Leaving a Spiritual Legacy That Lasts
Pastor Reed Sowell
Legacy. It’s not just about what people say at your funeral—it’s about the impact that outlives you. We all leave something behind. The real question is: what kind of spiritual foundation are we building today that will shape the generations after us?
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Everyone Leaves a Legacy—But What Kind?
Whether intentional or not, everyone leaves a legacy. It could be financial, relational, emotional, or spiritual. The reality is that your decisions, values, and faith either build something lasting or leave behind a trail of missed opportunities.
The spiritual legacy we leave has eternal weight. It’s not just about moral values or good memories—it’s about passing on a living, vibrant faith that continues to grow in the lives of others. The challenge? Most people don’t think about their legacy until they’re near the end. But the truth is, legacy starts with what you do today.
Faith Starts With You, But It Was Never Meant to End With You
Legacy is not just about personal growth. If your faith doesn’t extend beyond your own life, it’s incomplete. We’re called to make disciples, not just have personal experiences with God.
This is what Paul meant when he said to Timothy:
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
—2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)
Timothy’s faith didn’t appear out of nowhere—it was cultivated through generations. That’s how spiritual legacy works. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being faithful.
God Thinks Generationally. Do You?
We tend to live for the moment, but God sees the long view. Throughout Scripture, He is called “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” That’s not a poetic flourish—it’s a reminder that God builds through generations. His promises don’t stop with one life.
Your obedience today impacts your children’s children. The choices you make—whether to walk in forgiveness, spend time in prayer, honor God’s Word—those ripple through time.
You might be the first person in your family line to follow Jesus. That’s not a small thing. That’s legacy work.
Don’t Underestimate Small Moments of Faithfulness
Spiritual legacy isn’t built through grand gestures. It’s built in the daily. The small things: praying with your kids, showing up when no one else does, staying rooted in your church community even when it’s hard.
Consider this list of small but significant ways to build legacy:
Open your Bible where your family can see it.
Let your children hear you speak well of others.
Apologize quickly when you’re wrong.
Make decisions guided by prayer, not pressure.
Choose obedience even when no one is watching.
These aren’t flashy. But over time, they carve out a well-worn path for those who follow you.
Fight the Drift—Legacy Doesn’t Happen By Accident
Spiritual drift is real. Without intention, people don't grow closer to God—they grow distant. Left unchecked, one generation’s compromise becomes the next generation’s confusion.
That’s why intentionality matters. It’s not about legalism or perfection—it’s about being present, aware, and rooted. You won’t drift into leaving a powerful legacy; you have to build it with prayerful intention.
Hebrews 2:1 warns us:
“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”
—Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)
Legacy is the result of a thousand choices made on purpose.
Build Something That Outlives You
There’s a sobering thought in Psalm 78:4:
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
—Psalm 78:4 (NIV)
This is the posture we’re called to take—not hiding what God has done, but sharing it boldly. We tell stories. We recount God’s faithfulness. We remind the next generation that the God who was with us is with them too.
Start building something that doesn’t stop with you. Consider this:
Who are you mentoring?
Who sees your faith lived out, not just talked about?
What spiritual truths are you intentionally passing down?
You Don’t Need to Be a Parent to Leave a Legacy
Some think spiritual legacy is only for parents or grandparents. Not true. Legacy is about influence, not biology.
If you serve in kids ministry, mentor a teen, or simply lead a small group, you’re planting seeds that bear fruit in someone else’s future. Faithfulness to invest in others—especially those younger in age or faith—is legacy-building.
It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about showing others what it looks like to follow Jesus through your real, everyday life.
Legacy Starts With the Word
One of the most powerful tools for legacy is the Word of God. When you anchor your life to Scripture, you pass down something eternal. It’s not just about quoting verses; it’s about living them.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 says:
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road…”
—Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NIV)
The legacy of the Word is relational. It happens in everyday conversations, road trips, family dinners, quiet moments. Start where you are, with what you know.
You May Never See the Full Impact—Do It Anyway
The most powerful legacies often go unseen in our lifetime. Moses never entered the Promised Land, but he led people toward it. David didn’t build the temple, but he prepared the way for Solomon to do it.
God uses obedience over time to accomplish His purposes. Your investment in others is never wasted. The prayers you pray, the Scripture you teach, the forgiveness you extend—these echo into eternity.
Galatians 6:9 encourages us:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
—Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Keep going. Even when it feels unseen.
Practical Legacy Questions to Ask Yourself
Legacy is built through reflection and decision. Here are some questions to help shape your legacy intentionally:
What do I want my kids, mentees, or friends to know about God?
What am I doing weekly to grow in my own faith?
Who is watching me live out my relationship with Jesus?
Am I consistent in my values, or do I compromise under pressure?
Have I shared any stories lately of what God has done in my life?
Use these as a guide—not to feel guilt, but to gain clarity.
Start Today, Not Someday
Legacy begins now. Not when you’re older. Not when you’ve “figured it all out.” Start where you are.
Pray with someone.
Apologize for that thing you said.
Call the person you’re mentoring and check in.
Read the Bible aloud with your kids, even if it’s messy and awkward.
The point isn’t perfection—it’s movement. Forward, steady, faithful.
Further Reading
“Spiritual Legacy: What Will You Leave Behind?” – Focus on the Family
“Building a Legacy That Lasts” – Desiring God
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled “The Cost of Discipleship” from View Church on YouTube.
Explore resources, classes, and Bible study tools at View Church