Building a Gospel Legacy for Future Generations
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor expressing gratitude for the opportunity to speak to the congregation, both physically present and online. The pastor shares their personal journey of joining the congregation online for over six months and appreciates the community's welcoming nature. The sermon is part of a series introducing the theme of the year, the story and way of Jesus.
The pastor introduces Psalm 78 as the anchor text for the message, emphasizing the collective story of God's people. The pastor explains that salvation is not just about individual salvation, but also about the unfolding salvation of God's people as a community throughout history. The pastor then transitions to the topic of "gospel legacy," which is described as the impact we leave on future generations. The pastor invites the congregation to reflect on the rich story of salvation history and to consider how God might use their lives to bring about transformation and shape future generations.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of passing down the stories and teachings of God to future generations. The sermon concludes by highlighting that this responsibility is not limited to parents or specific individuals, but is a collective duty for all believers to meditate on and celebrate who God is, reminding those to come of His awesomeness. The pastor also addresses parents directly, assuring them that they are not alone in their struggles and challenges. The church community stands with them, praying and supporting them in their journey of raising children who trust and obey God.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of the gospel legacy and its impact on future generations. The pastor highlights that what we do on Sundays and throughout the week, especially through gospel communities, has a purpose that extends to the lives of unborn babies and the next generation. The pastor encourages every Christ follower, regardless of their marital or parental status, to consider how they can contribute to the gospel legacy and steer the next generation towards trust and obedience.
The pastor concludes the sermon by emphasizing the fulfillment of God's community in the New Testament. The pastor refers to the Apostle Peter's use of language from Exodus to describe the church in 1 Peter 2. The church is described as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God. The purpose of the church is to declare the praises of God, who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Key Takeaways:
- Salvation is not just about individual salvation, but also about the unfolding salvation of God's people as a community throughout history. This understanding of salvation as a collective journey is crucial in shaping our faith and our role within the church community. [12:45]
- The concept of "gospel legacy" is about the impact we leave on future generations. It's about making much of the immense riches of God and what He has done for us in Jesus. This legacy is not limited to material possessions or fame, but is about the transformation and shaping of future generations through the story of salvation. [22:30]
- The responsibility of passing down the stories and teachings of God to future generations is a collective duty for all believers. It's not just about transmitting information, but also about demonstrating the value of children and the importance of their inclusion in the faith community. [35:10]
- The gospel legacy extends to the lives of unborn babies and the next generation. Every Christ follower, regardless of their marital or parental status, has a role to play in contributing to this legacy and steering the next generation towards trust and obedience. [45:20]
- The church, as described in 1 Peter 2, is a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God. The purpose of the church is to declare the praises of God, who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light. This understanding of the church as a united and diverse community is a fulfillment of God's intention from the beginning. [58:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 78:1-8: "My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him."
2. 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
3. Mark 10:14: "When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'"
Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 78:1-8 tell us about the importance of passing down the teachings of God to future generations?
2. How does 1 Peter 2:9 describe the church and its purpose?
3. What does Mark 10:14 reveal about Jesus' attitude towards children and their place in the kingdom of God?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of a "gospel legacy" relate to the teachings in Psalm 78:1-8?
2. In what ways does the description of the church in 1 Peter 2:9 reflect the idea of collective salvation and community?
3. How might Mark 10:14 inform our understanding of the role of children in the faith community and the importance of their inclusion?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Psalm 78:1-8, what are some specific ways you can contribute to the "gospel legacy" in your own life?
2. Considering the description of the church in 1 Peter 2:9, how can you actively participate in declaring the praises of God in your daily life?
3. In light of Mark 10:14, how can you ensure children in your life feel included and valued in the faith community?
4. What is one action you can take this week to demonstrate the value of children and their inclusion in the faith community?
5. How can you use your life to bring about transformation and shape future generations, as suggested in Psalm 78:1-8?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Collective Salvation
The journey of salvation is not a solitary one, but a shared experience within the community of believers. It's about recognizing the unfolding story of God's people throughout history and understanding our role within this narrative. [12:45]
Ephesians 2:19-20 - "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."
Reflection: Reflect on your role within the church community. How can you contribute to the collective journey of salvation?
Day 2: Leaving a Gospel Legacy
The concept of "gospel legacy" is about the impact we leave on future generations. It's about making much of the immense riches of God and what He has done for us in Jesus. This legacy is not limited to material possessions or fame, but is about the transformation and shaping of future generations through the story of salvation. [22:30]
Psalm 78:4 - "We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the gospel legacy and shape future generations through your actions and words?
Day 3: Passing Down God's Teachings
The responsibility of passing down the stories and teachings of God to future generations is a collective duty for all believers. It's not just about transmitting information, but also about demonstrating the value of children and the importance of their inclusion in the faith community. [35:10]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that the teachings of God are passed down to the next generation in your family or community?
Day 4: Extending the Gospel Legacy
The gospel legacy extends to the lives of unborn babies and the next generation. Every Christ follower, regardless of their marital or parental status, has a role to play in contributing to this legacy and steering the next generation towards trust and obedience. [45:20]
2 Timothy 2:2 - "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."
Reflection: How can you use your influence to steer the next generation towards trust and obedience to God?
Day 5: Embodying the Church's Purpose
The church, as described in 1 Peter 2, is a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God. The purpose of the church is to declare the praises of God, who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light. This understanding of the church as a united and diverse community is a fulfillment of God's intention from the beginning. [58:30]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the church's mission to declare the praises of God and bring others into His wonderful light?
Quotes
1. "When we use the term legacy...we're sometimes referring to money or property that we might leave to the next generation...but the legacy we're talking about isn't something that makes much of us or of who we are...the legacy we're talking about is one that makes much of the immense riches of God, of who he is and what he's done for us in Jesus." [03:14]
2. "Today's message is really an invitation to cast our mind back into the depths of salvation history but also to cast our minds forward to the change that God might be pleased to bring about, to the transformation God might be pleased to bring about through your lives and mine to shape the generations to come." [04:23]
3. "What we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us... it's the story of the unfolding salvation of God's people, a community past, present, and future." #!!06:06!!#
4. "He decreed statutes for Jacob established the law in Israel which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children so the next generation would know them even the children yet to be born and they in turn would tell their children... the result of those things of those actions of God in history were that the next generation would know them even it says the baby's yet to be born." #!!17:28!!#
5. "What's the result of all of this storytelling in verse 7 faith and obedience they would trust god and not forget his deeds but keep his commands that's profound isn't it why do we fail to trust and obey god because we forget what he's done we forget who he is." #!!19:03!!#
6. "The question for every single Christ follower, married or single, parent or not, is how will I as part of this blood-bought community contribute to that gospel legacy? How will I steer the next generation away from the stubborn rebellion of the previous generation and toward trust and obedience? How will I take up that calling?" #!!20:16!!#
7. "In the scriptures, men, women, and children gathered around Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah. They too wept bitterly over the sin of the people. All the children who could understand were there with their parents, listening to the word of God. The presence of children was so that they could bear witness, experience, and see God's people, the older generations, delighting in who God is, worshiping Him in diverse community, and weeping over their sin."
8. "The secure and certain future of God's people is that we will be together and united with that great multitude of people and it won't be like the things that pass for united gatherings today... There will be a gathering of people from all nations across the generations, different languages and tribes together."
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