Construct your life around Christ to build a distinctively Christian legacy. How will you be remembered? You and I are building the legacy of our lives with each passing moment. Construct your life around Christ to build a legacy which is distinctively Christian.
I. Leave a legacy of trust in God’s redemption–1 Corinthians 2:1-5
A. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul reminds us of the characteristics of his ministry–it
built faith by and in the power of God, not the greatness of men.
B. This complete devotion to Christ seen to have been applied by Paul in
Philippians 3:7-11.
C. We often pray that God would “hide us in the shadow of the cross.” Let us stay
in that shadow.
II. Leave a legacy of trust in God’s revealed will–1 Corinthians 2:6-12
A. 1 Cor. 2:6-12 reminds us of the greatness of the Gospel message. This
message was once a mystery, but it has been revealed in Christ and in
the word.
B. This truth of the eternal plan of God was applied in Ephesians 3:8-12 as the
church was presented as the grand vessel of redemption (cf. Matt. 16:18).
While the mystery was in waiting there was an eagerness of God to reveal it as is
demonstrated by the prophetic message (Is. 2; Jer. 31:31ff). That eagerness was
reduplicated by the early church as they “went everywhere preaching the word”
(Acts 8:4).
C. We get excited talking about our children and grandchildren, we should be more
excited talking about the church of our Lord.
III. Leave a legacy of trust in God’s revealed word–1 Corinthians 2:13-18
A. 1 Corinthians 2:13-18 moves on a bit from God’s revealed will a focus on the acceptance of the words by which that will is revealed. The spiritual word will
only be accepted by those who are spiritually minded. Therefore, it is no wander
that the more successful a person is by this world’s standards, the more difficult
it is for him to be successful by God’s standards (Matthew 19:23-24).
B. Remember that God’s inspired word will judge (Hebrews 4:12). One day that
truth will be applied to every soul which has ever lived (Rev. 20:12-13).
C. “THE BIBLE MAN” by Carl H. Bates illustrates the grand legacy of one who
firmly trusts in God’s Word–
He stands behind the sacred desk, A book held in his hand; And as he speaks his brethren know He is a Bible Man. Upon the Scriptures, right truth, He ever takes his stand,To make the gospel clear and plan ,He is a Bible Man. He loves the grand old Book divine, He loves to preach the plan; He loves the lost its message saves, He is a Bible Man. Let skeptics doubt heathen rage, And build their hopes on sand, He loves, lives, teaches God’s Book He is a Bible Man. When worlds shall end stars shall fall, And at the throne we stand; How sweet to hear the King’s command, Come home you Bible Man.
What will your legacy be? How will you be remembered? Will you be remembered as the one who called upon people to unite with the merciful God of Heaven by obeying the Gospel truth? Or will you be remembered like the Corinthians whose legacy is one of division over personalities, opinions, and error? What legacy will you build for today?
Donnie's Dogmatics 