Building a Lasting Legacy in Your Children

Message Notes
Extreme Makeover

May 9, 2004

Psalms 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Psalm 78:4-7 [God’s commands…] We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. ⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, ⁶ so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. ⁷ Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

The greatest legacy we can leave our children is that they know and love the Lord.

How can I do to create an environment where this can happen?

1) I need to have a real, growing relationship with Christ

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life inChrist Jesus our Lord.

John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Jesus, I want You to be number one, the manager of my life. I want You to be in control in every area of my life: in my relationships, in my time, in my health, in my family. I want to put You first. Today, I humbly ask for your help. Jesus Christ, I admit to you that I am messed up. I realize today that I am not living my life for you. I realize my sin has offended you, so I turn from my sin and ask for the forgiveness that you freely give. I turn to you, Christ, and ask you to be the leader of my life. I give you everything I am and everything I will be. Amen.

2) I need to live for him every day

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, ⁷rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' ⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

3) I need to pray for my children continuously

1 Thessalonians 5:17 …pray continually…

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4) I need to teach my kids about God

Deuteronomy 6: 6-7. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

5) I need to encourage my children regularly

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Ephesians 6:4a Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children

Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." ¹⁶And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.