ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
The Legacy Of Our Vision
Text: I Chronicles 28:1-8 IBCSWS June 28, 2009
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
It is evident that caring parents dream dreams and set realistic goals for the progress of their family. In the same way, nationalistic people have well-thought out plans to be carried out for the advancement of their country. It has also been observed that wise people never fade without legacy to leave for the world’s coming generations. Counting ourselves as wise people will stir our hearts to ponder and love the legacy of our vision. And we should not let our God-impressed vision be blurred by our adversary, nor let it vanish away from our sight, but rather it must be sharpened by inspiring faith in Christ.
In Proverbs 13:22, it is written, A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. (KJV) This proverb reminds us not to forget our children’s children by merely living selfishly in our time without considering the needs of the coming generations. The kind of life we have today is a sort of pattern which could shape the lives of people behind us. We must be watchful and extra careful in our steps so we may not lead them to a tragic life, but carefully usher them to the path of truth.
King David was a classic example of a man who truly loved the Lord and exemplified a life full of care for his people. His mindfulness of God moved him to plan and to build the Temple for the glory of the Lord and for the spiritual benefit of his people. A careful study of II Chronicles 6:12-42 will make us realize that the presence of the Temple during the Old Testament times had a great role in drawing the Israelites closer to the Lord in times of rejoicing and also in times of mourning. It truly touched their awareness to become more prayerful and mindful of their privilege to worship the Living God in truth. What a blessed legacy David left to his well-loved people.
As we study more about spiritual legacy, may we prayerfully consider the things that God has impressed in our hearts to prepare because we strongly believe that the legacy of our vision will be a great blessing to the coming generation.
(I) God Honours Godly Vision
I Chronicles 28:1-2 II Samuel 7:1-13
God honours people who are mindful of God whose desire is to please Him in a significant way. David was a faithful servant and his mindfulness of the things of God led him to plan and build a one of a kind building for the glory of God. His vision was turned into reality because God was with him and blessed the desire of his heart.
-True believers must set great goals
· For the glory of God
· For the next generation
Believers should not be afraid to set great goals for the glory of God. They should not be hindered by negative thoughts and attitude but always consider the power of God and they must use it. Our hearts are transparent before God and He knows the level of our faith in Him. Without faith we cannot please God and it is for this reason that we really need to be reliant on His power so we may not miss His awesome working through our lives. Trust in the Lord and let our vision be turned into a legacy to be treasured by our children in the future.
(II) Let Our Children See The Glimpse Of Our Vision
I Chronicles 28:3-19
-By showing them our faith-inspired plans
Showing our faith-inspired plans to our children will surely strengthen their faith in the Lord. Through the eyes of faith, we could show them the glimpse of our vision.
In I Chronicles 28:11-19, we see how David showed the glimpse of his vision as accounted in verses 11-12, 11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, 12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: (KJV) It is truly needful for our children to know the godly plans we set for them so they can visualize with us, prepare and look forward to seeing what the Lord has prepared for them to enjoy.
Sometimes many professing believers have negative attitude toward godly vision because they cannot visualize what we are talking about and have no knowledge about the importance of one’s legacy. It is then our role to do what David did to the people of Israel, telling them his desire for the Lord and showing them a glimpse of the future glory of the house of God by showing them the pattern. Apparently, it takes deeper understanding of what legacy really is, and also greater faith to see a glimpse of our God-impressed vision for our children.
(III) We Must Encourage Our Children In The Lord
I Chronicles 28:20-21
Encouraging other believers to do what is right and pleasing before God is a wise act, and encouraging our children to walk in the fear of the Lord is a rewarding investment. David encouraged the believers most especially his son, Solomon, to support his plan and God prospered them in a notable way. Keep on encouraging others and you will be amazed of the results.
-By words of encouragement
In I Chronicles 28:20, it says, And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. (KJV) Many believers hardly achieve great things because of fear and they are easily dismayed of what they see because they fail to see God’s encouragement in the Holy Bible. We must keep in mind that the Word of God is a “Hope-giving Word”.
-By setting example before them
· Through deep commitment
Our deep commitment to serve the Lord will truly encourage others. Commitment energizes us to do more quality works and greater achievements in life. It also deepens our awareness regarding our responsibility and accountability. Make a commitment to be faithful to the Lord and you will encourage others to walk with Him consistently.
· Through our deep involvement
Our involvement in the work of God is not only pleasing to God but also beneficial to others especially to the lost and dying souls. Believers should not neglect their Christian duty by not using their opportunity to get involved in the ministry. David led Israel to get involved in the preparation for the construction of the Temple and the Israelites took part with joy because of David’s example. I Chronicles 29:9 says, Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. (KJV)
We may not be aware, but the old and the young people may be observing how we get involved in the ministry. The more we are involved, the more they could get excited to participate in the mission work; but the more we neglect our Christian service, the harder we could convince them to take part. Get involved and let our vision today become a legacy to be treasured by our children tomorrow.
· Through our thankfulness
The way we give thanks to God affects our children’s appreciation toward His working in our lives. The more we give thanks to Him, the we could encourage them to be thankful to Him. David was so appreciative of God’s power and he expressed his thankfulness in I Chronicles 29:11-13 when he said, 11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. (KJV)
· Through our prayerfulness
One way of encouraging our children to do what is right in the midst of this sin-darkened world is by showing to them the importance of a strong prayer life. Without doubt, David was a man of prayer and his sincere prayers inspired many people to be closer to God. Solomon was truly encouraged by the example, prayers and words of his father David. Take note of what Solomon said in I Kings 5:5, And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. (KJV) After the death of David, the beautiful building was finished and became a wonder in Solomon’s time. Consequently, Israel enjoyed the blessings of God in a great way.
Setting goals is truly exciting and rewarding especially when our Lord Jesus Christ is in it. As we see people setting secular goals and achieving them for their own advantage, may we not overlook the spiritual needs of the coming generations. We must set godly goals and let others see a glimpse of our vision so they may be encouraged and join us in our journey of faith. David’s vision in his days became a treasured legacy of God-fearing people even in our time.
Surely, our God-impressed vision today will be our children’s legacy tomorrow.
ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH
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