What About Leaving a Legacy?

Introduction

We all have people in our lives, who have pointed us to Jesus.

They continue to be shining examples for us in what it means to walk with Jesus.

This morning, be assured that people are watching your life also.

When they look at your life, what do they see? What kind of LEGACY are you leaving?

Psalm 145:1–7 ESV

1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. 7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

3 KEYS TO UNLOCKING A CHRIST-CENTERED LEGACY…

1) FAITHFULNESS… (vs. 1-3)

Psalm 145:1–3 ESV

1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Faithfulness is one of those things that is easy to say, but no so easy to do.

It’s sticking to our commitments, even when we don’t feel like it.

The Lighthouse Keeper Illustration: “No matter what keep the light burning…lives depend on it!”

The Psalmist says, “Every day I will bless you and praise your name…forever and ever!”

David is declaring that no matter what his day holds…God is his focus!

When all else seems to be falling apart, He knows that God stands firm and remains through it all!

We are not the motivation behind true faithfulness…God is! (vs. 3)

The Lord is worthy of all of who we are, even when all of who we are feels tired, weary, worn, and stuck in a rut!

On our best days, we are His.

On our worst days, we are His.

Faithfulness finds its motivation in our Great Lord who is greatly to be praised and whose greatness is unsearchable!

2) FRUITFULNESS… (vs. 4)

Psalm 145:4 ESV

4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

Being fruitful means that you are sowing the seeds of God’s greatness into others.

It is passing the baton to the next generation of believers!

Relay Race Illustration: “Don’t drop the baton in the last leg…”

We must ensure that we are faithful not only to recognize God’s greatness, but to pass on the good news of His works to those whom we have a presence in their lives.

You are never too old to influence and impact the next generation of believers! (Those who had great impact in my life were in their “retirement” years.)

Stories of people in my life who displayed Faithfulness, Fruitfulness, and Fervency: Henry Brann, Orella Harden, Ila Mae Johnson

Fruitfulness happens when the Holy Spirit works through us to create influence and impact in the lives of others.

Influence is how people are affected by your presence…

Impact is how people’s lives are changed even by your absence…

To unlock a Christ-honoring, God-glorifying LEGACY, we must dedicate ourselves to being a people of Spirit-driven influence, and Christ-centered impact!

3) FERVENCY… (vs. 5-7)

Psalm 145:5–7 ESV

5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. 7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

Fervency is not simply acknowledging God’s greatness or spreading God’s greatness…it is doing it with PASSION and FIRE!

We do not meditate or have our minds consumed by things we are not passionate about!

That which we are most passionate about will dominate our thoughts, motivations, and actions!

“Mr. Belt and the Bees” Illustration: What you are passionate about you will readily talk about with others.

Fervency means that we will admire what God admires…we will love what God loves, the way He loves it…we will cherish what God cherishes…we will honor what God honors…we will desire what God desires!

All of these things find their place in His Church!

Unlocking a Christ-centered LEGACY takes place in His Church.

You cannot love the things that God loves and not love His Church.

Likewise, you cannot love His church the way He loves His church and only be a spectator!

The church is not God’s hamster cage where He sits idly by and watches His pets! NO…THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST!

We must be participants in His church...and we must participate with passion!

Fervency is being passionate for God to move in a mighty way to display the glorious splendor of His majesty!

CLOSING

“Only One Life”

A Poem by C. T. Studd, missionary to China, India and Africa in the late 1800s

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

UNLOCK A LIFE THAT LASTS…UNLOCK A CHRIST-CENTERED LEGACY BY BEING FAITHFUL, FRUITFUL, AND FERVENT!

WELCOME WENDALL LANG TO HELP SHOW JUST ONE ASPECT OF HOW WE CAN APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES!