What is your Legacy?

Leave Your Mark

Proverbs 22:6

Summary: Proverbs 22:6 emphasizes the importance of training up a child in the way they should go, so that when they are old, they will not depart from it.

Application: This Bible passage challenges Christians and others to prioritize the spiritual upbringing and education of the next generation, understanding that the values and beliefs instilled in them early on can have a lasting impact on their lives.

Teaching: This sermon teaches the vital role that parents, guardians, and mentors play in shaping the faith and character of young people, and the responsibility they have to model a life of faith and integrity.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to the loving and instructive nature of God as a Father, guiding His children in the paths of righteousness to ensure they stay on the right course.

Big Idea: By investing in the spiritual formation of the next generation, we have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of faith that honors God and impacts the world for His kingdom.

Good morning,

Today is a special day in the life of our church, and one that i dont beleive we have ever had before. Today is Legacy Day, as we dedicate these 6 children and commit to walking alongside their families to raise them up in the ways of the Lord, we also celebrate a lifetime of service to our church through Bill Granger.

This is not an easy day, and this has not been an easy message to prepare, but as I worked through the message I felt this sense of calm, and appreciation for the opportunity to see two major points along life’s journey side by side. The passage that came right to mind when preparing for today was Proverbs 22:6. It encapsualtes everything we see today, reminding us that how we start is largely how we finish.

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

1. Shaping Spirits, Securing Futures

Proverbs 22:6

Emphasize the promise and challenge embedded in Proverbs 22:6, discussing how parenting and mentorship modeled after God's loving guidance can shape a future generation of believers. This point explores the impact of a godly legacy, reflected in the personal and societal transformation that occurs when individuals are rooted in faith from a young age. Highlighting the importance of action and example, this section could suggest practical ways to embed faith into daily interactions with young people.

Bill has served in our church in so many ways for so many years. From Sunday School Director and teacher, Deacon, Upward, GPS, just an overall servant.

Through this he has had the opportunity to reach a multitude of kids.

Bill has shared with me the stories of kids who have come up to him and expressed theur gratitude for what he meant in their life. Whether it was church or sports.

He took the charge to shape spirits and secure futures seriously

As we look at these babies today, that is what we, as a church family, are called to do as well.

We are to embed the importance of faith in them through our interactions with them.

We are to ensure that faith takes root, deeply within them.

How do we do this?

Serve

Lead

Teach

Coach

Interact

Kids need positive adult role models and influence

But it only happens if your walk with the Lord is right.

2. Planting Principles, Harvesting Hope

Proverbs 22:6

The second point delves into the personal responsibility each believer has towards nurturing the faith of the next generation, akin to spiritual gardening. It includes testimonies or biblical examples of individuals who significantly influenced others for God's kingdom, thus illustrating the powerful impact of living a life of faith and integrity. This serves as an encouragement and a challenge to assess the legacy one is building through their actions and words.

Through all of these ways we have the chance to plant the important principles of faith

Have you taken part in cultivating?

When we do this, we see the hravest of hope that comes in their lives

We must be steady, consistent, and willing to work.

As Bill has served, so must we

It starts with commiting to these chikdren and familes, that we are not a church of emtpy words but actions.

We must live lives of faith and integrity

3. Legacy of Love, Lineage of Faith

Proverbs 22:6

The final part, focuses on the Christocentric aspect of legacy-building, pointing out that Christ himself invested in individuals for the sake of the future of His Church. Living with the end in mind, modeling Christ’s sacrificial love and purposeful teaching, not only ensures that faith is passed down but also that it flourishes in the hearts of those who come after us. This could conclude with a call to commitment, challenging the audience to consider what legacy of faith they wish to leave behind.

We see the Legacy of love that comes from Christ.

It’s not just about Bill, but he was able to do all He did for us because of what Christ has done for Him.

Jesus invested his time in people, he ate with the lowly, we traveled with the discarded

We lived beyond His comfort.

Jesus lived His life with the end in mind. He knew each interaction, each moment, was for the future and the salvation to come through His death on the cross.

As we look at these little ones today, we see our future, the ones who will be here after we are gone. Are we willing to invest in them? To take todays challenge seriously?

This next generation needs our help and guidance, not simply a friend.

Are we willing to put in the time? Do you see an area you can reach? Will you pray for opportunities, and for these families?

Conclusion

What is your legacy? Will we be remembered as people who loved well, served faithfully, and trained up our children? Let today be that challenge for us. Let’s get to work, and change this community, our families, our future, for the Lord. It all starts with these here today. Parents we are committed to you and your children. Church, are we serious about this? Maybe you need to reset your walk today, by doing that we will better understand the legacy the Lord has for us to leave. Knowing it is not our legacy, but His.