Legacy - Part 1 [Notes]

In the Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey discovers what the world would have been like if he had never been born. He comes to understand something he never realized before: his life had a profound and great impact on all those around him.  

God has uniquely created each of us with special talents, abilities, and gifts that can be used to make a difference in our world.  Is it possible God wants to use you in a special way to change your world for good? Join us as we begin a new series titled, "Legacy." We will be exploring how God has a unique plan for our lives.

Today's Takeaway // We will leave a Christ-like legacy when we serve others like Christ did. 

• Legacy //
  • money or property that is given to you by somebody when they die
  • a situation that exists now because of events, actions, etc. that took place in the past 
  • something that somebody has done successfully and that has positive effects even after they retire or die

– The Oxford Dictionary

We will leave a Christ-like legacy when we serve others like Christ did.

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached Him with her sons.  She knelt down to ask Him for something. “What do you want?” He asked her. “Promise,”  she said to Him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and the other on Your left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup  that I am about to drink?”  We are able,” they said to Him. He told them, “You will indeed drink My cup. But to sit at My right and left is not Mine to give; instead, it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” When the 10 disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers.
But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. It must not be like that among you.
On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”
– Matthew 20:20-28 (HCSB)

But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup  that I am about to drink?”  We are able,” they said to Him. He told them, “You will indeed drink My cup. But to sit at My right and left is not Mine to give; instead, it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”  
– Matthew 20:22-23 (HCSB)

“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
– Matthew 26:39b (HCSB)

When the 10 disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers.
– Matthew 20:24 (HCSB) 

“The other disciples were upset with James and John for trying to grab the top two positions. ALL the disciples wanted to be the greatest (Matthew 18:1), but Jesus taught them that the greatest person in God’s Kingdom is the servant of all.”
– Life Application Study Bible, Tyndale House Publishers

But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. It must not be like that among you.  
– Matthew 20:25-26a (HCSB)

On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave;
– Matthew 20:26b-27 (HCSB)

On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”
– Matthew 20:26b-28 (HCSB)

We will leave a Christ-like legacy when we serve others like Christ did.

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — of those who are in heaven  and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
– Philippians 2:1-11 (HCSB) 

We will leave a Christ-like legacy when we serve others like Christ did.

He Lives // Jireh // Same God // More Like Jesus

Get More From the Message | Each week, a new devotional will be available. This devotional is based on the previous Sunday's message, and it aims to take the message further and help you dive deeper into the topic. You can find the devotionals at the link, or sign up to receive weekly emails.

You can watch or listen to past messages online!

Your financial gift to support what God is doing at The Ridge makes ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity—we cannot do any of what God has asked us to do here at The Ridge without your faithful and cheerful giving.