That the aged men

Service Notes

Great to have the Callens & friends with us today.

Bible Reading

Before I read out passage for today let me make sure you know and you know I know where Crete is. I’ve created confusion.

Slide #1 Crete is under Greece

Problem came when I thought Greece was the boot not Italy. Now I know where Italy is located. Slide #2 / Hope that clears things up. Send me there.:)

Seriously, we are looking at a problem and it is not geographically it is false teachers and influencers misleading or subverting entire homes.

The Problem

Titus 1:10–16 “10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

The Prescribed Response [This morning & tonight]

Titus 2:1–12 (KJV)

1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Look back at v.2-3. that the aged men and the aged women.

Though I had different plans for this week, this is the place that I felt God tell me to spend out time this morning.

Tonight we will look at the young men and women of v.4 & v.6

Today we will have a specific, response as a church.

Pastoral Prayer

Gyda and family

Jenna Anna surgery

Keith Shumaker health

Tim Caucutt / USS Normandy

Peace in Jerusalem

Sermon Introduction

Story how do you know when you are old?

“You know you are old when the candles cost more than the cake.” - Bob Hope

The Graying of America / The oldest society in the history of the world.

More people over 65 than there are more teenagers. 23 million teenagers. 35 million over

1 out 5 are over 65

1 out of 10 are over 80.

Agatha Kristi said she wanted to marry an archaeologist. The older you get the more interested they would be.

Great blessing in my life was the influence of older men and older women in my life.

My grandparents whom would wake me up early to pick Purple Hull Peas

Floyd Henson who was in his 70s driving me around to check on the old people of the church.

Verble Collins, born in 1899, with whom I read my first whole book of the Bible.

We are raising our own batch of aged men and women as well. Man of you came here with young children and they are now grown. I am doing my part. Here is Greg and I after Easter weekend a couple years ago.[slide]

As a church we have placed great emphasis upon the youth.

Helping parents as they disciple children.

Making room in our ministries so there is a place for them to serve. Many young people don’t leave church, they think they are just getting our of the way.

We know that the young people of this church are valued. Amen?

Today I plan to focus much of our time on the aged men and the aged woman and the role they have in our church in.We see several truthes in this passage about their role in our church.

We see the attritubutes that should define their lives v.2-4

We see the exhortation for them to teach young men and women. v.4

We see the result should be that in the church we “shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, “ v.7

We see that God will use them to help teach the next generation to live in a way that “silences the mouth of the critics”. / Which has been our goal since. Titus 1:11 “11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”

Reasonable Question: So who are the aged men and women, according to the Bible?

Thatcher noticed very few raised their hands as older men. He suggested we give an age.

Notice this list starts with this group. They are vital to a healthy church.

We heard what Bob Hope thought.

Zacharias thought of himself as a older man because he was passed the age that people typically raised kids. Luke 1:18 “18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”

There are really 5 categories in this passage. Old (M/W). Young (M/W), and the children the Young (M/W) need help learning how to raise. Titus 2:4 “4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,”

We don’t get an age. The age could be influenced by culture and circumstances. Pastor John MacArthur places it at 60.

Working Definition: Those past the age that is typical for raisin children in your home.

They are people whom should be treasured.

God has told us to honor the older generation.

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

Childhood pastor would teach that you shouldn’t color your hair. He said don’t redefine beauty. God says gray hair is honorable.

Job 12:12 “12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.”

Psalm 71:17 “17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.”

Aging of Christians is a blessing. Who are best to teach us about who God is? those who have walked with Him the longest. [Slide}

They are people who are face unique challenges.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 “1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;”

Description of being older.

The approach of death (vv. 6–7) are likened to recurring rainstorms. As clouds often block out the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars, so old age is a period of diminishing joy (light) and increasing gloom (dark). Ecclesiastes 12:2 “2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:”

Arms, legs, and hands grow weak. We begin to lose teeth. Windows/ eyes are darkened. Ecclesiastes 12:3 “3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,”

The early morning noises wake you up but you have a hard time hearing throughout the day. Ecclesiastes 12:4 “4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;”

The season of life when you “years draw nigh” there is still a vital place for you in this church.

Life does not have to be bleak. You do not have to be highly mobile to have a holy and meaningful ministry among us.

Two things we are leaning here.

Young men and young women, there will be a day we will be restrained and all we will have are the memories of the life we lived in our youth. Live with integrity.

It is not time to decide there is no more pleasure in your days. There is a work to be done and we need you.

You need to keep running as you pass us the baton.

The Gospel says to us all. Our best days are ahead, not behind us!

Their will always be a handing down from one generation to the next.

Some areas of life that are handed down are neutral aspects of culture. (recipes, where you like to vacation, hobbies, etc)

There is also an “empty way of life” that can be handed down from one generation to the next. 1 Peter 1:18 “18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;”

Though the older generation is to be cherished they are not beyond the age of sinning.

Doesn’t mean you are passed the age of sinning. 1 Timothy 5:1 “1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;”

Show respect and hold you accountable.

Accountable to what? According to this passage your manner of life and you responsibility to invest into young men and women.

Come to them as a father. That is what I want to do. Let me tell me we need you.

If there is potential for a vain, empty life to be passed down there is also the possibility of passing down a full, meaningful life to the next generation. Titus 2:2 “2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”

Additionally being older doesn’t mean they don’t need Jesus.

With good reason there is much emphasis on sharing the Gospel with young people.

Older people need Jesus as well and we need to tell them.

Story of Barzillai / to consider as we age

2 Samuel 19:31–38 (KJV)

31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.

32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. (respect)

34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?

35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?

36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. (someone in his place)

38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.

Could you go a little way more with us more.

Providing an example.

Titus 2:7 “7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,”

Older Men

Titus 2:2 “2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”

As we get older, we tend to “harden” in our ways. This is a good thing if we “harden” in the ways of faith, charity, and patience.

Sober

The idea here is that the aged man is one who is watchful and vigilant to the attack of the enemy

Has his priorities in life

Dignified

Grave

Doesn’t mean boring, just means they are not shallow

Bring gravity to life. Most have buried their parents. They have lost siblings.

Temperate

moderate, not into excess

example of a person who doesn’t over react - because he has seen some things.

as a person who has once accumulated things he now values quality over quantity

set things aside that have no real value.

Sound in faith, charity, and patience.

This means healthy.

Faith in God is unwavering. They don’t doubt God’s Word. They believe the Gospel is effective to save. They have seen God work to much to doubt Him.

Charity. He is used to meet the needs of others. He is not bitter. Learned to love when it is not returned. Loves to serve. Love out of principle and not emotion. Galatians 6:2 “2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Patience. He knows how to persevere.

Older Women

Titus 2:3–5 “3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Call to older woman. If they need rebuke do this kindly. 1 Timothy 5:2 “2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.”

We saw Paul asking for help with an issues between two woman. Philippians 4:3 “3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”

Shows older woman still very actively involved in the work of the Lord.

Behavior as becometh holiness

Their lives are not given away on the vain things of life; rather they are engaged in meaningful, eternal activities.

Not outdated but eternal. Not out of style but conforming to the Word and not keeping up with cultural trends.

If you are looking for someone to pray for you, you should be able to find an older woman who will pray for you

Moved passed making life about them. 1 Timothy 2:9 “9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;”

Two unique challenges listed here.

Given to wine. - Result of losing purpose. Result of using the wrong tools in life to address the pain in your life. Maybe due to the loniliess of life.

Don’t be a malicious, gossip. / 34 times this word is word for satan.

Nothing is more like the devil than accusing your brothers and sisters.

If God has given you more time in this season. Don’t just become a commentator on the problems of this world.

Need to be teaching? Who and what?

Titus 2:4 “4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,”

teacher of good things

Older women who are the young women in your lives; maybe it is daughter, maybe daughter in laws

Promise you there are many people who want and need you in their life

Good things

Titus 2:5 “5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Much of influences of this world are directed at conforming women into the image of this world. They are either being objectified or told that you are not enough.

In all you getting. Get wisdom. Proverbs 4:7 “7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Young women need time with older, more mature Christian women.

Gray power: the organized influence exerted by elderly people as a group, esp. for social or political purposes or ends.

Older generation we need you.

Show a pattern of good works.

Show us how to live out doctrine with uncorruptness, gravity, and sincerity.

Ask musicians to come. Going to ask for a response to God’s Word.

Older generation: As we close let me ask you for something.

Teach us to look up!

Titus 2:13 “13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

We get so busy at being in the middle of raising children, chasing dreams, that are eyes are not where they should be.

When we look at you. We should see you looking up and follow your example.

More on this next week.

Time of Response

Let us consider, as we are growing older are we growing into whom God have us to be.

Older men and woman I would like for you to renew your commitment to teaching younger people.

You are not only wanted in this church you are needed.

There are many young families in this church with no family who would love to be adopted by you.

Praying God would place on the heart of at least a few in here to want to help with the member care of the older men and women.

In this church by helping us find ways to express our gratitude.

In our church so that we are welcoming to the older generation.

In our community through events and ministries in assisted living facilities.

Thank God for the older men and older women in this church.

This is not your grandmothers church. We want to say there is a place for you, your kids, and certainly for your grandmother.

Young people join me at the altar to thank God for the older generation and ask Him to pray more of these people in our lives.