Legacy II

Enduring Faith

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The Definition of Legacy: The dictionary would define Legacy as a gift or a bequest, that is handed down, endowed or conveyed from one person to another. It is something descendible. One comes into possession of that is transmitted, inherited or received from a predecessor.

Last week we defined Legacy: as a gift or a bequest, that is handed down, endowed or conveyed from one person to another. It is something descendible. One comes into possession of that is transmitted, inherited or received from a predecessor.

What gifts, bequest, endowments, or inheritances, do you plan to hand down to your predecessors?

There is another ideal floating around with the idea of legacy, and that is lasting legacy.

The idea of leaving a legacy, or lasting legacy is the need or the desire to be remembered for what you have contributed to the world. In some cases, that contribution can be so special that the universe is unalterably changed.

It is easy to look at a career such as Michael Jordan and say, what a lasting legacy. As one of , if not the, greatest basketball player that ever lived, his “legacy” will live on. However, it isn’t something he has passed on, yet.

I think of great politicians with long careers who performed a great service for our country, but they may not have passed down the traits of good work habits or skillful negotiating. Yet they were remarkable in their career and left a lasting legacy.

After watching a special documentary of the Kennedy’s recently, and thinking of their legacy, it appeared their legacy was short life, no disrespect, but when we search for Kennedy legacy, and we see tragedy after tragedy.

However, for most mere mortals walking this earth, we may leave a more modest legacy that doesn't necessarily change the world but does leave a lasting footprint that will be remembered by those whose lives you touched.

However, for most mere mortals walking this earth, most will leave a more modest legacy that doesn't necessarily change the world but does leave a lasting footprint that will be remembered by those whose lives you touched.

"Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you." -- Shannon L. Alder

Huffington Post

Support causes, share blessings, mentor others, be remembered, pursue passion, these are all the ways we leave a legacy.

Ask yourself, did you grow and perhaps transform your life, make changes when you needed to, find your truth, inspire others, become a leader or influence others? Touching lives and exemplifying a truthful path is paramount to living a joyful and purposeful life. Your legacy will live on.

And so I pick up our story. John the Baptist is present. He is baptizing in an area where there is much water. His disciples come to him, verse 26, and they complain “there is another church next door and they don’t do it like we do.”

Not really, read the text: Jesus is baptizing near by, and John rejoices. Why?

Lasting Legacy; the promise of God. God has handed down His promise for a savior of the people. God’s promise was this: He would take His law and write it on the hearts of men, not on stone. God would turn every man’s heart to Himself. The scribe of that promise is present. The one who will write on the hearts of men is in their midst. The bridegroom, ready to adorn His bride.

Verse 30, John says, my work is being completed, I have done what I came to do. My legacy is to be the forerunner of Christ, to prepare the way. I will be known. My lasting legacy has been written.

He must increase, I must decrease.

Eugene Peterson writes this: “Why are we here? We are here to say God. We are here for one reason and one reason only: to pray. We are here to focus the brimming, overflowing, cascading energies of joy, sorrow, delight, or appreciation if only for a moment, but for as long as we are able, on God. We are here to say God personally, to say his name clearly, distinctly, unapologetically, in prayer. We are to say it without hemming or hawing, without throat clearing and without shuffling, without propagandizing, proselytizing, or manipulating. We have no other task; we are not needed to add to what is there; there is already more than anyone can take in. We are required only to say the Name: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

And that’s what John did.

He said Jesus. Unapologetically, without hemming or hawing, without throat clearing and without shuffling, without propagandizing, proselytizing, or manipulating.

John has a lasting legacy.

What about Jesus. Jesus brings with Him, all power and authority for the supernatural. He has the keys to heaven and hell. He has seen and heard, verse 32, and what he has seen and heard, He testifies.

He testifies, God is light, God is love, God is grace, God is merciful. And just as important is verse 34. He gives the Spirit without measure.

The same measure of the Spirit is on Billy Graham as is on you. Dwight Moody, John Wesley, Charles Stanley, Ravi Zacharias, as is on you and me.

The same measure of the Spirit is in you to do _______ what with?

As John the Baptist decreased, and the work of Christ increased, the name and power of God was displayed:

In His person - Jesus walked among the people and without sin

In His workings - He taught as one having authority

In His death’In His resurrection - conquered death, hell and the grave and n the third day rose again

The word I want you to hear today about your living legacy, is discipline. Godly discipline.

Godly discipline that has the word of God tucked into every crevice of your being. You have read it, studied it, become a student of it, and you share it.

Godly prayer, a prayer that prays, whether heights or depths, whether riches or the poor house, whether in abundant life, or persecution, sickness or health, give me more of Jesus.

Yes you must:

Meet Needs

Love without reservation

Pray without ceasing

Speak the Name of God

But it all takes discipline

Here in is the trouble

Stomach

No not your literal stomach, but the entrails that desire earthly, immediate pleasure. Your lasting legacy will be diminished and destroyed by your stomach, your earthly cravings you can’t put away, that are contrary to God’s will.

What will you do to put down what so easily entangles you and pick up what really matters.

John stated, He must increase, but I must decrease.

Is it your goal, to increase in worldly good and possessions, attractions and pleasures, status and number of likes, or to please God?

Eternal legacy comes from spiritual discipline.

Prayer

Eugene Peterson continues: “The world doesn’t not need more of you; it needs more of God. Your friends do not need more of you; they need more of God. And you don’t need more of you, you need more of God.”