How Do You Want to be Remembered?
2 Timothy 1-4
Introduction: It has been a privilege to preach so many friends and loved one’s HOMEGOING Services over the last 35 years. What kind of INFLUENCE a person has had is always mentioned, whether good or not so good! That prompts this question: What kind of LEGACY are we going to leave behind? Throughout the year, we REMEMBER special days….such as Thanksgiving Day, CHRISTmas, Resurrection Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence day, etc. How do you want to be REMEMBERED? God’s inspired Word, thru the pen of Paul, gives us four (4) ways to “LEAVE a LASTING LEGACY.”
1. We will be REMEMBERED by what we GIVE the Lord Jesus! (2 Tim 1:12)
“12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
{The word “Keep” is phylássō, which means to guard, protect}
• What we have “committed” to Him
{The word “committed” is par-ath-ah’-kay, which means to deposit or entrust}
2. We will be REMEMBERED by what we GIVE to those around us! (2 Tim 2:1-4)
“1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
{The words “endure hardness” is synkakopathéō, which means suffer hardship together}
• We must expect afflictions in this life as we purpose to let God fill us; consequently, influencing others.
3. We will be REMEMBERED by how we LIVED our lives! (2 Tim 3:1-17)
“1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
All Scripture is God-Breathed
10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
• We can OVERCOME the world in the last days ( 2Tim 3:10-17)
4. We will be REMEMBERED by how we FINISH the RACE! (2 Tim 4:6-8)
“I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth 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.”
• How have you started in this race?
• How close are we to the finish line of this race?
• How are you running in this race?
Conclusion: In order to LEAVE a LASTING LEGACY, according to Paul, it will be decided by what we GIVE to the Lord and Others, how we live our lives, and finally, how we FINISH the RACE! Keep Running….you will be REMEMBERED!