Leaving A Legacy: the Gospel

Paul’s second letter to Timothy expressed an urgent desire for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be preserved by Timothy and by future generations. His letter came at a time of great confusion and chaos in the culture, when reassurance was necessary. Anyone without faith in Christ would have considered the Gospel and Christianity to be on the brink of extinction.

We are Leaving a Legacy

Oftentimes when our culture talks about leaving a legacy, they refer to billionaires remembered for their generosity to charities, or names of notoriety etched into the side of a building. This is far from what the apostle Paul had in mind.

Paul was concerned with the legacy of faith: teaching the doctrines of Christianity and the Gospel to future generations. His motivation was more in line with the Psalmist who said, “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4). Paul knew the power of the Gospel that saved him, “the sinner of sinners,” and wanted nothing more for Timothy than for him to grasp the truth of the Gospel, cling to it, and preserve it! In opposition to our current culture, Paul’s motivation for leaving a legacy was not one of self-glorification, but one of Christ-glorification.

Proclaim the Gospel

Along with urging Timothy to leave a legacy of faith, Paul encouraged him to proclaim the Gospel. He exhorted Timothy of the truth of the Gospel, essentially saying, “You are a witness of the truth, and nothing has been done in secret.”

Paul encouraged Timothy to stand up and be counted as one who would proclaim the Gospel unashamedly, to see the responsibility and opportunity of the Gospel and proclaim it because Christ had qualified him. Actually, it is Christ who qualifies each of us to preach the Gospel! We are His, and we have “put on the uniform” of a soldier for Christ.

God’s Faithfulness

Finally, Paul reminded Timothy of God’s Faithfulness, and he included the names of some who had fallen away from the faith and rejected it altogether. Paul also reminded Timothy that God is faithful in carrying out all of His promises, and He cannot disown Himself. While God has the power to act however He wants, He only acts in accordance with His character. God’s faithfulness directly opposes our faithlessness.

So what does all this mean for us today?

When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, he intended that it would be read by a much wider audience. We too can apply Paul’s words to our own lives. We need to leave a legacy of faith. How are we doing in preserving the Gospel for the next generation? How are we proclaiming it right now?

Listen to, download, or purchase the entire series "Useful to the Master" »

Have you heard? We sell offer all of our resources at-cost! Learn more »