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Institutional First Baptist Church Weekly Sermon Delivered By
Dr. E. G. Sherman, Jr.
Dr. E. G. Sherman, Jr.
Delivered On
November 2, 2014 at 10:45 AM
November 2, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Central Passage
“ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...” Hebrews 12:1
“ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...” Hebrews 12:1
Subject
Running the Race of Life
Running the Race of Life
Description
| Dr. E. G. Sherman, Jr. | Sunday November 2, 2014 |
| Running the Race of Life | |
| “ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...” Hebrews 12:1 | |
| Today is the Annual All Saints Day worship here at our church. This observation is not part of the Protestant Church Polity, but it is nonetheless included in the annual worship service. Its origination dates back into the annals of time when there existed an All Hallowed Day when decedents of certain faith groups commemorated the passing of their saints. The period commenced on November 1st and ended the next day. No extensive elaboration of this worship service is herein submitted; instead, the focus will be placed on the All Saints worship in our Protestant Church. The sermon will be structured around three lines of inquiry, namely: a look at life as a race, the Christian’s posture in the race, and the great cloud of witnesses to the race. To properly anchor the sermon, it is deemed appropriate to highlight its Scriptural base. As noted in the earlier textual anchor, the verse is found in Hebrews 12:1. That book was authored by Saint Paul. It has been described as “ a Word of exhortation (13:22 )”. He sought “to reassure Jewish believers that their faith in Jesus as Messiah was secure and legitimate.” This assurance was, also, echoed by William R. Newell in his book Hebrews wherein he wrote, “Since the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, we ‘worship by the Spirit of God’ ( Phil.3:3 ) glorying “in Jesus Christ”, through whom we offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually” ( Heb 11:15 ). Against those few observations on the book of Hebrews, attention will now be focused on the earlier specified dimensions, the first of which is - Life as a race. Paul used the symbolism of a race to help the hearers picture human movement. He was quite familiar with the outdoor sports, especially the Grecian festivities. He envisioned two categories of people at the events which were the spectators and the athletics. The larger crowd, spectators, were there for entertainment and dressed in their glamorous attire while the smaller group, athletics, were there for performance and to compete for prizes. The spectators have many options in what they will wear to the event and have no need for rigorous practice for the occasion, but the athletic - in contrast - must endure many hours of rigorous and at times painful practice for the occasion. Yet the spectators and the athletics are human beings, but in different positions in life. In a like manner, we are all in some categories of life. Our positions may be a function of gender, age, race, family background, education, marital status or many other variables. Omitted from this list is that of spirituality. This is the one area where individual conviction and ultimate choice are the bases upon which one enters this race. The procedure and requirement for this race was specified by Paul in his letter to the Romans; it is recorded in Romans 10:9. This fact leads to the second consideration of the sermon which is what should be the Christian’s stance on this road of life? Admittedly, no one asked to be born but everyone must die. ( Eccl. 3:2) - “A time to be born and a time to die”. Hence everyone is on the road of life. Sensing this reality, Paul offered indispensable guidelines for this journey on the road of life. Those guidelines are found in Romans 12:1-2 and are essential to endure the toils of staying in the “Christian” race of life. We should, therefore learn, embrace, and utilize those guidelines in our race of life. Please now refer to Romans 12:1-2. Therein Paul starts first by calling attention to the great cloud of witnesses looking from above on the actions of current runners in the race of life. Implicit in that reference is the challenge that “We also need to run as they”. Hence, Paul next suggests how we should prepare for the race; he wrote, “Let us lay aside every weight...” that hinders us and thereby be able to run more effectively. His reference to weight is twofold, worldly concerns and sin for Paul says that can so easily beset us. Thirdly, we Christian must run with patience the race that is before us and lastly we must look unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. In conclusion, my beloved, the somber question that looms over us is - have we decided or are we on the Christian road of life? Admittedly, we are all on the natural road of life, but it falls short of gaining entrance into eternal life with the Heavenly Father. Hopefully, we know the inevitability of the life road but we are urged to read, embrace, and become, if not already on it, familiar with the Christian road of life. As a memorial to those of our fellowship who are now in that great cloud of witness, the Institutional fellowship sadly acknowledges that they are no long with us because they have joined that innumerable caravan which moves into that mysterious realm where each shall take his place in the silent halls of death...”. Yes, they are gone, but their legacy looms over Institutional. Their attendance, goodwill, finances, and prayers - all contributed immensely to early mortgage burning worship here at Institutional First Baptist Church. May God bless the deceased, the relocated, and the current membership and let us always remember, “Nehemiah built the walls because the people had a mind to work”. May God continue to bless and keep us under the canopy of his care. Amen. |
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