Leaving a Legacy

A Man After God’s Heart 12

Intro:

Visual: leaving a legacy in a will

Last sermon in the series

David’s last prayer leaves us a blueprint and left David’s legacy.

Read 1 Chronicles 29:10-20

10 Then David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly. David said, May you be blessed, Lord God of our father Israel, from eternity to eternity. 11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 12 Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name.

14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your own hand. 15 For we are aliens and temporary residents in your presence as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this wealth that we’ve provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand; everything belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and that you are pleased with what is right. I have willingly given all these things with an upright heart, and now I have seen your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to you. 18 Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of your people, and confirm their hearts toward you. 19 Give my son Solomon an undivided heart to keep and to carry out all your commands, your decrees, and your statutes, and to build the building for which I have made provision.

20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Blessed be the Lord your God.” So the whole assembly praised the Lord God of their ancestors. They knelt low and paid homage to the Lord and the king.

A Man After God’s Heart lesson 12 Leaving a Legacy 1 Chronicles 29:10-20

David’s prayer for the blessing and establishment of God’s people and for the future temple left a great legacy.

We should seek the Lord’s blessings and seek to leave a lasting legacy as well.

What can we learn from David’s legacy?

1. David’s legacy teaches us to praise God. vs. 10-13

Exp: We give thanks and praiser your name

Ill: Ps. 86:12

Psalm 86:12 (CSB)

I will praise you with all my heart, Lord my God, and will honor your name forever.

Ill: David wrote half of the Psalms we enjoy in our Bible. 75 of 150 give direct or implied connection to David. Most of them teach us to praise the Lord.

App: Follow David’s legacy and praise the Lord.

2. David’s legacy teaches us humility. vs. 14-15

Exp: Who am I and who are we? Everything comes from you.

Ill: Quote from Steve Kern’s poem

App: Follow David’s legacy and humble yourself before the Lord.

3. David’s legacy teaches us to rely on God. v. 16

Exp: from your hand, everything belongs to you

Ill: Ps. 34:9-10

Psalm 34:9–10 (CSB)

You who are his holy ones, fear the Lord,

for those who fear him lack nothing.

Young lions lack food and go hungry,

but those who seek the Lord

will not lack any good thing.

App: Follow David’s legacy and trust the Lord.

4. David’s legacy teaches us to be generous. v. 17

Exp: I have willingly given from a pure heart and the people have given joyfully and willingly

Ill: 1 Chron. 29:4, 7

1 Chronicles 29:4 CSB

100 tons of gold (gold of Ophir) and 250 tons of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings,

1 Chronicles 29:7 CSB

For the service of God’s house they gave 185 tons of gold and 10,000 gold coins, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 4,000 tons of iron.

App: Follow David’s legacy and give back to the Lord.

5. David’s legacy teaches us to focus only on God. vs. 18-19

Exp: keep this desire forever in our hearts and give Solomon an undivided heart

Ill: Ps. 62:1-2

Psalm 62:1–2 (CSB)

I am at rest in God alone;

my salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my stronghold; I will never be shaken.

App: Follow David’s legacy and focus soley on the Lord.

Conclusion: David left a legacy that we can and should still follow.

Invitation: Leave a legacy worth following.