Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Well, today is Father’s Day. It is a day when many of us reflect on our fathers. For others, it’s a day to reflect on what it means to be a father.
I don’t know what kind of father you had growing up. And if you are a father—I don’t know what kind of father you are.
Yet, it doesn’t really matter, because every one of us should be thinking about what kind of legacy we are leaving behind.
Paul’s Legacy
Paul’s Legacy
Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter to the church at Philippi.
He could have been mad about all that he had to endure.
He could have been hurt by all that has happened to him.
He have felt betrayed by God because he was struggling in prison.
But that is NOT how he wanted people to remember him. So, if you have a Bible, turn with me to Philippians 1 and we’ll begin reading with verse 12.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
While Paul could have been angry at God because he was in prison. After all, think about all that he had done for the Lord. But he is NOT upset. In fact, he tells the Philippians that what has happened to him—his imprisonment, had actually worked to advance the gospel.
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
The first reason it is a “good thing”
Is because the entire palace guard knows exactly why Paul is in chains (v. 13a).
In fact, EVERYONE knows why Paul is in chains (v. 13b).
And the reason is because of Jesus Christ! (v. 13c).
And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
The second reason it is a “good thing”
Because of his chains, the brothers and sisters in Christ are more confident in the Lord (v. 14a).
Because of this confidence in the Lord, they dare to proclaim the gospel without fear (v. 14b).
Think about it, while Paul’s imprisonment should have caused people to avoid sharing the gospel, it didn’t. Instead, it actually caused them to share the gospel more courageously.
Now Paul continues:
Two Kinds of People
Two Kinds of People
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
Two kinds of people that were preaching the gospel message:
Those that preached out of envy (jealously) and rivalry (v. 15a)
Those who preached out of good will (pure motives) (v. 15b).
The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
The latter group—well, they preached out of love, because they knew Paul was in prison for the defense of the gospel (v. 16).
The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
The first group—they preached Christ out of selfish ambition. They we not sincere. Rather they hoped that by preaching the gospel they might stir up more trouble for Paul in prison (v. 17)
Paul’s Attitude
Paul’s Attitude
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Notice Paul’s attitude!
He doesn’t care why someone is preaching the gospel. False motives or true motives really doesn’t matter. After all, Jesus Christ is preached! (v. 18a)
Because of this fact, Paul says he will rejoice (v. 18b).
for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
In fact, he says he will continue to rejoice! (v. 19a)
In fact through two things:
— Their prayers
— And God’s prevision through the Spirit of Jesus
Paul knows that what has happened to him will end up in him being delivered (v. 19b).
Paul’s Legacy
Paul’s Legacy
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Paul says that he eagerly expects (Gk. fully expects, longs for)
And Paul says he hopes (Gk. hope based on expectation)
That he will in no way be ashamed (Gk. be put to shame)
Instead he will be courageous enough to exalt (Gk. lift up, glorify, enlarge) Jesus in his physical body.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
If he lives, Paul wants to glorify Jesus; if he dies, he wants to glorify Jesus!
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
Paul has just told us for him living means exalting Jesus. Likewise, dying means exalting Jesus. Now he tells us:
If he continues living a physical life, it will mean fruitful labor for him. Paul says he feels it is a choice and he doesn’t know what he should choose (v. 22).
He goes on to say he is torn--dying means being with Jesus, but living means fruitful labor. Both are great options (v. 22b).
Now look at verse 23.
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
Paul says he is torn—between two ideas.
The first idea: Being with Jesus is ALWAYS far better! (v. 23b)
but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
The second idea, and the one needed—Nevertheless, Paul knows that the church at Philippi still needs him--his teachings, his help, his something--so he knows that he will remain in this physical like (v. 24).
No Real Choice
No Real Choice
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
Paul says he is convinced that he will continue living (v 25a).
So he knows that his continued life will result in the Philippians experiencing joy in the faith (v. 25b).
so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
And he knows that him being with them will result in their boasting more about Jesus--because of what they see Jesus do in Paul’s life (v. 26).
So What?
So What?
Paul’s legacy was the people of the church at Philippi. His legacy was the people of the church at Ephesus, and the church of the Thessalonians, and Corinthians, and of course those from Galatia.
You see, his legacy was in people—and their relationship with Jesus Christ.
So what is your legacy? The legacy of knowing Jesus is to have the heart of Jesus. To know His heart is to have a longing to see people come to know Him.
The heart of Jesus—in deed the heart of our triune God is the salvation of humans. God expressed it well in John 3:16.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
In John 15:7 Jesus told His disciples that to love Him ment they must keep His words alive in them.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Then later in John 15, Jesus continues with this thought. In verse 11 He says,
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
So keeping His words in us, will place His joy in us and make our Joy complete—full to over flowing.
Now continuing in this same passage in John, Jesus continues:
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Did you see it! Jesus cares so much about people that He wants His disciples to love each other.
Think about it, we are to love people more than our personal agendas.
We are to love people more than ourselves.
We are to love people—especially our brothers and sisters in the Lord—more than anything other than God!
And when we come to verse 13, Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to demonstrate that kind of love to them. Read the verse!
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
In His last conversations with His disciples, Jesus tells them that He is going to demonstrate the kind of love they are supposed to have for each other!
So if you are going to leave a legacy here on earth:
Make sure you love people more than things!
Make sure you love people more than your personal agenda.
Make sure you love people more than your own life.
You see, if you and I are going to leave a legacy that will last, then we must leave a legacy of people who we have helped to know Jesus, and people that we have helped know Jesus more and more!
[PRAYER]