Leaving a Legacy: Impacting Lives Through Our Names
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of leaving a legacy, emphasizing the significance of our names and the impact they carry. Our names, particularly our last names, are more than mere identifiers; they are symbols of the legacies we leave behind. We reflected on how many renowned brands and individuals have built legacies that are recognized by their names alone. This underscores the importance of living a life that contributes positively to the legacy associated with our names.
We acknowledged that some may inherit legacies filled with challenges such as addiction or failure, but we have the power to redefine what our names represent. By choosing to break negative cycles and create new, positive legacies, we can influence future generations. The story of Johnny the Bagger illustrated how even seemingly small roles can have a significant impact when approached with love and dedication.
As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the ultimate legacy left by Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again to offer us hope and purpose. This legacy invites us to live with intention, adding value to others' lives and investing in relationships. We are encouraged to consider how we can contribute to the legacy of our community, whether through financial giving or personal influence.
We concluded with a call to action, inviting those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus to do so, recognizing that a relationship with Him offers a new beginning and a legacy of eternal significance. As we prepare for our Leave a Legacy offering, we are reminded that our collective contributions can make a substantial impact, particularly in supporting missions and community improvements.
Key Takeaways:
- Our names carry significant weight, representing the legacies we leave behind. It's crucial to live in a way that honors and enhances the legacy associated with our names, breaking negative cycles and creating positive change for future generations. [00:00]
- Even small acts of service, like those of Johnny the Bagger, can have a profound impact. By approaching our roles with love and dedication, we can leave a lasting legacy that inspires others and adds value to their lives. [13:50]
- Jesus Christ's legacy is the ultimate example of sacrificial love and redemption. His life, death, and resurrection offer us hope and purpose, inviting us to live intentionally and invest in relationships that reflect His love. [22:24]
- As we prepare for the Leave a Legacy offering, we are reminded of the power of collective contributions. Our financial gifts can support missions and community improvements, leaving a tangible legacy that extends beyond our individual lives. [22:24]
- Surrendering our lives to Jesus is the first step in creating a legacy of eternal significance. By inviting Him into our hearts, we receive forgiveness, hope, and a new beginning, allowing us to live with purpose and impact others positively. [22:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Importance of a Good Name
- [02:15] - Redefining Your Legacy
- [04:00] - Overcoming Negative Cycles
- [06:45] - Impact of Small Acts
- [09:30] - Johnny the Bagger's Story
- [12:00] - Adding Value to Others
- [14:30] - Preparing for Easter
- [16:15] - The Legacy of Jesus Christ
- [18:00] - Invitation to Surrender
- [20:00] - Leave a Legacy Offering
- [22:24] - Prayer and Commitment
- [24:00] - Celebration and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Leaving a Legacy
#### Bible Reading
- Proverbs 22:1: "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold."
- John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 22:1 suggest about the value of a good name compared to material wealth? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the significance of our last names? [00:30]
2. How did the story of Johnny the Bagger illustrate the impact of small acts of service? [13:50]
3. What is the ultimate legacy that Jesus Christ left for us, according to the sermon? [22:24]
4. How does the sermon describe the power of collective contributions in the context of the Leave a Legacy offering? [22:24]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways can a person redefine their legacy if they have inherited a challenging one, such as addiction or failure? [06:45]
2. How does the sermon suggest that small acts of service can contribute to a lasting legacy? What might this look like in everyday life? [13:50]
3. How does the legacy of Jesus Christ provide hope and purpose for believers, as discussed in the sermon? [22:24]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of intentional living and investing in relationships? How does this relate to the legacy of Jesus? [22:24]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own last name. What legacy do you think it currently represents, and what would you like it to represent in the future? [00:30]
2. Identify a negative cycle in your life that you would like to break. What steps can you take to redefine your legacy in this area? [06:45]
3. Think of a small act of service you can perform this week. How can you approach it with love and dedication to make a positive impact? [13:50]
4. How can you intentionally add value to someone’s life this week, as suggested in the sermon? [12:00]
5. Consider the legacy of Jesus Christ. How can you reflect His love and purpose in your relationships and daily interactions? [22:24]
6. As we prepare for the Leave a Legacy offering, what is one way you can contribute to your community, either financially or through personal influence? [22:24]
7. If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus, what is holding you back? How might doing so change the legacy you leave behind? [22:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Weight of Our Names
Our names carry significant weight, representing the legacies we leave behind. It's crucial to live in a way that honors and enhances the legacy associated with our names, breaking negative cycles and creating positive change for future generations. Our names are more than just identifiers; they are symbols of the legacies we leave behind. Many renowned brands and individuals have built legacies that are recognized by their names alone, underscoring the importance of living a life that contributes positively to the legacy associated with our names. Even if one inherits a legacy filled with challenges such as addiction or failure, there is power in redefining what our names represent. By choosing to break negative cycles and create new, positive legacies, we can influence future generations. [00:00]
Proverbs 22:1 (ESV): "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold."
Reflection: What is one negative cycle associated with your family name that you can begin to break today? How can you take a small step towards creating a positive legacy?
Day 2: The Impact of Small Acts
Even small acts of service, like those of Johnny the Bagger, can have a profound impact. By approaching our roles with love and dedication, we can leave a lasting legacy that inspires others and adds value to their lives. The story of Johnny the Bagger illustrates how even seemingly small roles can have a significant impact when approached with love and dedication. This story serves as a reminder that no act of service is too small to make a difference. By performing our roles with love and dedication, we can inspire others and add value to their lives, leaving a legacy that extends beyond our immediate actions. [13:50]
Matthew 25:40 (ESV): "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
Reflection: What is one small act of service you can perform today with love and dedication? How might this act inspire or add value to someone else's life?
Day 3: The Legacy of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ's legacy is the ultimate example of sacrificial love and redemption. His life, death, and resurrection offer us hope and purpose, inviting us to live intentionally and invest in relationships that reflect His love. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the ultimate legacy left by Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again to offer us hope and purpose. This legacy invites us to live with intention, adding value to others' lives and investing in relationships. By reflecting on Jesus' legacy, we are encouraged to consider how we can contribute to the legacy of our community, whether through financial giving or personal influence. [22:24]
1 Peter 2:21 (ESV): "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
Reflection: How can you intentionally invest in a relationship this week to reflect the love and legacy of Jesus? What specific action can you take to demonstrate sacrificial love?
Day 4: The Power of Collective Contributions
As we prepare for the Leave a Legacy offering, we are reminded of the power of collective contributions. Our financial gifts can support missions and community improvements, leaving a tangible legacy that extends beyond our individual lives. The Leave a Legacy offering is an opportunity to make a substantial impact through collective contributions. By pooling our resources, we can support missions and community improvements, leaving a tangible legacy that extends beyond our individual lives. This act of giving is a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together for a common purpose. [22:24]
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: What is one way you can contribute to your community this week, either financially or through personal influence? How can your contribution be part of a larger collective impact?
Day 5: Surrendering to Create an Eternal Legacy
Surrendering our lives to Jesus is the first step in creating a legacy of eternal significance. By inviting Him into our hearts, we receive forgiveness, hope, and a new beginning, allowing us to live with purpose and impact others positively. A relationship with Jesus offers a new beginning and a legacy of eternal significance. By surrendering our lives to Him, we receive forgiveness, hope, and a new beginning, allowing us to live with purpose and impact others positively. This surrender is the foundation for creating a legacy that extends beyond our earthly lives and into eternity. [22:24]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
"Awesome. Wow. Well, we've got a big team up here today and we're talking about leaving a legacy and we're just so excited to have somebody else that can speak and to make sense about things. You know, we've been in this series of Leave a Legacy and it's really important about your name. You ever think about that? Your name, the importance of your name, the importance of your last name. You know, in life, there are a lot of things that's just identified by the last name. For instance, watch these. These are some. McDonald's, one name. Armani, one person. Yeah. Chrysler, there we go. Gucci. Yep. Hennessy. Let's see. Let's see." [00:00:34] (43 seconds)
"See, some of you think that you're not leaving a lasting legacy. Some of you that are teachers, some of you that are coaches, some of you that are businessmen and women. You know, why carry to your grave the secrets you know about what you do? I mean, why are you the only person who knows how to make that apple pie? Why would you take that to your grave? Well, are you the only person who knows how to start a pizza business and carry that through in so many different areas? You see, it all comes down to the power of your name, your name, your name." [00:13:57] (37 seconds)
"See, that's why you could go to Macy's and get almost the same thing, but if you go over to the other end of the mall, you could go to Burberry, you could go to Gucci, you could go to Versace, and about the same amount of effort put in the clothes, but because the name, because the name, it carries the legacy, and so it's same with you, the power of your name, and you say, but I don't know, I don't know what I can do. I mean, I, you know, I just, I can't, I can't coach like AJ, and you know, I can't speak like these others, and they have a platform, but what do I do? What do I do as a doorman, as an usher? There's a, there's a great story I want you to hear about a young man who had Down syndrome, and his name is Johnny, and if you knew Johnny, you'd say, well, Johnny's just a bagger, a bagger of groceries, but I want you to hear Johnny's story. Let's listen." [00:14:50] (63 seconds)
"In fact, his story became so significant that Ken Blanchard, a lot of, you know, Ken, great writer of leadership and Barbara, they did this book called the simple truths of service inspired by Johnny the Bagger. And it's just a loaded book of stories that that are in there and all talking about him. But the thing is, you have to do something with your life to make a difference. What are you doing? Steve Jobs." [00:18:30] (30 seconds)
"With Easter coming up and so many things coming up, what an opportunity to just invest in people and care about people. That's what it's all about. I love what they said about you, AJ, and it was a reoccurring theme when I listened to these. It's all I could do to just sit here again because they moved me so much, but they said, he's always someone you could come to." [00:19:00] (25 seconds)
"He's always someone who will listen to you. Just add value. Just add value wherever you are this week. Just add value to somebody's life. Just, it makes so much difference." [00:19:53] (15 seconds)
"Maybe, maybe as Andrea said, the legacy that was passed down to you is one of, of stories of losers, really. I mean, people that aren't achieving things, but you can make a difference. AJ, I'm just wondering how many of those kids, because you cared enough and you, and you certainly don't get paid enough." [00:20:00] (26 seconds)
"Well we're blessed by your story you know that's what this this whole thing of leave a legacy leaving a legacy on the first Sunday of April we're going to bring our leave a legacy offerings and we're going to put them in this chest and we're going to celebrate we're going to celebrate what God is doing we're believing for a half a million dollars that will come in some of you have already given and we're on our way more than what I could even imagine at this time but on that Sunday we're all going to bring our offering in if you've already given then you just take an envelope and put on there already given but we're going to take time to walk by purposely and know that by leaving a legacy of finances two big things we're going to do number one the majority of that will go to missions so I'm believing that we'll be able to give four hundred thousand dollars to missions this year does that excite you like it" [00:21:07] (54 seconds)
"Father, I just come to you right now. And I pray, Lord, for every believer that's in this house, because I know you've challenged us today to examine what about life are we living? And Lord, I pray that maybe we haven't been living the way that we want, or maybe things haven't gone right. But today we say, today's a new day. My name means something. My last name means something. And I'm going to pass it on. I'm going to pass it on to leave a legacy. As you continue to pray, let me talk to those of you who have never surrendered your life to Jesus. I mean, your legacy right now is that, like, I don't really like what I'm doing. I don't like how my life is living right now. So I want to pray with you today. The scripture says Jesus came. He was God's gift to this world because he knew that God didn't want to, he didn't want to create the new heaven, the new earth just for himself, but he wanted you there. And he wanted me." [00:22:24] (59 seconds)
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