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 [see below for transcript] → 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?

Like many of you, I grew up going to church knowing about God & his son, Jesus; but not until I was 23 years old living in Okinawa, Japan in 1966 did I realize that my sins put Jesus on that cross and I repented of my sins and received God’s gift of salvation.  That began my walk with Jesus and getting to know Him as my personal savior and Lord of my life…not just knowing about Him!

Looking back over these past 60 years, I see how God has been so faithful to me, and I have experienced the Goodness of God in my life.  I am 82 years old now, and there have been challenges as well as joys to being this old.

First & foremost, Jimmy’s and my heart’s desire is that we remain faithful to the Lord and that we finish well in our life here on this earth.   Now we understand that we are always “Learning and Growing” in our daily walk with Jesus.  However, there are situations at times that are challenging in our lives.  And yet, if we stop long enough to consider them, we’ll realize that there are always blessings in these situations that go along with the challenges … if we take the time to look for them.

For instance, my physical stamina is not what it used to be when I was younger.  My brain may say that I can do something or I want to participate in some activity, but my body just doesn’t always follow through with the energy to do it.  But I do know it’s important at my age to stay active in some physical way (I like water aerobics) and it’s important to stay involved with friends my age.  A few weeks ago I had lunch with 4 sweet friends… two I have known since I was 15 years old.  I was the youngest in that group of 80’s & 90’s gals.  We laughed a lot as we talked about how to “stay young in an old body”!!  What a hoot that lunch was!

And then, through various ongoing health issues that I have, the Lord continues to remind me that this earthly body is simply not going to last forever…but as 2 Cor. 4:16 says, “though this body is wasting away”, the Lord is so faithful to us that He continues to “renew our spirit day by day.”  At those times, it’s God’s promises that give me comfort & strength … especially when He tells me  “Elaine, don’t be afraid” … that “He’ll never leave me or forsake me” …  and that “nothing will ever separate me from His love.”  Whether it’s an illness or a heartache I’m dealing with,  it’s such an encouragement to remember these precious promises.

Another challenge I face is when my brain tells me that maybe I am getting older after all!  You see, I can’t always remember a certain word I need to say when I’m talking …  or I can’t recall your name when I see you … or I don’t remember the details of something that happened  just last week.  How frustrating is that!!  And yet, I can sing every word to many songs I learned as a teenager in the 1950’s!  I just loved Elvis Presley!  What fun memories those songs remind me of those times!  Are there Challenges ? … Oh, Yes!  … But also Blessings?  … Yes, Absolutely!

 You know, there have been so many joys in my life by the Lord allowing me to live this long.  First , I have been able to see both my children receive Jesus and then grow up and become parents themselves…giving us 7 grandchildren … all who have been such a treasure in our life.  And now, all our grands are grown…two are married, and one granddaughter & her husband are giving us a great granddaughter this coming March!  So you see, if the Lord hadn’t allowed me the privilege of getting older, I would have missed out on these blessings!

Then, one of the joys we’ve had is knowing and still keeping in contact today with many International students from years past through Tuscaloosa International Friends.  That is so special to Jimmy & me.

Also, the Lord has given me the privilege of serving through the years in various ways here at Grace … right now I’m serving as a greeter which I really enjoy.  

And then, I’ve loved participating in Community Bible Study for almost 40 years where I get to share each week with ladies how God’s Word is living truth that we can obey and apply to our lives today just as the folks did 2000 years ago.  What a blessing that is!

So you see, getting older may have many challenges, but it also has many joys and blessings.  And the BEST BLESSING is the one that is yet to come.  Because of God’s mercy in allowing me to be one of his children, I get to live with Him forever in heaven.  He has prepared a place for me to be with him and other loved ones who have received Jesus as Savior for all eternity.

That’s the  MOST AMAZING BLESSING  and GREATEST JOY of them all!!