Run the Race

Surrounded by a Cloud

We want to issue two challenges this month in our new series, to memorize Hebrews 12:1-3 with you, your friends, your family. And also, to read through Hebrews this month at least once.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. -Hebrews 12:1-3

What a great verse to memorize.

I am so glad that you have agreed to do that with us.

Memorize this with your family. With you connect group. With you friends.

Memorizing helps you live it out as we remember in the Psalms where it says, “Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

This series will be focused only on these three verses as we meditate and focus on running our race and not becoming fainthearted. As you read through Hebrews you will notice it is actually the theme of the entire book and what a great way to live in 2020.

And today we focus on only the first part of verse 1.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…

Do you see the word “cloud” in the verse above? It is taken from the Greek word nephos. It describes clouds — just like the clouds you see in the sky. When most people read this verse, they imagine big, fluffy white clouds with Old Testament saints scattered mystically throughout the glorious white billows.

But is this really the picture that Hebrews 12:1 means to convey to us?

The Greek word nephos, translated “clouds,” has an additional meaning that is very exciting when understood in this context. In ancient, classical Greek times, the word “clouds” was used to describe the highest seats in the bleachers of a stadium. The seats at the very top of the stadium were called the clouds because they were so high up in the air.

The nosebleed section if you would.

If you had gone to a sports competition with a ticket for one of these seats, your usher might have said, “Your seat is in the clouds today.” This meant you’d be seated in the highest row available in the bleachers.

We have seen before that the phrase “surrounded” is taken from the word peikeimenai, which is a compound of the words peri and keimai. The word peri means around, as to be completely encircled by something. The second part of the word, keimai, means to lie down. When these two words are compounded into one word, they mean to lie around, as if something has been piled high and is lying all around you on every side.

Surrounded by a cloud…Surrounded by clouds…

This portrays the idea of being completely encircled by something that is stacked high on every side. Thus, this verse carries the following idea: “Wherefore seeing we have lying all around us on every side.…” or “Wherefore seeing these biblical examples who are piled up and lying all around us….” But to make this point even stronger, the Holy Spirit uses the word “clouds.” Why is this so vital?

“You’re not alone! The grandstands of Heaven all the way up to the ‘clouds,’ the highest seats in the bleachers, are piled high with people who stood the test of time and eventually saw their faith manifested….”

Let me stress again that the Greek word nephos (“clouds”) depicted the highest seats in a sports stadium. This is a powerful image because it jogs our memory to the fact that our walk of faith will remove us from the spectator sections and will put us right in the middle of the fight!

There are two things I notice as I mediate on this phrase surround by a cloud of witnesses…

--You are Not in the Stands You are in the Race

The devil hates it when people take a stand of faith or when they do something that benefits the Kingdom of God and drives back darkness. Like an opponent would do in a natural fight, Satan may try to wrestle you, pin you down, or even try to knock you out of the race altogether.

So, when you have become illuminated with direction for your life, business, family, or ministry, you need to know that the contest has just begun.

You are on the field.

All eyes are on you.

The fight of faith is on!

--Make sure you look into the Bleachers of Heaven

But if you’ll look up into the bleachers of Heaven for just a moment, you’ll see that they are stacked all the way to the “clouds” with people just like you!

Just as you are taking steps of obedience now, the bleachers of Heaven are filled with people who have already faced the enemy and won their fight. They faced the impossible; they accomplished the unthinkable; and they stand as proof that you can make it too.

They’re all cheering you on to victory! Just listen with the ears of faith, and you’ll hear them saying, “Go for it! You can do it! Your faith will carry you through!”

There is nothing wrong with looking somewhat at the greats that are living now, but the true greats are those who have passed the test of time and the witnesses of making it through and God saying well done good and faithful servant.

If you are busy looking at worldly greats whether secular or spiritual, we will be disappointed, but looking at someone who made it through. Wow. That is what the writer of Hebrews is imploring us to do in order to make it through.

You are gonna need a cloud of Witnesses.

It’s interesting right now that stadiums football, basketball, soccer fields are empty. No fans. Athletes that for years of their lives have performed with “a great cloud of witnesses” if you would no longer do. (its some of the reason I think the struggling, and LSU, and really any Louisiana team that I love) Lebron James himself he struggles with it. Its such a big deal that in the NBA they are pumping in virtual fans, crowd noise, cheers, sound because the athletes need it in order to perform.

And so do we. I need a cloud of witnesses if I am going to make it to the end.

Can I read you a couple of verses that come right before Hebrews 12:1 a list of virtual fans

A very specific list of fans, those who had made it through, the ancients, cloud of witnesses

Hebrews 11:32-40

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of (this is not a typical all star list)

Gideon, (the judge over Israel who was timid, put a fleece before the Lord, and defeated armies with 300 and never even had to fight because the Lord fought for Him.)

Barak, (marched with Deborah (though she got the honor) called God’s army to fight)

Samson, (though rippled with sexual sin used his dying breath to serve the purposes of God)

Jephthah, (a prostitutes son his name means set free, though making a foolish oath, believed God for victory)

of David (a man after God’s heart, and his sins were forgiven)

and Samuel (prophet to the kings who just said SPEAK, your servant hears)

and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two,[a] they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

And maybe your cloud of witnesses is your Godly grandmother who made it through.

A friend or mentor that passed away and they are in your cloud.

A God-fearing teacher.

Someone that is riddled with disease and still praises God.

The martyrs who are dying on the other side of the world for simply being a Christian.

Missionaries who give everything to advance the gospel.

The elderly lady that lives down your street who does everything for an audience of one.

Get yourself in the race.

And get yourself a cloud…

Need a cloud read through Hebrews.

This is not a time for slipping and falling.

This is a time for running.

Running the race surrounded

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…