Hebrews 12:1-2 Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight… I. RELIGION IN ITS ENCOURAGEMENTS. 1. Those who have departed from us are existing. Death is not annihilation. 2. The dead are in a state of conscious activity. These men are not asleep, but observe. 3. They are not far from us, for we "are compassed about" by them. 4. They observe our line of life — are witnesses. II. RELIGION IN ITS ACTIVITIES. 1. Religion requires self-denial. 2. Religion requires the conquest of sin. 3. Religion required personal effort. 4. Religion requires patience. 5. Religion requires thought and attention. III. RELIGION IN ITS MODEL. 1. Our model is regarded as the inspirer of Christian life — "the author and finisher of our faith," — the originator in us of the life of God, which life can never be brought into maturity unless He becomes, by His gracious presence in the heart, its finisher. 2. Paul then refers to the Saviour's object in His life of toil — the object of His model life, "who for the joy," etc. 3. Finally, the apostle refers to the many sufferings, mental and physical, connected with His model life. (E. Lewis, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, |
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