First, we won’t to thank you all for being here to celebrate this New beginning, a Fresh Start – for us, and maybe even for some of you! For those visiting with us, I have to tell you right up front that I am horrible with names. I told my wife one day that I can’t understand why I can’t remember people’s names since I have such a photographic memory. Kim said “I know honey, the problem is you just don’t have any film in your camera.” So, if I forget your name, please don’t take it personal – I’m just running a little low on film!
I not only want to thank all you for being here, but I want to thank those who have worked so tirelessly over the past few weeks getting us ready for this service.
- Thanks to our men for helping with the music, the stage, the heavy lifting.
- Thanks to my wife for being relentless in her efforts to strive for excellence.
- A special shoutout to Roy & Phyllis – who so graciously has gave us a place to plant Rally Point where we spent nearly the last 3 years. Nearly 8 years ago, Roy sent me the Macedonian call to “Come over to Pauline help us!” It took me 5 years to hear that plea – but here are today. We will forever be indebted to them for their kindness.
- And to every person who has prayed, served, sacrificed, and believed in what God is doing here – You are part of this story.
Turn your Bibles with me if you will to Hebrews Chapter 12.
When you’re reading Hebrews Chapter 12, you cannot disconnect it from chapter 11. Chapter 11 is known as the “Hall of Fame of Faith” of the Bible. It tells us of those great men and women of faith, and how, in spite of facing impossible odds; Despite facing incredible trials; Despite facing personal persecution in many cases, they persevered, they stood “the test of time’ in their faith.
So the writer to the Hebrews is writing to encourage the readers to persevere in their own personal faith walk as he begins to transition to chapter 12. And he begins this transition by using the word “Therefore.” Now whenever you see the word “therefore or wherefore” you are supposed to stop and ask “what it’s there for.”
So realizing that, helps us to understand that the writer is beginning this transition in Hebrews 12:1-2 with a full view of chapter 11 in mind. This helps us to really put
in perspective the thought the writer is trying to convey. And he begins by relating this walk of faith to a race:
Hebrews 12 verse 1, “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 (With perseverance) the race that is set before us . . .”
The writer is saying: Because they endured…Because they stayed faithful…Because God carried them…Now it’s your turn to run.
Hebrews 12:1 says: “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Church, faith is not a sprint – It’s a long-distance race. Some days you run strong. Some days you limp. Some days you crawl. But the goal is simple: Don’t quit running.
And in verse 2, he tells us how to win that race, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
For just a moment of your time this morning, I just want to pull out that statement, “Looking unto Jesus the Author . . .”
Let’s go to the LORD in prayer and we’ll share the message A Story Being Written.
WHAT IS AN AUTHOR?
The Greek word for Author is archaegos which means “chief, prince, writer, leader, one who takes the lead in anything and thus becomes an example.” Another definition is “pioneer, a trail blazer – someone who paves the way.” So the writer of Hebrews is talking about Jesus, Well, He is the Author of our faith, he is the chief leader, the trail blazer of our faith.
I am thankful today for Hebrews chapter 11, and for all of those Heroes of the Faith “who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens . . .”
And I thank God for heroes in my own life, people who prayed for me when I didn’t deserve it, corrected me when I needed it, and encouraged me when I wanted to quit.
But above all…I thank God for Jesus Christ. Because if Jesus had not gone first, none of us could follow. He is the Author…the Leader…the Captain of our faith.
Now, if Jesus is an Jesus is the “author”:
WHAT IS HE WRITING?
First, it is important for us to understand that the Bible is a story written by God. It is a story with perfection and imperfection; a story with successes and failures; a story with joy and sadness; a story with ups and downs; good times and bad times.
Years ago, I attended an easter play that a large church had put on. They probably had over 100 people that were part of the play. They had all rehearsed their parts, and the play was quite impressive. I enjoyed watching it. So, the following year, I went back again. This time, as the play began, rather than the play starting on the stages, the actors all came through the back door and were mingling with the audience: those who were followers of Christ came proclaiming the Risen Savior; those who were sellers in the market came through trying to sell items to the audience and were actually bringing the audience into the play. So the difference in the two years I attended: the first year, I enjoyed watching the play, I wasn’t watching anymore. I was part of the story. And church, that’s what God has done. The Bible isn’t just history to observe. It is a story God invites us into.
Jeremiah 1:5, tells “Before I formed thee in the belly . . .” Before you took your first breath, God picked up His pen and began writing the story of your life.
I believe whenever you read the Bible, there are 3 essential questions you have to ask:
- What did it mean then? (The actual context of the story: what was God’s intent?)
- What does it mean now? (How the context of the story fits in our world now)
- What does it mean to me? (How do I fit into this story?)
When I was attending Bible College years ago, my Homiletic’s professor made a statement that has stuck with me for years. He said, “Y’all, I’m afraid that If we’re not careful, we will tend to take ourselves out of the Bible stories.” What that means to me is this – sometimes, because we’ve become so familiar with some of the stories of the Bible, they have simply become “just stories in the Bible” and we tend to forget that they were just people, like you and I are people today.
- They had emotions and feelings back then, just like you and I have emotions and feelings today;
- They had trials of their faith back then, just like we have trials of our faith today;
- They battled their sin nature back then, just like you and I battle our sin nature today;
- They had times of failure, just like you and I have failures;
- They had moments of anger, just like you and I have moments of anger;
- They had moments of great joy, just like you and I have moments of great joy;
- They had some mountaintop experiences, just like you and I have had some mountaintop experiences;
- They spent time in the valley, just like and I have spent time in the valley.
I say all of that to say this, when we read the stories in the Bible, whether they are about Old Testament folks or New Testament folks, whether they are stories about David, or Peter, or Paul, or John, our tendency is to say, “Well they’re just different than us.” And the truth is, they’re not. They weren’t superheroes. They were people. They struggled. They doubted. They failed. They feared – Just like us. They had: bad days, broken moments, spiritual battles, mountaintops, and valleys.
The difference in their stories wasn’t perfection, the difference was God kept writing their story. And He’s still writing yours. So, don’t be so quick to remove yourself from the Bible story.
HE IS WRITING THE STORY OF RALLY POINT BIKER CHURCH
For Rally Point Biker Church, God began writing this chapter nearly three years ago.
And it hasn’t always been easy. There have been uncertainties, growing pains, victories, and valleys.
But hear me clearly today: This is His church and Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
- Buildings don’t make churches.
- Programs don’t make churches.
- People surrendered to Jesus make churches.
Today isn’t the end, it’s a new chapter Because the Author is still writing.
HE IS ALSO WRITING YOUR PERSONAL STORY
When it comes to us individually, every one of our lives tells a different story. We have all taken different paths on our faith journey. Some journeys have been on the straight and narrow, while many, if not most (just like the Children of Israel) did not take the most direct route in our lives to get here. Regardless of how we got on our faith journey, Jesus is the Author. Since He is the Author of our faith, you can rest assured that no matter how many obstacles you have on your journey – you will never have a roadblock.
Like Paul, we too can rest assured, we can be “confident that He which hath begun a good work in you will complete until the day of Christ.”
CONCLUSION
Let me ask you something this morning: What chapter are you in right now?
Maybe: your story feels broken, your faith feels weak, your past feels heavy, or your direction feels lost.
Some of you feel like your story is over. But hear me: As long as there is breath in your body, God is still writing.
Maybe today you need: a new beginning, forgiveness, restoration, direction, or salvation.
You’ve been trying to write your own story…and it hasn’t worked. Today Jesus is saying: “Let Me take the pen.”
If you’ve never trusted Christ, today can be the moment your real story begins. Not religion. Not membership. A relationship with Jesus Christ- the Author and Finisher.
Maybe you are saved, but you’ve given up on the race. Let me encourage you to get up and get back in the race – God hasn’t finished writing the story of your life!
Fighting for My Pea Patch 