All Saints Sunday: Running the Race of Faith

Today, we gathered to honor All Saints Sunday—a time to remember and celebrate those who have gone before us, especially those we’ve lost in the past year. This day is not just about looking back, but about recognizing the legacy of faith that has been handed down to us. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, both those we knew personally and those from the pages of Scripture, who have shown us what it means to persevere in faith through hardship and ordinary life alike. Their lives remind us that sainthood is not about perfection, but about trusting God and remaining faithful, even in the midst of our flaws and struggles.

We reflected on Hebrews 12, which calls us to run our race with perseverance, throwing off the sins and distractions that entangle us. The saints who have gone before us are not distant memories, but are present with us in a spiritual sense, cheering us on as we continue our journey. Their stories—whether grand or seemingly mundane—demonstrate that God can use even the smallest acts of obedience to shape history. Abraham’s simple act of moving, Rahab’s act of faith, and the everyday faithfulness of people in our own lives all become part of God’s unfolding story.

Death, then, is not the end, but a change in how we experience life and one another. Our loved ones are not lost to us; they are in another room, still part of the great communion of saints. We are called to remember their legacy, not just in grief, but as encouragement to press on in our own faith. The race we run is not a sprint, but a marathon, and we need strength for the journey. Christ gives us that strength, especially through the gift of Holy Communion, which unites us with all believers—past, present, and future. As we come to the table, we are reminded that we are never alone; we are part of a vast family, strengthened by God’s grace and the example of those who have gone before.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Sainthood is not about perfection, but about faithfulness. Saints are not those who never sinned, but those who trusted God and persevered despite their flaws. This truth frees us from the burden of pretending to be perfect and invites us to embrace our identity as God’s beloved, called to live out our faith in the midst of our humanity. [50:23]
• 2. The “great cloud of witnesses” is both a comfort and a challenge. Knowing that we are surrounded by those who have endured before us gives us perspective on our own struggles and encourages us to keep going. Their presence reminds us that our journey is part of a much larger story, and that our faithfulness matters, even when it feels small. [59:02]
• 3. Ordinary acts of obedience can have extraordinary impact. Abraham changed the course of history not through grand gestures, but by simply moving when God called. Our daily choices, when surrendered to God, can ripple out in ways we may never see, reminding us that faithfulness in the mundane is powerful in God’s hands. [61:37]
• 4. Communion is a spiritual act that unites us with all believers across time and space. When we come to the Lord’s table, we are not just remembering Christ’s sacrifice, but joining with every Christian who has ever lived. This unity strengthens us for the journey and reminds us that we are never alone, even in our hardest moments. [70:14]
• 5. Perseverance in faith is possible because of Christ’s example and the strength He provides. We are called to run our race with endurance, not by our own power, but by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. In Him, we find the grace to lay aside sin, endure hardship, and finish well, just as those before us have done. [66:09]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [08:06] - All Saints Sunday Introduction
• [09:00] - Announcements and Backpack Ministry
• [09:45] - Opening Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
• [12:17] - Worship Through Giving
• [43:26] - Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12
• [45:01] - The Language of Faith and “Christianese”
• [46:24] - What is All Saints Sunday?
• [47:31] - Early Church Traditions and Baptism
• [49:50] - Who Are the Saints?
• [51:45] - The Nature of Our Existence: Spirit and Body
• [53:38] - Remembering Loved Ones: The “Other Room”
• [54:06] - The Legacy of Salvation
• [55:38] - Revisiting Hebrews 12: The “Therefore”
• [58:03] - The Great Cloud of Witnesses
• [61:37] - The Power of Ordinary Obedience
• [62:41] - Throwing Off Sin and Running the Race
• [64:01] - Perseverance and Perspective on Suffering
• [67:43] - Communion: Strength for the Journey
• [70:14] - Communion Unites All Believers
• [72:08] - Celebrating the Saints and God’s Work Today
• [81:02] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) — Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 12:1, what are we supposed to “throw off” as we run the race of faith?
2. The sermon described the “great cloud of witnesses.” Who are some of the people included in this cloud, both from Scripture and from our own lives? [[58:03]]
3. What simple act did Abraham do that the sermon said changed the course of history? [[01:00:57]]
4. How does the sermon describe the connection between us and those who have died in Christ? [[53:38]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says sainthood is not about being perfect, but about faithfulness and trusting God. How does this understanding change the way someone might view their own spiritual journey? [[50:23]]
2. The “great cloud of witnesses” is described as both a comfort and a challenge. In what ways can remembering those who have gone before encourage someone to keep going in their faith? [[59:02]]
3. The sermon mentions that ordinary acts of obedience, like Abraham moving, can have a big impact. Why do you think God values faithfulness in small things? [[01:01:37]]
4. Communion is described as a spiritual act that unites all believers across time and space. What does this mean for how we experience worship and community? [[01:10:14]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says saints are not perfect, but people who trust God and keep going even when they mess up. Is there an area in your life where you feel like you have to be perfect? How might embracing your identity as a “saint” change your approach? [[50:23]]
2. Think of someone in your life who has passed away but left a legacy of faith. How does their example encourage you in your own walk with God? Is there a specific way you can honor their legacy this week? [[54:06]]
3. The “great cloud of witnesses” is cheering us on. When you face struggles or feel like giving up, how can you remind yourself that you are not alone in your journey? [[59:02]]
4. The sermon talked about ordinary acts of obedience having extraordinary impact. What is one small, everyday act of faithfulness you can do this week, trusting God to use it? [[01:01:37]]
5. Are there any “sins or distractions” that are entangling you or slowing you down in your faith right now? What is one step you can take to “throw off” something that’s holding you back? [[01:02:41]]
6. Communion is described as a source of strength for the journey and a reminder that we are united with all believers. How can you approach the Lord’s Table differently, knowing this? [[01:10:14]]
7. The race of faith is a marathon, not a sprint. What practical things can you do to build endurance and perseverance in your spiritual life, especially when you feel tired or discouraged? [[01:06:09]]