How The Elderly
Can Bear Fruit
For God
We should never consider ourselves washed up
or retired from the service of the Lord.
Introduction
• A goal for many people in life is a happy
retirement...
• They spend years saving and planning for the time
in which they retire
• They look forward to the free time to do what
interests them
Introduction
• But is the concept of "retirement" applicable to the
kingdom of God?
• We may rightly retire from secular jobs, what about
our service in the church?
• Granted, physical infirmities may sometimes be a
hindrance, but is such a valid reason for retiring
from the work of the church?
Psalm 92:12-15
• The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree,
he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the
house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts
of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They
shall be full of sap and very green, To declare that
the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no
unrighteousness in Him”.
How The Elderly Can Bear Fruit
• THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED FOR "ELDERS"...
• Did God not design the local church to be overseen
by elders? Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-9
• Men who were older, capable of teaching and
leading the flock?
• Men who were to serve as overseers and examples
of God's flock? - 1 Peter 5:1-4
How The Elderly Can Bear Fruit
• Yet many male members seem to retire from active service
in the church about the same time they retire from secular
work!
• Around age 65, which is rather young compared to
others!
• Just when they might be useful to the Lord, they
are retiring!
• If unqualified to serve, why not spend a few years growing
and developing the necessary qualifications (if possible), and
then serve?
• Many young men who want to preach prepare themselves in
just a couple of years, why can't older men do the same?
How The Elderly Can Bear Fruit
• THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED FOR OLDER WOMEN...
• Who will do what Paul commanded in Titus 2:3-5
• To be "teachers of good things", especially to teach the
younger women how to love their husbands, love their
children, be good wives and homemakers
• Sadly, many women stop teaching when they reach the
age they are commanded to teach!
• Don't feel qualified to teach? Then prepare
yourself!
• Commit yourselves to study and learning God's word,
and in a short time you will be more than prepared!
How The Elderly Can Bear Fruit
• THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED FOR SERVICE THE
ELDERLY CAN PROVIDE...
• Some examples:
• Hospitality and benevolence - many elderly are
financially secure, able to do what many younger
families cannot
• Edification and evangelism - with so much time on
their hands, why not use it to study with others?
• Even the most infirm can do things like:
• Send cards, make phone calls
How The Elderly Can Bear Fruit
• Spend time in prayer and fasting - cf. Luke 2:37; 1
Timothy 5:5
• From our text we see what else the elderly can and
should do:
• "To declare the that the Lord is upright; He is my rock,
and there is no unrighteousness in Him" - Psalm
92:15
• To proclaim God's strength to the next generation - cf.
Psalm 71:17-18
• To recount God's mighty works to the next generation cf. Psalm 78:1-8
Philippians 3:12-15
• “Not that I have already attained, or am already
perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of
that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of
me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to
those things which are ahead, I press toward the
goal for the prize of the upward call of God in
Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are
mature, have this mind; and if in anything you
think otherwise, God will reveal even this to
you”.
The Elderly Have A Use
• God can certainly use people of all ages...
• Who are willing to prepare themselves to be of
service to Him
• Who are willing to present themselves in service to
Him
• We may retire from secular jobs, but not from our
service to the Lord!
The Elderly Have A Use
• Certainly physical infirmities may limit what we can
do
• But only death can stop us from doing what we can!
• Is the problem really one of physical infirmities, or
spiritual laziness?
• We can't stop the aging process
• But we can be renewed inwardly daily! - cf. 2
Corinthians 4:16
The Elderly Have A Use
• Our problem may be related to our youth-oriented
culture...
• Where the wisdom and experience of the elderly is
not respected
• Where our society is too quick to put the elderly
"out to pasture"
• Other cultures reflect the scriptural norm...
• Where the elderly are revered, their wisdom and
experience appreciated
CONCLUSION
• Where the elderly continue in roles of
influence and leadership, even to death I
believe the righteous can and should "still
bear fruit in old age".
• I hope that this lesson will encourage the
elderly to re-examine their usefulness to the
Lord and His church.