Sermon Central
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Living A Life Of Legacy
Contributed by David Dewitt on Jan 19, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: Every believer needs to look at the impact of how they are living and what they will leave behind when they pass from this life to the next
Living a Life of Legacy
January 19, 2003
Morning Message
Introduction
Just before the National Championship game; Jim Tressel gave a speech to encourage the players and raise them to another level. In that speech he asked the players a very powerful question: What do you want to be remembered for?
Life is a lot more important than a football game. Life is a lot more challenging than a football game. Life is a lot more rewarding than a football game. So let me ask you a question: What do you want to be remembered for? What is it that you want to leave behind when you pass from this life to the next?
This morning I want to look at some of the final words of the apostle Paul and get a sense of his perspective on what he was leaving behind for the cause of Christ.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting – God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 The Message
Three key questions about living
I. What kind of departure will you have?
A. Paul was ready for the journey
1. Paul said his life was an offering to God
a.) A drink offering was a special sacrifice given to God in the form of a person pouring out a cup of wine onto the altar. It was considered asa a fragrant offering that was believed to be especially pleasing to God.
b.) The understanding that Paul conveys is one of total commitment and sacrifice. Paul was literally saying that he was ready to give his all for the cause of Christ.
2. Paul was pouring out his life
a.) Paul was giving his everything to Christ. Paul was giving all of his past, all of his future, all of his life and all that he was over to the cause and Kingdom of Christ
b.) William Barclay Quote: Paul did not think of himself as going to be executed; he thought of himself as going to offer his life to God. His life was not being taken from him; he was laying it down. Ever since his conversion Paul had offered to God, his money, his scholarship, his strength, his time, the vigour of his body, the acuteness of his mind, the devotion of his passionate heart. Only life itself was left to offer, and gladly Paul was going to lay life down.
Q – Have you offered every area of your life over to God? What are you holding back? What are you waiting for?
B. Paul was ready to depart
1. Paul was raising anchor
a.) The first word picture for the word departure is that of a ship raising anchor and removing moorings to leave one country for an another
b.) Paul had been anchored in this life but was now ready to raise anchor and set sail for his new home
2. Paul was breaking camp
a.) The second word picture for departure is that of a camp being taken down to move on
b.) Paul was constantly moving from village to village, city to city and country to country. Paul was now breaking camp for the last time and heading for his permanent home in heaven.
3. Paul was released from his burden
a.) The third word picture of departure was that of unyoking an animal from the burden of its work
b.) Paul was being released from his burden and his labor for Christ’s kingdom was over. Paul was moving on to his rest with Christ.
Paul had given his all for the service of Christ and he was ready to move on to be with Christ
Q – What will you be remembered for?
II. What kind of legacy will you leave?
A. Paul fought the good fight
1. The picture of a faithful soldier
a.) The understanding of the good fight
1.) Every faithful soldier is called to fight in battle
2.) Paul had fought his battles for Christ and Paul had been victorious through Christ
