Soaring Higher Together: Faith and Legacy on All Saints Day

Today, we gathered to reflect on the legacy of those who have gone before us, especially as we mark All Saints Day. Using a simple science demonstration, we explored how energy is transferred and transformed, much like the faith and love passed down through generations. Just as a ball on its own can only bounce so high, but when paired with another, can soar to new heights, so too do we find ourselves lifted by the faith, hope, and love of those who came before us. Their sacrifices, wisdom, and example have given us the strength to go further than we ever could alone.

We remembered the saints—both the giants of faith from scripture and the beloved members of our own community—who have finished their race and now rest in the presence of Christ. Their stories, their faith, and their love are not lost; they are alive in us, shaping who we are and what we do. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, urging us to run our own race with perseverance, inspired by their example.

The faith of those who have gone before is like energy: it cannot be destroyed, only transferred. Their legacy is not just a memory, but a living force that empowers us to continue their work, to love more deeply, and to serve more faithfully. As we honor their memory, we are called to take up the mantle, to let their faith and love propel us forward, and to live in such a way that we, too, might inspire those who come after us.

In our grief, we find hope. In our remembrance, we find purpose. The saints who have gone before us are content to see us grow, to see us soar, and to see us perfected in love. May we honor them not just with our memories, but with our lives, carrying their legacy forward as we run the race set before us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Power of Shared Legacy: Just as the red ball transfers its energy to the purple ball, allowing it to soar higher than it could alone, so too do the saints and loved ones who have gone before us empower us to reach new heights. Their faith, love, and sacrifices are not lost but are given to us, enabling us to do more than we could ever do on our own. We are the beneficiaries of their legacy, called to honor it by living boldly and faithfully. [45:58]
• 2. Resting in Contentment After Giving: The red ball, after giving all its energy, simply rests and watches the purple ball soar. In the same way, those who have finished their race in faith now rest, content to see us grow and thrive. Their greatest joy is not in their own achievements, but in seeing us carry forward what they have given. This is a reminder that true fulfillment comes not from holding on, but from giving freely and trusting the next generation. [46:36]
• 3. Faith and Love Are Indestructible: Like energy, faith and love cannot be destroyed; they are passed on, transformed, and multiplied through the lives they touch. The saints’ faith continues to live in us, shaping our community and our mission. Even in loss, we are reminded that what truly matters endures, and we are stewards of a living, unbreakable legacy. [52:45]
• 4. Running Our Own Race, Inspired by Witnesses: The writer of Hebrews urges us to run the race set before us, not someone else’s race, but our own, inspired by the great cloud of witnesses. We are not alone; we are surrounded and encouraged by those who have gone before, whose stories and faith give us courage to persevere. Our journey is unique, but we are never without support or example. [48:42]
• 5. Transforming Sorrow into Joyful Purpose: While we grieve the loss of those we love, we are also called to let their memory transform our sorrow into joyful purpose. Their lives inspire us to test limits, move beyond boundaries, and live with hope and passion. As we remember them, may our tears be turned to dancing, and may we soar higher, knowing that love and faith do not end, but live on through us. [54:49]
  ** [54:49]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [39:35] - Bill Nye and the Science of Energy
• [40:14] - Bill Nye’s Achievements
• [40:53] - Presidential Medal of Freedom
• [41:31] - The Ball and Potential Energy
• [42:09] - Why the Ball Can’t Bounce Higher
• [42:48] - Demonstrating Energy Transfer
• [43:27] - The “Sad” Ball and the Danger Zone
• [44:04] - The Miracle of Taking the Fall Together
• [44:45] - The Purple Ball Soars
• [45:20] - The Science Behind the Demonstration
• [45:58] - Giving All for Another
• [47:23] - All Saints Day: Remembering the Faithful
• [48:42] - The Great Cloud of Witnesses
• [50:44] - The Legacy of Faith in Our Church
• [52:06] - Encouragement from the Witnesses
• [54:49] - Transforming Sorrow into Joy
• [56:07] - Closing and Offering

Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) — > Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 12:1, who surrounds us as we run our race of faith? What does the writer call this group?
2. In the science demonstration from the sermon, what happened when the two balls “took the fall together”? What did the red ball do for the purple ball? [[45:58]]
3. What does the writer of Hebrews encourage us to do because we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses? [[48:42]]
4. How does the sermon describe the way faith and love are passed on from one generation to the next? [[52:45]]

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean that we are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses”? How might this shape the way we live out our faith? [[48:42]]
2. The red ball in the demonstration gave all its energy to the purple ball and then rested. How does this image help us understand the legacy left by those who have gone before us? [[46:36]]
3. The sermon says that faith and love are like energy—they cannot be destroyed, only transferred. What does this suggest about the impact of our actions and faith on others, even after we are gone? [[52:45]]
4. The writer of Hebrews tells us to “run the race set before us.” What might it look like to run your own race, rather than someone else’s, while still being inspired by others? [[48:42]]

Application Questions

1. Who are some of the “saints” in your life—people whose faith, love, or example have helped you grow? How have they “given their energy” to you? [[47:23]]
2. The red ball was content to rest after giving all it had. Is there someone in your life who has poured into you and now watches you “soar”? How can you honor their legacy this week? [[46:36]]
3. The sermon talks about transforming sorrow into joyful purpose. Is there a loss or grief in your life that you can allow God to use for a new purpose or hope? What might that look like? [[54:49]]
4. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders” and run our race. What is one thing that might be holding you back from living out your faith more boldly? How can you take a step to lay it aside this week? [[52:06]]
5. The saints’ faith and love are described as indestructible and living on in us. What is one way you can intentionally pass on faith or love to someone else this month? [[52:45]]
6. The sermon says our potential is “unlimited” because of those who have gone before us. Is there a dream or calling you’ve been hesitant to pursue? How might remembering the legacy of others give you courage to take a step forward? [[54:11]]
7. As you remember those who have finished their race, what is one practical way you can “run your own race” with perseverance this week? [[48:42]]