Why Elders Are Important (Bridge Builders of Our Faith)

Introduction

Abigail Van Buren, is quoted in Reader's Digest, May, 1980 as saying:

Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does -- except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place. 

Abigail Van Buren, Chicago Tribute-New York News Syndicate, quoted in Reader's Digest, May, 1980

Transition To Body

Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent

Body- Our Elders Of The Church Are Important Because

Continually Seek Your Savior (vv1-3)

your righteous deliverer

source of stability

Psalm 71:3 ESV

3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Continually Praise The LORD (vv4-6)

Psalm 71:6 ESV

6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.

Your not here by accident

Continually Warning Your People (vv7-11)

portent

Psalm 71:7 ESV

7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.

Psalm 71:9 ESV

9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.

Continually Hope In God (vv12-16)

Psalm 71:16 ESV

16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

Continually Remind Us!!!

Continually Proclaim God To Your Posterity (v17-21)

Psalm 71:17–18 ESV

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Transition To Close

Simeon Would Not See Death Before He Had Seen the LORD’s Christ

Luke 2:25–32 ESV

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Parents Marveled

Simeon Blessed them

Luke 2:33–35 ESV

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Prophetess Anna, Advanced In Years @ 84

Who Gave Thanks (Praise) To God

Luke 2:37–38 ESV

37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Close: Who Spoke of Jesus To All Who Were Waiting!