The Cloud of Witnesses!

Heritage Sunday

Sermon Notes

October 21, 2004

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

Hebrews 12:1-2 NRSV

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

A. Introduction

1. Balloon to Heaven! (HE WAS A MID-WESTERN BOY ON HIS OWN by Bob Green, pp. 71-73)

a. Sarah loved her Grandfather. And Grandpa Bernie loved his Granddaughter, Sarah Meyers. Grandpa lived close by. He often babysat, entertained, visited, and took Sarah for outings. They were very close. Then one day Grandpa was not feeling well. He went to a hospital in their Chicago suburb and the news was not good. It was inoperable cancer and it had spread through his entire body. Two weeks later Grandpa Bernie Meyers died. Ten-year-old Sarah was not there when her Grandfather passed on. She never got the chance to say good-bye. Her mother said, “This was her first experience with death. We could tell that, as upset as she was, she was additionally upset that she didn’t see him in those days before he died. She didn’t get to have one last talk with him.” Sarah did not say much about what she was feeling. Then some months later in October she went to a friend’s birthday party, and came home with a helium balloon. She went into the house and on a piece of paper wrote: “Grandpa Bernie, in Heaven Up High: Hi, Grandpa. How are you? What’s it like up there? I love you so much. And somehow I wish you could read this or hear what I’m saying to you. LOVE, Sarah.” She attached the letter to the balloon and sent it floating off into the sky.

b. In mid-December a man named Donald Kopp, of York, Pennsylvania, was hiking near the Pennsylvania and Maryland border. He found a deflated balloon in some brush with Sarah’s note attached to it. The balloon had traveled 600 miles across four states. The note inside just tore at his heart. Donald is, also, a Grandfather and has a little Granddaughter he loves very much. He knew he had to write something to Sarah. Sarah had given a partial address on the envelope and after some checking Donald had the full address. Soon a letter arrived at Sarah’s home. Mr. Kopp wrote: “Dear Sarah, Family and Friends: Your letter to Grandpa Bernie Meyers apparently reached its destination and was read by him. I understand they can’t keep material things up there, so it drifted back to earth. They just keep thoughts, memories, love, and things like that.” Sarah said, “At night I would think about it. I just wanted to hear from Grandpa somehow. In a way, now I have heard from him.” Sarah Meyers now trusts that her Grandfather is in Heaven. She now believes that he is still with her. His spirit continues to be with her, and he continues to love and watch over her.

2. Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

a. On this Sunday we celebrate our heritage. We praise God for those faithful folks who have gone before. We are thankful for the faithful believers, who have given us such a rich legacy here at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church. We are reminded of the words from Hebrews 12 where it says:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2a NRSV)

b. We have a wonderful heritage. And the “cloud of witnesses” who have gone before have something to say to us.

B. Remember the faith of those who have nurtured you!

1. The Reverend George Hoyle

a. For many years George Hoyle was the faithful retired Associate Pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. George did visitation, and he and his wife Mabel worked with the Senior Adult Group. At one Church potluck George said this: “I got everything I need from the Church. I got my faith, my wife, and my work.” He went on to explain. It was in a Church that he was first introduced to Jesus and invited to receive the Lord as his Savior. It was at a Church young adult gathering that he met his wife. And when he committed his life to serving the Lord it was in the Church as a minister that he answered that call.

b. Would not most of us give a similar answer? Through the people of the Church we have been nurtured and blessed.

2. Hebrews 11

a. The author of Hebrews preceded his statement about a “cloud of witnesses” in Chapter 12 with a long litany of faithful witnesses in Chapter 11. The author begins each tale of a Bible saint by saying: “By faith…” and then naming the person. The list includes: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, the Israelites, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. This part of Hebrews reminds us of the many people to whom we owe so much. These are the folks who trusted God and passed the faith on to succeeding generations. We are here today because of their faithfulness.

b. We are, also, here because of the faithfulness of those who have lived in the days after Bible times. And all of us could name a litany of faithful persons to whom we owe everything. My list includes loving parents who took care of me, protected me, taught me values, and shared with me their faith. I would include Grandparents who loved and mentored me. I would include many loving Church School teachers, pastors, Scout leaders, and youth leaders. I would include my dear wife Chris. I would further testify that children, also, nurture parents. My children have taught me and encouraged my faith. And I would add many friends from the various Churches I have served. Two of them, L.L. Via and Bill Eubank are now a part of that “cloud of witnesses” surrounding us. It was a blessing to know these two kind men who truly loved Jesus. Many gathered here today remember and thank faithful believers, who were members of this Church. Indeed, you thank God for the faithfulness of people who nurtured you and helped you to become who you are today.

C. Respond by building on their foundation.

1. Parable of the Trees (Story told by Rev. Leslie Stokes quoted in “Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations” edited by Paul Lee Tan)

a. There is a parable about two trees growing on a hillside overlooking the ocean. Each had flourished and grown big. They were tall and impressive trees with many branches and leaves. However, both noticed that when the wind blew hard they heard suspicious creeks and they were shaken ominously. So the first tree said to himself, “I must take things into my own hands.” This tree with much effort grew hundreds of new branches and six huge new limbs. This tree now looked stronger and hardier than his neighbor. Then a terrible wind came and there was a terrible snapping of the roots. The big tree started to fall and would have toppled over except for the support of his friendly neighbor.

b. The first tree recovered from his shock and found himself being supported by the branches of the second tree. He was thankful, but curious and asked, “How is it that you are not only able to stand your own ground, but help me as well?” The second tree replied, “When you were busy growing new branches, I was strengthening my roots.” The first tree put his trust in himself, and was trying to do it all by himself. The second tree trusted God, and got more firmly rooted into God’s soil.

2. Ephesians 2:20 and Hymn #368

a. The Bible says we are to be “built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself.” (Ephesians 2:20 TEV) [FYI: A cornerstone is a stone that holds two walls or an arch together. Without it the whole thing will collapse.] And the refrain of the hymn, MY HOPE IS BUILT, says “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

b. What are you building on? Is it the superficial, showy things of the world? Is it the things that make you look important or powerful? Is it your pleasure above all others? I hope not. I hope that you are rooted in the word and will of God. You and I have received a rich heritage through the words of the Holy Bible. Commit to reading Scripture every day and to being in a Bible Study Group. In addition you have received a wonderful legacy through this and other Churches. Family and friends have, also, blessed you. Through the Church and these people you have been given examples of faith, and what makes for a truly good life. Faithful saints whose eyes were always on Jesus have shown you how to live and how to treat others. Go and do likewise!

D. Recommit your life to Jesus!

1. Skinning the wire! (LIVELY ILLUSTRATIONS by King Duncan, p 80)

a. Many years ago, Pastor L. G. Broughton was visiting the Washington D.C. area. He took a ride on a trolley. He watched the driver operate the car. He noticed that the driver could easily make the car go slowly or swiftly. When they came to a crossing street, the driver would touch the handle and make the car creep along like a snail. By touching the handle again the driver could speed up to a mile a minute! The pastor became curious and asked the driver about it. The driver said, “When I squeeze the handle I open the mouth of the trolley’s electrical contacts, and it barely touches the electrified wire on the track. When I turn it loose the contacts are fully touching the wire and the motor gets full power. We call going slowly “skinning the wire!”

b. Rev. Broughton, who served a large Church, thought to himself: “I’ve got 2,000 members and a lot of them are just skinning the wire!”

2. Hebrews 12:2

a. On this Sunday, we celebrate the faith of those who have gone before. We see the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives! And we see how their faith in Jesus made a difference in their own lives, and in this community and Church. They were people who gave themselves fully to Jesus. They truly believed today’s Bible lesson: “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Hebrews 12:2a TEV)

b. Today, honor their legacy by committing or recommitting your life to Jesus. Stop spiritually just “skinning the wire” and give yourself completely to the Lord. Let go of all the excuses and make Him first in your life!

E. Conclusion: Recap

1. Remember the faith of those who have nurtured you!

2. Respond by building on their foundation.

3. Recommit your life to Jesus!

The Cloud of Witnesses!

1. Remember the faith of those who have nurtured you!

2. Respond by building on their foundation.

3. Recommit your life to Jesus!

Hebrews 12:1-2 NRSV

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded

by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us also lay aside every weight and the sin

that clings so closely,

and let us run with perseverance

the race that is set before us

²looking to Jesus

the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,

who for the sake of the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

disregarding its shame,

and has taken his seat at the right hand

of the throne of God.