Message Summary: We who fear God’s Name are in the process of transmitting a godly legacy. In the past the Bible writers did so by writing down the Scriptures which is our authority for life. However God has also used those contemporaneous with us who have called on the name of the Lord; those who fear His name. They have sought to pass on the same spiritual legacy to us. Our parents and grandparents, our Pastor, Sunday school teachers, a bold witness at work, and many, many others. And now we are all building that same heritage to pass on to others.
“For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name” (Psalm 61:5). “And the things You have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
These days we hear a lot about people’s aspiration for fame. In fact a quote attributed to Andy Warhol speaks of one’s “15 minutes of fame” and in the last several years there have been some rather bizarre incidents of people seeking their 15 minutes. Now a goal for many is creating a post or video that will go “viral”, a term meaning many will pass it on and it will be immensely popular. We’ve see a number of foolish stunts that have turned out to be attention-seeking hoaxes.
Rather than 15 minutes, or however long, fame is always fleeting. God’s people are called to leave a godly legacy, not a self-aggrandized list of their own accomplishments. Note: As I muse this concept it seems we leave a legacy but receive a heritage.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame; I’d rather be true to His holy name
We consider those who left behind a godly legacy whom we personally know. Most were not famous and their sphere of godly influence was relatively small leaving an impact on their family, church and community. A godly legacy is developed over a lifetime as we choose day after day to live for Christ.
Although we usually use the phrase “leaving a godly legacy” when we consider someone who is older or has passed away, today let us consider “building a godly legacy.” It’s not something you just decide to do toward the end of your life but rather something you have been doing consciously or unconsciously all your life.
David is a little boy in Brooksyne’s Sunday School class. His parents, Ken and Nila, are seeking to raise him and his siblings in the ways of the Lord which is no small challenge in this age. David called the other day to recite his memory verse to Brooksyne since he was out of town the Sunday before. After she commended him I took the phone and I asked David to share the verse with me as well. What a joy to hear a child, encouraged by diligent parents, tuck away through memorization, God’s Word in their heart. It occurred to me when I heard him that Ken and Nila are in the process of building a godly legacy.
David (in the Bible) wrote in our first daily text, “You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.” Let us consider our own spiritual heritage. That will vary for each of us. It is a great privilege to be brought up by parents and grandparents who revere our God, who live according to Biblical instruction, whereby we are introduced to faith in Christ. We must first possess that which we desire to pass on.
As a result we who fear His Name are in the process of transmitting this godly legacy. In the past the Bible writers did so by writing down the Scriptures which is our authority for life. However God has also used those contemporaneous with us who have called on the name of the Lord; those who fear His name. They have sought to pass on the same spiritual legacy to us. Our parents and grandparents, our Pastor, Sunday school teachers, a bold witness at work, and many, many others. And now we are all building that same heritage to pass on to others.
The second daily text is such a pattern for ministry and a key to leaving a godly legacy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
That’s been the pattern for two thousand years and continues to this day and will most certainly continue until the trumpet sounds. One generation passing on the faith to the next. You’re reading this today and hopefully your faith is centered on Christ. Someone has passed it down to you. Are you now passing it on? Are you building a godly legacy to those who come along behind you? That’s our call.
