October message series to discuss emotional and spiritual legacy.
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All of us want to make a difference in our world through our lives. Yet we often struggle as to how to put a handle on that desire. This month’s study series and messages at Copper Hill Church will be a big help. In coordination with the popular new small group study sessions titled, “Leaving a Godly Legacy,” Pastor Kelvin will be guiding our thinking in October on the theme, “A Godly Spiritual Legacy” The goal this month is that we understand and have concrete ideas about how to use the emotional and spiritual influence that we have to make a big impact upon our world. As Pastor Kelvin said in his message this Sunday, “We have more relational clout than we think we do.” And we need to understand that God is at work through us by his Holy Spirit to strengthen our influence. Jesus said,
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
Notice the words “much fruit.” That means you and I can make a big difference! Pastor Kelvin also pointed out that not only does God help us have influence, he calls us to use it. He wants us to be intentional about having a transforming influence. As Paul put’s it,
I urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.
Eph. 4:1
According to Charles Stanley, the word “worthy” can also be translated “weighty.” If a heavy person walks accidentally onto wet concrete they will leave a deep imprint. When we live out our faith well and allow God to work through us, we leave a weighty and deep impression on those who look up to us.
Pastor Kelvin also reminded us that leaving a good and powerful spiritual legacy requires that we live holy lives. To live holy means that we live in loving, upright and unselfish ways. As the Apostle Peter instructed us,
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
1 Peter 1:14, 15
It is also important to remember that our impact on others can grow immensely. In their book “Becoming a Person of Influence” John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan observe,
The crucial thing to remember is that your level of influence is not static. Even if you’ve had a negative effect on others in the past, you can turn that around and make your impact a positive one. And if your level of influence has been relatively low up to now, you can increase it and become a person of influence who helps others.
John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan in Becoming a Person of Influence, p. 11
The bottom line is this. By God’s grace, you and I can have a great spiritual and emotional legacy!