Following Jesus for a Long Time - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) background (2) aging struggle → loss, regret, physical/mental changes, less control, loneliness

Reflect on your past (4-8): (1) “birth” (cf. 139:13-16) (2) odds of you being here 1 in 400 trillion → God really wanted you to be here (3) furthermore, God created you with a purpose (cf. Jer. 1:5) (4) “youth” and “young men” in Proverbs → identifying both pos/neg experiences of growing up that pointed you to Christ (5) benefit of growing older is more experience trusting Christ (cf. Prov. 16:31) (6) younger need stability of older (cf. Grady in elder mtg, older shep group) (7) “portent” → miracle (cf. finishing half)

Rest in your identity (9-13): (1) later life “enemies” → loneliness, shame, diminishing capacity
(2) early life “enemies” → self-sufficiency, pride in what we’re capable of (3) when capacity decreases, we can feel loss of value/usefulness (c f. David in OT) (4) first response of Isaiah 46:3-4, Psalm 73:26 → God’s capacity never dwindles (5) second response → diminishing capacity a reminder that believer’s true identity is grace, not works (cf. aging rock star, 2 Cor. 12:9-10) (6) won’t be pastor one day (Ortlund)

Reengage in your service (14-18): (1) proclaiming God’s faithfulness in older age referenced six times → never retire from serving/ministering (2) implications → continue looking for evidence of God’s presence (v.15), proclaiming God’s ongoing faithfulness (i.e. not just nostalgia), investing in next generation (v.18) (3) may look different (cf. teen living with older person, my dad, lady in nursing home, homebound lady working telephone, prayer, “free expert childcare”) (4) greater maturity = greater service (cf. older youth)

Revel in your resurrection (19-21): (1) contrasting images of low and high, with three different verbs of being brought up (2) “depths of earth” = Sheol → some sort of awareness of resurrection (i.e. being rescued from death), as in other psalms (3) while culture champions defying aging, Christians should welcome it (cf. Romans 8:11, 1 Cor. 15:54-58) (4) Rev. 13:6-7 → daily questions (5) Shakespeare → “with mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come”

Conclusion: (1) Elaine → Psalm 90:10,12,14, 92:12-15, younger asking older for help (3) church family the best place to both give and receive through aging process

Do I daily: (1) reflect on my own mortality? (2) realize there are only two destinations (heaven or hell) and that I and every person I know will go to one or the other? (3) that this world is not my home and that everything in it will burn, leaving behind only what is eternal? (4) that my choices and actions have a direct influence on the world to come? (5) that my life is being examined by God, and that the only appraisal of my life that will ultimately matter is his?