God forgave them. [20:48] Despite their mistakes, they knew [20:50] that if they turn back to God they will [20:53] receive forgiveness. [20:56] And we found our find ourselves [20:58] thousands of years later in the same [21:01] situation. We're sinful, weak [21:04] that want to believe [21:06] and continue the [21:08] And here's this question. [21:11] This cloud of witnesses, this all [21:14] all always with us. [21:17] Do we Are we studying anything from [21:18] them? Are we [21:20] encouraged from such people? [21:22] Are we also characterized [21:25] through or by faith? [21:29] And I know that the word of God invites [21:31] us. [21:33] It says, "Come, read my word. Study [21:36] these [21:38] stories. [21:39] Learn what they did, where they fell [21:41] short, where they succeeded." [21:44] This can encourage us. [21:46] And when we think about it, all these [21:47] people that were this cloud of [21:49] witnesses, they were in the race, right? [21:51] They ran up [21:53] They did their running. [21:56] Now it's our turn. [21:58] And if you had opportunity to run, it's [22:00] so encouraging to have someone next to [22:02] you. It says, "Go on. Come on. [22:05] Another just another a little bit. [22:07] Give another last push." [22:09] How encouraging it is it? [22:13] The mental push they give you, it's not [22:15] physical, right? They don't push you. [22:17] It could be kind of damaging, you know. [22:20] But this mental encouragement is [22:22] is what this cloud of witnesses [22:26] When we fall, I I remember that God [22:28] forgave Abraham. [22:30] And to even to Jacob. I remember that he [22:32] forgave David. He will also forgive me. [22:35] It's encouraging us [22:36] that flesh and blood people [22:38] could act wonders. [22:40] The second thing [22:43] The second point that we can learn from [22:45] those who ran before us. [22:55] We talked about many generations ran [22:58] before us. [23:01] They are building up his cloud of [23:03] witnesses. [23:04] Am I the only one dealing with [23:06] something? [23:08] Am I the only one who has questions or [23:10] doubts [23:12] about God? [23:14] About his word? [23:16] Am I the only one who has difficult [23:18] question about suffering? [23:20] Questions about why why things happen? [23:24] Am I the only one who has question about [23:26] my future? [23:28] What am I supposed to do? God, give me a [23:30] sign, a clear sign. [23:34] I have a will to find my life partner, [23:37] my wife I want to marry. [23:40] Questions that we we always deal with. [23:43] We can have a whole list of of [23:46] very long list of questions. [23:50] And we have [23:51] we had to choose just a few examples, [23:53] right? [23:55] What did David do when he fell in sin? [23:58] It's not only s- [24:00] fell in sin, but Nathan, the prophet, [24:02] came [24:03] came and confronted him and said, "You [24:05] sinned terribly. [24:06] You s- sinned in a [24:09] David, did he deny it? You're lying. Get [24:11] out Get out of my face." He could have [24:14] killed him, right? As a king. [24:15] No. [24:17] He said, "You're right. [24:19] You're right, Nathan." He confessed his [24:21] sin. [24:22] He believed [24:24] believed that God can forgive him. [24:28] Is there anything we can learn from [24:29] this? Of course. What did Joseph do when [24:32] he was tempted sexually? [24:35] The wife of Potiphar said, "Come, sleep [24:37] with me." [24:40] Greatest sexual temptation. What did he [24:42] do? [24:44] He fled. [24:45] He ran away. [24:47] Fast as he could. [24:48] "How can I do such a terrible sin?" he [24:50] said. [24:52] Simply ran away. [24:54] Is there something we can learn from [24:55] this? What did Abraham do when out of [24:58] the blue, in the middle of his life, God [25:00] tells him [25:02] "Rise and go." [25:03] What do you mean? Leave my house? Leave [25:05] everything I have? All my flock, [25:07] everything? [25:08] God, you'll tell me calling me to [25:10] something. What am I supposed to do? [25:12] He acted in faith. He came rose and [25:16] went. He went to a place he didn't know. [25:18] He didn't know where, but he knew God [25:21] calls him. [25:22] And there's another side of this coin, [25:24] right? [25:26] What did Abraham tell about his wife [25:28] Sarah? Ah, she's my sister, remember? [25:31] You can take her as a wife if you want [25:32] to. You know how much this lie [25:36] brought about trouble. [25:39] Almost wars, we could say. [25:43] What kind of damage Jacob preferred his [25:46] Joseph and said, "You're my preferable." [25:49] What a beautiful [25:51] stripe a robe I did What did he do to [25:54] his family? [25:55] He caused jealousy, bitterness, and in [25:58] the end, the brothers [26:00] sold his brother sold Joseph to slavery. [26:05] Years of of suffering in the suffering. [26:08] You can you continue and go on on many [26:09] many [26:10] examples of this cloud of witnesses. And [26:13] this is one of the objective of these [26:16] stories [26:17] is to cause us to read it, to learn from [26:19] this. [26:21] What did he do right? What did he do [26:22] wrong? How can it influence [26:26] our lives? [26:28] We know sin is destructive destructive. [26:32] It affects all our our around [26:35] surroundings. It can break apart [26:37] relationships. It cause divisions, [26:39] right? Even death. [26:41] You know, David and Bathsheba. [26:44] But we know how much grace [26:47] how much grace has God has is willing to [26:51] forgive again and again. [26:53] And I say, "How God is not fed up [26:56] already from those people and from me?" [26:59] But he's not fed up. He has grace. [27:03] We read about these burdens, the these [27:06] loads that people are carrying that they [27:07] were not supposed to carry. [27:10] And it was the story I [27:13] He carried this bag of potatoes on his [27:16] on his back [27:17] and he walked on a way on a way. [27:19] He's carrying it and it's [27:21] hard and he's sweating. A car comes by. [27:26] "You want to ride? [27:27] I see you're carrying a a bag. You want [27:29] to ride?" He says, "Sure." He gets in [27:31] the car, sits. [27:33] But he's continued to sit with the bag [27:35] and on his shoulder. He says, [27:37] But the driver says, "Listen, what are [27:39] you doing? Put it aside, you know?" [27:41] He says, "No, no, everything is okay." [27:43] "No, no, you're carrying a burden here. [27:46] Put it in the back. [27:49] This car is [27:50] strong enough to carry you and also your [27:52] potatoes. [27:56] You don't have to continue to hold it on [27:59] when you're seated." [28:01] And it's funny, but sometimes we [28:03] scriptures tell us that you're carrying [28:05] something you're not you just let it go [28:08] to the Lord. [28:10] We talked about this race, how these [28:12] burdens [28:14] are hindering us from running and these [28:16] stories remind us [28:17] that there are things that we need to [28:19] bring in front of the Lord to release [28:21] them. [28:22] To be set free from them. [28:25] And since these verses were written, we [28:28] have many, many more [28:30] heroes of the faith, how many [28:32] generations of believers. [28:35] And one of the things that encourage me [28:38] personally [28:39] encourage me personally in this race in [28:41] my daily race [28:43] is to read [28:45] biographies of people. This is a book I [28:48] read lately, John Newton. [28:50] I don't know if you heard about him, but [28:52] this is the one who wrote the famous [28:54] song Amazing Grace. [28:57] Yeah, "Amazing Grace". Amazing Grace. [28:59] And his story is amazing. [29:02] He was a seaman, a [29:05] captain on a on a ship that traded [29:08] slaves. [29:10] He took slaves from Africa and sold them [29:12] in [29:13] held them held them captive in unhuman [29:15] conditions. He cursed God. [29:18] Many things. Didn't want anything to do [29:21] with God. He was a [29:23] very unfaithful person. And he tells his [29:25] story [29:27] his story tells the story of his life, [29:29] how [29:30] throughout his life and at some storm he [29:34] cried out to God, "God, save me." [29:37] And that's how when change came to his [29:39] life and he came to faith. [29:43] He became a very serious believer. [29:45] He became even a pastor. He wrote many [29:47] songs. He influenced many people around [29:50] him. [29:52] But one of the things that come up the [29:54] house, did he deal with his past? [29:57] What a He was a wasn't lowest point. He [30:01] was a terrible person. [30:02] How did he deal with his past? [30:05] And time and after again these kinds of [30:08] quotes come up. This is what he says [30:10] towards the end of the life. "Though my [30:12] memory is getting weak, [30:15] I remember two things. I'm a great [30:17] sinner, [30:18] but Jesus is a great savior." [30:20] He always focused the grace of God. [30:24] He said, "God, how could you take such a [30:26] terrible person like me [30:28] and did such wonderful? How did you [30:30] forgive me? It's all by grace." [30:34] It characterized his life, him leaning [30:38] on grace. There's another beautiful [30:39] quote [30:41] talking about what characterizes life [30:43] now. [30:45] The secret of Newton's life was prayer. [30:48] His prayer was full of humble [30:50] thanksgiving, confession. It kept him [30:53] close to the heart of the Lord and led [30:56] every part of his thoughts, his personal [30:59] thoughts and service. [31:01] He was a [31:02] praying servant, praying [31:05] believer. [31:06] And not long after after [31:08] Newton came back to faith, there was [31:10] another person whose name was William [31:13] Wilberforce. He was a [31:16] parliament member and he led the the [31:20] the rules, the laws for abolish [31:22] abolition of slavery and it went on for [31:24] years. [31:25] And it didn't succeed for many years, [31:27] but what encouraged him [31:29] was one of the people was John Newton. [31:32] He was a more mature than him in the [31:34] faith and he turned to him and he said, [31:36] "John, please pray for me." [31:40] There many prayers that are written. [31:42] And he says, "My prayers for you." [31:45] Newton tells to Wilberforce, [31:48] "Are mainly that the Lord will give you [31:50] wisdom, grace and power in any way to [31:54] deal with the enormous challenges and [31:57] difficulties [31:58] in your situation. Our these our prayers [32:00] to one another." [32:02] I'm so far away from there. [32:04] He also prayed this, "You live inside [32:07] challenges and difficulties. You need a [32:09] double portion of supervision prayer. [32:12] But because I know your need in help, I [32:15] know where to find your help. [32:17] I'll I'll tell you what Darius told [32:19] Daniel Daniel. [32:21] Your Lord that you're serving in all [32:22] times, he [32:23] will save you." [32:25] Time and time again when William needed [32:27] an encouragement, he tell John Newton, [32:29] "Pray for me. [32:31] Please pray for me." [32:33] Back then it was letters, right? Amazing [32:35] letters [32:37] that encouraged him [32:39] to continue [32:41] to fight the battle. [32:43] So, as we summarize, we'll read two [32:45] verses that Paul [32:47] wrote towards the end of his life [32:49] because this cloud of witnesses [32:53] are encouraging us, are pushing us, [32:54] following us. In 2 Timothy chapter 4, [32:59] we see Paul towards the end of his life [33:01] and look what he says, how he lived. [33:05] So, I'm already being poured out as a [33:06] drink offering and the time of my [33:09] departure has come. [33:11] I have fought the good fight. I have [33:12] finished the race. I have kept the [33:14] faith. [33:15] Henceforth, there is laid up for me the [33:18] crown of righteousness, which the Lord, [33:20] the righteous judge, will award to me [33:23] on that day and not only to me, but also [33:25] to all who loved his appearing. What a [33:29] beautiful testimony of a cloud the cloud [33:33] of [33:34] witnesses. I fought the fight. I run the [33:36] race. I kept the faith. [33:38] Isn't it encouraging us today here with [33:42] all our burdens, sins, difficulties, [33:44] challenges to say, I also want to [33:47] complete the race. I also want to run it [33:49] to complete it. [33:51] It's a wonderful treasure. [33:55] Treasure that you have to look for and [33:57] to find it. [33:59] It takes us to read, to meditate on the [34:02] word, to spend time in learning the [34:05] word. [34:06] We have an opportunity to learn from [34:08] other people's difficulties and [34:10] mistakes, how they dealt with it, but [34:12] also from their success and the [34:14] principles that they lived by. [34:17] And if this this is not enough, [34:20] grace upon grace upon grace. [34:22] It's not the only tool, of course, we [34:24] have [34:24] and this is what we're going to talk [34:26] about next week. [34:28] The Lord knows we need these examples in [34:30] our life, but he also knows that we need [34:33] the example. [34:36] We have the examples of the heroes. [34:38] We have examples of [34:40] maybe modern heroes, but also [34:43] we have one another, brothers and [34:45] sisters. [34:46] But above all, we have the Lord himself. [34:50] We have our Lord. [34:52] Thanks to him, there is even a [34:55] cloud of witnesses. [34:56] People who can testify. [34:59] And next [35:01] week will be about him. [35:05] Looking to Jesus, the founder and [35:07] perfecter of our faith. Who for the joy [35:10] that was set before him endured the [35:12] cross, despising the shame and seated at [35:14] the right hand of the throne of God. [35:16] Consider him who endured from sinners [35:20] such hostility against him. [35:22] So that you may not grow weary or faint [35:25] hearted. [35:27] Looking to him who suffered [35:29] for us. Let's [35:31] conclude in prayers. [35:32] Heavenly Father, [35:34] we thank you [35:36] that you know us. [35:40] You know that we're running the race. [35:43] You know sometimes the race is [35:44] difficult. [35:46] Our sins are hindering us. [35:51] Sometimes we're carrying burdens we're [35:52] not supposed to carry. [35:55] And your word [35:56] is full of encouragement [35:59] in ways [36:01] of how to run. And one of the ways is to [36:03] this [36:04] cloud of witnesses. Thank you, Lord, [36:06] that you worked wonders and miracles [36:08] in people, ordinary people like us. [36:12] But people that chose to trust in you. [36:16] To believe that what you said [36:19] will be fulfilled. [36:20] What you declared [36:22] will stand. [36:24] Thank you for this cloud of testimony [36:27] was surrounding all around us. [36:29] Giving us motivation and encouragement [36:31] to continue the race. [36:33] We thank you above all to the perfect [36:35] example of our Lord Jesus. [36:37] That we're called to look at him by in [36:40] his name we pray. Amen.
