August 02, 2026

BUILT TO LAST: HOW TO OUTLIVE YOUR LIFE

August 02, 2026

Dr. Dondi Costin

Today, we welcome Dr. Costin to the platform as he tells us how to leave a legacy of faith to others. Paul’s example, with the father-son relationship with the young preacher, Timothy, shows us how to double our ministry impact by teaching another to continue our work. Paul writes 2nd Timothy as his final letter, trying to cover all situations that Timothy will deal with in the churches. His words have continued to impact the lives of believers through this present day.

Focal Passages: 2 Timothy 1-2, 3:14-17, 4:7; Deut. 6:1-2, 4-9; Prov. 11:30, 20:3; Matt. 6:24, 10:32-33; Lk. 8:19-21; Jn. 8:44; Rom. 6:5-8, 8:17; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 4:1-2, 17,7:10, 10:3-4; Eph. 4:1-6, 11-14, 6:10-11; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; Heb. 10:23, 11:6; Jas. 1:8; 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Pet. 1:3, 3:9; 1 Jn. 4:4; and Jude 1:3.

Fan the flames of faith in your family:

  • Read 2 Tim. 1:1-7. What does Paul say in vv. 2-5 that shows his close bond to Timothy? Why did Paul provide a father-figure for Timothy? Why is this needed in anyone’s life?
  • Why did Paul worry about Timothy’s youth, his sickly nature, and his timidity? What advice did he give him in vv. 6-7? What did Paul mean by ‘stir up the gift within you’?

Recommendations for Parents: Be your children’s role model for faith; prioritize a strong marriage and parent-child relationship; make faith formation a joint effort; build religion into everyday family life; make faith a regular topic of family conversation.

Stand firm in the face of fear:

  • Read 2 Tim. 1:8-12. Why was Paul concerned that Timothy might be ashamed of some area of his faith? Do you ever feel ashamed to be called a Christian in today’s world?
  • Why must we live with an eternal perspective? Read 2 Tim.1:12. Do you believe God is able to do anything and everything? Can you trust Him to get you to heaven?
  • Barriers to Sharing the Gospel: Proximity (“I don’t know any lost people.”); Inadequacy (“I don’t have what it takes.”); Personality (“I’m too shy.”); Ignorance (“I don’t know what to say.”); Rejection (“I’m afraid of being rejected.”); Reputation (“I’m afraid of what people will think of me.”); Busyness (“I’m too busy to help others find heaven.”); Apathy (“I just don’t care enough to leave my comfort zone.”) So, will you say, “That’s the way I am,” or will you follow the Way of the GREAT I AM?

Hold fast even when friends falter:

  • Read 2 Tim. 1:13-14. Why does God command us to ‘hold fast’ the pattern of sound words from the Bible? What is the only way in which you will be able to do that?
  • Read vs.15. Will your friends sometimes desert you? Do you find that more frightening than God deserting you? Read Heb. 13:5. Does this give you courage to trust Him?

Pass the faith through faithful fingers:

  • Read 2:1-13. What does Paul tell Timothy in vs, 2? How is this like a relay race, as you ‘pass the baton’ on to the next generation? Is this a priority for you?
  • Is this the way you are able to have ‘children’ in the faith? Does this result in your life outliving you? What does that mean?

Three Models of Faithful Ministry: The Good Soldier (2:3-4, Eph. 6:10-11, 2 Cor.10:3-4, Matt. 6:24, Jas. 1:8); The Competitive Athlete (2:5, 1 Tim. 4:7-8, 1 Cor. 9:24); and The Hardworking Farmer (2:6, 1 Cor. 9:7-12, 1 Tim. 5:18).

Fight the good fight all the way to the finish:

  • Read 2 Tim. 2:14-26. Paul now cautions Timothy about the pitfalls of the tongue. Why does he remind Timothy that believers are not to be argumentative? What can arguing accomplish? In vs. 15, what must you do as you present the gospel that will win God’s approval?
  • Read James 3:1-12. What is the root sin in an argument about ‘who’s right’? Why does James warn of the power of the tongue? Read 2 Tim. 2:24. When you think of Jesus as He ministered, did He control His tongue at all times? Is this how you are to live?
  • Are there times when the believer has to stand for God’s truth? Read Eph. 4:14-15. How does God say to act that you might have the right to present the gospel? Will you always have to fight your own human nature to keep trusting God? How can you never give up, never give in to bitterness, or abandon the ministry despite suffering and rejection?

How to outlive your life:

Fan the flames of faith in your family. (1:1-7).  Stand firm in the face of fear. (1:8-12). Hold fast even when friends falter. (1:13-18). Pass the faith through faithful fingers. (2:1-13). Fight the good fight all the way to the finish. (2:14-26).

TAKEAWAYS:

Our job is to UPHOLD God’s Word, not UPDATE it. There is plenty in God’s Word that will take the rest of your life to commit to memory, without getting fixated on those things hard to understand. Concentrate on the ones you do understand, and the others will fall into place naturally. Are you driven more by the fear of God or the fear of man? God’s Word tells us that we should not fear the man who can kill our body; rather, we should fear God who can not only kill us, but cast us into hell—man cannot do that. Law of the Harvest: You reap what you sow, later than you sow, and more than you sow. If you are unaware of this, take note now! The Bible says there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed eventually. Do you think a secret sin has not been known to anyone? When it has been buried long enough, it will plunge aboveground, with an abundance of fruit on its stalk, and you will never know the coming day or hour of its maturity. There is no better way to outlive your life than helping others outlive their lives by opening the door to eternal life for them. Do you want your legacy to go after you leave this earth? Then commit what you believe to others, who will—like Timothy—keep it going long after you die. Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig likes being dirty. If you are a child of God, you don’t like dirt.

Sandy Day   
August 02, 2026

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