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Sunday 10 November 2002 - "God's team" - Heb 12:1 & 2

(Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen)

God's Team

(before the sermon, Ds Peet Botha gave a brief report back on his trip to Brazil. To read more information and listen to his report click here.)

At the time the Scriptures were written the Olympics was very familiar to everyone. It was known that there were athletes and huge crowds of spectators. The enormous crowd of spectators was sometimes referred to as a "cloud". The Apostles, like their Lord, used common illustrations which were understandable in everyday life.

In a similar way to athletes being observed by the crowd of spectators we are surrounded by a throng of witnesses.

The "therefore" which starts our reading refers to chapter 11. There we read about the heroes of faith. For instance, in verse 4 we read about Abel whose sacrifice was acceptable and was murdered by his brother. Then, Enoch, who walked with God after the birth of his son and was snatched out of this life and saw no death - he is part of this cloud.

Christians often complain that they are surrounded, especially in the cities, by crowds of worldly people who entice them into sin. However, we as Christians are surrounded by these "crowds" or "clouds" in chapter 11 - heroes of the faith - people like Noah, who endured mocking and accusations of insanity.

Abraham was led by God to a country of God's choosing, not his own.

Joseph, though unfairly treated by his brothers and landing unjustly in prison, was able to diligently resist the most powerful enticements to sin.

There were also the women who were heroes of faith.

There are many others, like Daniel and his 3 friends, who are not mentioned in chapter 11, who are part of this "cloud of witnesses." Do all these witnesses stand up and applaud when they see how you and your faith?

A team will play soccer or rugby. In our text we are teamed together with people, even those in Old Testament times, for we are made one in Christ. The team that plays is one; one team.

A soccer team, for instance will practise before a match, share tips and advice and strategies. They work together as a team and no single player regards himself as independent of the others. If a player came onto the field and simply played his own game or, perhaps passes the ball to the opposition, would he be chosen again to play for his country (if playing for a national side)?  No! Instead you find that the members of the team will pass to each other and assist one another.

Also, there are the rules of the game and a referee who will punish offenders.

At the previous soccer world cup the newly chosen French coach was sharply criticised when he put the national side together. His policy was to only include players who were willing to learn, be obedient, and act as part of a team. Older, more experienced players, lost their positions in the French team and the coach was severely lambasted by the press. However, when the French team won the championship his critics sang his praises. Don't worry if people mock you. Just stay faithful and one day they will bow to the Lord in praise of your life.

A characteristic of crowds at a match is that they may be very sharp in their criticism and comments but they themselves cannot play the game. However, the heavenly cloud of witnesses, have "played" and have conquered unto death and that is why they know how the game must be played.

We are also commanded to "lay aside every weight and cast aside the sin which so easily besets." No athlete can compete if he is carrying a weight. In Mark 10:50 we read of the blind man who "cast away his garment" to come to Jesus. No one told him to do it - it was instinctive to throw off any weight. He then hurried to Jesus and received his sight. So too, we are to cast off anything which weighs us down.

Let us be united together as part of God's team. We can never play the game properly if we do not work in unity.

PS: Mention was also made about today, November 10, being a day of rememberance for the persecuted church. It has been calculated that more Christians have been martyred in the past century than the during all the previous centuries since the first church.