St. John’s Church on Morgan Hill

Blake Heffner June 4th, 2006

“Choosing Our Legacy” Pentecost: June 4, 2006

I Kings 3:3-14 Acts 3:1-10

Recognition of Our Graduating Seniors… This morning we enjoyed a baccalaureate breakfast for eight of our graduating seniors and their families. It was fabulous to hear what their parents had to say about these fine young people, and to learn what their aspirations are. As they turn the page to a new chapter of life this week, it is fitting that we consider the subject of “Choosing Our Legacy.” For the most part, none of us chooses our history, but we can choose our legacy. That is, we have little say about when or where we were born, who our parents are, where we went to school. But we have a lot to say about what we leave behind us.

Back in the sixties, when I was in high school, if you didn’t have time or the desire to read the book or play you were assigned, you could buy a super-condensed version, called “cliff notes.” Do they still have such things today? I am sure that you didn’t go that route - but many do. Anyway, I mention it as a way of introducing this message. This morning we only have time for the “cliff notes” version of this topic - it’s one that we could spend much more time on. But, given what we have, we’ll look at two men who definitely “chose their legacy.” And you may be surprised what their legacies are…

1. Solomon the Boy King

Solomon had everything working for him. He was the golden boy of the kingdom. The son of David, a man after God’s own heart. He was very young when his father was old and promised to make him the next king of Israel. He would have the privilege to build the Temple of Jerusalem, which his father longed to do.

So, God appeared Solomon when he is worshiping at Gibeon. He is still a young man, still ‘wet behind the ears.’ “Ask for whatever you want me to give you!” says the Lord. What an opportunity! What would you ask for? Better than a genie appearing from a bottle, this is the Lord God - Creator of the universe - inviting Solomon to ask for anything he wants.

Don’t you wonder what went through his head? Think of all the possibilities. Wealth, Power, Fame, Women! Solomon already had the likelihood of all those things. But, he humbled himself and asked for something that would bless his people: a discerning heart to govern, the wisdom to judge between right and wrong. Solomon had chosen his legacy; he wanted to be a wise and discerning king.

You know from our scripture lesson that God was so pleased that he decided to give Solomon much, much more. Along with a discerning heart, the Lord added riches and honor - so that in his lifetime no one else would be as wealthy or famous. And, if he would walk in God’s ways - as David did - Solomon would enjoy long life. There you have it. A young man given the chance to choose his legacy!

How do you think he make out? Solomon did indeed become rich and famous. As they say, he became a legend in his own time. The stories of his wisdom were celebrated far and wide. The Queen of Sheba came just to talk to him and ask him questions. Solomon even wrote parts of at least three books of the Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs (also known as the Song of Solomon).

So, what do you think was Solomon’s legacy? Up or down? If you chose down, you are right. You see Solomon was essentially a “sophomore.” Do you know what that word means? It comes from two Greek roots, meaning “wise fool.” A sophomore - or second year student usually knows just enough to sound foolish! Well, unfortunately, Solomon was the pre-eminent “sophomore.” He had some 700 wives and 300 concubines (or mistresses). Some of us would wonder how wise was that? The clue to Solomon’s fate and his legacy is found in chapter 11. “King Solomon loved many foreign women… They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, ‘You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon held fast to them in love and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.”

The sad bottom-line is that by the end of his reign, there were altars all around Israel to many pagan gods and goddesses. Solomon for all his wisdom gave in to his wives on this vital issue. Toleration led him eventually to idolatry. He paid a dear price! His legacy: he is the last king of a united Israel. In the very next generation, there was a civil war resulting in a divided kingdom.

Solomon was wise, yet foolish in one critical area: he compromised his devotion and obedience to God. As a young man he chose his legacy well, but his later choices undermined that legacy. And, though he was rich and famous, he is responsible for his kingdom’s fall. Learn from this man: every choice we make is significant to our legacy. Every time we abuse our bodies or compromise our values we take steps away from the living God, and we jeopardize our future. The choices lie before us every day. Of course, God is quick to forgive for our misdoings when we turn to him in repentance. But, Solomon did not repent like his father David. He got himself so deep into paganism there was no turning back and his sorry legacy was sealed.

2. Peter the Fisherman Turned Apostle

By contrast, look at Peter - the fisherman turned apostle. He wasn’t the sharpest tack on the bulletin board. He had a knack for saying something brilliant one minute and something “crazy” the next. Peter wasn’t very wealthy either. When Jesus met him, he was a hard-working fisherman. After Pentecost, he told the crippled beggar: “Silver and gold I do not have!”

But, of course, Peter had something many others didn’t. He had never been to college, but on the day of Pentecost he preached a powerful sermon - and three thousand were converted to Christ. He was certainly no doctor, but after Pentecost, Peter told that beggar: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And he did! Peter began with nothing, and left as his legacy a Church that is still preaching the good news and healing those who are sick and ministering to those who are hungry.

Blake, get to the point of this whole excursion into two ancient lives. OK, here it is. Pentecost is the event when ordinary folks like you and me were filled with the Spirit of the living God. It is what Jesus was referring to when he said: “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing and even greater things - because I am going to the Father” (Jn. 14:12). Now that’s a legacy.

Solomon started with a bang, but ended with a whimper. Peter started with nothing, and ended with everything. Unlike Solomon, Peter confessed his failures to the Lord and he was forgiven. So what will we choose for our legacy? Jesus promised that we can all be like Peter - a common earthen vessel who was filled with the power of God. Isn’t that an exciting prospect? And it doesn’t matter how old you are, or how rich you are, or how well educated you may be - it only takes a heart ready to receive Jesus Christ, a mind open to the possibility of doing “even greater things” than we can imagine, because the Holy Spirit is at work within us.

Friends, we can choose our legacy today - personally and corporately - right here at this Table. Come, seeking to be filled not just with bread and juice, but with the present and power of Jesus Christ himself. He is our host, and he offers his life to each of us. Come and be filled!!

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