I have a hypothetical question to ask you. If you knew today that you had only 365 days to live, that exactly one year from right now I have three other questions to ask. 1.) Who are the five people that you would want to prepare for your passing? 2.) What would you want to pass on them to bless and to promote their success after you are gone? Wealth, wisdom, heirlooms, a business or an education? 3.) What if you didn't have 365 days? What if you only had today; what would you most regret not passing on?
The fact is that we are passing on who we are, what we value are and what we possess to others every single day. For some this is a very strategic matter, you have a game plan and are actively passing on what you think is important to those that you feel responsibility. For others, it is a haphazard, hoping for the best accidental sort of thing because you unconsciously think that you have plenty of time to do this. The average person does not live as long as they think and will fail to pass on what matters most to the people they love the most.
Most Christians have spent more time thinking on how to transfer their wealth than their faith and values. Isn’t it odd that we place so much value on money and so little on our faith and values?
Paul is considering these thought when he is writing to Timothy. Notice what he says here:
“And 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.” 2 Timothy 2:2
He is talking about the principle of transfer. He was saying that God, through the Holy Spirit has transferred things to him and he has transferred these things to him and that these things must be transferred to other faithful men to pass on the very thoughts of God to mankind so that they may do the same thing.
What will you leave your children and grandchildren?
What are you going to leave your friends? What are you going to leave your spouse? What are you going to leave those whom you have responsibility?
Will it make them or break them? Will it give them what they need to make the kind of decisions that will allow them to be the kind of person God desires them to be? Will they have the values, the perspective, and the faith and the regard for God that will sustain them in a world that gets crazier and crazier? Or will they learn that you gave them the Grandfather clock and your best suit?
Paul speaks of life compared to a race. 2 Corinthians 4: “I have run the race, I have fought the fight,” Life is pictured as a race. Paul sees life as a relay race; he sees all that Christ has passed on to him, like a baton, he must pass the baton on to the next person to continue the race. In a race when the baton is dropped, the race is lost.
1. The key to victory prior to the race = Be fully prepared; fueled up!
2. The key to victory in the race = Don’t drop the baton!
3. Five Core Values we must pass on to the next generation.
· Learn to work unto the Lord
· Learn to manage their wealth wisely
· Learn to make wise choices
· Learn to live a grace filled life
As Christians we sometimes focus way too much on our behavior and not nearly enough on the thinking that should control our behavior. It’s what are they doing, what are they doing, control the dress, control the words, control the activities; it’s an emphasis on the visible, the exterior. Lasting change only comes through the thinking; it is a matter of the heart!
Paul, in Romans teaches that change is possible only through a renewing of your mind; it is getting a new “world view” to see the world as God see it and to get His perfect will for your life.
Transferable Concept #1: Teach them to suffer well.
We have a generation of believers who think of suffering in terms of how to limit it, how to avoid it, and how to get out of it? This is an unbiblical view and sets us up with some bad expectations.
A Theology of Suffering:
• Life is hard, but God is good!
Life is hard; you get saved and something hard comes along and they say “gosh I’m a Christian, what’s going on?” The fact is that life is hard. Jesus said himself that in life there will be tribulation; but I have overcome the world!
Note Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
• Life is unjust, but God is sovereign!
Life just isn’t fair. But, God is in control. Non-Christians get cancer, Christians get cancer, Non-Christians lose their jobs, Christians lose their jobs, Non-Christians get hit by the economy, and so do Christians! His primary agenda to make you holy not happy.
• Old Testament Roots - Genesis 37-50
Story of Joseph. In the book of Genesis all the major doctrines are introduced. God spends about 25% of this book of beginnings to explain what happened between the 1 and 2 and three. In chapter one we have this perfect world and a perfect God and a perfect creation: in chapter two we have a rebellion where man rejects the perfect world and bring sin into the world; then in chapter three God has a plan of redemption. The life of Joseph is a story of how God works good in us and through us in the midst of a fallen world to bring about the highest and best for us and to accomplish His purposes. Joseph was sold into slavery, slandered, he was betrayed, they will be forgotten; this is all a part of life! Genesis 50:20 “. . .you meant it for evil but God meant it for good. . .”
• Biblical Profiles –Jesus
He was called, you were called, to suffer vs. 21.
• New Testament command - I Peter 2:21-23
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Modeling is the most powerful teaching method.
Application: I, through Christ, will commit to grow through my present suffering.
1. Teach them to face it; to identify what they are concerned about.
95% of all depression and illness is directly related to us not facing the issues; we push it down; we try to hid the problems. We don’t talk about it; “hey, no complaining in this house!” “We’re going to be positive around here!”
It’s good to be positive but it is better to be honest about it.
2. Pray honestly about it.
Model this with you loved one. When was the last time you argued with God about something? You need to vent to God sometimes. God will honor those who come to him in truth. Have you wept
3. Help them to share where they are suffering with someone they trust.
Point them to a mentor, someone that is older and wiser.
Peers; let them in on where you are struggling.
Pastor / professional counselor.
Don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
4. Help them align specific scripture with their specific situation.
Align a Biblical truth to the situation.
· You’ve lost it all: James 1:2-4
· Refining your character: Romans 5:1-5
· Spiritual opposition: Ephesians 6:10-18
· Persecution: 2 Timothy 3:12
· You made some bad choices: Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Life Message: Suffering is
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