Building A Legacy

Introduction

Today is a watershed day in the history of Eastwood. We have Alec Auwen here in view of a call.

An opportunity for him to begin his own ministry legacy of pointing people to Jesus.

We are fortunate here. Three of our past five youth pastors have had tenures of more than four years.

8 years. 5 1/2 years. and 4 years.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 37% of youth pastors have a tenure of 1 - 2 years. 20% are 3 - 4 years. 17% 5 - 7 years.

Alec steps into a legacy of youth ministry that some of you here are products of.

As I think about the concept of legacy, I have to remind myself that eventually I will no longer be the pastor here at Eastwood.

In my mind, I try to be constantly preparing the church for that transition.

I want our ministries and committees to be healthy and able.

I want people to say that Eastwood was healthy when I left than when I was called to be the pastor here.

I want this church to have consistent momentum so that Eastwood will continue advancing the Gospel in our community, our state, our nation, and our world.

I think the concept of a legacy is one that is normal and healthy to consider, especially as one advances in years and in hairloss.

David’s legacy would soon transition from being conjecture to historical fact.

1 Kings 1:1 ESV

1 Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm.

Abishag was brought in to attend to the king but proved to be proof of his decline.

David appointed the son he had with Bathsheba, Solomon, to be his heir.

This chapter begins with the speech he gave to Solomon to challenge him to remember that his life would leave a legacy.

His words and his deeds set forth a legacy not just contained in the Israelite history books but also in Holy Scripture.

The words of David also serve to remind each of us that...

Your words and deeds leave a legacy.

Acknowledge Your Mortality

vv. 1-2a

David knew and he used this opportunity to talk to Solomon.

I’ve sat with many people from our church as they’ve taken their last breath.

Prayer. Quoting Scripture. Holding their hand. Saying goodbye.

But, here’s the reality, we aren’t always given notice.

Bridgett. Friend from high school. Had just graduated high school and was in her freshman year of college when she had an aneurysm and tragically passed away.

Our group of friends had spent hours hanging out, laughing, dreaming, and doing stupid things.

When you lose someone like that, you think of all the things you wish you’d told them.

We don’t know when we will die, but we know that there will be a time where we are no longer here.

Scripture encourages us to remember that our time here is limited.

Psalm 90:12 ESV

12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

This warning is given to us also by the poet Robert Harrick, “To the virgins, to make much of time”:

“Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,

Old Time is still a-flying;

And this same flower that smiles today

Tomorrow will be dying.”

This mentality is summarized in the Latin phrase, “Carpe Diem.” Meaning “Seize the day.”

A phrase I have on the wall in my office as a reminder that each day is unique. But, also...

Each day is an opportunity.

How will you make this day count for the glory of God?

To know Him more and to make Him known.

Loving God and loving others.

Acknowledge Your Meaning

vv. 2b-3b

First, David calls Solomon to “be strong.”

This is not about physical strength, but spiritual strength.

Quite possible that David is reflecting on his own spiritual weaknesses.

His sin that involved Solomon’s own mother.

He doesn’t want to see his son travel down that same road.

We are all called to experience sanctification.

Second, David calls his son to “show yourself a man.”

Lots of conversations these days about what is manly.

The confusion between being macho and manly certainly exists.

The incident at the Oscars last Sunday night provided fodder for that conversation.

Two sides that I heard a lot of. Will Smith was being manly by protecting his wife. Will Smith was not being manly because he resorted to violence.

In reality, there is truth somewhere between those.

One can protect without taking the easy route to sucker-punch another person.

Causes us to admit that there isn’t a lot of good examples in Hollywood, or in the world, of true manliness.

This passage was spoken by David to a specific audience: Solomon.

David knew that as a ruler, there would be opportunities to take the easy route to get what he wanted.

For Solomon, he needed to stand up for what was right in the eyes of God as the king of Israel.

How does this apply to us today?

Be who God created you to be.

The third calling from David was to be a student of the Word.

Notice the use of seven different phrases here.

Seven is a number of perfection or completeness.

The Word of God is sufficient.

This is why I emphasize it so much.

Never will I stand to teach or preach and give opinions.

I have no personal wisdom to bring to you.

I can only bring to you Scripture.

And if your only contact with the Bible is happening when someone is teaching you, you won’t reach your own spiritual potential.

We are all called to learn to rightly handle the Word of God.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Why we acknowledge that Scripture is inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative, and sufficient.

London Baptist Confession (1677):

“The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving Knowledge, Faith and Obedience.”

Acknowledge Your Mission

vv. 3c-4

David follows up by encouraging Solomon with the results of finding his God given meaning.

Prosperity! No…not financial. Spiritual blessing, which is far more valuable than financial.

All that he does…actions. Wherever he turns, that is to face…priorities.

This is the fruit of keeping your root in your relationship with God.

God will bless your actions and your priorities.

As parents, the struggle is real! Especially as busy as things are!

Yet, we can be blessed in this as we keep God first and then take advantage of opportunities and the way we prioritize our family.

In the community, as we as a church seek to be a church for the community.

Our missions team, as we consider how best to be light in darkness.

We have to consider the resources God has given us and then choose priorities and take action.

Knowing that we can stick to God’s Word and find Him guiding and blessing us encourages me!

Or, how we serve as members of this church.

Membership is important! It defines commitment to the local body of believers.

Yellow sheets in your chair.

A lot of those positions are reserved for those who have joined this church.

Especially within our children’s ministry - member for six months.

Membership defined on the back of the bulletin.

Yellow sheet verse:

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

You have a mission, a calling.

And God has given every single believer spiritual gifts on top of natural talents and interests, to accomplish that calling.

Someone once told me that they didn’t think they had a spiritual gift, it’s like saying you are not a Christian.

Conclusion

James Dobson once said that the true test of your parenting skills isn’t how your kids turn out but how your grandkids turn out.

Here was a question of legacy which David was staring in the face.

And, as you read on in 1 Kings 12, you see how quickly the descendants of David turned from The LORD.

David’s folly was in thinking that a deathbed speech would change the legacy he had built over a lifetime.

In reality, David should have been setting the right example during his life.

Your legacy has begun.

The beautiful thing about grace.

Set the example now.

Maybe an example of repentance.

Maybe an example of truly living out your faith.

This is how God makes beauty from ashes.

Isaiah 61:3 ESV

3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

May we go from this place rooted firmly in God and become oaks of righteousness.