(INTRO) I know that Jesus could come at any time, I know that we preach that He is coming and I believe that, but if you would, let’s just say that Jesus don’t come before we leave this old world and that our love ones have to put us in that ground and put a tombstone over us, what do you want them to put on it? What do you want them to say about you? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? Would you want them just to put that he/she was a good person? Or maybe they would not have anything at all to put on your tombstone. Now that would be sad. Should we be concerned about that? Well I would have to think so, for if we don’t make some kind of impression on people here, then what kind of impression will we make to God?
I don’t want to be remember for how much I like Biscuits & Gravy or how stern I preach behind the pulpit. I want to be remember on how much I love people, how much I care, not seeing people faults, but seeing there needs.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
{Abel, had a wonderful testimony, for he did not hold back any thing he had, but gave with a humble heart unto God.}
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
{Enoch, pleased God! WOW what a concept, to please God think about that. If only that could be what they put on my tombstone.}
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
{Noah, without hesitation believe what God had said, move with fear, prepared an Ark. That would be a great testimony, to believe God and to act upon what He has said.}
Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. [9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: [10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
{Abraham, had a testimony that when God said go he went. To have that legacy, to Go when God said go to stay when God said stay and have faith that God will see you through.}
Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
{ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, would not, will not, or never conform, compromise, or even bow down to the things of this world. WHAT A TESTIMONY! Here lies a Man/Woman who would not conform to the world or the things in it.}
[HOW CAN WE GET THIS TESTIMONY?]
CHANGE
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
{Number if you are not saved then that is you first step, number two if you are cold or indifferent, you to must get things right with God. But if you are right with God and you say what do I do now? Well you must be willing to change for the better, get out of your rut and say I can do something that can make a difference, I can do something to help, I can help my Church, I can help my family, I can help my friends, I can, I can, I can!!!!! be not conformed to this world: stand up for what is right in the site of God. Not what you think is right but thus saith the word of God.}
PREACH THE WORD
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
{Preach the word, not taking away but standing on. Know that when you tell about the word of God you are telling them the truth.}
PREPARE YOURSELF IN THE WORD
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
{This is not just talking to the Preacher or the teacher, but unto every Born Again Christian who desire to do the will of the Father in Heaven.}
LOVE THE WORD
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
{Have a deep compassion, a deep longing for the word. To know God word, to love God word, and to hid in our hearts so the we won’t sin against God.}
BE INSTANT IN SEASON & OUT OF SEASON
ALWAYS CHRIST LIKE
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
{To live our lives like Jesus wants us to would be a great testimony, to always be a Christian in hard time as will as good times.}
WITHOUT REGRETS
2 Timothy 4:6-7 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
{ Paul was able to look back on his Christian walk and did not have any regrets as far as his service unto Jesus. Other wise he didn’t regret the road to Damascus.}
MOST IMPORTANT! WHAT WILL BE SAID ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU GET OVER THERE?
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
{You see it really is not that important who says what about you here, they can all kinds of good things about you, but the most important thing WHAT WILL BE SAID ABOUT YOU OVER THERE? The book will be opened, what has been written about you?}
CONCLUSION: When our lives is over here and they are standing over our grave, what will they be saying about you and me? Will they say here lies someone who loved God, Someone who loved there family and Neighbors. Will they say here one who went out of there way to help someone, to go out of there way to tell someone about Jesus and His love for them? Or will they be saying other things, that is not worth mentioning.
