STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

3/24/2011 ~ Leaving A Legacy

The Greatest Generation?                                                           └─> Normally associated with WWII veterans.                                                               └─> Returning to build the greatest free country ever known. ... another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD ... ~ Judges 2:10 How goes the story? ... Many ages and stories have been written in the time of man. ~ Those who have had better and worse ... Renaissance out of the Dark Ages.                  └─> Federalism in the early American States.      └─> The New Deal of Roosevelt. For what we are remembered is known as impact → our collision with others. IMPACT = IMPRESSION Intensity is what moves both good and bad. ~ The question is, what will be each of our legacies?    ... For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. ~ James 4:14 We need to keep our eye ahead as we cherish the past. DO NOT MISS THE TIME YOU HAVE A lifetime is just a small window in time. If you live just for the moment, you may miss an enduring impact.                                                          Legacy. <─┘ ... 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' ... ~ Matthew 6:31-34 └─> Temporal concerns.                  It is more than the temporary mundane ... "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, ..." ~ Matthew 5:13 "... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, ..." ~ Matthew 6:19-21 ↑                       Store up treasure in heaven. ... things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. ~ Hebrews 11:1-3 ~ Hebrews 11 is a chapter of legacies. ↓ ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓ Abel, Cain, Enoch, Noah, Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, etc. John is known as a legacy Gospel. Jesus getting His disciples ready for when He departs. <─┘                               "... I go to prepare a place for you. ..." ~ John 14:2-3                      \ | / The Legacy of JESUS.                      / | \ ... that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken ... ~ 2nd Peter 3:1-2 ↑ Peter writes us so that we can know, by remembrance. Paul also dedicates his life for the benefit of others ... ↓ ... I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:1-8 └─> Awaiting departure.  ... the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; ... ~ Romans 1:17 What is it that we leave for others? ... → Every day is a page in your life.   Some days are dark where others are light.      OOOOOOOO ↓ Challenges Trials OOOOOOo ↑ Joys Contentment WHEN PEOPLE COLLIDE = RELATIONSHIP Relationships can build us up or wear us down. Is your page today for good or bad? ~ Are you waiting to write that good page one day? → What is the bulk of your story? REALITY = HOW YOU ARE REMEMBERED ... like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:17-18             A torch of light? ... for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:10   \ | / –   or Darkness?   –   / | \ Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:14-15 ↑ Wickedness obstructing the gospel? ... but all forsook me. ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:16 ⭨                                                        ┌─> All else were afraid to endure. Paul as the sole light bearer. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:11 ↓ A well of refreshing. ⭩ ↓ ⭨ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ~ 2nd Timothy 4:19 Still faithful to the end is key. ~ LEGACY ~ Memory The First Page The Last Page      DEMAS      X Started well Col. 4:14   Philemon 1:24 Abandons the Work 2nd Timothy 4:10 JOHN MARK  √ Starts as a Coward Acts 13:13 , 15:38   Finishes useful minister 2nd Tim. 4:11 ... The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. ... ~ Ezekiel 18:20-24 HOW DOES YOUR STORY FINISH? What we must do – 1. Face the Foe 2. Complete the Course 3. Protect what is Precious 4. Collect the Crown I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:7-8 Hate evil, love good; ... ~ Amos 5:15 To hate evil is to be able to discern between good and bad. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. ~ Ephesians 5:11 And to have your actions planted in faithfulness. "... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." ~ Joshua 24:15 Alcohol in the home is most damaging to children as a legacy example. └─> Corruption and lawlessness follow.                                              WRITE A GOOD ENDING ... "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." ~ Colossians 4:17 ... Guard what was committed to your trust, ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:18-20 We write on other people’s hearts – how do your chapters go? CHAPTERS WELL WRITTEN? ? YOUTH EDUCATION FAMILY CAREER SPIRITUALITY OLD AGE → H I S B L O O D → KINGDOM OF GOD Col.1:13-14 C H O I C E S LOVE Ec.11:9-10 Prov.12:1 Prov.22:6 1st Jo.2:15 1st Cor.16:14 Titus 2:1-8 HOLINESS 1st Tim.4:12 Prov.9:10 Col.3:17-22 Col.3:23 1st Pet.1:13-16 Rom.12:1 ANGER Ec.7:9 Prov.1:7 Eph.6:4 Prov.27:4 1st Th.5:9-10 2nd Tim.3:1-5 → S E L F F O C U S → SEPARATION IN DESOLATION Ps.73:18-19 LUST 2nd Tim.2:22 Jude 1:16 1st Th.4:3-5 1st Jo.2:16-17 Mat.26:41 Gal.5:15-26 ARROGANT 2nd Tim.3:2 2nd Cor.10:5 Is.5:21 Is.56:11 2nd Th.2:4 Prov.16:18 Are you part of the family of God? – Part of the legacy of Jesus? Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. ~ Psalms 37:27 Embrace what is good and depart that which is evil. Rejoice in the chapters you leave for others. Keep your torch lit to be passed on. FAITHFUL ↑ DOUBT?    ⭦     ⭧   ERRORS? ← ¤ → UNBELIEF?   ⭩     ⭨ LAWLESSNESS? ↓ UNFAITHFUL What is the compass of your story? Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ... ~ Proverbs 3:5-8 IS YOUR LEGACY ~ A PERSON OF GOD? Thanks be to my brother in Christ, Mark Moseley.