This past Sunday, we continued with our Walking in Legacy series, and let me tell you, Lifting up a Standard was the message that resonated deeply with everyone in the room.
It wasn’t just another Sunday service – it was Encounter Weekend, where more than 200 people gathered to receive God’s Word and experience His presence. There were also water baptisms, a beautiful symbol of a fresh start in Christ. What an unforgettable weekend!
God Wants a Relationship with Us
The core of Sunday’s message was this: God desires a relationship with us. From the very beginning, He’s been calling humanity into connection. Ps Larry took us all the way back to Genesis 4:26, where we read: “Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.”
This is God’s heart – a relationship, a two-way conversation. It’s not about following rules or just showing up at church; it’s about engaging with God, hearing His voice, and walking in His purpose. God isn’t distant. He’s ready to help us walk with Him, step by step.
Limited in the Flesh, But Empowered in the Spirit
But there’s a catch: We are limited in the flesh. Our physical bodies and minds are prone to weakness, but it’s in the Spirit that we find strength. When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we are able to walk in a legacy that far exceeds what we can accomplish in our own strength.
Ps Larry used the powerful example of Noah from Genesis 6:18, where God says: “But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” God’s relationship with Noah, His covenant with him, was not just about Noah’s survival, but about a legacy that would extend through his family.
The Fight for Godly Family Values
The attack on family values today is real, and Ps Larry didn’t shy away from addressing it. He reminded us of Genesis 2:24, where God’s blueprint for marriage is laid out: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
This verse speaks to the very foundation of family: marriage. Yet, as we look around the world today, we see the breakdown of this foundational truth. Narcissism is rampant – people want things their way, and they often put themselves before others. This mentality is contributing to the downfall of family life.
The Family Unit: The Heart of God’s Plan
Family is at the heart of God’s plan for society. The family unit is not only the foundation of the church but also the very fabric that holds society together. Yet, society’s definition of family is shifting. Divorce rates are high, living together without marriage has become acceptable, and the sanctity of marriage is being challenged.
These shifts come with consequences. But as Psalm 127:1 reminds us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” We must return to God’s standard for the family – a standard that values marriage, children, and the legacy that is passed on through generations.
Raising the Bar: The Word of God as Our Standard
In Isaiah 59:19, the Word declares: “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” The Spirit of the Lord is our standard. When the enemy seeks to overwhelm us, God raises the bar through His Word, which is the ultimate standard by which we live.
In a world where everything seems up for grabs– morals, values, and truth – the Word of God is our unwavering standard. It’s not just a guideline; it’s the foundation of our faith and how we should live.
Christ and the Church: A Model for Marriage
In the same vein, Ps Larry reminded us that Ephesians 5:22-33 compares the relationship between husbands and wives to that of Christ and the Church. The connection here is powerful. Just as Christ laid down His life for the Church, so too are husbands called to love and serve their wives sacrificially.
This is a holy standard for marriage that goes beyond cultural expectations. It’s a biblical standard that calls us to a higher level of commitment, humility, and love.
Beliefs, Values, and Practices: Shaping Our Legacy
At the heart of legacy lies our beliefs—what we hold true about God, life, and the world around us. Our values flow from these beliefs, and ultimately, our practices reflect the values we hold dear.
Ps Larry emphasized that believing in the recreative power of Jesus changes everything. When we believe that Jesus has the power to transform, it shifts our values. It changes how we see the world, treat others, and how we build families and communities.
Ps Larry made a powerful point: Legacy is built on a foundation of beliefs, values, and practices. Our belief in Christ’s redemptive work leads to a life of selflessness, holiness, and discernment. From there, we begin to walk in prayer, accountability, and intentional discipleship, weaving these values into the fabric of our daily lives.
The Importance of Submission in Relationships
To walk in authority, we must first understand the power of submission. Ephesians 5:21 calls us to “submit to one another in the fear of God.”
This is a key part of walking in the Spirit and walking in love. Submission is not about weakness; it’s about aligning ourselves with God’s will and His Word. James 4:7 tells us: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” When we submit to God, we unlock the spiritual authority He has given us.
It’s not just submission to God that matters; we are also called to submit to one another. This mutual submission is key to building healthy relationships in the family, the church, and the world around us.
Walking in the Spirit: Key Areas to Evaluate
Ps Larry left us with several key questions to evaluate our spiritual walk. Are you walking in:
- Submission to God?
- The Spirit?
- Love?
- Forgiveness?
- Repentance?
- The Light?
- Wisdom?
These are the markers of a healthy, Spirit-filled life. As we align ourselves with God’s Word and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be sure that we are building a legacy that will stand the test of time.
Closing Thoughts and Prayer
As we continue in this Walking in Legacy series, let’s lift up God’s standard in our families, relationships, and communities. Let’s return to His Word, His values, and His vision for family. And as Ps Larry challenged us: God’s standard will always lift us higher. Are we willing to embrace it?
Your Prayer for This Week
Lord, thank You for calling us to walk in Your purpose and for lifting Your standard high in our lives. Help us to live according to Your Word and to build a legacy that reflects Your love and grace. We choose to submit to Your authority, walk in the Spirit, and live a life of love, forgiveness, and wisdom.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you missed the sermon or want to dive deeper, you can listen to the full message from this past Sunday here. Feel free to connect with us through our Contact Page.
