Old Age
Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
Who Can Define It?
Like beauty, “in the eye of the
beholder”
Estimate changes with our
own age!
Emphasis On Youth
Problems peculiar to them
(2 Timothy 2:22)
Caution: Peer pressure must
not be overemphasized
Aging Problems
Vision weakened (v. 2)
More “cloudy” days (v. 2)
Hands, legs weaken (v. 3)
Teeth become discolored, some
fall out (v. 3)
Aging Problems
Voice weakens (v. 4)
Fear of height (v. 5)
Gray hair (v. 5)
Little things worry us (v. 5)
Honor
Obsession with youth
–“Wash that gray right out of
your hair”
–Smooth all the wrinkles
–No fountain of youth
Honor
Downside to being old
–Physical problems
–Deserve honor (Proverbs 16:31)
–Gray hair is a sign of honor
(Proverbs 20:29)
Honor
Young are to honor the elderly
–Eliphaz honored the older
generation (Job 15:10)
–Rehoboam’s mistake
(1 Kings 12:6-19)
Respect
Old Testament
–Law required it (Leviticus 19:32)
–Elihu waited to speak
(Job 32:4, 6, 7)
Respect
New Testament
–Entreat older men as fathers
(1 Timothy 5:1)
–Submit to elders (1 Peter 5:5)
–Paul’s appeal to Philemon as
“the aged” (Philemon 9)
Respect
Too much disrespect today
–Children to parents
(Ephesians 6:1, 2)
–People in general
Opportunities
Not “over the hill”
–Physical problems
–No “spiritual retirement”
Some work for older members
–Men: Serve as elders
–Women: Teach younger women
Opportunities
Crisis in the church
–Young families struggle
–Need sound advice
God’s care of older people
–David’s trust (Psalm 37:25)
–Yet, David knew right from wrong
(Psalm 37:35, 36)
Conclusion
Older members are valuable
Be a Caleb (Joshua 14:6-12)
Work to do when we grow old
(Psalm 71:18)