Gtcotr/ss060814
Every
person was born and every person dies, what happens between birth and death is
called life and life is being recorded and life will be remembered.
Every
day we are writing our epitaph and choosing what our friends and family will
say about us after we’re gone. Each decision shines a reflective light on what
others will remember about us.
Some
people make a great splash in life and others only a little ripple. However,
each one of us will be remembered by someone for something we did or did not do,
said or did not say.
First impressions are important but last impressions last.
Take
the couple who meets, falls in love at first sight and gets married only later
to separate and divorce over irreconcilable differences. Many times divorce
and division of assets or custody battles over children create lasting
impressions. First impressions often fall prey to last impressions. First
impressions might be impressive but last impressions are the ones that will
last.
What
will others say about us and how will family and friends remember us after
we’re gone. We will all be remembered … but for what?
It
is a sad thing when the only record made of a man — the only evidence
which we have that he ever lived at all is that he turned away from a
friend, or forsook the right pathways of life. And yet there are many men of
whom the only thing to be remembered of them is the last bad choice they made
to do something selfish, hurtful or wrong. Last impressions trump first
impressions. And believe me, memories matter.
This
is a lesson God teaches us from the Word of God written by the Apostle Paul in
the last few months of his life. Paul was in prison in Rome in AD 67 under
Caesar Nero. The Roman Empire was crumbling and Nero was trying everything he
could to stay in power including shifting the blame from himself to others,
especially to Christians. Perhaps only a few weeks Paul was executed by order
of Nero, this seasoned Apostle of the Gentiles writes the last words we have
from him recorded in the book of 2 Timothy.
I
have come to put special emphasis on the last words spoken by seasoned men and
women of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Especially in this case
seeing Paul knew he was about to be executed and wanted to leave critical
reflections and lasting instructions to give the Church guidance beyond his
lifetime. The book of 2 Timothy is in many ways to be considered as the last
will and testament of the Apostle Paul.
Life is being recorded. The question: “How
will I be remembered?”
2 Timothy 1:15 This you know,
that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and
Hermogenes.
Even
though we have no other record of these two men is has been long believed by
many that these two were early prominent supporters of the Apostle Paul and
helped him build the Church in Ephesus. It is supposed that sometime afterwards
they began to imagine they should have more say in matters and ultimately
abandoned Paul’s leadership and used their influence to lead others to follow
them. It is evident that these two were well known to have abandoned and
deserted their father, family and friends and yet, no doubt enjoyed continued
prominence and influence with others of the same mind.
Although
we cannot know some things for sure it is nonetheless certain that at first
impression these two men were followers and supporters of Paul only to leave a
last impression, and therefore a lasting record, in fact the only record of
their life at all, depicting them as men who made bad choices, abandoned a
friend, withdrew support and led others astray by their own design. Had it been
a common follower it would have but saddened but this particular point the
Apostle makes in directly mentioning their names, leaves them a legacy beyond
the common acquaintance.
Conversely,
the next thought present in the mind of the Apostle Paul was of Onesiphorus.
Again, Paul’s recognition and remembrance of Onesiphorus presents the only
record we have of this man’s life. Note:
2 Timothy 1
16 The Lord grant mercy to
the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of
my chain;
17 but when he arrived in
Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me.
18 The Lord grant to him that
he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day — and you know very well
how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
Last impressions are lasting impressions … Good News! Each
one of us still has the chance to make a last impression.
Perhaps
you have not made the best choices or the best decisions in life or maybe it is
only the last few days, weeks, months or years that have colored your record
less than you want to be remembered for. Today you can change your record and
begin a new life.
·
Zacchaeus
did it …
·
Peter
did it …
·
Jonah
did it …
·
Rahab
did it …
·
Bathsheba
did it …
·
Namaan
did it …
·
Mary
Magdalene did it …
·
and
so did the Apostle Paul …
·
You
can do it too – You can turn things around and leave a lasting memory of
yourself as one who did good, chose right, and lived well.
What
does it take to turn over a new leaf and begin a new life?
Wash yourselves; cease to do evil; learn to do well … (Isaiah
1:16&17)
1.
Admit it …
2.
Quit it …
3.
Forget it!
