" ‘WHO WANTS TO GROW OLD,’ QUIPPED THE FAMOUS GEORGE BURNS WHEN HE TURNED 100, WHO QUICKLY ADDED, ‘BUT IT BEATS THE ALTERNATIVE!’ Well as America rides the crest of the "AGE WAVE," we need to seriously consider its thunderous crash coming upon our culture.”

 I'm Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment, we'll talk about it…

…Today, I'm devoting the broadcast to those wonderful and blessed people we call older Americans ¾ especially, those who are on the brink of such classification. Ken Dytchwald, founder of Age Wave, Inc, once stated that

"Fully one-third of all Americans ¾ 76 million people ¾ who were born between 1946 and 1964, are chronologically getting ready to become what is called "older adults. This shift in demographics will affect every aspect of our society, even the way we currently 'do church.'"

Indeed, America is growing old, and those who are in this category and those entering, will have to face some serious considerations for their future life and living.  Today I want to discuss the problem of aging from a biblical perspective, and then offer some encouraging advice to the young and the elderly, on how to get along and enjoy every moment of life God give us to the fullest. So stay tuned, for as we pause one more time to listen to this enjoyable old-fashioned hymn from down memory lane, I'll return with my message dedicated to those wonderful and refreshing saints who have endured the years of life…

… Dr. Beth E. Brown, an associate professor of Educational Ministries and Administration at Denver Seminary has written in an article she published,

"As America rides the crest of an age wave, the church is less than prepared for the impact of its thunderous crash upon our culture. Gerontologists and futurists are committed to interpreting the social, lifestyle, and business implications of this age wave. So must Christians study the impact of an aging America on spiritual formation and the lifestyle of the church."

Well, how right she is, for the church today seems to have forgotten about these precious people whom God gives to the younger generation for their good and care. We talk these days about discrimination of all kinds, but we choose to ignore that age discrimination is very active and alive even within the churches of our nation, even the evangelical-fundamental ones as well. As such, let's talk about "old age," and what it means to grow old, if God so blesses us.

First of all always remember it is a privilege to grow old, and one our medical and technological age is giving to more and more adults approaching the sunset years of life. Now what is old age? For many, it is simply a state of mind, but for most it means many serious adjustments to life that for many becomes a serious problem to cope with.

Between 1960 -2000 AD, the number of people over 85 increased by 232%, while the population increased by only 39%. Clearly America is growing old in spite of what people think to the contrary. In my lifetime, I've seen attitudes toward the aged shift from "veneration to vilification." Today, there is a growing attitude that views the elderly as an "economic albatross” or at the least a "roadblock to progress." Unfortunately, this attitude even permeates many churches in our land. However, what we personally think of old age and those who enter it, is hardly of great value, especially for a Christian. Rather, what God says about it must be our concern and purpose for relationships and care. For instance we read in Scripture,

Joel 2:28 (NIV)  'And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

Amazingly, the Bible no where classifies any distinction among the saints when it comes to age, gender or status in life. God is the God of all people, and fairly loves them all, and has a place of ministry and service for them.

However, we must face one fact that as one grows older, all of us will face the known problems of aging. For many people these "golden years," are not so golden. As saints grow older, and the effects of the sin-curse upon all mankind continues -- it takes deeper cuts into our very lives, as we experience in varying degrees age related problems. The can be varying such as: (1) emotional losses due to loved ones and dear friends dying, (2) moreover, our bodies suffer the ravages of time as hearing loss occurs, illness strikes, memory loss appears, (3) even personality changes take place and the dread of increased dependency due to loss of freedom and physical mobility soon envelope our world that once was fiercely and proudly independent, Well, how are we to respond to this? The answer is for Christians, we must develop a biblical theology of “Aging” to better understand what God wants from us as we grow old in life, and to find the empowerment for continued service and godliness.

 Now God's Word has a lot to say about Heaven and eternal life for the believing saints, but it also has something to say about “aging” that all of us need to know. So let's look at some Scriptures and draw the conclusions God wants us to know about it. From there, we'll apply these thoughts from God, to a practical application for the young and old alike to enjoy and experience.

Now in the Bible there is one verse of Scripture that, as I'm personally entering the category of the young side of the "older generation," continues to give me hope and strength to face the difficult years ahead. You see, God spoke to Isaiah at a time when he needed great encouragement. The end of life was looming ahead, and Isaiah felt like many of us at times, the fear of growing old. So God, knowing his thoughts, lovingly said to him,

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)  “… do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”….

Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

How wonderful it is to know that even though most of us will experience the crashing "age wave" as it falls upon our bodies, God promises every Christian that He is aware of our needs, our growing inabilities, and our fears of old age. Moreover, it tells us God doesn't expect us to accomplish or perform as we once did in the prime of youth. Oh friends what a great God we serve! He loves us through every phase of life and will carry us through them all till heaven and eternal life forever unfold its glory upon us. That should be great encouragement to the elderly and infirm, and those of us facing the horizon of the setting sun.

However, God also wants us to realize that just because we grow physically old, we who are in the kingdom of God , never think we outgrow our usefulness to God or His people.  It's sad many youth today feel there is no place for "grandma and grandpa" in the flourishing church. Many older people are being pushed out, turned out to pasture, relieved of jobs and responsibilities ¾ simply because they are the 'older’ generation. Any church or people of God who do that dishonor Christ, and miss some of His greatest blessings He plans for His people in the local assembly of the saints. For the Bible tells us that, as we grow old, He grants senior saints special status and gifts, the younger generation cannot have. For instance we read in the Bible,

Psalms 91:16 (NIV)  “With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.””

In the Bible long life is viewed as a special gift from God. God gives others gifts too. Gifts we know must not be spent upon ourselves, but shared with others that they might enjoy the fruits of their existence. Yes, if we 'throw out' or push aside these senior saints, their special gifts will be lost and sorely missed by the younger generation. Furthermore, The Bible tells us,

Proverbs 16:31 (NIV)  “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.”

Usually those who enter old age, do so obviously by God's gifting, but when it comes to the Christian, everyone of us must realize it is for a purpose. Why even gray hair rather than being something to dye with a bottle, should be considered an honorable marking of God's calling to serve the body of Christ and our families in special ways. It is for this reason, that God demands the younger generation to "honor" the aged in special ways. Although this Scripture may seem foreign and be forgotten to many, God tells all the younger generation,

Leviticus 19:32 (NLT)  “”Show your fear of God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and showing respect for the aged. I am the LORD.”

How many young people today honor the elderly and "rise" when they appear in their presence? That’s almost unheard of! But this command from God to Israel , constantly taught them the elderly were special people whom God wanted the younger generations to revere, respect and honor. I believe today we've grieved God in this present generation, by failing to obey God's commands to honor the aged, and worse by neglecting to listen to the elderly to enable them to use their special calling and gifting God has for the body of Christ. How valuable is the older generation? Again, let's look at what the Bible offers to the church through them. We read and see in Scripture that,

Proverbs 20:29 (NLT)  “The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.”

Psalms 90:12 (NLT)  “.. 12 Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

Yes, friends, those who reach their sunset years are those whom God has given great wisdom and experience. This is something the younger generation cannot manufacture or obtain, and that only years of life, walking with God, grants such privilege. Most assuredly, it is my earnest conclusion that every Bible-believing church group should include and involve the elderly in all decision making as much as possible, and utilize their valuable insights about life, living and the perils that often come from failing to walk according to God's revealed Word.

Moreover, God intended that the church play an essential role in the spiritual well-being of the older adult. Rather than pushing them aside, we must, as much as possible, include them in every area of ministry appropriate. From teaching to the ministry of fellowship ¾ God expects us to be a body of "one," and be together. For when we do, God promises to grant His people even more blessing through the elderly. For instance,

Psalms 92:14-15 (NIV)  “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.””

A fruit farmer never cuts down a flourishing tree that bears fruit. Rather he praises the day when in the maturity of its life, it continues producing an abundance of fruit. So God has promised through the senior saints. Older Christians have an ongoing responsibility to bear fruit and serve where able. Do you know that in the Bible, there is no such thing as retirement in the kingdom of God ? True, there are many things in varying degrees older saints can no longer do, and they must of necessity cut back, and allow the younger generation to do; But, there are many things they still can do and perform. Please realize that every Christian is called to a life of service until the moment of death or disablement. In such service to the King, senior saints often find real joy, and the loneliness that often stalks old age flees in such service. But is this all the older saints can and must offer? The answer is no, for God also tells us that He has granted the aged a great ministry to the church. We read in,

Titus 2:1-8 (NLT)  “But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have strong faith and be filled with love and patience. 3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely in all they do."

Here we discover that the pastor/teachers or shepherds of the church are to equip the elderly for the special ministry of teaching the younger folks all about godly living and family life. I'm often amazed and amused at Christian magazine articles that show young adults in the start of life with little children, giving advice on how to rear children, or advice on marital success. What can they know in the limit of years they've lived? The answer is hardly anything of practical experience. But how much more can the church glean from those who have lived long, and had successful marriages for over thirty to sixty years of life together! How much more the young can glean from the elderly who have reared many children and helped their children rear their grandchildren. Indeed, God gives the elderly as a great gift to the church, which we must not cast aside.

Now, of course this is just one aspect of the value of the senior saints and God's call for them. It begins with a call not to retire from serving God, and not to stop sharing their gifting, talents and experience with the younger generation. However, the younger generation also needs to realize their responsibility to the elderly in their midst. Every bible-believing church must not fail to minister to the growing needs of the elderly. What are those needs? Well here they are quickly as time is growing short for this broadcast moment. I see that the Church must be willing to provide the elderly in need with:

(1) FINANCIAL CARE AND HELP WHEN NEEDED (1 Tim. 5:3-10) -  T

he biblical books of Timothy and Titus speak of helping elderly widows, who have lost their mates. At times there can be a financial need; especially, if they have served Christ through their younger years in ministry. Although some have social security, many have nothing else. And, if they do not have an immediate family to meet their needs, the church is obligated to find out what their needs are and if present, to care for them who qualify. Secondly we should consider any…

(2) MEDICAL/SOCIAL CARE AND HELP - 

As one grows old, increasingly they will need support physically. Maybe helping to purchase a wheelchair, taking them to a doctor visit, helping them take the right medicine at the right time, cleaning their house for them, cooking meals for them, taking them shopping, you name it. We owe this to these senior saints who reach the years of infirmity.  This is what it means to "honor" them. Then thirdly we need to render,

(3) FRIENDSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP CARE - 

How much the elderly, as they lose their loved ones, experience debilitating illnesses, memory loss and needing increased dependence of personal fellowship and love! The local church along with the elderly’s immediate family, need to regularly provide this. In addition, each Sunday we can provide rides to help senior saints who can no longer drive, to allow them get to church or fellowship times. If they are home bound, bring them audio or video copies of the services they missed. Then consider reading to them the Scriptures, eating a meal with them personally. Thus, you will be showing them through these things, that you really love them and care for them! You see the Bible says,

John 13:35 (NIV)  “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

The fact is we owe so much to the elderly, for their years of sacrificial ministry to us. In fact, let's realize, it is the older generation who honestly were the "builders," of most of the churches we enjoy today. It is the elderly who sacrificed the most, to send forth the many missionaries to foreign fields. It is the elderly today, who faithfully served as Sunday School teachers, and workers in our local churches. Truly, one thing the younger generation today needs to desperately learn from the life and living of the older crowd is: "their faithfulness, soundness of doctrine, willing sacrifice, total commitment, extreme generosity, depth of love and life, and most of all a seriousness of purpose  ¾ showed they were fully dedicated to living for Christ." Yes, if any jewel in their crown will shine forth, it will have these fantastic facets of faith the younger generation desperately needs to acquire. So positively, the elderly are truly our indispensable role models in the church we must not cast aside!

Well the truth is, “Old Age,” if we are blessed, will come upon us all, but the question is will we spend it upon ourselves, or give it back to God for His purposes and glory? With Christ in our hearts, we can live out our days, however long they may be knowing as Isaiah did,

Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)  “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

Growing old can be a difficult time. However, we who are younger and the children or grandchildren of these senior saints must never neglect them, or fail to minister to them, or afford them a special place of honor and respect. Moreover, we should ever seek their wisdom, strength, soundness of doctrine, and gifting of life God has fruitfully bestowed upon them. May God give us a true oneness of spirit, a unity of hearts, and practical love for all of God's people, especially the ‘aged’ in our midst, for when we do, God will bless us to overflowing.