Counsel for the Aged
February 18th, 2000Counsel for the Aged
TITUS 2:1-4a
Did you know that the United Nations General Assembly declared 1999 the International Year of Older Persons? The world’s population is aging. For the first time in history, those over 60 years of age make up a significant segment of the population. Did you know that at the beginning of this century the average life expectancy was 47 years? Did you know that now, at the end of this century, that figure is nearly 80 years of age? Though the elderly have often been neglected, our culture will no longer be able to ignore them, simply because of the size of this group.
Thankfully, God has never ignored the aged, but has a plan and purpose for each person that belongs to Him, until the day they die. Never mind how the world views those who are older. What counsel does God’s Word have for the aged? There is too much on this subject in the Bible to get into in one message. Titus 2:1-3 provides some concise, practical admonition for older men and women. Chapter 2:1-10 outlines some basic teaching for various groups - young and old, male and female, slave and free. On the one hand, God’s will is the same for everyone - to grow in sanctification. On the other hand, there are certain aspects of life that are unique to older persons.
Those who are older encounter distinct problems. They have special trials and temptations that the young do not normally experience. Dr. Adams has written a new book titled Wrinkled but not Ruined, with wise counsel for the elderly. Since he himself is now 70 years old, he is certainly qualified to speak on this subject. He says that aging is “a process of loss”. Aging leads to loss of strength and loss of health. Eyesight goes bad, bodies become frail, and skills are diminished. Disease, strokes, heart attacks, Alzheimer’s, cancer, etc. are more common to those who are older. There is also the loss of companions and friends. The death of a spouse is perhaps the most difficult loss of all.
Many people look forward to retirement, but retirement itself is a loss. There is the loss of a job and the contribution one makes to society. Many do not live long after retirement because they no longer have a purpose in life. Bear Bryant, the great football coach at Alabama said that when he stopped coaching he would die - and he did! He died just a few days after retiring as the winningest coach ever. There is also a loss of finances, and finally the loss of life itself. (The above insights are from chap. 1 of Dr. Adam’s book)
Because of the difficulties of old age, many give up living a vigorous life for the Lord. Some have the attitude that says, “Well, I’ve served my time in the church. It’s time for some of the younger ones to take over the work.” It may be time for some of the younger ones to take more responsibility, but is it ever time for any Christian to retire from being useful in the Kingdom? Psalm 92:12-14 says, “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD, they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bring forth fruit in old age, they are ever full of sap and green.”
At what age does the Bible consider a person to have reached old age? Generally, it is thought that someone over 60 would be in the category of “older men” or “older women”. But age does not necessarily determine a person’s youthfulness. A person’s attitude is more important that their length of years. Take, for example, Joan Coates. She’s a 75 year old great-grandmother and she’s a roller coaster fanatic. She has gone for white-knuckle rides around the world, and has never been stopped yet.
The Millennium Ride gave her a major test - a 250-foot, 70 mile an hour roller coaster ride with gut-wrenching loop-the-loops and dramatic twists and turns. She took it all in stride, and she gave the ride her seal of approval. Her friends say Joan will do anything for kicks. Nothing seems to faze her. Pulling 5 Gs (meaning that if your body normally weighs 150 pounds, at 5 Gs it weighs 750 pounds)? NO PROBLEM. She intends to keep on riding whenever she has the chance. “I just hope I continue with the good health that I’ve got,” Joan said, “and I hope I’m still riding them when I am 85.”
Now I’m not saying that you ought to emulate her and take off for Six Flags tomorrow. What I am saying is that you ought to imitate her attitude! She refuses to let old age stop her from living. If you are a believer that is getting on in years, God expects you to continue to lead a vital and useful life, bringing forth fruit in the mature stage of life.
“John Wesley, at the age of 83, after having traveled some 250,000 miles on horseback, preached more than 40,000 sermons and produced some 200 books and pamphlets, regretted that he was unable to read and write for more than 15 hours a day without his eyes becoming too tired to work. After his 86th birthday, he admitted to an increasing tendency to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning!” (MacArthur, Titus)
In verse one, Paul instructed Titus saying, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” Gordon Clark, commenting on this verse, said - “The reader may be getting tired of this commentary’s insistence on sound theology; but if so, he is getting tired of Paul’s inspired commands.” Paul says, “speak the things which are proper”. Proper means, “what is fitting, appropriate, becoming to.” This is not merely referring to doctrine, but its fruit - a godly life. This is in contrast to the false teachers mentioned in chapter one, who taught unsound doctrine, and lived rebellious lives. There is nothing better to restrain those who are caught up in idle curiosity and vain speculations than to teach them to focus on their duty to God and the necessity of good works.
Verse 10 sums up this section saying that the various groups that are to live a certain way are to do so, “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” Practical Christian living makes the gospel attractive to a watching world. It adorns it. First of all,
I. HOW SHOULD OLDER MEN ADORN THE DOCTRINE OF GOD?
Here, Paul is not talking about elders, but simply “older men”. The Christian Counselor’s New Testament says, “Older men must be taught.” The same thing is true for older women. They must never, never stop learning the Scriptures and learning better how to serve the Lord! Some older folks tend to be stuck in their ways. They are not very teachable. Dr. Adams said, “Few things are more tragic than to see an older man or woman still tenaciously holding to opinions, most of which have been proven faulty over and over through the years.”
Some feel like that they are too old to do any serious studying and learning. Al Webb has written an article titled Aging Myths. One Myth is that “Older people are not able to learn new skills or absorb new information, and they do not need education or training. Research into this issue has produced good evidence that older people are just as good as anyone else at studying, learning, and applying new skills. The difference often is that they ‘may be out of practice and may not always have the confidence in their own abilities.’”
The more skills and knowledge that older people have, the more they will be able to contribute to their church and to the community. Contrary to the old saying frequently heard, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Well, at least you can teach old human beings! Another saying that is untrue, which is sometimes used as an excuse, is, “Well, I’ve already heard it all and done it all.” No - there is always more to know about the Lord. The Bible says, “His greatness no man can fathom!” There is always some area of character that you can grow in. Peter said, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That verse does not cease to apply to those over 65!
So, if you are older, be teachable! Never stop learning God’s Word and how to better please the Lord. What must you learn? Paul lists six things that are particularly important for more mature men. First of all, they are to be “sober” or “temperate”. The root idea is of not being addicted to alcohol. Older men ought not to drown their sorrows with booze! Instead, they should avoid overindulgence. The word not only has reference to alcohol, but to sober-mindedness in general. The sober person is stable, weighing actions and decisions carefully. He does not become easily frustrated or angered. He is a good person to have around when there is a crisis or conflict.
This quality, which all older men ought to strive after, is in fact a good quality for those in the office of elder to have. On August 31, 1688, “English Puritan author and preacher John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, died at age 69. Though one of England’s most famous authors of all time even in his day, he maintained his pastoral duties to his death, which was caused by a cold caught riding through the rain to reconcile a father and son.” (Christian History Newsletter) A sober man is balanced and levelheaded, and is able to be a peacemaker in the church, as Bunyan was until his death.
Older men are to be “reverent”, “worthy of respect”, “dignified.” Leviticus 19:32 says, “You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the face of the old man, and fear your God. I am the LORD.” But the old man must also live in an honorable way. He must be serious minded, not frivolous or trivial. The young are often not serious enough about life. They need to have an example of someone that is reverent, and not always joking around. To some people, everything is a joke. It is a shame to see an older man who acts this way, for then the younger ones will become all the more bold in their undignified behavior.
The next word in this list is “temperate”. This means “sensible” or “self-controlled”. Men of mature judgment and proper restraint. Such a man has gained control of his emotions. There are no more outbursts of anger. Instead, an older man should be a calming influence when a volatile situation arises. Next, Paul says that they are to be “sound in faith.” The word translated “sound” means “healthy.” An older man ought to know the Scriptures and have sound doctrine. It doesn’t matter how old a person is - it is never too late to begin to learn or sharpen one’s understanding of theology. Those who have retired now have the time to study that the rest don’t have. I wonder how many hours some spend in front of the TV, when they could be studying to show themselves approved unto God?
Men are not only to be sound in faith, but also “sound in love and in patience.” Men must have a healthy love for God, first and foremost. A deep love for God should develop over the years, so that it becomes the driving force of life. By now the worldly pursuits of one’s youth should have faded into the background and the love of God brought to the place of prominence that the commandments require. But not only love for God, but love toward man. Love that is seen by forgiveness toward others; not holding onto grudges for years as some have done. Love is seen by helping bear one another’s burdens and by humbly serving others, with or without recognition.
The last word is “patience”, or “endurance”. An attitude of perseverance is very necessary to face the hardship, suffering and disappointments one finds in the later years of life. Now is not the time to grow faint of heart or weary in well doing. Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.” To see a saint of God persevere in faith and good works up until the end of life, giving glory to God on their death bed, is an inspiration indeed. If you that are older have endurance, then you will lead the way for the rest of us. For God calls us all to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Now, what about the women?
II. HOW SHOULD OLDER WOMEN ADORN THE DOCTRINE OF GOD?
Older women, like men, can and should have a vital role in the ministry of the church. They must adorn the gospel with godly character that is unassailable. “The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior.” The original word used here means literally, “priestess-like.” You didn’t know that there are to be priestesses in the church did you? 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you (men and women) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Women - conduct yourselves in such a way as if you were a priestess serving in the temple of God - and you are, in God’s temple, the church. In other words, live a life dedicated to serving God in holiness of life. Older women must not be “slanderers”, “malicious gossips.” Now why did Paul single out the women in this area? I think you know why. John Calvin stated it rather bluntly. He said, “Talkativeness is a disease of women, and it is increased by old age.” Because of idleness and much time on their hands, older women are tempted to engage in destructive talk about other members of the church. Women usually keep the gossip grapevine going. May it not be so among our women.
Paul mentions another vice which women may turn to in old age - heavy drinking. The pain, frustration and loneliness of this time of life gives occasion for some women to justify an addiction to alcohol. “It is estimated that 2.5 million older adults have problems related to alcohol; 21 percent of hospitalized adults over the age of 40 have a diagnosis of alcoholism, with related hospital costs of $60 billion per year.”
“Although studies differ as to the exact ratio, older women are actually less likely than men to drink and less likely to drink heavily. However, women who do become problem drinkers are more likely to be late-onset drinkers.”
“Some begin drinking later in life in response to recent losses such as the death of a spouse, divorce, a change in health status or to such life changes as retirement. The late-onset drinker is not easily identified because they often appear too “normal,” too healthy to raise concerns about problem drinking.” In other words, some older adults may be drinking heavily without anyone really knowing about it. If you are one of those persons that has this secret, you need to know that God has seen it all along, and now is the time to stop turning to alcohol for relief. The Bible says, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Older women are not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine. These things can destroy a woman’s Christian testimony. Instead, Paul says they are to be “teachers of good things.” Older women are to be examples to the younger ones. They are to teach by their lives and by wise words. Dr. Adams says, “when feminism has invaded the church, it is time for Christian women to learn what it is that God has ordained for them. Counselors, faced with women who are complaining that they are not allowed to teach, should point out to them that they no only may teach, but that they must.”
What are they to teach? That which is good - that which is in accordance with sound doctrine. Who are they to teach? Primarily younger women. Verse 4 says that older women must “admonish the young women.” This is the kind of teaching that has to do with “restoring someone to his senses; to moderate, control, curb, disciple; to hold one to his duty.” Older or more mature Christian women are needed to come alongside younger women or new Christians and disciple them! To show them their duty as wives and mothers. We will get into the content of this teaching to younger women next week.
Older women are called on to teach children as well. Children and other women make up two thirds of the congregation. I don’t think women should be complaining that they can’t teach in the church, do you? Women, you can accomplish more for the kingdom of God by personal discipleship with other women than you can imagine. I want to challenge each of you that are older, or simply mature in the faith, to find at least one younger Christian or younger woman that you can befriend and begin to influence in the faith. Begin to pray for her and call her up to see how she is doing. Ask her over for coffee and as she opens up to you, share the wisdom God has given you from his Word.
It is interesting that Titus is to instruct the younger men himself, but the task of teaching young women is given to older women. The pastor and elders cannot do the job of teaching younger women half as well. Women simply know more about these things than men do. Besides, it is a safer and much healthier situation for women to teach women in a one-on-one discipleship setting.
Whatever the difficulties of old age may be, clearly, the opportunities to engage in effective service for the Lord are many. What a tremendous resource are the aged members in our congregation! If you are one of these men or women, are you listening to these instructions in the book of Titus? It is time to re-consecrate yourself to serve the Lord Jesus. God is not finished with you yet! Far from it. You have much work to do for his kingdom - for his honor and glory!
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