Shaping Our Legacy: Faith, Transformation, and Impact

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I discussed the concept of legacy, particularly in the context of our church's 150-year history. I emphasized that everyone listening to the sermon is part of the legacy of the church, a legacy built by those who have faithfully served, loved others, and followed God's call obediently. I shared my personal experience of how my call to ministry was nurtured in this church, and how I was supported by the congregation. I also touched on the mixed nature of legacies, using my father's struggle with alcoholism as an example. Despite the challenges, I highlighted how God can transform any bad legacy, as evidenced by my father's surrender to Jesus and his subsequent sobriety.

In the second part of the sermon, I focused on the legacy we leave behind. I shared the story of Suzanne, a woman who left a legacy of generosity and love, despite her tragic death during childbirth. I also delved into the scripture, 2 Timothy 1:1-7, where Paul reminds Timothy of the powerful legacy of faith he received from his grandmother and mother. I emphasized the importance of living out faith in real time and real ways, and how this sets a powerful example for others. I concluded by encouraging everyone to consider the legacy they are part of and the legacy they will leave behind.

Key Takeaways

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Sermon Clips

1. "The legacy that you're building is the person that you're becoming. It's the thing you'll be remembered for, that you will have to offer others. What we do for ourselves usually dies with us, what we do for others will outlast us. Do you want to be remembered for stuff or stories?" - 15:06

2. "Who can you invest in? Who can you pour into? Some of you, especially if you're in the more mature category, have a critically important role to play. That is to pass on your wisdom and your experience and your presence. You have been through some things and seen some things, and you've kept the faith. This is so valuable to all of us because we will all pass through hard things." - 17:02

3. "After years of walking with Jesus, mature believers can hold our hands and say with utter confidence, 'It's going to be okay. Don't give up. God is good, he is faithful. Just keep trusting and leaning into his power. Follow his teaching. It will be hard, but you're not alone. Keep going, we'll do this together.' That's a gift that you can give." - 18:15

4. "Imagine what God could do in us and through our church family if we lived that kind of legacy. Imagine what people might say about this community of faith if we're all pouring into others and sharing the reason for our hope in real and tangible ways, one person at a time, one story at a time, one day at a time." - 24:35

5. "We only have so many days on this Earth to follow our calling and live into our purpose. The days are precious and every day we're leaving a little bit of a legacy. We have the opportunity to make it something significant, to be a part of God's good work in the world." - 04:03

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