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Evans Church of Christ. Older People. The Future of the Church. Prov. 20:29 “ beauty of old men is the gray head ” “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; …” Psalms 71:18 Prov. 16:31 “The hoary [gray] head…” Acts 20:24 “finish my course with joy.”.
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Older People The Future of the Church Prov. 20:29 “beauty of old men is the gray head” “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; …” Psalms 71:18 Prov. 16:31 “The hoary [gray] head…” Acts 20:24 “finish my course with joy.”
Older People The Future of the Church “but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 “I have been young, and now am old” Ps.37:25 “Paul the aged” Philemon 9
Am I Pleasing in my Older Days? • More people over 65 than teenagers • The “graying” of the church • Dan. 2:44 “never be destroyed” • Mt. 16:18 “gates of Hades shall not prevail” • Heb. 12:28 “kingdom which cannot be shaken” • Mt. 9:37 “but the labourers are few”
Am I Pleasing in my Older Days? • Older years can be best years • Some negatives - Eccl. 12 • Age is a beautiful experience when we are walking with the Lord. • Best years can be when we are nearest our eternal home!
Advantages of Older People • Grow old gracefully • Stronger Faith – Rom. 4:20 • Love is stronger – Eph. 6:24 • Hearts are purer – Rom. 6:19 • Hope is brighter – Rom. 13:11 • Ties to world not as strong
Older People in the Bible • Laban – Gen.30:27 • Caleb – Josh. 14:10 • Simon & Anna – Luke 2 • John - 3 John 1 • Paul – Phil. 9 • Zacharias & Elizabeth – Luke 1:6
Older People in the Bible • Peter – John 21:17-18 • Luke – 2 Tim. 4:11 • Lois – 2 Tim. 1:5 • Barzillai – 2 Samuel 17 - 19
Things Older People Can Do “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age” Ps.92:14 Retirement for Christian is different Only when receiving crown of life Not a retirement plan for this world “God will judge us for how we use our latter years” Do as much as you can for as long as you can!
Things Older People Can Do • Resist temptation to turn it all over to others • Never too old to serve • Older women teach younger – Tit. 2:3-4 • Pass the faith to younger generation • Liberal giver • “More blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35
Things Older People Can Do • Pray for others – 1 Sam. 12:23 • Benevolence • Teach • Visit sick – shut-ins • Bible studies • Sewing – quilting • Repairs for others • Exhorter - “The Lord Bless you” Ruth 2:4
Things Older People Can Do Support for those who grieve “who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Cor. 1:4
Older People The Future of the Church • We must help prepare the younger ones • Perpetuate the truths of God • Example in knowledge and wisdom
Older People The Future of the Church • “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl.12:13 • Example of Purity • Example of Hospitality • Examples of not growing bitter but better
Older People The Future of the Church “so that I might finish my course with Joy” Acts 20:24 “Let no man take your crown” Rev. 3:11 “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us” Heb. 12:1 “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.” Pro.16:31 NKJV
Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 evanscoc@bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning September 14, 2014