The Aging Christian | Sermon on the Responsibilities of Older Saints.

1. God certainly understands growing older and he provides!

1) Isaiah 46:3-4 “Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

2) The Message translation reads, “Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone that’s left of the family of Israel. I’ve been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, And I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old. I’ll be there, bearing you when you’re old and gray. I’ve done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.”

3) God provides for the older and he will take care of them.

2. God understands the infirmities through which older people go. (Read Ecclesiastes 12:1-7)

3. As we grow older, our relationship to God should grow stronger. It will grow stronger because…

1) We will recognize the futility of earthly things.

2) We will understand our complete dependence upon God as we can no longer work as we once could.

3) We will begin to realize the brevity of life itself.

4. To grow old without God is truly unthinkable.

1. There is a great temptation with the aging Christian to have the “already done it” mentality. This can take multiple forms.

1) “We’ve done that before.”

2) “It won’t work.”

3) “Everyone’s already heard that.”

4) I’ve served my time as a Christian and now it is time for me to retire.

5) There’s nothing left for me to do.

2. While our bodies may be growing older, we ought to have those renewed spirits each day.

1) Paul said, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (2 Cor.4:16)

2) Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”

3) Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

3. The older Christian has much to offer!

1) In teaching.

a. It is the older men who become elders and feed the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2).

b. The older women are to teach the younger. (Titus 2:3,4 “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women…”

c. Older Christians have wisdom from which younger Christians need to learn. “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” (Prov.16:31).

d. Leviticus 19:32 “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.”

2) In service.

a. Older Christians can visit the sick/orphans/widows.

b. Older Christians can write cards and letters of encouragement.

c. Older Christians can influence neighbors and friends who come to see them.

d. Older Christians can distribute tracts and help with mail outs, etc.

3) In charity.

a. In some cases, our older Christians have more wealth than the younger.

b. They can help those who are in need.

4) In time.

a. Many times, older Christians will be retired from secular work.

b. They can spend more time in service to the Lord.

c. “Sojourners” as an example.

5) In many areas, these are in fact the BEST years of a Christian’s life.

4. We take note the example of Caleb at the age of 85 who said, “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.” (Joshua 14:12).

5. Remember Phil.4:13 “I can do all things…”

1. While it is not something that we like to think about, the older are closer to death, and eternity, than the younger.

1) This should not be a time of sorrow.

2) It should be a time of joy!

3) Those faithful Christians who are older are closer to eternal salvation!

4) Paul wrote, ” For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Phil.1:21-24).

2. Yes, our body may be deteriorating, but our souls should be strengthening! (Read 2 Corinthians 4:17-5:4).

3. We must come to the realization that this earth is NOT ultimate reality.

1) “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” (Hebrews 9:24).

2) Hebrews 11:13-16 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.”

3) 2 Peter 3:13 “But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”