On Being 70 Psalm 92:12-15

12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, 15 To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Introduction Tomorrow I will celebrate my 70 th birthday. I started preaching one sermon a week in 1959 – 54 years ago. I began full time preaching in 1966 – 47 years ago. But this sermon is not about me or how old I am. GOD CAN USE PEOPLE OF ANY AGE.

God's Use of Older People Moses and Aaron – 80 and 83 Joshua and Caleb – in their 80's  Joshua lived to be 110.  Caleb was 85 when he drove the giants out of Hebron. Daniel  Taken to Babylon as a young man  Served 70 years

God's Use of Older People Zacharias & Elizabeth  Luke 1:7 “advanced in years” Simeon & Anna  Luke 23:25-38  Anna was at least 84 Paul  Philemon 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ--

God's Use of older people in the church today Congregations are overseen by “elders”  Not just years lived  By experience of life wisdom and maturity are gained.

God's Use of older people in the church today Need older women – Titus 2:3-5 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed

God's Use of older people in the church today Elderly can provide services  Visit sick, hospitals, stay during surgery  Nursing home visits  Class room teachers Even the infirm can work  Send cards, make phone calls  Spend time in prayer  Teach and encourage

God uses people of ALL ages REQUIREMENTS:  Must be prepared  Must be willing  Must stretch beyond yourself (out of your comfort zone)  The righteous can still bear fruit in old age.

Philippians 2: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,