Legacy - what will be said about you??
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/364fc638/legacy-what-will-be-said-about-you-no-48-acts
I've read them - a lot of them.
I've written them...quite a few.
Actually, for years, I subscribed to the Sunday
New York Times strictly for these - the obituaries.
You see, well-written obituaries are snapshots
of entire lives, including back stories, people loved,
dreams fulfilled and meaningful achievements.
Obits also give us an idea about the legacy of individuals.
Do you ever think about what will be said about you? hmmm.
Because I have had the privilege of officiating at many funerals and memorials, I have had up-close looks at many people from all walks of life. Very interesting actually.
The greatest legacy is the one that positively impacts others, especially encouraging them toward a life of great faith, because that is the one thing that lasts forever. (faith)
This is a clip from a recent tribute: Robert’s friends and family will remember him as a faithful man of God, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, wise servant-leader, relentless encourager, and spiritual role model. His absence is sorely felt, but even now in death, his life continues to point to his one great Hope: everlasting life with his Savior in the new heavens and the new earth, surrounded by God’s people forever.1 No doubt about the impact of his life--his legacy.
We pick up our story in Acts chapter 18, where our leader and guide, the apostle Paul, is completing his second missionary journey. He leaves Athens behind and travels about 50 miles to Corinth, where he meets fellow Jewish tentmakers Priscilla and Aquilla--probably in the synagogue as the Jews often sat in sections according to their trades.2 Paul works and also lives with the pair, who fled Rome to come to Corinth.
Perhaps you have never thought of it, but even cities have legacies - such as Corinth. I took the picture of the Temple of Aphrodite in beautiful Corinth in 2024! Though the city was the center of political and commercial activity in Greece in Paul's day, the legacy of Corinth was her total immorality. Aphrodite was the goddess of love and the temple boasted 1000 temple prostitutes, rampant homosexuality and the city was a place where nothing was off limits. 'Think Paul had a tough crowd to try to reach with the gospel? No doubt.
In fact, we get an unusual peek into the man Paul while he was at Corinth. Look: "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!"3
The Lord would not have told him not to be afraid if Paul was not afraid, right? The Lord assured him, "For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”4 No matter the depravity of Corinth, there were those who followed God, and He knew them, and encouraged Paul accordingly. Paul's response? He "stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God."5
We just don't think of Paul as being afraid - but apparently, there were times the opposition was so fierce, the people so corrupt . . . that he was afraid. But, God.
These verses in Acts 18 might first appear to be fly-over verses, just supplying logistics, but our writer Luke gave us good insight into the city, her people, the culture and a unique 'take' of our role model, Paul. These two quips are fitting: do it afraid and courage is fear that has said its prayers. No doubt, Paul did both of those.
Why? Because he lived each day for the approval of One, grasping the great love of our Father like no other before or since. Paul's life and writing are his legacy that we can unpack in our lifetime.
Friend, I pray you too will get a taste of God's magnanimous love for you. Why, the Father will empty the treasure of heaven on your behalf! He will take out the safe deposit box of the Kingdom. Reach inside. Place the contents on the counter and say, “Here. I give this to you.”6
Love, legacy - grace and peace,
Christine
1 - the whole obituary of Robert Wolgemuth: https://www.reviveourhearts.com/about/robert-wolgemuth/obituary/?srsltid=AfmBOooCwazTqYJgMT5AJgry0RcXTkdTVc_XJQbbEVwKISxKGrNJXdDz
2 - This is another Scriptural point corroborated by the annals of history; Priscilla and Aquilla were among the Jews expelled by Emperor Claudius in A.D. 49.
3 - Acts 18.9
4 - Acts 18.10
5 - Acts 18.11
6 - Pastor Eric Laverentz, First Presbyterian Church, Edmond, OK - today! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koPNdKUV3gA, phenomenal sermon
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