Building a Lasting Legacy Through Faithful Living

Devotional

Day 1: Your Days Are Numbered—Prioritize What Truly Matters

Life is fleeting, and each of us has only a limited number of days to live out our purpose. The reality of our mortality should prompt us to examine how we spend our time and what truly deserves our attention. Too often, we fill our schedules with busyness, distractions, or the pursuit of approval, sacrificing the greater things God has called us to for the sake of lesser things. When we recognize that our days are numbered, we gain wisdom to prioritize what matters most—our relationship with God, our families, and the legacy we leave behind. Take time to reflect on your daily choices and consider what you might need to cut out so you can focus on what God is truly calling you to do. [57:24]

Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Reflection: What is one activity or commitment you need to let go of this week so you can make space for what matters most in your walk with God and your legacy?

Day 2: The Legacy You Leave Is the Life You Live Today

The legacy you will leave behind is not some distant, future achievement—it's being shaped right now by the choices you make and the life you live each day. Whether you realize it or not, your faithfulness, your presence, and your priorities are impacting the next generation and those around you. Church attendance, involvement, and the way you invest in others are not just habits; they are seeds sown into the lives of your children, grandchildren, and community. Your story, your struggles, and your victories all become part of the legacy you pass on. Live intentionally, knowing that your daily life is the foundation of the legacy you will leave. [01:02:32]

Psalm 145:4 (ESV)
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

Reflection: Who in your life is watching your example right now, and what is one intentional step you can take this week to model faith and integrity for them?

Day 3: Legacy Is Modeled in Moments, Not Just Milestones

While we often celebrate the big milestones in life, it is the small, everyday moments of faithfulness that truly shape our legacy. The most meaningful impact you have on others may not come from grand gestures or major achievements, but from simple acts of love, consistency, and presence. Whether it's a conversation in the car, a prayer over a meal, or a moment of encouragement, these ordinary moments are where God often does His deepest work. Be present and faithful in the little things, for it is in these moments that lives are changed and legacies are formed. [01:13:24]

2 Timothy 3:10-11 (ESV)
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

Reflection: Think back on a recent ordinary moment with someone close to you—how can you be more intentional to make those moments count for Christ this week?

Day 4: Legacy Is Not What You Leave Behind, But Who You Leave Behind Better

True legacy is not measured by what you accumulate or accomplish, but by the people you invest in and build up. God calls us to pour into others, entrusting them with the faith, wisdom, and encouragement we have received. This means discipling, mentoring, and equipping others to carry on the work of the gospel. Ask yourself who is becoming better—spiritually, emotionally, or practically—because you are in their life. Your greatest impact will be seen in the lives you have helped to grow, not just in the things you have built. [01:18:15]

2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally encourage, mentor, or pray for this week to help them grow in their faith?

Day 5: If You Didn’t Come from a Godly Legacy, Let a Godly Legacy Come from You

No matter your background or the legacy you received, you have the opportunity to start a new story of faith and faithfulness. Even if you didn’t grow up in a Christian home or feel like you’ve made too many mistakes, God is not done with you. He can use your life to begin a godly legacy for your children, grandchildren, and those you influence. Don’t let your past define your future—choose today to be the one who starts a new legacy of faith, hope, and love for generations to come. [01:19:10]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Reflection: What is one new habit or step of faith you can begin today to start a godly legacy for those who come after you?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a family to reflect on the power and responsibility of legacy—what we’ve received, what we’re living, and what we’ll leave behind. Our lives are not just a collection of milestones or big moments, but a series of daily choices, small acts of faithfulness, and intentional investments in others. We looked at Paul’s relationship with Timothy as a model: Paul, scarred and seasoned by ministry, didn’t focus on his hardships at the end of his life, but on imparting faith, courage, and purpose to the next generation. He reminded Timothy—and us—that the battles we face are not signs of failure, but opportunities to fight well and hold onto faith.

Legacy is not about what people say at our funerals or the size of our accomplishments, but about the lives we touch and the people we build up. Each of us has a “dash” between our birth and death, and what we do with that dash matters. Too often, we fill our days with busyness, distractions, or lesser things, sacrificing what’s truly important—our relationship with God, our families, and our calling to invest in others. We’re challenged to cut out what doesn’t matter and make room for what does: prayer, service, and intentional discipleship.

The next generation is watching us. Whether we’re young or old, our wisdom, our stories, and our faithfulness are needed. The calling of God doesn’t have an age limit. Our legacy is formed not just in grand gestures, but in everyday moments—like catching a child at the pool, praying with someone in need, or simply being present and real. Authenticity and integrity matter more than flashiness or perfection.

If you didn’t come from a godly legacy, you can start one today. God is not done with you, no matter your past or your pain. The invitation is to get off the sidelines, invest in others, and let God use your life to build something that lasts beyond you. Revival isn’t born from a single passionate moment, but from a lifetime of faithfulness, prayer, and pouring into others. Let’s be a people who leave a legacy that points to Jesus and changes lives for generations to come.

Key Takeaways

1. Legacy is both received and given; we are shaped by those who came before us, but we are also responsible for what we pass on. The story of Paul and Timothy shows that our scars and struggles can become seeds of encouragement and faith for others, if we choose to invest in them rather than focus on ourselves. Our legacy is not just about our own story, but about how we empower others to live out theirs. [52:35]
2. The value of our lives is found in how we steward the “dash” between our birth and death. It’s easy to fill our days with busyness, grudges, or the pursuit of approval, but wisdom comes from numbering our days and prioritizing what truly matters. We must be willing to cut out the lesser things to make room for the greater things God is calling us to—time with Him, serving others, and building up the next generation. [58:15]
3. The legacy we leave tomorrow is shaped by the life we live today. If church, faith, or service are optional for us, they will be irrelevant to those who follow. Our daily choices—showing up, investing in our families, and being present in our communities—create a ripple effect that can outlast us. The next generation needs our stories, our wisdom, and our example, regardless of our age or background. [64:02]
4. Legacy is modeled in the ordinary moments, not just the milestones. The most meaningful impact often comes from simple acts of faithfulness—catching a child, praying with someone, or living with integrity when no one is watching. People are watching how we live, not just what we achieve. Authenticity and consistency in the small things build trust and open hearts to the gospel. [73:24]
5. If you didn’t inherit a godly legacy, you can begin one now. God is not finished with you, no matter your past or your pain. The invitation is to let your life become a bridge for others—to invest in people, to disciple, to encourage, and to leave those around you better than you found them. Revival and lasting impact come when we get off the sidelines and let God use our story for His glory. [79:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[43:13] - Humor, Community, and Fry Bread
[45:20] - Grief, Comfort, and God’s Faithfulness
[46:40] - Reflections on Funerals and Legacy
[50:26] - The Importance of Legacy
[52:35] - Paul and Timothy: Passing the Baton
[54:01] - Spiritual Battles and Community Impact
[54:57] - The Call for Men and Women to Lead
[56:05] - Revival: Faithfulness Over Flash
[57:24] - Numbering Our Days and Prioritizing
[58:15] - Cutting Out the Lesser for the Greater
[61:09] - Intentional Living and Early Mornings
[64:02] - The Power of Generational Influence
[73:24] - Legacy in the Everyday Moments
[79:10] - Starting a Godly Legacy
[82:23] - Prayer for Harvest and a Call to Action

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 1:18-19 (ESV) — > This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.

Psalm 90:12 (ESV) — > So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV) — > You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Observation Questions

In 1 Timothy 1:18-19, what does Paul tell Timothy to do with the prophecies spoken over him? What is the purpose of recalling them? [52:35]
According to Psalm 90:12, what is the result of learning to “number our days”? [57:24]
In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, what is Timothy supposed to do with what he has learned from Paul? Who is he supposed to pass it on to?
The sermon described Paul’s attitude at the end of his life. Instead of focusing on his hardships, what did Paul choose to do? [50:26]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes “holding faith and a good conscience” as Timothy faces battles in his life? How might this relate to our own struggles? [52:35]
The sermon talked about the “dash” between our birth and death. What does it mean to “steward” that dash well, and why is it so important? [57:24]
The speaker said, “The legacy you will leave one day is the life that you are living today.” What are some ways our daily choices shape the legacy we leave for others? [01:01:09]
Why is it significant that legacy is built in ordinary moments, not just big milestones? How does this challenge the way we think about making an impact? [01:13:24]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to “cut out the lesser things to make room for the greater things God is calling us to.” What is one specific activity or distraction in your life that you sense God might be asking you to let go of so you can focus on what matters most? [58:15]
Think about your “dash”—the time between your birth and death. If someone looked at your life right now, what would they say you value most? Is there anything you want to change about how you spend your time or energy? [57:24]
The next generation is watching us. Who in your life (child, grandchild, neighbor, coworker, etc.) might be looking to you for an example of faith? What is one intentional step you can take this week to invest in them? [01:04:02]
The speaker shared a story about a child who valued being caught at the pool more than the big trip to Disney. What are some “small moments” in your week where you could be more present and intentional with someone? [01:13:24]
If you didn’t inherit a godly legacy, the sermon said you can start one now. What is one practical way you can begin building a godly legacy in your family or community, starting today? [01:19:10]
The sermon asked, “What part of your private life does not match your public faith?” Is there an area where you need to grow in authenticity or integrity? What is one step you can take to address this? [01:16:56]
Who is someone in your life that you could encourage, disciple, or simply be present for this week? How will you make time for that? [01:18:15]

Sermon Clips

When you realize your days are numbered, you begin to properly number your days. What is your priority in life? What are you actually supposed to do? Some of us in this room, we're just way too busy. Some of us, we just have way too much stuff going on. And you're doing it because you want somebody to pat you on the back. Or you're doing it because you feel like you're going to let somebody else down. And God never called you to some of those things. You just keep doing them over and over and over again. And you're doing the lesser thing and you're not doing the greater thing which God's called you to do. [00:59:00] (32 seconds) #PrioritizeTheGreater

The legacy you will leave one day is the life that you are living today. So let's get back to where we're at. We're talking about legacy. The legacy that you will leave is what you're doing right now. Is church optional for you? Because over and over, I've seen this happen. I've been a youth pastor for a long time and I've seen people who say, you know what? If church is optional for the next generation, they just don't want it at all. They don't care about it at all. Be here on Sundays. [01:02:00] (32 seconds) #LegacyIsToday

You don't have to be flashy. You don't have to build a big ministry. You don't have to have the biggest small group or circle. You don't have to have the biggest youth group. If you're faithful in the moments, if you're faithful in the moments, God shows up. If you're faithful in the moments, God works. If you're faithful in the moments, God can do something. It's not about flashy. It's not about being faithful. [01:13:19] (25 seconds) #FaithfulInTheSmall

Legacy is not what you leave behind, it's who you leave behind better. Second Timothy 2, we're jumping around a lot. He said, you then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and the things you've heard me say in the presence of witnesses and trust to reliable people who will be qualified to teach others. Paul didn't just trust Timothy and teach Timothy. Paul didn't just teach Timothy, he entrusted him with the ministry that he had. [01:17:27] (23 seconds) #BuildSpiritualLives

``If you didn't come from a godly legacy, let a godly legacy come from you. I know some of you guys didn't grow up in a Christian home, you didn't grow up in Sunday schools, you didn't grow up in any of that kind of stuff, you caught rides maybe to get to church here, whatever it looks like. You didn't come from a godly legacy. You have the opportunity today to let a godly legacy come from you. [01:19:04] (22 seconds) #GodIsNotDone

Maybe you feel like you've walked away from God. Maybe you're here today and you feel like you've walked away. Maybe you feel like you've screwed up to a point that God doesn't love you anymore. Maybe you feel like you're at the point where maybe God's kind of, he's kind of reversed himself and he's away from you, he didn't want to have anything to do with you. Maybe you're in that season of life where you feel like God's done with you or your gifting, your calling is kind of done because of something you've done. You've been divorced or you went through some stuff that you shouldn't have went through and you got yourself in a mess that you shouldn't have got yourself into and you feel like God's just done with you. And again, today on a Revival Sunday at Harvest Church, I hope you hear more than anything else that God is not done with your life. [01:19:32] (34 seconds) #LegacyForTheGospel

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