Legacy Of A Champion Series

Gold Medal Living

Legacy of a Champion

08/22/04

Intro: Relay analogy; Passing the baton; One generation reaching into the next.

**PP- Picture of Baton Race

Examples from scripture: Moses to Joshua (Deut. 31:2-3)

David to Solomon (I Chron. 29:22-23)

Paul to Timothy

Background:

• Timothy from Lystra and may have been converted

on Paul’s trip there recorded in Act 14:6-23.

• Paul refers to Timothy as a child in the faith; meaning Paul probably was instrumental in Timothy’s conversion

• Timothy accompanied Paul on his trips

• Paul lists Timothy as a co-author of six of his letters

• 2 Timothy is Paul’s last letter, written from Rome shortly before his death, Fall 67 A.D.

I. Paul’s Remembrance

“Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

II Timothy 1:4-5(NIV)

Paul recounts for Timothy his joy over the heritage of faith passed from Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice.

The greatest gift a parent can give is a foundation of faith.

Parents are pointed out in scripture to diligently teach their children the things of God.

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-7A (NIV)

“Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.”

Ephesians 6:4(Toady’s English Version)

A Godly legacy begins at home.

** Story of Kip Keino

1968 Olympics- Mexico City, Kip Keino ran 10,000 meters suffering from a gall bladder infection. Stumbled and fell into infield and was disqualified; although he got up and finished the race.

On day of 1,500 meters, he had to jog two miles to the stadium because of a traffic jam. He won the race over world record holder Jim Ryun.

In 1982, Keino and his wife began to adopt the neediest children. Their goal was to create a home for 25 children. Today they have 86 kids and they always have room for one more abused or abandoned child at their Kip Keino Children’s home.

“This one’s a doctor in Nairobi. She’s an accountant in town with three beautiful babies. These two are with the police. This whole row is studying at universities in the States,” he says, touching each of the photos.

He houses them, feeds, educates and loves them until they too join the photo gallery, becoming examples for the next generation of unwanted children who show up at his door. “My mother died when I was 3,” he explains. “I don’t want anyone else to grow up with that problem. I can’t help everyone, but I do what is within my ability.”

“If I invest in those who need assistance, it’s an achievement to live together.”

Kip Keino

II. Paul’s Charge

Paul challenges Timothy to pass on the life of faith.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men to teach others.”

2 Timothy 2:2(NIV)

Christian character and biblical understanding are to be invested in the lives of others.

*The Legacy of Mentoring

When the Greek warrior Odysseus went off to fight in the Trojan War, he left his young son, Telemechus, in the care of a trusted guardian named Mentor. The siege of Troy lasted ten years, and it took Odysseus another ten years to make his way home. When he arrived, he found that the boy Telemechus had grown into a man—

Thanks to Mentor’s wise tutelage.

Based on this story, we now speak of a mentor as someone who functions to some extent as a father figure (in the best sense of the term), a man who fundamentally affects and influences the development of another, usually younger, man. Later we’ll define the term mentor more comprehensively.

Investment of our lives in the lives of others is the greatest of all rewards.

“Mentors nurture our souls. They shape our character. They call us to be complete men, whole men and by the grace of God, holy men.”

Howard Henricks “As Iron Sharpens Iron”

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

Our lives are best sharpened when rubbed up against the life of others.

** Bill Walthall- Prays every day for me, my family, and my ministry.

People here shape lives; Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, children’s workers.

Who is shaping your life? Whose life are you shaping?

** song- You Raise Me Up

III. Paul’s Legacy

Paul knows he is at the end of his life. Paul was executed at the end of Nero’s reign in late 67 or early 68 A.D.