Living a Life of Legacy
2 Timothy 4:6-8
January 19, 2003
Morning Message
Introduction
Just before the National Championship game; Jim Tressel gave a speech to encourage the players and raise them to another level. In that speech he asked the players a very powerful question: What do you want to be remembered for?
Life is a lot more important than a football game. Life is a lot more challenging than a football game. Life is a lot more rewarding than a football game. So let me ask you a question: What do you want to be remembered for? What is it that you want to leave behind when you pass from this life to the next?
This morning I want to look at some of the final words of the apostle Paul and get a sense of his perspective on what he was leaving behind for the cause of Christ.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting – God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 The Message
Three key questions about living
I. What kind of departure will you have?
A. Paul was ready for the journey
1. Paul said his life was an offering to God
a.) A drink offering was a special sacrifice given to God in the form of a person pouring out a cup of wine onto the altar. It was considered asa a fragrant offering that was believed to be especially pleasing to God.
b.) The understanding that Paul conveys is one of total commitment and sacrifice. Paul was literally saying that he was ready to give his all for the cause of Christ.
2. Paul was pouring out his life
a.) Paul was giving his everything to Christ. Paul was giving all of his past, all of his future, all of his life and all that he was over to the cause and Kingdom of Christ
b.) William Barclay Quote: Paul did not think of himself as going to be executed; he thought of himself as going to offer his life to God. His life was not being taken from him; he was laying it down. Ever since his conversion Paul had offered to God, his money, his scholarship, his strength, his time, the vigour of his body, the acuteness of his mind, the devotion of his passionate heart. Only life itself was left to offer, and gladly Paul was going to lay life down.
Q – Have you offered every area of your life over to God? What are you holding back? What are you waiting for?
B. Paul was ready to depart
1. Paul was raising anchor
a.) The first word picture for the word departure is that of a ship raising anchor and removing moorings to leave one country for an another
b.) Paul had been anchored in this life but was now ready to raise anchor and set sail for his new home
2. Paul was breaking camp
a.) The second word picture for departure is that of a camp being taken down to move on
b.) Paul was constantly moving from village to village, city to city and country to country. Paul was now breaking camp for the last time and heading for his permanent home in heaven.
3. Paul was released from his burden
a.) The third word picture of departure was that of unyoking an animal from the burden of its work
b.) Paul was being released from his burden and his labor for Christ’s kingdom was over. Paul was moving on to his rest with Christ.
Paul had given his all for the service of Christ and he was ready to move on to be with Christ
Q – What will you be remembered for?
II. What kind of legacy will you leave?
A. Paul fought the good fight
1. The picture of a faithful soldier
a.) The understanding of the good fight
1.) Every faithful soldier is called to fight in battle
2.) Paul had fought his battles for Christ and Paul had been victorious through Christ
b.) Paul served like a good soldier
1.) He volunteered to serve
2.) He separated himself from the world and gave his total commitment to Christ.
3.) He had suffered for Christ
4.) He had fought for the worthy cause of His king
5.) He stayed with his mission and given his time to the very end
Q – Are you fighting the good fight?
2. Paul’s fight was over
a.) Paul had been released
Paul had fought his battles for Christ and now his time for fighting was over. It was time to move on. Just as a soldier is discharged to go home; Paul had received his release and was heading for his heavenly home.
b.) Our fight is not yet over
1.) Paul wrote to Timothy that he was to carry on the good fight for the cause of Christ. He was calling Timothy to stay on mission and on course.
2.) We too have been called to carry on the good fight of faith. We too have been called to take up the cause of Christ. We too have been called to remain true to our mission, our purpose and our King!
B. Paul finished the course
1. Paul finished his race strong
a.) Paul compared his life to an athlete finishing a foot race and that he was going to finish life in the same way. Paul was going to finish strong.
b.) Paul lived a life of complete discipline. Paul lived out of a deep gratitude for the grace and mercy of God. This gave him the passion and desire to live a life of obedience to God’s word and God’s will.
2. Paul was like an athlete
a.) Paul controlled his life and what he did with his body and mind
b.) Paul was focused on the course of life and did his absolute best to stay on the path that God had laid out for him
C. Paul kept the faith
1. Paul managed the faith well
a.) Paul says: “I have kept the faith”
1.) The word kept means to watch over, to maintain or to guard
2.) Paul is saying that he has made every effort to maintain his personal faith and protect the integrity of the gospel.
b.) The word kept was a term used for managers or stewards with the understanding of protecting someone else’s property.
c.) Paul had been entrusted with the faith and the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul had been given the precious and incredible gift of saving grace and a call to ministry
2. The call to keep the faith
a.) Paul gave Timothy a legacy of trust in Christ, obedience to the will of God and effectiveness in serving the cause of Christ.
b.) We are called to live to the best of our ability for Christ and give our faith away to other people.
Are you keeping the faith?
III. What kind of reward will you receive?
A. An unbelievable reward
1. Paul was to receive a crown of righteousness
a.) The crown was a symbol of both victory and great success. A laurel wreath was shaped into a crown and given to the victors of the Roman games
b.) Paul was going to be given a crown of righteousness. This would be the symbol that revealed that he was made right with God
2. The reward was overwhelming
a.) Paul would receive the reward of righteousness and being made completely right with God.
b.) Even though Paul was about to die, he knew that he would be vindicated by the reward and presence of Christ. Paul held the confident expectation that his faith, his obedience and his life would be given the greatest reward of eternal life
B. Your reward in Christ
1. Be encouraged
a.) Paul wrote these words as an encouragement to Timothy because Timothy was facing some difficult times. Paul understood what it was like to face difficulties but the coming reward in Christ gave him the strength to keep pressing on.
b.) Paul tells Timothy that all believers will be rewarded by Christ. Those who love Christ and look forward to the day of His return will be given the reward of righteousness
2. The impact of righteousness
a.) Imagine for a moment what it would be like to be made completely right with God. In this life we are not totally right with Him because there are sins that constantly nag us, guilt that won’t go away and distractions that get in the way of our relationship with Christ.
b.) When a believer is made righteous before God, totally perfect, it is an amazing gift. Why? Because if we are made perfect before God then we can have a perfect relationship with Him. This relationship is one that will never end! What an amazing promise and what an incredible gift.
Conclusion
1. What kind of departure will you have?
a.) When you pass from this life to the next, what do you want be remembered for?
b.) Are you currently living a life worthy of a grand send off?
2. What kind of legacy will you leave?
a.) When you leave this life, what can honestly be put on your tombstone? What kind of impact will you have made?
b.) Are you leaving behind a great legacy of yourself or are you leaving a legacy for Christ?
3. What kind of reward will you receive?
a.) When you leave this life, will you truly be able to receive the gift of righteousness? Do you have a growing personal relationship with Christ?
b.) Are you going to receive the crown of righteousness from Christ? Are you ready to enter into Christ’s great reward?
What will you be remembered for?
