LifeHouse: Leaving Boldly
Leaving a legacy?
Do you agree with this statement: everyone wants to leave a legacy? Why or why not?
A Solid Foundation
1 Corinthians 3:12-14 NIV84
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
Eternal Materials That Build A Legacy
Every day of my life I’m building a legacy, and everyday I get to choose what materials I’ll build with: temporary materials or eternal materials. And if I’m going to build a legacy, there are only three materials that I can build with. Three materials that will weather the waves of life: conviction, character, community.
Your Convictions
What convictions did your family instill within you?
The Word of God
Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 7:26 MSG
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God's Word stands firm and forever." "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach.
Your Character
Romans 8:29 MSG
God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
Community
It’s so important to be with others who are going in the right direction. No we don’t have it all together, yet we’re choosing to be with each other, whether at church right now or in a new small group that’s coming. If you’re too busy to be in a small group or even to come to church, then you’re too busy to grow in God.
The Most Important Thing
Luke 10:40-42 NIV84
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Your Legacy Is A Choice
It's not your house, it’s your home, your family. It's not your car or other materials that won’t last. God says enjoy them, they’re fine, but don’t get too attached to them. It's your relationships that matter for eternity! There was a story of a businessman visiting a resort community who left his hotel early one morning to take a walk on the beach. Outside he came upon a stunning sight – countless starfish had washed up on the beach during the night in a high tide. They were still moving, still alive, clambering all over each other trying to get back in the ocean. He knew it wouldn’t be long until the tropical sun would get hot enough to bake the poor creatures trapped there on the beach. He wished he could do something, but there were thousands of them, as far as his eye could see, and there was no way he could make a dent in saving so many of them. So he went on his way. Walking farther down the beach, he came upon a little boy leaning over, scooping up a starfish, and flinging it like a Frisbee out into the ocean. He repeated the process over and over again, trying to pick up speed, obviously trying to save as many starfish as possible. Once the man realized what this little boy was doing, he felt it was his responsibility to help the boy by informing him of a harsh life lesson. So he went up to the boy and said,“Son, let me tell you. What you’re doing here is noble, but you can’t save all these starfish. There are thousands of them. The sun’s getting really hot. They’re all going to die. You might as well just go on your way and play. You really can’t make a difference here.” The little boy didn’t say anything at first; he just stared at the businessman. Then he picked up another starfish, flung it out into the ocean as far as he could, and said, “Well, I just made all the difference for that one.” Helen Keller - “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
Your Prayer Request This Week
How can we pray for you? Please let us know.