PASS IT ON
Legacy, Our Story #2
Pastor Brandon Cross
Woodland Church
Sunday, November 8, 2026
(2 Timothy 1:3-7) “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
MAIN IDEA:
We need to be intentional and consistent in mentoring one another and the next generation if we are to cultivate a genuine, multigenerational faith heritage that impacts our community for decades to come.
1. Sincere Faith (Verse 5)
(2 Timothy 1:5) “when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”
- Sincere/genuine faith produces courage, not fear
- Honest conviction is real, authentic, and free of hypocrisy
APPLICATION:
The sincerity of our faith is measured by our willingness to be corrected, redirected, encouraged, and stretched by God in all seasons of our lives. We do not pretend to have it all together but we should be willing to admit our shortcomings and celebrate God’s ability to fill those gaps and build us up for His purposes in reaching the lost.
2. Lineage (Verse 5)
- Godly heritage is modeled
(Ref. Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
- Godly heritage is celebrated across generations
(Ref. Joshua 4:6-7)
- Godly heritage is cultivated
(Ref. Psalm 127:4-5)
APPLICATION:
We need to be intentional about modeling and cultivating what it looks like to serve God so that both our children and those we mentor are able to pass along what it means to serve God and to serve people.
3. Personal Ownership (Verse 6)
(2 Timothy 1:6) “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
- Inherited foundation
- Active participation
- Embrace a teachable spirit (both ways)
APPLICATION:
Each of us need to be willing to be mentored, corrected, redirected, encouraged, and challenged by godly mentors AND committed to passing that same wisdom/faith story along to others.
4. Purpose (Verse 6-7)
(2 Timothy 1:6-7) “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
- Moving from Heritage to Action: What “genuine faith” actually looks like when it is put into action under pressure.
- Power (Dunamis): Genuine faith relies on God’s divine strength to endure hardship, perform ministry, and face opposition, rather than relying on human capability.
- Love (Agape): A sincere faith is outwardly focused. Love drives out fear because it prioritizes the spiritual well-being of the congregation and the lost over personal safety or comfort.
- A Sober Mind (Sophronismos): Genuine faith brings mental clarity, emotional stability, and calm, wise decision-making when circumstances are chaotic or stressful.
MAIN IDEA RECAP:
We need to be intentional and consistent in mentoring one another and the next generation if we are to cultivate a genuine, multigenerational faith heritage that impacts our community for decades to come.
QUESTION:
How do we live out this “passing on” of our godly lineage in practical ways?
CALL TO ACTION:
1. Be intentional about being mentored by other, mature believers
2. Be intentional about mentoring others and helping them grow in their faith
3. Commit to being teachable and correctable with humility
4. Commit to prayer, fasting, study, and fellowship as a lifestyle