Serving In My Senior Years
Robert Harkrider
I well remember how disappointed I was when, as a young preacher, I was told that one of our elders was “retiring” as an elder. I thought, “How could any Christian of any age ever retire?” Aren’t we responsible to do like Paul, who wrote, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14)?
Although it is many years later, I continue to believe his attitude was wrong. I have begun to understand perhaps why that elder felt the need to quit. Growing old means many physical and mental changes, and in addition, some may tend to overlook the value of senior citizens. I admit that I can no longer do things that were easily accomplished a few years ago. My pace is slower as also my recall, and all the characteristics described by the writer of Ecclesiastes are becoming a reality: “those who look through the windows grow dim, and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and the mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through windows, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly” (Ecclesiastes 12:3-4).
Do these changes in life mean that a senior Christian should quit serving? Is it time to “retire”? Has his work in the Lord’s kingdom become of no value? Certainly not! In fact, many attributes are embellished by a life filled with righteousness. Sure, life changes will make alterations in the type of service one can do, but both men and women of age provide valuable service. Consider a few ways in which age is a benefit.
Example
A man who serves as an elder of a congregation must be spiritually mature, i.e., “not a novice” (I Timothy 3:6). Furthermore, he is to be an example to the flock (I Peter 5:2-3). While it is true that he already meets these qualifications at the time of his appointment, is it not reasonable that years of experience increase his ability to advise, exhort, or rebuke troubled souls and lead new converts? His example of godliness should inspire all who know him. What a blessing he is to the congregation. “The silver-haired is a crown of glory if it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).
Counsel
Older women, as well as older men, can give wise counsel to couples involved in troubled marriages (Titus 2:2-4). Our modern society accepts divorce as though expected, and many are surprised when they meet a couple that has celebrated a golden anniversary. It is so rewarding to be able to offer guidance to younger couples. If you have a spiritual problem, would you not rather seek the counsel of someone whose life reflects the character you want to emulate?
Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). This proverb is the capstone of the book of Proverbs. It is true that even the young who fear the Lord are able to make wise choices, but individuals who have experienced life’s full range of good times and tough times are able to share insights that come only with age. Many times, old age leaves us in debilitated bodies, but the inward spirit is filled with the wisdom of God’s word. There is no reason for this person to “retire.”
Patience
Young people tend to be impatient. As a young preacher, I used to hope that each sermon or Bible class would result in immediate response. I would tend to be disappointed when my good brethren did not move as quickly as I thought they should. But I soon learned that, like any farmer who sows seed, it takes time for the plant to grow. Give it water and nurture it, but wait patiently. As the saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day.” Patience is a virtue of senior citizens.
Knowledge of God’s Word
You have probably seen a new Christian who was so excited about obeying the gospel that he/she wanted to know everything in the Bible all at once! Of course, that individual soon learned how deeply the Scriptures reveal the mind of God (I Corinthians 2:6-16). By contrast, consider the blessing of a person who, over many years, has continually added the knowledge of God’s word by daily reading, meditating, and memorizing. The senior Christian is a wellspring of faith who can share God’s word with others.
Are there any who feel that the aged Christian has reached a time to quit? Has the younger generation passed him or her by? He may not be able to do what he used to do, but years of faithful service to God have molded him into a unique blessing to all who seek to follow his example, learn from his counsel, be guided by his wisdom, yield to his patience, and be filled with his knowledge of God’s Word.
“You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God, I am your God” (Leviticus 19:32).
“But fools despise wisdom and understanding” (Proverbs 1:7).
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Fat Doctors Who SmokeDan S. Shipley
Herein, even if in a humorous vein, is revealed an all too common response to things that expose our weaknesses and call for correction. You might expect adverse reactions when such judgments are rendered in ridicule or from ulterior motives, but not when their purpose is for our profit. And if this is true in the physical realm, how much more so in the spiritual? Yet, even here it is not unusual to find some looking for “fat doctors who smoke.” It was so in the days of Isaiah for he writes of those who wanted such prophets as would speak unto them “smooth things” and not right things (Isaiah 30:10). Recall also how wicked Ahab hated the prophet Micaiah because, he said, “he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:8). Faithful Micaiah had spoken only what the Lord had told him (v. 14) but this was not what Ahab wanted to hear. Many modern Ahabs feel the same about God’s word. Indeed, God said it would continue this way. “For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). They will leave the faith, but not religion. Their measure of acceptable preaching will be personal preference rather than sound doctrine. To this end, they will hearken less unto the words of the Great Physician and heap to themselves “fat doctors who smoke,” so to speak; preachers who will feed them pleasant fables instead of objectionable truth. In fact, here is the heart of the problem. It is not that such persons find ALL truth distasteful, or even most of it. Many are deceived on this point because they think only in terms of what they receive and not what they reject. They fail to see the gospel as a system of truth — to be accepted as a unit, or not at all. This is why he who stumbles in one point is guilty of all (James 2:10). Not that he has violated every law, but that in the violation of one, he reflects disregard for the entire system of law as well as the Lawgiver. Now, which laws do violators not want to hear about do you suppose? The answer is obvious because the truth that incriminates is often the truth that irritates. However, it is also such truth that convicts and converts. This is the means by which the Holy Spirit convicts the world in respect of sin (John 16:8). It is not a question as to whether this Truth or its faithful spokesman may show us to be wrong on some point. They will expose our spiritual infirmities — and they must, because only the convicted can be changed! May we love, respect and respond to God’s truth, even when it hurts–and shun the counsel of “fat doctors who smoke”! http://www.thetfordcountry.com/ ________Do Not Get Discouraged(Galatians 6:9) Mike Johnson Galatians 6:1-10 encourages us in Christian living. It points out that in a spirit of humility and gentleness, those who are spiritual are to strive to restore those who are involved in sin. It also teaches that we are to bear the burdens of others and assist financially those who are teaching God’s Word. He then points out that, as we have the opportunity, we must do good to everyone, especially our fellow Christians. Amid these words of exhortation, the writer employs a farming analogy, stating that everyone will reap as they have sown (7-8). If people sow to the “flesh,” they will reap “corruption,” but if they sow to the Spirit, the reaping will be “life everlasting.” If someone sows to the flesh and can reap life everlasting, that would be mocking God, but the verses tell us that God cannot be mocked — thus, we reap what we sow. Imagine a farmer who toils in the heat all day to plant a crop. Then, a few days later, he returns to the field expecting a harvest, but there is none there. He says, “I’ve worked so hard but have nothing to show for it.” He goes away discouraged. We acknowledge the farmer’s unreasonableness, as he must continue his work, and one day, he will reap the fruit of his labor. Similarly, we “sow” here upon this earth, trying to do what these verses tell us. However, we may become discouraged due to disappointments and hardships that arise while living the Christian life. “Sowing” is not always easy. With this in mind, Galatians 6:9 has these words of encouragement: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” The “reaping” will be everlasting life (6:8b), i.e., heaven — a place of eternal joy, rest, and peace. Thus, we must continue sowing and not give up — for, in due season, we shall reap if we do not grow weary and give up. |
Most have heard about the overweight smoker who, after taking his annual physical exam, was lectured at length by his doctor on the dangers of smoking and obesity. When asked by the doctor what he intended to do about these things he replied, “Sir, I’m going to go out and find me a fat doctor who smokes!”
__________Brief Exhortations“For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.” (1 Thess. 1:8)Some have a bad attitude concerning personal work. They are too quick to say, “It won’t do any good,” or “No one is interested.” There is a story told of two salesmen who, in the late 1800s, were sent from this country on separate missions to Africa to view the possibilities of selling shoes. One salesman wrote back to the company and said that the prospects for selling shoes in that country was absolutely no good because everyone went barefooted. The other salesman wrote back and said that the prospects for selling shoes there was fantastic because everyone needed shoes!Let us sound forth the word of the Lord, preaching it in season and out of season. Written and/or Compiled by David J. Riggs __________How is Baptism Administered?
Author Unknown From Walking in the Light ___________________________________ Sermons by Greg Chandler============================================= Editor: Mike Johnsonwww.seekingthingsabove.org |