The Purpose of the Church (pt.1)

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, Hebrews 12:1

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, one of Marvel’s most notable regrets. They were in charge of presenting the most significant and baddest villain in the MCU, Galactus. Instead of making him a towering behemoth that eats planets, they chose to make him a gas cloud. To their credit, Galactus is not always a towering behemoth. In one alternate story, he is an army of planet-eating nano locusts. But still…a gas cloud…come on!

Hebrews is a book on faith: how to have it and how to use it. In chapter 12, we learn that faith is not just a solo marathon, but a team working alongside you. The great cloud of witnesses, all believers in Jesus Christ through history, is an inspiration and a source of strength for all believers.

We do not run the race of faith alone. Christianity is a team effort, not a track-and-field event. The church is filled with stories of suffering, trials, temptations, joys, and triumphs, which serve to aid our own journey. In the passage, the great cloud of believers is encouraging us from behind, while Jesus stands at the finish line.

If someone were to argue that they didn’t need the church because their personal beliefs were enough to sustain them, I would say that they were starving themselves spiritually, living only a small percentage of their potential. To fully embrace righteous living, perseverance, and triumph, we need the church to surround us.

Figure it Out:

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, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

  1. Circle all the words and phrases that stood out to you. Why are they significant?
  2. What oppositions and hurdles will a believer have to face?
  3. What excuses do believers use to neglect church? How would you use this passage to convince them otherwise?
  4. Bonus: Read a few verses in Chapter 11. This sets up the type of church that is in our corner.

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