Dear Brothers & Sisters,
John Barros, servant of Christ, died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer on February 15th, 2024.
I shared about John back in September. He spent the last decade of his life standing outside of the Orlando Women's Center sharing the gospel and seeking to save the unborn. You can find the link to that blog post here: "Unlikely Hero's : Part 2" (christfellowshipcardston.com). Now John is with the LORD.
John would have been the first to say he was not anyone special. He was an ordinary man like us who knew the extraordinary love of God and he served with one goal that God would save lives through the proclamation of the Word. He could have spent his retirement golfing or enjoying Florida's beaches, instead he spent his days outside an abortion clinic because he loved God and he loved his neighbor.
Apologia Radio gave a moving tribute to John's life and legacy as a follower of Jesus. You can watch it below (starting at about the five minute mark and ending at around 21 minutes).
The tribute above reminded me of the godly legacy that one man (or woman) can leave.
One such man, in the Scriptures, was King David. Every king after him lived 'in his shadow' so to speak. Yet David himself was not the ultimate King, but merely one pointing us to the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Chronicles chapters 22, 28, 29 record the legacy King David left for his son.
1) A promise [Read 1 Chronicles 22:8-10]
David passed on to his son what the Lord had told him.
--- A godly legacy is one that teaches and lives by the promises of God.
2) Provisions [Read 1 Chronicles 22:5, 13-15; 28:14-18; 29:1-9]
David left provisions for building the temple of the LORD.
--- A godly legacy is one that puts Christ first and builds up the Body of Christ which is the temple of the Lord.
3) A plan [Read 1 Chronicles 28:6-13, 19-21]
David left instructions for His Son, Specific ones. Practical: i.e. blueprints for the Temple and Spiritual: i.e. exhortations to obey the LORD's commands.
--- A godly legacy leaves behind a lifetime of pointing people to God and His ways.
4) Prayer [Read 1 Chronicles 22:11-12, 29:10-20]
David knew that Solomon needed the Lord, so He prayed that God would strengthen Solomon. He did so publically, and on more than one occasion.
--- A godly legacy leaves a life of prayers for those that are 'left behind'.
5) Partners [Read 1 Chronicles 22:17-19]
David made sure the officials of the land were on board with supporting Solomon in the work of building the temple.
--- A godly legacy seeks out competent and godly people to come alongside those we love.
King David left a legacy not as a perfect King, but as a man after God's own heart.
What sort of legacy will you leave behind you?
A truely lasting legacy is not to make a name for yourself. Rather it is to be known and cherished by the Lord who rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Grace & Peace,
Matt
Matthew Deneault
Pastor at Christ Community Fellowship
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