Leaving a Lasting Legacy of Faith and Purpose

 

Summary

In today's message, we embarked on a journey to explore the profound principle of legacy, focusing on how we can serve God's purpose in our generation. We began by reflecting on Acts 13:36, which speaks of David serving God's purpose in his time. This scripture serves as a powerful reminder that our lives are not lived in a vacuum; they are part of a grand narrative of faith and redemption that spans generations. Each of us is called to be salt and light in the world, contributing to the ongoing story of God's work on earth.

We delved into the lineage of faith, as seen in Hebrews 11, where generations of believers have responded to God's call, leaving a legacy of faith and impact. This legacy is not about prominence but significance—living lives that matter in the context of God's eternal plan. We are reminded that every generation has the opportunity to respond to God's call, not necessarily by standing in a pulpit, but by stepping into the unique purpose God has for each of us.

In these unsettled times, we are challenged to respond with faith and purpose, much like Noah, who built an ark of salvation for his family amidst a world of chaos. His story teaches us the importance of living for something greater than ourselves, building for future generations, and maintaining enduring faith. We are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that all else will be added to us.

As we continue this series, we will explore how to prepare an ark of deliverance for our communities and how to leave a legacy of faith that impacts generations to come. We are called to live significant lives, not just for today, but for tomorrow, ensuring that the influence and goodness of God are passed on to future generations. Let us commit to leaving a legacy that demonstrates trust, faith, and passion for God's house, impacting the world around us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Serving God's Purpose: Our lives are part of a larger narrative of faith and redemption. We are called to serve God's purpose in our generation, contributing to the ongoing story of His work on earth. This requires us to live with significance, not prominence, focusing on the eternal impact of our actions. [55:24]

2. Legacy of Faith: Hebrews 11 reminds us of the lineage of faith, where generations have responded to God's call. We are encouraged to leave a legacy of faith, impacting future generations by living lives that matter in the context of God's eternal plan. [01:14:17]

3. Enduring Faith: Noah's story teaches us the importance of enduring faith, living for something greater than ourselves, and building for future generations. We are challenged to maintain steadfast patience and endurance to receive God's promises. [01:24:14]

4. Responding in Unsettled Times: In times of global nervousness, we are called to respond with faith and purpose, seeking first the kingdom of God. This requires us to focus on God's call and trust that all else will be added to us. [01:02:27]

5. Building for the Future: We are encouraged to prepare an ark of deliverance for our communities, leaving a legacy of faith that impacts generations to come. This involves living significant lives, ensuring that the influence and goodness of God are passed on to future generations. [01:15:40]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[54:15] - Opening Prayer
[55:24] - Introduction to Legacy
[56:49] - Responding in Unsettled Times
[01:02:27] - The Days of Noah
[01:07:35] - Purpose Driven Lives
[01:11:37] - The Power of the Cross
[01:14:17] - Legacy of Faith
[01:17:23] - Building an Ark of Deliverance
[01:18:35] - Living for Something Bigger
[01:20:17] - Enduring Faith
[01:24:14] - The Power of Prayer
[01:27:17] - Leaving a Legacy of Faith
[01:31:41] - Trusting in God
[01:34:10] - Commitment to Legacy

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Legacy and Purpose

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 13:36 - "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed."
2. Hebrews 11:7 - "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith."
3. Matthew 24:37-39 - "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Acts 13:36 reveal about David's life and his service to God's purpose in his generation? How does this relate to the concept of legacy? [55:24]
2. In Hebrews 11:7, what actions did Noah take in response to God's warning, and what was the outcome of his faith? [01:14:17]
3. According to Matthew 24:37-39, how does the story of Noah relate to the coming of the Son of Man? What were people doing during Noah's time that parallels today's world? [01:02:27]
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of living for something greater than oneself, as exemplified by Noah? [01:18:35]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that serving God's purpose in our generation can impact future generations? What does it mean to live a life of significance rather than prominence? [55:24]
2. What lessons can be drawn from Noah's enduring faith and his commitment to building the ark despite the challenges he faced? How does this apply to our lives today? [01:24:14]
3. How does the sermon interpret the "days of Noah" in the context of current global instability and the call for spiritual leadership? [01:02:27]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of faith in leaving a legacy, and how does it connect to the examples of David and Noah? [01:14:17]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. How are you currently serving God's purpose in your generation? What steps can you take to ensure your actions have a lasting impact? [55:24]
2. Consider a time when you faced a challenge that required enduring faith. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply those lessons to future challenges? [01:24:14]
3. In what ways can you build an "ark of deliverance" for your community or family, ensuring that your faith and values are passed on to future generations? [01:15:40]
4. How do you respond to global instability and uncertainty in your personal life? What practical steps can you take to demonstrate faith and purpose during these times? [01:02:27]
5. Identify one area in your life where you can live for something greater than yourself. What specific actions can you take this week to align with that purpose? [01:18:35]
6. How can you cultivate a legacy of faith within your family or community, even if you may not see the immediate results of your efforts? [01:27:17]
7. Reflect on the influence of past generations in your life. How can you honor their legacy while also creating your own? What specific traditions or values do you want to pass on? [01:31:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Living with Eternal Significance
Our lives are woven into a larger narrative of faith and redemption, as illustrated by the life of David, who served God's purpose in his generation. This calls us to live with significance, not seeking prominence, but focusing on the eternal impact of our actions. We are part of God's ongoing work on earth, and our contributions, no matter how small, are vital to His grand plan. By aligning our lives with God's purpose, we become salt and light in the world, influencing those around us and leaving a lasting legacy. [55:24]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to align your life more closely with God's eternal purpose?


Day 2: Building a Legacy of Faith
Hebrews 11 provides a powerful lineage of faith, showcasing generations who responded to God's call. This legacy is not about achieving fame but about living lives that matter in the context of God's eternal plan. Each of us is encouraged to leave a legacy of faith, impacting future generations by living with intention and purpose. Our faith journey is part of a continuum, and our actions today can inspire and influence those who come after us. [01:14:17]

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life has left a legacy of faith that inspires you, and how can you emulate their example in your own life?


Day 3: Enduring Faith in Uncertain Times
Noah's story is a testament to enduring faith, as he built an ark of salvation amidst chaos. His life teaches us the importance of living for something greater than ourselves and building for future generations. In times of uncertainty, we are challenged to maintain steadfast patience and endurance to receive God's promises. By focusing on God's call and trusting in His plan, we can navigate the storms of life with confidence and hope. [01:24:14]

"By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith." (Hebrews 11:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise more patience and trust in God's promises?


Day 4: Responding with Faith and Purpose
In unsettled times, we are called to respond with faith and purpose, seeking first the kingdom of God. This requires us to focus on God's call and trust that all else will be added to us. By prioritizing God's kingdom, we can navigate life's challenges with a sense of peace and direction. Our response to uncertainty can be a powerful testimony of faith to those around us, demonstrating the strength and hope found in a life centered on God. [01:02:27]

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prioritize seeking God's kingdom in your daily decisions and actions today?


Day 5: Preparing for Future Generations
We are encouraged to prepare an ark of deliverance for our communities, leaving a legacy of faith that impacts generations to come. This involves living significant lives, ensuring that the influence and goodness of God are passed on to future generations. By investing in the spiritual growth of those around us, we can build a foundation of faith that will endure beyond our lifetime. Our commitment to God's house and His purposes can inspire others to follow in our footsteps, creating a ripple effect of faith and transformation. [01:15:40]

"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate." (Psalm 145:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to invest in the spiritual growth of someone in your community or family today?

Quotes



Let me start with a scripture from Acts 13, 36. It says this, For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. He was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. Today, I want to talk the principle about serving the purpose. The purposes of God in our generation. [00:55:42]

And it's a phenomenal principle that it's like a stake in the ground for us as believers to be able to live by. When you look at Hebrews 11, and we'll touch a little bit on that later on in what I'm bringing today, you just see this powerful, you see powerful insights into this lineage of faith, of people, of generation after generation after generation after generation who served God. [00:56:00]

See, what we need to understand is that what you and I do now as believers, we don't do in a vacuum. We don't just come in. Yes, sure, we just come into life. The Bible says we're like a mist. We just come in. We're here for a while. And then we're gone. [00:56:29]

matters it matters when we belong to him it matters when we are part of his Ecclesia he's called out once here on the earth it matters a huge amount and he called us to be salt and light in the earth so we have a we have a life that is worth living guys we have a life that is worth living [00:56:49]

We don't have to be prophets to realize that we live in unsettled unstable times of global nervousness it's really amazing some of you who have been around long enough I think probably Ann Josh and Abby the only ones that have been around long enough I preached this originally in 2004 this is my series on Noah [01:02:09]

But we have to remember another generation stands ready, needing to see how we're gonna respond. How will we respond in unstable times? How do we respond in unsettled lives? How do we respond when there is global nervousness? How do we respond as God's people? [01:02:56]

Ephesians 1 .18, I quoted it in my prayer. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints. So guys, we need to be purpose driven. We're called to live significant lives. [01:07:38]

watching you know someone like David he did this and we read that scripture earlier he served after serving the purposes of God he passed away he went on to be with God but he served the purposes of God in his time in his generation he fell asleep and he left a legacy of impact to generations [01:08:51]

He knows what I'm speaking about right now and we know when we did the book of Revelations that Jesus is listening. He's walking around his churches. He's the coach. He's like the high priest that walks around and he's getting rid of the ash in the temple of the light, the lampstand. [01:11:29]

and he knows your name what legacy what legacy are you already building legacy doesn't start when you're our age legacy starts the minute you step into the call of God you know even Jesus called refer to David even sorry even Jesus was called the son of David wow you can't separate us mere human beings from the purposes of God [01:13:18]

Let's look at the words. In Hebrews 11 verse 7, it says, By faith, Noah, when warned about the things not yet seen, in holy fear, built an ark to save his family. In the Amplified, let me read it. In the Amplified, Prompted by faith, Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events, of which as yet there was no visible sign. [01:15:03]

He said, since your parents both passed away, because remember, Brahm was only a teenager. He was six when his dad passed away, 16 when his mum passed away. The boys were scattered. His mum was in and out of hospital with tuberculosis. One got into drugs, one got into... Oh, they got into... You don't even want to know what they all got into. [01:23:40]

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Transcript
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