Glorious Way Church
Glorious Way Church equips believers for the work of the ministry and stands for God’s truth in our culture. We serve as a regional center, where people from all backgrounds find refreshing worship and true communion of the saints.
Glorious Way Church
Legacy Parenting: Faith For The Next Generation | Marriage & Series 8
The true legacy we leave our children isn’t material wealth but a deep, enduring faith that can withstand life’s challenges. This reflection on legacy parenting explores how to cultivate a spiritual inheritance that transcends generations, focusing on living faith rather than religious routines. Drawing from Scripture—like Abraham’s trust and Paul’s mentorship of Timothy—it highlights that faith is not just taught but caught through example and relationship. Parents are encouraged to guide, not control, helping their children form a direct, authentic connection with God. Ultimately, every moment becomes a chance to shape a legacy that will echo through generations.
Let's take a moment and let's just go before the Lord in prayer and just thank God. Let's just pray. Father, thank you so much for your goodness, your kindness, your grace. Father, thank you for your mercy. Father, thank you for all that we are learning, all that you're doing in our lives. Father, thank you for the privilege that we have of family, of the gift that you've given us. And, father, thank you for the wisdom that you've given us through your word on how to properly administer our roles as parents, our roles as spouses, whatever our role may be in life. Father, we thank you for that and we give you the praise in Jesus' name. Let everybody say amen, amen.
Speaker 1:And we always like to start out our teachings here at Glorious Way Church, our services. Pastor Greiner has taught us well, and so I want to do the same thing that my pastor does, and that's make a declaration. So why don't you stand up if you're here in public, or here in person, or even if you're at home? Stand up and hold your Bible up and boldly declare. Let's just make a declaration here tonight. We're going to make Jesus glad and the devil mad. Everybody say amen, amen, all right, so let's just repeat after me. Father, thank you for the word that I'm about to receive. I confess it as I hear, as I receive and as I act on the word received here tonight, that the trajectory of my life and the life of my loved ones will forever be changed. In Jesus name, amen, amen. How many of you believe that? How many of you know that the word of God is life changing and that spending time in the word of God and receiving instruction through God's word will change your trajectory of your life? It doesn't matter what life has been up to this point, but the word of God will change your life. Can I get an amen, amen.
Speaker 1:So, as I said a few minutes ago, this is week eight of a nine week series on marriage and family, and so tonight our series is going to be a little different than what it's been in weeks past. In weeks past we've had a little, we've had some teaching, whether it was on on marriage communication. I can't possibly get all of the titles, but they've been great and I want to encourage you that if you've missed any of them, you can go back and catch them on our podcast or you can also get access to them via the Glorious Way Church site podcast, or you can also get access to them via the Glorious Way Church site. Also, if you are watching tonight, if you are joining us tonight via live stream, I want to encourage you. If you have a prayer request later on in the service we're going to take time and pray for your needs. So if you have a prayer request, I want to ask you to send your request. You can do one of two things you can go to our website and send it that way, or you can send an email to staff at gwccc. Someone is there to receive your prayer request and we'll make sure that we take time to pray for you in the service.
Speaker 1:So tonight's session is going to be a little different than what we've been doing In the previous weeks. We've had our teaching time and then we've had a time where we've broken into small groups. Tonight, our session is going to be in two parts. The first part of the session is going to. Actually, our session tonight is titled.
Speaker 1:You probably want to know what we're going to talk about, right, that would help. And so tonight we're going to talk about legacy, parenting, faith for the next generation. How many of you know that it's important, whatever stage of life you're in whether you are a parent, soon to be a parent, wanting to be a parent got them grown and gone out of the house, and you're happy that they're gone. Whatever stage of life that you're in, once you still have a responsibility to impart and to instill legacy. I like to say it this way to impart and to instill legacy. I like to say it this way If you have access, you still have influence. Amen, amen, if you have access. Even grown kids.
Speaker 1:My wife and I, flora, are at that stage in our life where we are now empty nesters. We are getting used to being empty nesters. We went out and got a puppy dog. I don't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but we are getting used to being empty nesters. But you know, what blesses us is that our kids, first of all, because we have done what I'm going to share with you tonight. We have legacy. Our kids are both serving the Lord. I have one. Our youngest is in college preparing to be a worship pastor Praise God for that and our oldest child is already a worship pastor serving the Lord.
Speaker 1:And so you know, imparting legacy matters, it makes a difference, and you know it just didn't start with us. Our parents, my mother's, my wife's parents, my wife's mother in particular. My parents, my mom, they were praying parents, they were praying grandmothers. And it makes a difference. I tell people all the time never, ever, ever, give up on your children, never stop praying for your children If they're not serving God. Keep praying, keep trusting, keep believing, keep standing in faith the very thing we're going to talk about tonight. Because I am where I am today, because I had a mother who knew how to pray Amen. So it's important. It's important to live that life.
Speaker 1:So tonight we're going to split our session into two parts. The first part we're going to look at some biblical examples of the legacy of faith, in other words, legacy parenting, what that looks like in the Bible. And then the second part of our session we're going to actually engage in practical application. Well, what does that mean? That means these chairs behind me are going to be occupied by a couple of couples that we've invited to join us here on the platform tonight, and so we're going to talk. We're going to have a real talk about what it means to be a parent and to parent for legacy.
Speaker 1:So tonight let's start with the first part of it by looking at some biblical examples. And so, if you will turn with me in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11. Most of you can probably quote it to me without even opening your Bible, but I love Hebrews chapter 11 because it is so full of rich information. And so Hebrews chapter 11 is also known as the legacy of faith chapter. Aren't you glad that there's a legacy of faith chapter in the Bible? Amen. And so in Hebrews chapter 11, starting with verse one, we're just going to kind of go through some of these scriptures and just kind of dissect them and break them out and just look at what, what, what the Bible is telling us in part of being a legacy parent. What does that mean? What does it look like to be a legacy parent? And so in Hebrews chapter 11, starting in verse one, it talks about the foundation of what a legacy parent looks like.
Speaker 1:A legacy parent is a person of faith. Hebrews chapter 11, verse one, says now, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Now, we all know that that's pretty self-explanatory. Okay, I kind of like to put it this way Faith means that I believe it, even when I don't see it. That's what it means. Faith says God said it, I believe it. That settles it. See, we live in a day and a time in the world where people have to see to believe, but as people of faith, we live. It's the opposite for us. We don't see to believe, we believe to see. And so faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Verse two for by it, the elders, the people that have gone before us, the forefathers, the grandparents I like to put it that way the grandparents obtained a good testimony. What was the testimony? Well, we're going to look at some of that, but by faith and you know, what's interesting about this is if they did it, do we get a pass? If we're going gonna walk the journey in this life in faith, do we get a pass? No, we're gonna have to do what they did, and not only does. Do we apply that to our own personal lives, we have to apply it to the lives of our children. And so, by it, the elders, the grandparents, obtained a good testimony.
Speaker 1:Verse 3 by faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. In other words, by faith they understood some things and as a legacy parent, as you are teaching and imparting and instilling and laying down the foundation, you're going to have opportunities to teach faith. You know, one of the mandates here at Glorious Way Church is this is the Lord gave this mandate to our pastor years ago and he said don't. He said people take for granted what you know. Don't take for granted they don't know what you know. Who doesn't know what you know? The children don't know what we know. You know, we live in a day and time where it's it is so important that when you first of all that you're in the right place, the right church, and you're getting the right teaching, we no longer can afford to be part of a church where you send your kids and they just give you a color sheet and tell you a little story, but they're not teaching you how to live for Jesus. Well, you know what? If you're here you're here at Glorious Way Church that's not the case. Our children are learning about having a knowing, growing, living, loving relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen, amen, and that's important. And so we understand that by faith, they understood some things. Faith will help you understand. And not only will it help you understand, but it will help you convey the understanding. Verse 4, by faith, abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. In other words, by faith, abel understood how to go to God in worship, how to approach God. Well, you know, as legacy parents, as parents teaching our children, we've got to teach our kids how to have a relationship with God, how to pray to God, how to talk with God, how to interact with God.
Speaker 1:You know, there was a time in my own life when I was younger, my mom had a great relationship with the Lord and I figured the easiest way for me had a great relationship with the Lord and I figured the easiest way for me to have a relationship with the Lord was through her. How many of you know that Jesus didn't do what he did on the cross for you to have to go through somebody else to broker, manage your relationship. That's already been done. And so there was a time when my mother finally said to me, after going to her for several times and asking questions, and the Lord finally said next time he comes to you, you tell him to come to me. Well, I didn't like that. I didn't appreciate that. I didn't. If God said, send him to me, and she acted in obedience to send me to him, then guess what? She knew God was going to do something that she wasn't able to do.
Speaker 1:A legacy parent understands the importance of ensuring that your children, whether they're your children, your grandchildren or whatever the relationship is, whether it's a blended family or whatever they understand the importance of helping that child establish their own relationship. You know, and during that same time, when it was easier for me to go to mom instead of going to the Lord, I clearly heard the Lord say to me one day you know, you can't get in on your mama's coattail, and so, parents, you're not doing your children any favors when you're not teaching them or helping them establish their own relationships. Okay, well, I'm going to help my child establish their own relationship. Well, that's a lot of work? No, it's not. Actually, it's very easy. Well, why is it easy? Because all you got to do is live it. How many of you know, more is caught than taught, amen. And so all you've got to do is live the life, set the example, speak the words and they'll get it.
Speaker 1:Verse 5,. By faith, enoch was taken away. So he did not see death and was not found because God had taken him, for before he was taken he had this testimony that he pleased God. Now think about how cool that is Enoch's walking with God and talking with God and God says, hey, enoch, it's getting getting a little late, why don't you just come to my house? But it took having a relationship, a personal relationship. Well, how was that established? By faith, verse 6.
Speaker 1:But without faith, say without faith it is impossible to please him. Now I just stopped right there because today, as I was reading that and I've read this, oh, I don't know how many times I've read this particular scripture it just jumped out at me. I heard it's impossible. It's impossible, in other words, anything that you do to help develop that child into that relationship. Telling the little stories you can read all the Bible stories you want to at night, but if you're not infusing faith in that story, if you're not helping them understand the significance and the faith part of that story, they're going to grow up just reading a little story Jesus wept going to grow up just reading a little story Jesus wept. You got lots of kids that know Bible stories but there's no faith with it, there's no understanding, there's no depth to it. And so, without faith, it's impossible. Say that again. It's impossible. It's impossible. It's impossible to please God. It's impossible. It's impossible to please god. It's impossible, without faith, to help that child develop that growing, knowing relationship with christ. It's impossible, it's impossible to please him.
Speaker 1:For he who comes to god must believe that he is first of all. That's important. He's not some mythical, spooky thing, he's God. He's our loving father that loved us so much that he gave heaven's most prized possession so that you could have a relationship with him. Must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder to those who diligently seek him.
Speaker 1:Verse six, verse seven by faith, noah being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear. Faith in God and imparting that faith in your children will help them to know some things, will make them sensitive. If Noah didn't have faith, he wouldn't have been sensitive to what God was trying to warn him about, what was to come. It's not enough for us to have that, because one day your kids are going to grow up and be adults. You know, I marvel at the faithfulness of God, just looking at our youngest who's out on his own. Now he's in college and he's learning to adult and he's learning to make decisions. And he's learning to adult and he's learning to make decisions and he's learning to do things that mom and dad used to do. And all I can say is, yeah, but the day's coming when he's gonna be off the payroll, it's coming, it's coming. It's coming, it's coming, praise God. But I'm just thankful that he's at that place now where, because he has become sensitive to the things of God by faith you know, dad, I don't see God. No, you don't have to see him, just know him. He's listening, he's looking. The word that says, he that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleep. He's watching. He's just a prayer away. He wants to have a conversation with you, but by faith, noah being divinely warned. If Noah didn't have faith, if Noah didn't know how to believe, he wouldn't have been able to receive the warning. Now, just imagine how differently things would have turned out if Noah had not listened.
Speaker 1:Oh, and then there's Abraham, verse eight, abraham. I like to look at him as the grandfather of faith, because it kind of started with him, you know, and even in the New Testament there's reference to Abraham being faithful. God accounted him unto righteousness because he believed God even when he didn't see, even when it was impossible, when he didn't see, even when it was impossible. And if Abraham had that kind of faith, if the grandfather had that kind of faith, then just imagine what happened. And if you look at the history and the story of Abraham, and that they're not just the story of Abraham but the story of his descendants, look at what God did through the grand, the great, great, great, great great grandfather who had faith. Look at all the things that God did. God said he was gonna do it. Abraham believed God would do it and God did it. Well, that same thing applies to us today when God promises you something. And let me just say this there are no expiration dates on God's promises. There's no expiration date on God's promises. There's no expiration date on God's promises. If God promised you that he would do it, he'll do it.
Speaker 1:Abraham stayed faithful by faith. Verse eight Abraham obeyed oh, wait a minute, stop right there. You mean to tell me that if I walk in faith, then I'm going to have to walk in obedience? Hold on a minute. I didn't sign up for that.
Speaker 1:No, when you walk in faith with god, when you have faith in god and you're teaching, you know what your kids need to see you obey. Your kids need to understand what that means as an adult. Well, mommy said I gotta obey. Well, you know what mom and dad have to obey well. Well, what does that look like? We obey God by being faithful, making time for him, spending time in his word, by giving in our acts of worship. Your kids need to see that. They need to experience that. If worship only takes place at church on Sundays, then they're missing out a lot. However, you know that living by faith is a lifestyle. It's not something that you do, it's who you are.
Speaker 1:People say, oh, he's just religious. No, I'm not religious, I just love the Lord. My faith in him causes me not to just be religious and do religious things, but my faith in him causes me to love him, to have a relationship with him. And, as a legacy parent, we've got to teach those things to our children. We've got to model those things to our children. We've got to demonstrate those things to our children. We've got to model those things to our children. We've got to demonstrate those things for our children. And you know, they're watching. Even at a young age. They're watching, they're listening and it's funny how kids will bring things back up. That happened years ago, that you didn't think they knew or you didn't think they were watching, but they saw you.
Speaker 1:I remember as a kid when my mother was would be in the kitchen on Sunday mornings worshiping, and she'd be cooking, making Sunday dinner, and she'd be singing songs into the Lord and just worship it and all of a sudden she just get caught up in worship. And I remember one particular Sunday she was making a roast that Sunday and she was singing songs and just praising the Lord and we were in the rest of the other part of the house and we were kind of laughing at her, making fun of her, because she's like, okay, that's a little over the top, but my mother didn't care. What you saw was what you got. And I remember this particular Sunday she got so caught up in worship that she got so excited and her hands went up. She went one way and the roast went the other way and we never did get gravy that Sunday with that roast. But guess what? I remember what worship looks like. I remember what love for the Father looks like. Why? Because she set the example.
Speaker 1:She was not ashamed. You know, folks, we live in a day and a time where we can't be ashamed. Either we are or we're not. Either he is or he isn't. There's no in between. Oh, you, one of them? Them Christians, you mean you not? Oh, you, you wanted them holy rollers. You mean you not get attitude with him? Oh, you mean you don't know Jesus? No, don't miss that opportunity, don't even miss you. And usually when you encounter people like that, and if your kids are with you, don't miss the opportunity to let them, you see, you be bold, to be bold. Don't let them get the impression that my mom and dad are timid. No, my faith says I'm bold. My faith says I believe what I believe and I'm not backing down Amen.
Speaker 1:By faith, abraham, he dwelt, verse 9,. By faith, he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. Can you imagine some of the conversations that went on in those tents? Can you imagine some of the conversations that went on in that tent? Can you imagine some of the impartation? Come sit down, boys. Let me tell you a story about God and what he did. Can you imagine Abraham telling them about the time that he believed God for a son and all that time he waited and waited First he probably started with. Let me tell you about your grandmother, by Sarah, you know. God promised me a son and Sarah was like no, I'm kidding, is God going to really let me have a son this old? And she laughed and the angels called her out. Can you imagine the conversation? Can you imagine the conversation, the conversation of faith, when Abraham says and then can you believe? After that son was born, after Isaac, the promise was born, the Lord told me to kill him. Can you imagine the conversation? Can you imagine the demonstration and the impartation of faith taking place Today?
Speaker 1:As I was in the office getting ready for tonight, I heard something that just really spoke to me and I want to say this, I want to share this, and it is this you know, when you start something or you begin something, and we all are at different stages in different places in our walk of faith, but the moment you start your relationship with Christ, the legacy of faith button gets pushed. In other words, the start gets pushed. Now, for some of us, the development process takes longer. Some of us, the process takes quicker, but we all have a season of receiving for what To give. We all have a time of receiving something from God to then pour out into our loved ones, into our children, into the future. And if we don't do it, then who's going to do it? We can't depend on the schools to do it. We can't depend on some, some of us can't even depend on some of our family to do it. It's up to us. And so we see that by faith, abraham dwelt in the land. He sat in the tents with his heirs.
Speaker 1:By faith, sarah herself also received strength to conceive. It took faith. Can you imagine Sarah sharing that story here? I was really old and he was really old, old and something happened and we got pregnant. But you know what God promised? That by faith, by faith.
Speaker 1:I never get tired of sharing the testimony of faith that Flora and I experienced with our son. Some of you know our story Our youngest, six miscarriages in nine years. We were at a place where we were depleted of faith. We didn't have any faith. To believe for a son Didn't change God's promise, though I even tried to talk God out of the son, tried talking to him. Okay, lord, you know, if you don't want me to have a son, then fine, I'll just be content and happy with the daughter. But look, just take the desire away. He wouldn't even take it away. But now, that time I get to tell and I've been able to tell and to share with my son. Son, did you know that you're a miracle? Did you know that God is faithful? And I got tickled. I was so proud of him. I was so dead proud.
Speaker 1:Not long ago, he was sharing the testimony. He was sharing his testimony Amen, by faith. And if we're going to impart the legacy of faith, we've got to tell, we've got to say Faith is not just something you receive and you hold it in. Did you know that faith has a voice? Did you know that faith is a verb? Faith takes action.
Speaker 1:We see that in Abraham, and God told him take Isaac up on that mountain and kill him. Abraham said OK, lord. He didn't. He didn't say wait, wait, wait, hold, hold on time out. You just gave him to me and now you want me to kill him? No, abraham had so much faith that God was able to raise him up. Even if he did that, all he said was okay, lord. And he didn't drag his feet either. The Bible says he got up early the next morning and went and everything that came out of his mouth even this help heard him talking faith when he went and he told the servants y'all stay here, the boy and I are going over there and we'll be back.
Speaker 1:Isaac had a chance to see his dad living in faith not just talking it, but living it when he said hey, dad, I see we got the wood for the sacrifice and I see you got the fire for the sacrifice, but who will be the sacrifice? And Abraham said God himself will provide. And you know, as you read, it doesn't tell you exactly how old Isaac was, but he was old enough that he could have. If it had been me some of you don't look you'd be like that. You know where I'm going. If it had been me he about to tie me up and put me on I'd be like wait, whoa, whoa. Even Isaac believed. Why do you think that was believed? Why do you think that was Because his father had been instilling the legacy of faith?
Speaker 1:See, we have to understand that faith is not just for our generation, it's for the next generation and you have to understand that when God gives you kids, you have a job. Oh, you mean, I've got to do more than feed them and clothe them and buy them all the electronics they want. Yes, and actually that part of your job is far more important than the stuff. See, when the stuff is gone, what are they going to hold on to? When the stuff is gone and they're facing the situation, what are they going to do? Okay, when the stuff is gone, they're facing the situation. What are they going? Okay, when the stuff is gone, they're gonna run and get that iphone and look up something on tiktok. No, when the rubber meets the road, are they going to go to the phone or they're going to go to the throne? Well, it depends on what you teach them. It depends on what you impart to them. It depends on what you impart to them. It depends on what you're saying to them, because you know what I've learned and my mommies say this all the time son, there's gonna come a time that I'm not gonna be here, and if and when that time comes and I'm not done what I was supposed to do to make sure you are ready for me not to be here, then I've not done my job. Wow, wow, wow.
Speaker 1:Verse 17,. By faith, abraham, when he got tested we just talked about that and how he offered up Isaac. By faith, verse 20,. Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. You see the generational thing going on. Abraham imparted. Isaac is imparting. He's blessing his sons, he's teaching his sons, he's pouring into his sons. We have to do the same thing.
Speaker 1:By faith, jacob, when he was dying verse 21,. Blessed each of his sons, joseph, in worship, leaning on the top of his staff. See, one of the things I've learned about faith is it doesn't matter how old you are If living a life of faith is who you are. You can worship leaning, you can worship standing, you can worship sitting, because what's in you has got to come out of you. And if your kids are seeing that, you know it's like my mom. I still remember we didn't get gravy that Sunday, but I remember she was a worshiper. I remember she loved that Lord more than she loved us getting that gravy with that roast. And you know what? I'm not mad about it. I was then Amen, imparting faith.
Speaker 1:By faith, joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones. See, faith looks and speaks into the future. Faith speaks into your child's future. When we speak words of faith to our children, when we teach words of faith to our children, we are speaking into their future. When we speak words of faith to our children, when we teach words of faith to our children, we are speaking into their future. And then, of course, there's another example of faith, and I really liked, I really really enjoyed this one as I was reading. It's the Apostle Paul.
Speaker 1:How many of you know, the Apostle Paul was a man of faith boy. That dude went through a lot. I mean, if that had been, master. Like, wait a minute, lord, we didn't talk about hazard pay, I'm gonna need a raise or something. Okay, you got me out here dealing with all of this and put look, then people want to kill me. But Paul was a man of faith and Paul had a mentor. He was mentoring Timothy. Now, notice Paul was a mentor, not a tormentor. Now, that'll preach right there.
Speaker 1:When imparting faith, you are mentoring, not tormentoring. What do I mean by that? There's a time when the Holy Spirit says go hard. And there's a time when the Holy Spirit says ease up a little bit, give them a minute to process. Give them a minute to receive what you just gave them, because they're going to have to chew on that for a minute. It's important that you understand the difference between the two and understand there is a time to mentor, but there's never a time to tormentor, because if you tormentor, you can actually turn them off. Wow, wow. Well, you know, I got to make sure that they know. Yeah, you got to make sure that they know, but you got to make sure that they know at their rate of speed and you're walking in wisdom and allowing the Holy Spirit to help you. It's important.
Speaker 1:So we see over in 2 Timothy, chapter 3, verse 10. I like the amplified version of that of that scripture says. This amplified version of that scripture says this now you have closely observed and diligently followed my teaching, conduct, purpose in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness. Now, what I love about that, first of all, is this In Paul's letter to Timothy, his son in the faith, he affirms Timothy's life as a godly man, and then Paul proceeds to list all of the things that Timothy had learned from him. In other words, paul proceeded to list all of the ways in which faith had been instilled in him, all of the opportunities he had to learn faith. The first thing that Timothy learned was this his teaching. He was able to observe Paul's teaching. Paul was not only a great church planner, but he was a great teacher. He was a missionary. He knew what he was talking about.
Speaker 1:The other thing that Timothy got to observe was Paul's conduct. Timothy watched Paul up close. Now, reading about the life of Paul, you see that there were some times that Paul kind of went through it. Now, reading about the life of Paul, you see that there were some times that Paul kind of went through it, and some of us may not have, would probably wouldn't have blamed him if he'd have kind of stepped out for a minute. Y'all know what I'm talking about. Don't look at me like that. Well, you know. Excuse me, lord, I'm going to step out of the kingdom for just a minute. I'll be right back. No, I won't go, that's all right, lord, I got this. I don't go, that's all right. Lord, I got this. I don't need you. I got this, lord. No, no, timothy got to see Paul's conduct in those difficult times. He watched him up close. He watched how Paul responded when things went well and when they were difficult. You know what? Your kids watch you during the difficult times, just like they watch you through the good times.
Speaker 1:There should be no difference. Why? Because, first of all, jesus said in this life you will have tested trials. He could have stopped there and said okay, that's just the way it is. That's the fact, jack, let's see how you do in Judgment Day we'll talk about it then. But he said no. He said in this life you will have tests and trials. But be of good cheer if I've overcome the world. And because he's overcome it, even when we're going through the difficult times, our testimony should still be the same.
Speaker 1:Why are you doing oh, I'm good under the circumstances what you doing under there? You're supposed to be above, only not beneath an overcomer under the circumstances. Well, what you doing under there? You're supposed to be above, only not beneath an overcomer. I've had this word stirring around in me and I just so appreciate this. The word is this the wind, the W-I-N is coming. Do not be distracted by the whining of the W-H-E-N. Be distracted by the whining of the W-H-E-N. Some of you'll get that on the way home. The W-I-N is coming. Do not be distracted by the whining of the W-H-E-N. Why Can we have so much confidence in that? Because the word says now thanks be to God, who always leads us to triumph in Christ Jesus. So we understand faith.
Speaker 1:We understand that Timothy got to observe Paul's conduct. He got to watch Paul's aim in life. Paul's focus was taking the gospel to the world, especially when it was never where, it had never gone before. Timothy got to see that. Do your kids get to see your aim in life? Do they get to see your passion, your faith at work? Timothy got to see Paul's faith. Timothy said Paul's faith. Timothy saw Paul's faith in every circumstance, in difficult situations where no human solution was possible. Timothy got to see it.
Speaker 1:But one of the things that Timothy noticed was that Paul always took a step forward. Faith says I'm going to step forward even when it doesn't look like I can step forward. See, faith doesn't say I'm going to step forward only when it's easy and it's comfortable and I'm going to step back when it's not. No, faith says I'm going to keep moving, I'm going to keep going. Sometimes faith says I'm going to have to step out there, not knowing if the step is there. Well, that's not faith, that's foolishness. No, sometimes faith says you got to take that step Paul did.
Speaker 1:Paul got on the ship and knew it was going to be shipwrecked, but he got on it anyway. Tried to tell him not to go, but he got on it anyway. Tried to tell him not to go, but he got on it. And because he was on it, god promised him safe passage, not just to him, but everybody on the boat. And you know what I love about that, about Paul is even in the midst of all of that chaos and all of that trouble, ministry never stopped. His faith never decreased. He was encouraging everybody else instead of paul whoa, can I be the first one on a lifeboat? No, paul was ministering even in the midst of all of that craziness. See, our faith says that we're going to minister even in the midst of the craziness. Ministry doesn't take a break when crazy comes, and that'll preach. Actually, ministry should get crazy with crazy.
Speaker 1:Some of you will have to process that. What do I mean by that? If it gets bold, if it gets bow, if it go, if it gets gets, if it go high, you go low, but you don't back up, you keep going. Paul got to see Timothy got to see Paul's patience. Now we're talking about the legacy of faith here, timothy got to see his patience. There were lots of times Paul could have blown it, he could have lost it, but he saw his patience. He got to see his love. He got to see his steadfastness, his persistence. He got to see Paul was not a quitter.
Speaker 1:You know what your faith? Speaking to your children, to the next generation, to say this Don't quit, don't give up. If you catch hell, don't hold it. If you're going through it, don't stop, don't quit, don't stop, don't give up, keep moving forward, keep pressing in, keep pushing. We're talking about legacy. What will your legacy say about you?
Speaker 1:See, what I've come to learn about faith and the legacy of faith is this First of all, they go hand in hand. Every aspect of your faith walk is preparing for an impartation of legacy. Wow, that's deep. Every part of your faith walk is a legacy impact waiting to happen that'll give you a whole different perspective on it. That'll make you stop and think about for a minute what's about to come out of your mouth. Am I going to speak faith? Am I going to speak life to this situation? But, more importantly, what I'm about to say, the person that's going to hear what I'm saying how are they going to receive it?
Speaker 1:You know, a while back, pastor Jay was teaching a message, and something that he said to me was so profound, but yet it was so simple. You know, jesus doesn't respond to needs. God doesn't respond to needs, he responds to faith. Just think of how different your child's life would be if they understood the difference between God responding to your need. God please, god please, god please, god please, god please, god please, god please to know. Father, I thank you that because your word says it and I believe your word because you are faithful to that which you've promised. You're not a man that you should lie, nor the son of man that you should repent. Just imagine how different your child's life would be with that. And so we have a responsibility to impart. We have a responsibility to understand that the next generation is prepared. We have a responsibility to make sure that they know what we know. Amen.
Speaker 1:Whether you are a young parent just started out, whether you are a wannabe parent hoping get married first, whether you are a wannabe parent hoping get married first. Okay, can I say that again? Okay, don't put the cart, don't put the cart, the horse before the cart. Get the cart first and then believe God for the horse, okay, but get married first. Get married and then believe God for a child. You know what it takes.
Speaker 1:Faith. Faith is not just, does not just touch some parts of our lives, it touches every part. How do I know that? How many of you, when you exchange vows, you were taking a step of faith, were you not? You exchange vows with this person that you believed was going to treat you the way he's standing there looking all sharp, or she's standing there looking all pretty, is going to treat you. That's a step of faith. That's a step of faith. That's a step of faith. I'm believing that this person that says they love me is going to continue to love me. Wow, so faith touches every part of your life. It touched you when you got married. It touched you when he said I love you. Did he say that to you? Okay, he did, okay and you believed him. So you took a step of faith. Amen, we all did. And I'm pleased to report that 37 years, almost 38 years later, I'm still walking in it, still believe, still thanking God for it. Amen, amen. And so faith is the lifestyle. Faith is necessary, faith is important.