Living Legacy

INTRO: In some high school yearbooks, students vote some of their classmates to certain superlative titles: the class clown, the class jock, most spirited, etc. Of course, some students earn academic titles like valedictorian, salutatorian, etc. It’s what they are known for and perhaps to some degree a legacy of their impact on the student body.

Well, I want to ask you this morning, what are you known for? If I were to meet some of your close friends, business colleagues, or family, what would they tell me about you? Specifically, what would they say about your faith in Jesus?

Would they tell me that you were convictional? That you did not waver in your values and that your confidence in Christ shone through the mess and chaos of the world?

Would they tell me that you were authentic and humble- quick to give grace and generous with your edifying words?

Would they tell me that you were intentional to invest in the lives of others and could name some of those whom you discipled?

What would you say about yourself in regards to your faith? What could be said about your impact on those around you?

In our bibles, we get a sense of the apostle Paul’s legacy- he was a missionary, a church planter, an encourager, a trainer of ministers, a disciple maker, a voice of truth, a steadfast witness of the gospel. But the thing we have to acknowledge is that we can often paint an image of Paul’s ministry that is very tame; one that is neat and admirable.

The reality is that, because of his steadfast faith and conviction- because of his courage to say hard truths and confront dangerous ideologies, Paul faced many challenges- physical challenges such as imprisonment, being beaten, stoned, and mobbed; spiritual challenges such as the remorse of his past sins, the wrestling with difficult theological challenges, and the “thorn in his flesh” that he prayed for God to remove. He also faced psychological and emotional challenges- in fact we see in 2 Tim. 1:15, that many people he had poured into and shared the gospel with in Asia had turned away from both the gospel and Paul. Being a Christian leader is often a lonely venture.

But Paul’s impact on the Christian church is unmatched among men. Paul’s impact was great, yet his legacy endures only because it was anchored in Christ and His gospel. Did you know that you can have an eternal impact upon others? Especially those whom you care about most?

This is what Trail Marker 4 is all about. Over the past several weeks, we’ve looked at the Discipleship Trail as a framework for our own personal growth as Christians as well as a map that we can use to guide others along the path of Christian maturity. And as we get to this 4th trail marker, we must refuse to be complacent, but instead we must seek to build a gospel legacy.

And it’s important to realize that our legacy is not just people remember when we are dead and gone. Our legacy is a reflection of the life we live today. In order for us to leave a legacy, we have to live a legacy. That takes intentional investment into our personal growth an health as well as into others.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, we see the written expression of Paul’s investment into this young man. For our time this morning, we are going to examine 2 Tim. 2:1-13. The sermon is titled, Living Legacy and in this text, we will see 3 principles for living out and thus leaving a gospel legacy. There is a sermon guide in your bulletin that you can use as we learn together. Let’s dive in.

The first principle of living a gospel legacy is:

Replicate Your Witness (1-2)

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This encouragement comes after Paul has already affirmed his own convictions, perhaps calling to memory the fundamental areas of faith which he had taught Timothy. Let me highlight a few of these:

v. 3 - Paul has no regrets about his dedication to Christ.

v. 8 - Paul reminded Timothy to be courageous and bold in his faith, emphasizing the holy calling to know Christ.

v. 12 - Paul asserts his confidence in Christ amid suffering - a testimony Timothy could return to in times of discouragement.

We can look through other NT books and see that the method used by apostles and preachers of the Gospel in the 1st century was to give themselves as models of the gospel, not just proclaimers.

1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 “7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”

Just as Paul had intentionally invested his life in Timothy, he tells the young man to go and do the same in the lives of others. So, if I can point you back to the map of the Discipleship Trail: As you are maturing in Christ, seeing the fruit of the Spirit, impart yourself intentionally into others so that they can receive the benefit not only of the message of the gospel, but of a the impact of the gospel.

This is a sacrifice. But it is one that yields tremendous eternal results.

ILL: There is a starfish called the Crown-of-Thorns starfish. They live and feed off of coral reefs. The thing about these starfish is that every part of their body carries all of their DNA. So, if you were to cut off a leg, what you would have is not a legless starfish, but two starfish. This was learned when marine biologists attempting to save the coral reefs dove down and killed these starfish by cutting them in half with a knife. When they thought it was successful, they later learned that they in fact actually doubled the population.

Our role as disciples of Jesus is to multiply by replicating our witness in the lives of others. Now, here’s the kicker: When we replicate our witness, we must ensure that we are leading them to also replicate their witness. (2b)

The gospel message and transformation cannot stop with you. We must multiply our impact by replicating our witness in the lives of others.

ACTION TIP: This week, will you share your testimony with someone you’ve been praying for? Will you begin to share your life… your authentic life in Christ with them?

Remain Focused & Faithful (3-7)

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Now, if I can be very candid here- we WILL always influence others with our lives… I know this because we always have people watching our lives. If you have kids, you know that sassy attitude came from somewhere. You might be someone’s reason to work hard, to live with integrity, etc. or you might be someone’s excuse for their own poor life choices.

The key here is that our lives must be so authentically secured in Christ that any reflection of our life is a reflection of Christ in us. How do we do this? By remaining focused. Keep the main thing the main thing!

Matthew 6:33 “33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Paul uses imagery here to make his point.

Active duty soldiers must be ready for battle at any time. Therefore, they cannot get caught up in distractions. They cannot risk being unfit- they must keep their skills honed, their mind sharp, and their feet ready. Likewise, Christians must live as an active duty soldier in the army of Christ. The danger is too great to be lazy or to get caught up in the temporary distractions and lusts of the world. We live for something greater! And friend, we must fix our eyes on the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of man.

Athletes have to play by the rules if they expect to win. What Paul is saying is that there are no cheats allowed- you cannot cut corners, you cannot pay off the referees, you cannot deflate footballs so you can grip them easier. That kind of thing will get you disqualified. Folks, the Judge of the universe is all-knowing. You cannot fool him.

In contrast, Paul uses the illustration of a farmer. Because the farmer plants, waters, weeds, and harvests, he is due his share of the crops.

These illustrations help us to see that our focus on Christ demands perseverance, obedience, and diligence.

You see, we have to understand why God has placed us here. Spoiler alert- it’s not to please ourselves. If we live our lives for our comfort and pleasure instead of the pleasure of King Jesus, then our witness and legacy will be marred.

ILL: We’ve all seen the heartbreak when Christian leaders fall. It reminds us how fragile we are and how desperately we need to remain rooted in Christ. We can’t help but think, “What if?” What if that pastor had persevered? How great an impact would his ministry have been! What if that music artist had been discipled so they had a strong theological foundation? What if there were more diligence and focus in these lives?

If we hope to leave a legacy, then we must live that legacy today by remaining focused on our purpose. We exist to glorify God by making mature disciples of Jesus Christ. And if we are going to replicate our witness in others, we must keep our eyes fixed upon the Master.

ACTION TIP: This week, identify one distraction that has the potential to sideline your witness- a secret sin, an addiction, bad habits, etc. Identify it and lay it down before God. Ask Him to deliver you and protect you; to help you fix your focus on the main thing.

Finally, in the midst of such determination, we must:

Remember the Gospel (8-13)

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The good news for you and I is that Jesus is alive. Our promised deliverer and rescuer has come, has conquered, and reigns supreme over all creation. It is because of the truth of the gospel that you and I can have confidence in living a legacy.

I want to read to you the confidence of Paul in 2 Timothy 1:12 “12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

This letter was Paul’s last letter as we sat in a Roman prison awaiting execution for his proclamation of the gospel. Paul himself was in chains, but his legacy was already being carried on through Timothy and Titus and so many others. Look at what he has to say in v.9b (READ)

Folks, the enduring power of God through His Gospel transforms lives - He rescues and redeems and you and I have the joy of partaking of this gospel. You and I have the blessing of oneness with Christ for 2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

You and I, having been redeemed, have also been grafted into Christ so that we share in His victory, we share in His grace, and we share in His glory.

And knowing this Gospel, we understand the value not only for ourselves, but for others. We know very well the reality that apart from Christ, our neighbors, our children, our friends will all stand before God condemned. BUT, if they repent and believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, they too can be one with Him.

Hear me. The certainty of God’s promise to all who will believe ought to motivate us. Why should you care about your legacy? It’s because you have the opportunity to impact eternity for those whom you love. Christ has saved you for this; not simply that you may be free from sin and shame, but that He would be Lord of your life. And because He is Lord, His desire for the world to repent and know Him becomes your desire.

Because Christ lives, your labor is never in vain. Because He reigns, your investment in others will bear eternal fruit.

This is how we fulfill the Great Commission. We bring others to the place where we are. Like Jesus, we meet them where they are, and walk with them to maturity, sharing our faith, our mission, and our lives.

ACTION TIP: The Gospel is so very powerful- it’s our why in our walk. So this week, will you take time to hide God’s word in your heart? I challenge you to memorize this passage in 2 Tim. 2:1-13 and recite it when you feel weary in your walk.

Church, your legacy is not something you leave behind when you die; it’s something you live today. And when you live it for Christ, others will carry it beyond your lifetime. We get to be a living legacy for the Kingdom of God; Secure, Focused, and Faithful. Yet as long as there is breath in our lungs, there is a trail to travel. There are opportunities to grow, to serve, to invest our lives into others.

Galatians 6:9 “9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

So I’m asking you, as your pastor, will you commit today not only to walk this discipleship trail yourself, but to take someone with you? This is how we leave a living legacy. I do not ask for my benefit- but for the sake of the Gospel in this community. Resources will be available for you to take with you and for you to bring others to as you guide them along the trail.

[PRAY]

LORD’S SUPPER?

Discuss: Read verses 1–2. Why does Paul emphasize teaching others who will teach others? How does this show the difference between addition and multiplication in discipleship?

Discuss: What distractions or “side missions” most often pull your attention away from Christ? How can you stay focused on the “main thing” this week?

Discuss: Verses 11–13 contain a trustworthy saying about dying with Christ and reigning with Him. What encouragement does this bring to your daily walk?