Dr. M. Taylor Bach
2 Corinthians 10:7-18 John 7:21-23
An unsavory character passed away and the eulogy was delivered by a pastor who had never met him. Hoping to comfort the family, the minister got carried away describing the departed as a caring son, a dedicated father and a loving husband. After the service, the widow nudged their son and said, “Go up to the casket and make sure it is your father he is talking about.” (Laughter)
Seriously, if your life was measured by its donation instead of its duration, how would people remember you? This morning's sermon is all about leaving your mark, making an impact on the people in your life.
Dr. James Kennedy wrote, “Consider the great pyramid of Geza, one of the world's most massive structures. Someone built it as a memorial to himself. King Khufu. Not exactly a household name. The Shah of India built the Taj Mahal as a tribute to his wife, yet he too built in vain. Who remembers the name of Arjumand? How about the Great Wall of China? Astronauts can see it from space yet no one remembers Qin Shi Huand - the man initially responsible for the largest man-made structure in the world. While these people are all forgotten, we can make a permanent impact on the world. God placed a desire in our hearts for significance and permanence because we are bound for eternal life. So we can make a name for ourselves for eternity by bringing others to Christ. Do you know somebody who needs salvation? They will be forever grateful to you that you took the time and made the effort to introduce them to Christ. The Bible says bringing people to Him, you'll “shine&like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
Let us examine this a little bit. Look at Luke 15:3-7&the story of the lost sheep. Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? When he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulder and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me. I have found my lost sheep.' I tell that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Imagine that you're the person responsible for finding one lost sheep. Imagine heaven and the great celebration caused because you found a member of your family, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker or someone who returned to church and returned to a relationship with Jesus Christ. I can see a huge banner in heaven saying, “This person was lost and now is found and the person responsible for it is you” with your name emblazoned on the banner. I can envision people coming up and congratulating you, shaking your hand and telling you how wonderful it was that you did this for Jesus and that you did it for the person you found.
Do you all remember the successful singing group called The Fifth Dimension in the late 60's and early 70's? They created a number one hit called Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In. They had another one called Up, Up and Away. Joyful music. Two persons in that group were Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Do any of you remember them or remember their names? They accomplished something that will make them leave their mark in heaven and it won't be because they sang for The Fifth Dimension and it won't be because they went out and had a hit recording of their own. I think their own hit recording was You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show). After they left The Fifth Dimension, Billy Davis became a full-blown alcoholic which nearly destroyed their marriage to one another. Shortly after that, Marilyn McCoo became a Christian. The more intensely she prayed and turned to God, the more of an impact she had on Billy. So ultimately, Billy gave up his alcoholism, thanks to the intervention of Marilyn, and also became a Christian dedicating his life to Jesus Christ. Then they did some wonderful things. They began to live their lives helping children's hospitals and the Los Angeles homeless. They used their singing talent for fundraisers and really made an impact, raising thousands of dollars for the children's hospitals and the homeless centers. You can bet that they had a personal testimony to give and they brought others to Christ. You can bet that they left their mark in heaven and are still leaving their mark in heaven. I would assume that a great host of angels and people are rejoicing at the work that they are doing. All of us can be like that. We can leave our mark in heaven, too, the only place where it counts by sharing our faith with another person, by seizing our divine moments of encounter with friends, family or neighbors inviting them to church and asking them whether or not they have a relationship with Jesus Christ and if not would they like to have one? When your purpose and action is aligned with God, your results go far beyond your wildest dreams and you leave your mark in the only place that counts. You leave your mark in heaven.