Sunday, October 15, 2023 | What’s Your Sentence?
In the second sermon of the two-week mini-series on serving, Pastor Terry Mahan delves into the theme of leaving a lasting legacy through selfless service. He opens with a thought-provoking scene from Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” where individuals are asked to contemplate what they’d like others to say about them at their funeral.
With the central message being “begin with the end in mind,” Pastor Terry Mahan encourages the congregation to imagine their own funeral and the impact they leave behind. He reminds them of the inevitable truth that one day, they won’t wake up, highlighting the universal reality of mortality.
Quoting Psalm 39:4-5, Pastor Terry underscores the fleeting nature of human life, urging the congregation to reflect on their own legacies. He emphasizes that a person’s legacy is not solely defined by their achievements or material possessions but by the impact they have on others, the love they share, and the values they uphold.
The sermon transitions to the example of the Apostle Paul, who wrote letters and planted churches, including the one in Rome. Pastor Terry Mahan brings the congregation’s attention to Romans 16, where Paul sends greetings and commendations to fellow believers, highlighting their service and character.
Paul’s list in Romans 16 is a powerful reminder that true legacy isn’t about self-promotion but about impacting the lives of others. As Pastor Terry reads through the names mentioned by Paul, he showcases the diversity of individuals who contributed to the early Christian community, from co-workers to servants, prisoners to those who worked tirelessly for the benefit of others.
Pastor Terry draws inspiration from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, emphasizing that God deliberately chooses those whom the world often overlooks. He encourages the congregation to reflect on their own life’s “one-liner” and stresses that their past does not have to define them.
The sermon closes with Ephesians 2:8-10, a reminder that salvation is a gift from God, and we are His masterpiece, created anew in Christ to do the good things He planned for us. Pastor Terry Mahan leaves the congregation with a powerful challenge to live a life of service and create a legacy that reflects God’s grace, love, and purpose.