LEGACY, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU

Let’s start with two definitions of legacy, this usage it’s a noun 1. an amount of money or property left to someone in a will. 2. the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.  The second definition is what I am going to focus on.
With this being Father’s Day I feel like this message fits quite well, I am going to look at  two Men/Fathers in the bible and their legacy and then touch on my own and what I hope that will look like. Now I don’t want the ladies to feel left out, there are many Women in the bible with legacy’s that made a difference, but this part of my message I am focusing on Men.
I could have started with Adam, but I decided to start with Noah. Starting in Genesis 5 it gives the genealogy of Adam and the blood line of Seth, this is part of Adam’s legacy. Noah is a direct decedent of Seth, 8th generation from him. Genesis 6 is where we find the reason God wants to destroy man. I am going to read Gen 6:5-8 and in verse 8 we see God found his man
Verse 8 says everything, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord
Gen 6:9-10 is Noah’s genealogy and lists his 3 sons, part of his legacy. 13-21 the Lord is laying out his plan to Noah and 22 we find why God chose Noah to build the Ark and carry out his plan, Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
Gen 8:20-22 God makes a covenant with creation.
Gen 9:1-7 God gives Noah some commandments or rules, a little guidance so to speak, then in verses 8-11 God tells Noah about the covenant he is going to establish with him.
This is what I see as Noah’s legacy, he had 3 sons, he listened to God, doing all he asked, because of hisobedience he saved all God’s creatures and through him the earth is repopulated.
I want to look at Abraham next, besides Jesus, Abraham may have the greatest legacy in the bible. Gen 12 begins with God speaking to Abram. This was before God changed his name to Abraham
Gen 12:7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your [c]descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
This is the land of Canaan that the Lord promised
Gen 15:1-6, 1 starts with God speaking to Abram in a vision, but then in verse 2 Abram is complaining to God about not having an heir. Starting in verse 4 is a promise from God about Abram’s descendants. I don’t know if he understood what he was being told, but this is the start of a great legacy
The end of Gen 15 the Lord again make the promise to Abram that he is giving the land Canaan to his descendants.
Gen 17 starts with God speaking Abram about the covenant he will make with him and this is when the Lord changes his name.
 In Gen 18: 1-15 This is the start of the fulfillment of God’s promise to make his descendants greater in number than the stars in the sky.
Gen 18:1-2
Then the LORD appeared to him by [a]the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
Now there are many other men with great legacy’s in the Bible, but I guess I chose 2 from the beginning. The whole subject of legacy started when I found out my son Jacob and my baby girl Jubilee were going to have a child. I was mowing the lawn and I was talking with the Lord about being a grandfather, then he led me into legacy. I thought what kind of legacy do I want to leave for my children and grandchildren? How do I want to be remembered?
So this started back when our boy’s were growing up, Kim and I wanted to pass on a Christian heritage. We believe Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
[a]And when he is old he will not depart from it. 
Now I know we are never going to be prefect in this life, our children see us at our best and worst. I pray that my best out weighs my worst. So what do I desire my legacy to look like?  The first thing I hope my children can say is, our dad/grandfather believed Jesus Christ died for his sins. That is the greatest gift I can give to my children and grandchildren. There is so much more I want to pass on, a servants heart for one, I have said I love to serve in the church. Love for people, knowledge, laughter, humility, boldness, I want them to know who I was, a son, a father, a grandfather, a father figure, a brother, a servant, a protector, an Airman, an auto mechanic, a handyman, an elder, a teacher, a prayer warrior.
 A verse I love that I believe is Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through [f]Christ who strengthens me.
Another is 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Some of the things I have done while serving I couldn’t have done without being equipped by the Lord. Like praying for people at the alter or giving a message.
You will never know the true impact you have made until after many generations have passed and you can see what they have done with what you have taught them and left them. One day when I am gone and but a distant memory, Jesus can show me one of my grandchildren, 6 or 7 generations from me, and say look what they have done in my name, for me. Because of the steps you and Kim took when your boys were young.
This Church would also be part of your legacy, imagine the tithe’s you gave, the people you served, even if you don’t tithe or serve, your still a part of the family here, maybe you are the answer to someones prayer just because you took the time to talk with them or greet them with a hug.
Men this is what I want for you, take some time to stop and pray to the Lord about what your legacy might look like, pray for guidance, pray that he may show you what you need to do, love your wife and love children.
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [i]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
James 1:19-20
19 [a]So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
I gave you 2 examples of legacy’s of men in the bible, I threw in a lot about me and what I desire, I pray I gave you some encouragement. I will wrap up with this. The 2 greatest legacy’s in the bible are God’s and his only son, who died for the whole world,  Jesus Christ