Living Generously: Discovering Purpose and Leaving a Legacy
Summary
Discovering and living out your God-given purpose is the key to experiencing life abundantly, both here on earth and in eternity. This journey begins with knowing God, which leads to finding freedom, discovering your purpose, and ultimately making an impact in the world. At Influence Church, we aim to help you realize this potential sooner rather than later, allowing you to leave a meaningful legacy. Legacy is not just about what people remember when you're gone; it's about the impact you make while you're here and the foundation you lay for future generations.
Our current series, "Legacy," focuses on building and leaving a legacy that extends beyond ourselves. We emphasize the importance of generosity, not just financially, but in living a life that is generous in spirit and action. Psalm 112 reminds us that those who are generous and conduct their affairs with justice will be remembered forever. This is the kind of legacy we strive to build at Influence Church.
We believe in the principle of tithing and giving back to God, which supports the church's mission and operations. Our vision for the future includes five key areas: establishing a permanent location, investing in the next generation, expanding local and national missions, and engaging in international missions. This vision is about more than just financial contributions; it's about investing in people, relationships, and the kingdom of God.
Generosity should be seen as an opportunity, not an obligation. We get to pray, read the Word, and give, not because we have to, but because we are privileged to do so. Serving God should be a joy, not a duty. As we prepare for our Legacy Sunday and the first-ever legacy offering, we encourage everyone to pray and seek God's guidance on how to contribute to this vision.
Ultimately, our motivation for giving and serving comes from understanding our "why." When we lose sight of our why, we lose our way. Our why is rooted in the example of Jesus, who gave Himself for us first. We are called to give and invest in God's kingdom because it is more blessed to give than to receive. Together, as a church, we can achieve more than we ever could alone, creating a lasting impact and fulfilling God's extraordinary plan.
Key Takeaways:
1. Discovering Purpose: Knowing God leads to freedom, which helps us discover our purpose and make an impact. This journey is essential for living an abundant life and leaving a legacy. [03:04]
2. Generosity as Investment: Generosity is not just financial; it's about investing in people and relationships. We should view giving as a privilege, not an obligation, reflecting God's generosity towards us. [12:25]
3. The Power of Community: Our full potential is realized in community. Together, we can achieve more than we could alone, emphasizing the importance of finding a covenant family within the church. [29:00]
4. Understanding Our 'Why': Knowing our 'why' keeps us on the right path. When we lose our why, we lose our way. Our motivation for giving and serving should be rooted in our relationship with God and His purpose for us. [19:53]
5. Leaving a Legacy: Our legacy is built through intentional actions and investments in God's kingdom. By understanding our why and working together, we can create a lasting impact that extends beyond our lifetime. [40:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:04] - Discovering Your Purpose
[04:15] - Understanding Legacy
[05:31] - Influence Church's Vision
[06:50] - The Principle of Tithing
[09:12] - Generosity as Investment
[10:57] - The Joy of Prayer and Giving
[12:25] - Serving with Joy
[13:13] - The Joy of Legacy
[14:31] - David's Example of Generosity
[16:11] - Willingness to Give
[17:24] - Preparing for Legacy Offering
[18:45] - Defining Your 'Why'
[19:53] - The Importance of 'Why'
[21:51] - Investing in God's Kingdom
[23:39] - Jesus' Example of Giving
[24:46] - The Blessing of Giving
[26:42] - Channels of Generosity
[28:05] - Covenant with God and Community
[29:00] - The Power of Community
[30:27] - Influence Church's Impact
[31:46] - Flourishing Together
[32:42] - The Strength of Unity
[34:29] - Vision of Influence Church
[36:18] - The Local Church as Hope
[37:47] - A Picture of Legacy
[38:47] - Jesus' Reward
[39:20] - The Honor of Serving
[40:10] - Leaving a Legacy
[41:09] - Perseverance in Faith
[41:53] - Expanding God's Kingdom
[42:41] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[43:51] - Next Steps in Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 112:5-6 - "Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever."
2. Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
3. Matthew 25:23 - "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’"
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the sequence of steps that leads to discovering one's purpose and making an impact? ([03:04])
2. How does Psalm 112 describe the characteristics and outcomes of a generous person? ([04:15])
3. What are the five key areas of Influence Church's vision for the future as mentioned in the sermon? ([06:50])
4. How does the sermon describe the attitude we should have towards prayer and giving? ([12:25])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "discover your purpose" in the context of the sermon, and how does it relate to living an abundant life? ([03:04])
2. How does the concept of generosity extend beyond financial giving according to the sermon, and why is this important for building a legacy? ([09:12])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that community plays a role in realizing one's full potential? ([29:00])
4. How does understanding one's "why" influence their motivation for giving and serving, as discussed in the sermon? ([19:53])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own journey of discovering your purpose. What steps have you taken to know God and find freedom, and how have these steps impacted your life? ([03:04])
2. Consider the ways you can be generous beyond financial contributions. What specific actions can you take this week to invest in people and relationships? ([09:12])
3. Think about your current community or church family. How can you contribute to building a stronger covenant relationship within this group? ([29:00])
4. Identify your personal "why" for giving and serving. How does this motivation align with the example of Jesus, and how can it guide your actions in the coming weeks? ([19:53])
5. As you prepare for Legacy Sunday, what specific prayers or actions will you take to seek God's guidance on how to contribute to the church's vision? ([18:45])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were losing your way. How did reconnecting with your "why" help you find direction again? ([21:51])
7. How can you intentionally work towards leaving a legacy that impacts future generations, both within your family and your community? ([40:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Discovering Purpose Through Knowing God
Discovering your God-given purpose is a transformative journey that begins with knowing God. This relationship leads to freedom, which in turn helps you uncover your unique purpose and make a meaningful impact in the world. Living out this purpose is essential for experiencing an abundant life and leaving a legacy that extends beyond your lifetime. At Influence Church, the focus is on helping individuals realize this potential sooner rather than later, allowing them to lay a strong foundation for future generations. The journey of discovering your purpose is not just about personal fulfillment but also about contributing to a greater cause and making a lasting difference. [03:04]
"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 steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with God and begin discovering your unique purpose?
Day 2: Generosity as a Privilege, Not an Obligation
Generosity is more than just financial giving; it is about investing in people and relationships. It is an opportunity to reflect God's generosity towards us, and it should be seen as a privilege rather than an obligation. At Influence Church, the emphasis is on living a life that is generous in spirit and action, as exemplified in Psalm 112, which reminds us that those who are generous and conduct their affairs with justice will be remembered forever. This perspective on generosity encourages individuals to give joyfully and willingly, understanding that it is more blessed to give than to receive. [12:25]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective on generosity from obligation to privilege in your daily life?
Day 3: The Power of Community in Realizing Potential
The full potential of an individual is realized within a community. Together, people can achieve more than they could alone, highlighting the importance of finding a covenant family within the church. Influence Church emphasizes the power of community in helping individuals discover their purpose and make a lasting impact. Being part of a supportive community provides encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to serve and grow together. This collective effort amplifies the impact each person can have, creating a legacy that extends beyond individual contributions. [29:00]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage with your church community to support and be supported in your spiritual journey?
Day 4: Understanding Our 'Why' to Stay on the Right Path
Knowing your 'why' is crucial for staying on the right path. When you lose sight of your why, you lose your way. Your motivation for giving and serving should be rooted in your relationship with God and His purpose for you. At Influence Church, the focus is on understanding the deeper reasons behind actions, which helps maintain direction and purpose. This understanding is grounded in the example of Jesus, who gave Himself for us first. By keeping your 'why' at the forefront, you can ensure that your actions align with God's extraordinary plan for your life. [19:53]
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: What is your 'why' for serving and giving, and how can you keep it central in your daily life?
Day 5: Leaving a Legacy Through Intentional Actions
Leaving a legacy is about more than what people remember when you're gone; it's about the impact you make while you're here and the foundation you lay for future generations. At Influence Church, the focus is on building and leaving a legacy through intentional actions and investments in God's kingdom. By understanding your why and working together with others, you can create a lasting impact that extends beyond your lifetime. This legacy is built through generosity, service, and a commitment to God's extraordinary plan, ensuring that your life leaves a meaningful mark on the world. [40:10]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: What intentional actions can you take today to begin building a legacy that aligns with God's kingdom and purpose?
Quotes
"We believe that the key to experience life and life abundantly as God intended for us to have, not just in heaven in eternity, but also here on earth, the secret to that is to discover your purpose. Because if you discover your purpose and you follow that purpose, you are doing what God called you to do. And that is going to empower you to live a life abundantly." [00:02:30] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Legacy, it's about intentionally pressing towards the vision of the future, expanding God's, expanding God's kingdom in greater ways than we are already doing. As I said before, the legacy season, it's about accelerating the vision that God has given us for Influence Church." [00:07:18] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Generosity is investing in people, in relationships, in ministries, in buildings, and so on and on. Many Christians go through life with the mindset of, I have to, or I must do. I have to pray, because we read in the Bible that we need to pray, or we must pray, or we have to pray, and then that is some of our mindset. Well, I have to pray." [00:10:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God doesn't want us to stay there. God doesn't want us to just be there and create just a ritual process. God wants us to enjoy what we are doing. God doesn't want us to do things out of obligation. God wants us to enjoy serving Him. Serving God should be a delight, not a duty. Church should not be endured, should be enjoyed." [00:12:42] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When I lose my why, I lose my way. Many of you lost your way because you lost your why. You struggle in your marriage because you lost your why. You have hard time in your job because you lost your why. You struggle serving God because probably you lost your why. Why, it's very important. You just need to get back to your why." [00:21:27] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus gave to us first. And by the way, he died for who I was to help me become better. He invested in me. He saw my potential despite when my parents, my father didn't see potential. When some other probably teachers or family members don't, they don't see the potential in you. Jesus sees the potential in you. And he invested in each one of us because he knows our future is not defined by the past." [00:23:25] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. I want us to think about that. ourselves to usable your time. We making a living by what we give. what we get, but we make a life by what we give. If you don't like your life right now, try to find channels of generosity towards others." [00:26:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Your full potential can be, can only be rich when you find your covenant family. Now, listen. Your covenant family doesn't have to be here at Influence Church. But if you don't have a church, you are welcome to be part of Influence Church. But you are so many amazing, awesome, life-giving churches out there. You need to find your covenant relationship in a body of Christ, in the church with other people. And try to discover how much you can do together with others than just by yourself." [00:29:06] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"None of us are as good as all of us. It's so much true. This is so deep. If we'll just wrap our mind around it. Fourth reason. I give, I invest in God's kingdom because I really believe in the vision of our church." [00:34:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus will say, thank you for being my hands and feet. That is my why. That is a legacy, actually, I want to leave behind. This is why I get to give. This is why I get to invest in God's kingdom." [00:40:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"I want you to think, are we ready to tell him like, Lord, what you gave me, I use for your kingdom. I use my gifts. I use my talents. I use my time. I use everything that you bless me with for expansion. I use everything that you give me for expanding your kingdom." [00:41:54] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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