All Saints Sunday 2018
Today is the day in which many churches
celebrate All Saints Sunday. I’ve been
waiting for this day all year. I didn’t
grow up observing All Saints and it is new to us as a church as well. This celebration recognizes the “Communion of
Saints” around the world and throughout time.
After rehearsing the inspiring stories of many of the Old Testament
believers in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews (the “Faith Hall of Fame”) the
author encourages us with this inspiring admonition: “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” (Hebrews 12:1-2a). The passage
gives a description of those who have gone before us as cheering us on from
heaven’s bleachers as we run the race of faith.
Those who have died in the faith, after all, are alive now in Jesus’
presence. We are connected to them. What an encouraging thought!
I am excited to present this new day of
celebration to you. In the last years, I
have introduced it to four different churches who readily embraced and
benefitted from it. I am certain you’ll
be blessed as well.
Look for the sermon title, "Run the Race" at this link for a video and sermon manuscript.
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