The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. NIV
Introduction: Grandma and Grandpa illustration
Read Scripture/Pray
Background: Proverbs wise truths of life from a father to his son
Purpose Statement: It is important that we recognize the value of...
I) Youth to the kingdom of God
A) The importance of youth to the ancient culture
1) They were the backbone of society
2) Median age was 44
B) Youthful energy and the kingdom of God
1) Too often the church neglects this section
2) Churches segregate this population from the rest of the Body
C) Make the youth feel useful
1) It’s hard to be young today. In 1955 Gum chewing, not having homework ready, skipping were the major problems in school, today...
2) Take advantage of their strength
II) Middle age to the Kingdom of God
A) The left out generation
1) remember the form and purpose of the Proverbs
2) nothing needed to be said about them, they weren’t neglected
B) Valuable nonetheless
1) The anchor between the generations
C) Tendency to give all the work to them
1) 89% of X come to faith by 20
2) Fastest growing population 65 and older
III) Seniors to the Kingdom of God
A) Gray hair in the ancient Hebrew culture
1) Old age is always 15 years older than you are
2) Proverbs 16:31
3) I’m not Growing Old Illustration
B) For our culture the overlooked generation
1) So much wisdom to offer us
2) So much work to be done
C) Finish the race
1) We were not created to sit and do nothing (Genesis 1:27-28)
IV) Cooperation of all the generations to the Kingdom of God
A) Work together
1) Each generation has an important function in Kingdom growth
2) Teamwork – It’s about being geese, not eagles
B) Don’t be envious
1) If only I were... older, younger, healthier
C) Always remember it’s all for Christ’s glory
1) If we’re not doing it for Him it’s pointless
2) He saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10)
Conclusion: Find where God wants you and get busy
Grandma and Grandpa
After Christmas vacation, a teacher asked her small pupils to write an account of how they spent their holidays. One youngster wrote about a visit to his grandparents in a life-care community for retired folks:
“We always spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa,” he said. They used to live here in a big red house, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida.
“They live in a place with a lot of retarded people. They live in tin huts. They ride big three wheel tricycles. They go to a big building they call a wrecked hall but it is fixed now. They play games there and do exercises, but they don’t do them very good. There is a swimming pool and they go to it and just stand there in the water with their hats on. I guess they don’t know how to swim.
“My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff. But I guess she forgot how. Nobody cooks--they all go out to fast food restaurants.
“As you come into the park, there is a doll house with a man sitting in it. He watches all day, so they can’t get out without him seeing them. They wear badges with their names on them. I guess they don’t know who they are.
“My Grandpa and Grandma worked hard all their lives and earned their retardment. I wish they would move back home but I guess the man in the doll house won’t let them out.”
Proverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life NIV
Genesis 1:27-28
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.NIV
I’m Not Growing Old
They say that I am growing old
I’ve heard them say it times untold
In language plain and bold
But I’m not growing old
This frail old shell in which I dwell
Is growing old I know full well
But I’m not growing old.
What if my hair has turned gray
Gray hair is honorable, they say
What if my eye sight’s growing dim
I can still see to follow Him
Who sacrificed His life for me
There on the cross of Calvary
Why should I care if time’s old plow
Has dug some furrows in my brow.
Another house not made with hand
Awaits me in the glory land.
My hearing may not be as keen
As in the past, it may have been
Still I can hear my Savior say
Come faltering child, this is the way.
The outward man, do what I can
To lengthen out this life’s short span
Shall perish and return to dust
As everything in nature must.
But the inward man the Scriptures say
Ah, the inward man
Is growing stronger every day.
Then how can I be growing old?
I’m safe within the Saviour’s fold
‘Er long my soul shall fly away
And leave this tenement of clay
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize
I’ll meet you on the streets of gold
And prove that I’m not growing old.
- John E. Roberts
