2 “Old age is not for sissies.” “Old age is not for sissies.” Yet, it is a time of honor. Yet, it is a time of honor. “ The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head. ” Prov. 20:29 “ The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head. ” Prov. 20:29 “ You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.” Lev. 19:32 “ You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.” Lev. 19:32

3 Blessings and Challenges of Aging

4 Challenges: Physical Decline Age will take a toll on us. Age will take a toll on us. Gray hairs symbolized weakness. Hosea 7:9 Gray hairs symbolized weakness. Hosea 7:9 Difficult days; pleasures few. Eccl. 12:1-7 Difficult days; pleasures few. Eccl. 12:1-7 Simple pleasures no longer can be enjoyed. 2 Samuel 19:34,35 Simple pleasures no longer can be enjoyed. 2 Samuel 19:34,35

5 Challenges: Physical Decline Age will take a toll on us. Age will take a toll on us. Should create in us a greater longing for heaven. Rom. 8:18-25 Should create in us a greater longing for heaven. Rom. 8:18-25 This world is not our home. Heb. 11:13-16 This world is not our home. Heb. 11:13-16 Rev. 21:1-7 Rev. 21:1-7

6 Challenges: Learning Becomes More Difficult Can you teach an “old dog new tricks?” Can you teach an “old dog new tricks?” Yes, but it takes more time and effort. Yes, but it takes more time and effort. Can be frustrating. Can be frustrating. But doesn’t mean we can’t learn. But doesn’t mean we can’t learn. Must work harder, take more notes, review more often, etc. Must work harder, take more notes, review more often, etc.

7 Challenges: Learning Becomes More Difficult But it doesn’t mean we can’t learn. But it doesn’t mean we can’t learn. Have benefit of accumulated knowledge. Have benefit of accumulated knowledge. The sponge may not absorb as quickly, but should have already soaked up a lot. Heb. 5:12-14 The sponge may not absorb as quickly, but should have already soaked up a lot. Heb. 5:12-14 Can contribute to greater stability. Eph. 4:11-14 Can contribute to greater stability. Eph. 4:11-14 Recall made easier by regular reading and study. Recall made easier by regular reading and study.

8 Challenges: Cynicism and/or Depression Can sometimes become quite cynical in our dealings with people. Can sometimes become quite cynical in our dealings with people. Don’t trust anyone. Don’t trust anyone. Think the world is going to the dogs. Think the world is going to the dogs. Convinced the church is going into apostasy. Convinced the church is going into apostasy. Especially hard on the younger Christians. Especially hard on the younger Christians. I am sympathetic—older people have witnessed some bad things. I am sympathetic—older people have witnessed some bad things.

9 Challenges: Cynicism and/or Depression Can sometimes become quite cynical in our dealings with people. Can sometimes become quite cynical in our dealings with people. Life deals out many disappointments. Life deals out many disappointments. Easy to understand the sadness some manifest. Easy to understand the sadness some manifest.

10 Challenges: Cynicism and/or Depression We must not give in to cynicism or depression. Phil. 4:4 We must not give in to cynicism or depression. Phil. 4:4 Look at Paul. 2 Tim. 1:12, 15-18; 2:16-19; 4:16-18,6-8 Look at Paul. 2 Tim. 1:12, 15-18; 2:16-19; 4:16-18,6-8 God sent His Son into the world of Romans 1. God sent His Son into the world of Romans 1. There are more good than bad in the church. There are more good than bad in the church. Look toward heaven. Look toward heaven. The sadness and suffering will soon be over. The sadness and suffering will soon be over.

11 Blessings: Respect Older folks generally receive it. Lev. 19:32 Older folks generally receive it. Lev. 19:32 Especially if righteous. Prov. 16:31 Especially if righteous. Prov. 16:31 Appreciate the honor and don’t do anything to diminish the respect shown you. Appreciate the honor and don’t do anything to diminish the respect shown you.

12 Blessings: Wisdom and Experience “The splendor of old men is their gray head.” Proverbs 20:29 “The splendor of old men is their gray head.” Proverbs 20:29 Older women are to teach younger women (Titus 2). Older women are to teach younger women (Titus 2). The young need to appreciate this. The young need to appreciate this. Yet, the wisdom of age does not always equal God’s word. Rom. 3:4 Yet, the wisdom of age does not always equal God’s word. Rom. 3:4

13 Blessings: Less Peer Pressure Man was asked the best thing about being 100 and he replied, “No peer pressure.” Man was asked the best thing about being 100 and he replied, “No peer pressure.” Can be tough when younger. Can be tough when younger. Older Christians aren’t regularly pressured to fornicate, drink, etc. Older Christians aren’t regularly pressured to fornicate, drink, etc. There are temptations to be dealt with, but some of the old pressures are gone. There are temptations to be dealt with, but some of the old pressures are gone.

14 Blessings: More Time The “thorns” are less numerous. Luke 8:14 The “thorns” are less numerous. Luke 8:14 More time to study, teach, visit, practice hospitality, etc. More time to study, teach, visit, practice hospitality, etc. Don’t retire unless health forces you to do so. Don’t retire unless health forces you to do so. Be faithful to the end. Heb. 6:11,12 Be faithful to the end. Heb. 6:11,12 Caution: don’t allow the freedom of retirement to become a problem. Caution: don’t allow the freedom of retirement to become a problem.

15 The Blessings and Challenges of Aging Old age is definitely not for sissies. Old age is definitely not for sissies. But it affords us some special opportunities for service and brings us closer to heaven. But it affords us some special opportunities for service and brings us closer to heaven.