The Aged Woman: Her Family And Church

Introduction: From the adult Sunday School booklet entitled Consistent Living which covered the studies of the books of Titus and Philemon there is a humorous quote which has to do with the subject matter of the message this AM. An older soman was overheard to say about her husband and their relationship together, "I’m married to an archaeologist, and I get the feeling that the older I get, the better he likes me." We laugh at that funny quote, but in another sense it is true. The older woman is to be "liked" by her family and church and for some very good reasons. This AM we will examine abit closer what this passage of scripture teaches us about the place of the older Christian woman in her family and church. I trust that what we study this AM will be of great help to each of our ladies here, and that it will not be brushed off as unimportant - this is God’s Word and all of it is important and demands our utmost attention and obedience. The older woman has just as important role to play and live out in her family and church as that of the aged men, whom we studied last week.

I. OLDER WOMEN ARE TO BEHAVE IN A HOLY WAY

This first truth is also the overall trait that ought to characterize the aged women, and for that matter all saints. Notice in the text that verse 3 begins in the positive while the rest of the items in the list of character traits is found in the negative "not" this and "not" that. Therefore, a holy way of living ones life is an absolute necessity if all the other traits are also going to be evident in the aged woman’s life and practice.

The word "holiness" in Titus 2:3 is a special term. It does not just mean "godly". It means "godly" with respect to one’s sacred office. It was a term used in the Biblical era of the priests and prophets in the service of God, who were to walk in a way worthy of their ministry. Those who were called to a special work of service in the temple were to have a lifestyle consistent with that vocation. They worked in a holy place that was dedicated to holy work so it was necessary that they live holy (seperated from sin) lives. When others would meet these people who worked as priests or prophets they would know that they were people of God because of their holy lives. Don’t get this confused with what you sometimes hear on TV about such places as India where so-called "holy men" walk around and depend on others to give them money. They do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and often their live and behavior places them far from Christ. There is a necessary connection between saying one is holy and being holy in all things in ones life. This is the truth that this words holds out in it’s meaning, and it provides the aged women with God’s will for their life.

Older women, do others identify your life with holiness and reverence or do they identify it with something else?

There is an excellent example just such a woman in Anna, the elderly woman who blessed the Lord Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought him to the Temple when He was eight days old. Anna was 84 years young and here is what it says in Luke 2:36-38

"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

Anna was an elderly woman who served God, gave thanks to God, and told others of what God had done and what God was doing in her life. She was a woman that when people met her they knew one thing - she was a holy, godly woman who loved God with all her heart, soul, and mind. This is the example to remember, older Christian ladies, of how the Lord wants you to order your life in your later years. You don’t find this older woman of God sitting at home in her rocking chair. No, you find her actively serving the Lord at the Temple, which is comparable to worshipping and serving the Lord through this local church. Those who are holy in their character and actions will also be those who will be faithfully serving the Lord through their local church.