fromthepreacherspc

GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY

INTRODUCTION
A. In speaking about “Growing Old Gracefully” I feel much like N. B. Hardeman who when asked to speak on a similar topic
1. He stated, “I am too young to speak as one should on this subject.”
2. Even though he was in his eighties or nineties at the time!
B. Most young people do not think about “growing old,” which is understandable…
1. For they have yet to experience the reality of “growing old” in the sense of declining in one’s physical strength and mental capabilities
2. For them getting older has always meant getting better as they draw closer to the peak of their physical maturity
C. If they talk about “growing old” it is often with disdain for the way many people spend their golden years…
1. Discontented with life
2. Set in their ways
3. Bitter towards many people
4. There is often truth in what the young say about the old: “Some old women and men grow bitter with age. The more their teeth drop out the more biting they get.”
D. This has prompted many young people to say: “I will never be like that when I get old!”
1. But growing old gracefully does not happen by accident
2. Unless one understands and applies certain principles while young, the chances are great that he or she will become like the elderly they are quick to despise
3. Think carefully about this statement: “Most men spend the first half of their lives making the second half miserable.”
E. How are you spending the first half of your life; or, how will you spend the last half of your life?
1. Will you grow old gracefully?
2. Before we consider certain principles conducive to graceful aging, we need to consider…
DISCUSSION
A. THE POSSIBILITY OF GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY
1. Illustrated by biblical examples…
a. Moses, at the age of 120
1) Deuteronomy 34:7
2) Throughout Deuteronomy his speech was filled with vigor
b. Joshua, as he addressed the elders of Israel (note his conviction) – Joshua 24:15
c. Barzillai, the Gileadite, showed gracious hospitality at age eighty (2 Sam. 19:31-38)
d. Dorcas, who helped the poor and widows (Acts 9:36-39)
e. The graceful manner in which Paul faced death – 2 Timothy 4:6-8
f. Peter aged gracefully…
1) Becoming an elder (1 Pet. 5:1-2)
2) Remaining diligent as death approached – 2 Peter 1:13-15
3) Forgiving toward those who rightly rebuked him (2 Pet. 3:15; cf. Gal. 2:11)
2. Illustrated by personal examples…
a. One does not need to go to the Bible to find the only examples of people growing old gracefully
b. I am sure that we have all known such people
c. I have been blessed to know a number of such people in my life
d. Yes, growing old gracefully is possible!
e. When it occurs, it is beautiful to behold: “When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.”
3. Unfortunately, too often wrinkles are not joined with grace.
a. How can we who are young live today so as to grow old gracefully, and not pathetically?
b. How can those who are old be graceful in their old age?
b. There are several principles that when applied can ensure that growing old will be a graceful experience…
B. THE PRINCIPLES OF GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY
1. Galatians 6:7-8
a. This is true in all areas of life
1) For example, in the physical realm
a) Sow corn, you reap corn
b) Take good care of your body, and you enjoy good health
c) Disregard healthy habits, and the body will suffer for it
2) This is especially so in the spiritual realm
a) Job 4:8
b) Much of the bitterness, discontent, and anger which characterizes many older people is the result of “sowing to the flesh”
— Note the works of the flesh (the result of sowing to the flesh) – Galatians 5:19-21
— Contrast the fruit of those who sow to the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23
c) How much better to do as Hosea says… Hosea 10:12
b. Yet the young often say: “I want to sow my wild oats while I am still young”
1) Then what? Hope for a crop failure? (Don’t count on it)
2) They fail to realize the harvest of trouble they will reap later in life
a) Abuse their body and their health will be ruined
b) Engage in sexual immorality…they will ruin their reputation, and make it difficult to have a normal family life and the joy it ought to bring
3) Consider the sad irony of it all…
a) Most young people do not realize that the popular lifestyle of “doing your own thing” and “sowing your wild oats” is the very thing that produces the pathetic mental and physical condition found in many older people!
b) So while they condemn the old for the way they wasted their lives and the way they turned out, they are headed down the same path of corruption!
c. Samuel Johnson said, “He that would pass the latter part of life with honor and decency must, when he is young, consider that he shall one day be old…”
2. Matthew 4:4
a. Let’s focus our attention on two words:
1) Bread – involves more than just dough; includes all things of a material nature
2) Live – involves more than simple existence; includes living life in its fullest sense, i.e., an abundant life
3) We must realize one does not find the good life in seeking and acquiring material things… Luke 12:15
b. If we don’t learn this while young, and remember it when we are old, we will waste much of our life pursuing the wrong things, and hate ourselves for it when we face death’s door
1) Solomon came to this realization – Ecclesiastes 2:17-23
2) Rosseau, the French philosopher, saw the ungraceful way many old people live out their later years as the result of learning this truth too late: “Old men grasp more at life than babies, and leave it with a much worse grace than young people. It is because all their labors having been for this life, they perceive at last their trouble lost.”
c. There is more to life than material things; to grow old gracefully we must realize this and find that which makes life full and abundant!
1) Fortunately, Jesus came to help us – John 10:10
2) He is the true and living Way! – John 14:6
3) And it is the Word of God that shows us the way to Christ – John 5:39
a) This illustrates the truth of Matthew 4:4
b) The Word of God reveals Christ to us, who in turn shows us how to really life, for He is the Life!
d. What a shame to go through life, only to find at last our labors were of no lasting value… Luke 9:25; 12:15-21
3. Wisdom is important to growing old gracefully
a. Wisdom is insight, understanding, which enables one to make the best use of his or her talents and circumstances, avoiding the mistakes and pitfalls of life
b. The value of wisdom is:
1) Beautifully proclaimed in Proverbs 3:13-18
2) Illustrated in Ephesians 5:15-16
a) The days are evil (the time is short) – cf. James 4:13-14
b) Wisdom helps one to utilize to the fullest what little time we have, instead of wasting our precious time
c. Wisdom can be acquired in two ways:
1) Personal experience
a) Which can be very wasteful and time-consuming
b) You can spend much of your life in trial and error, repeating the same mistakes made by others
c) While you may finally gain wisdom…
— You have not only wasted much time in the trials
— You have to bear the consequence of your errors (you reap what you sow)
2) God and His Word… Proverbs 2:6
a) What better source, than from He who by wisdom created the universe… Proverbs 3:19-20
b) With such wisdom, especially at an early age…
— Our journey through life will more pleasant and graceful… Proverbs 3:21-26
— We can get a head start and soon pass those who learn only through trial and error… Psalm 119:97-100
4. With the wisdom found in God’s Word, it is possible to grow old gracefully, and be graceful in old age. For in it we learn:
a. How to avoid the needless suffering experienced by those reaping the results of learning by trial and error
b. The true purpose of life is not found in the material things of life, but in that which Jesus Christ has to offer!
5. To help us apply these principles, here are some practical steps based upon Paul’s exhortations to the young preacher Timothy…
C. THE PRACTICE OF GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY
1. Be an example to others
a. 1 Timothy 4:12
b. There is no way you can avoid being an example to others
1) You will be either be a good example
2) Or you will be an example of what not to be
c. Determine to be an example of those who believe, and this will set you on the right track of one who grow old gracefully!
2. Commit yourself to the word of God
a. 1 Timothy 4:13
b. Commit yourself to studying and teaching the Word of God to others
c. This will assure that you have an open line to God’s wisdom
d. So study the Bible daily, and share what you learn with others!
3. Cultivate your talents
a. “Do not neglect the gift that is in you…” (1 Ti 4:14)
b. The degree to which you reap will be based upon the ability with which you can sow
c. If you want to reap a large harvest of good in this life, develop your talents!
4. Apply diligence to your efforts
a. 1 Timothy 4:15-16
b. Growing old gracefully, like many good things, does not happen by accident
c. It takes concentrated effort, so be diligent and persevere!
CONCLUSION
A. “To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent–that is to triumph over old age.” – Thomas Bailey Aldrich
B. Is it possible to triumph over old age, to grow old gracefully? Yes, for I have seen it happen time and again!
C. But those of us who are young must realize the experience is reserved for those who…
1. Follow the wisdom of God
2. Understand the abundant life is not found in worldly things
3. Sow in such a way as to bear fruit and reap a harvest leading to eternal life
D. Such a person will be like those described in… Psalm 92:12-15
1. Don’t you wish to be like that? By the grace of God you can!
2. In Christ Jesus you can become a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), made possible by the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Tim. 3:5).
3. The sooner you begin this new life, the less “baggage” of the old life you will have to contend with, and the more you can do for the Lord…

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

*SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY

INTRODUCTION
A. As far as I can recall, I’ve never heard of anyone going in to the boss and asking, “I really need a pay cut. Can you decrease my wages?”
1. Instead, most people recognize that their personal prosperity is a good thing, when used properly.
2. 3 John 2
B. But how does your soul prosper?
1. Is it the same as physical prosperity?
a. Are there spiritual coins to be placed in a spiritual pocket?
b. Do we trade in a spiritual marketplace and stockpile righteousness like money in the bank?
2. Not exactly. You can’t count spiritual assets like so many nickels and dimes in the palm of your hand.
a. And they aren’t transferable … I can’t beg, borrow, or steal your spiritual assets and put them in my heavenly bank account.
b. Note what Jesus said, Matthew 6:19-20
c. “Lay up for yourselves…” – Yes, spiritual prosperity requires personal spiritual accounting, and when realized it is 100% secure.
C. But there are some similarities between physical prosperity and spiritual prosperity.
1. In the physical world, good and moral prosperity is the result of certain disciplines practiced consistently and according to economic laws established by God.
2. Likewise, spiritual prosperity is also the result of consistently molding your life to match divinely ordained laws.
D. So if you were making a list, what would you say would be the most important ideas that promote spiritual prosperity?
1. Many might come up with different ideas about that.
2. Let me suggest to you 8 key concepts – 8 stepping stones – that will help lead you to spiritual prosperity.
DISCUSSION
A. ACCURATE THINKING
1. The first step toward spiritual maturity is accurate thinking.
a. And the most important kind of accurate thinking involves a realistic analysis of SELF.
b. This means we have to look in the mirror and be completely honest. No more blame games, no more self-congratulation for mediocrity or self-delusion about where we are on the spiritual totem pole.
c. James 1:22-25
2. If a person wants to be truly spiritual, they must first recognize the utter impossibility of becoming a spiritually mature person by pulling himself or herself up by their own bootstraps. In other words, you/we need help.
a. Let me emphasize this point. When you really begin thinking accurately about your spiritual state, you will realize there is nothing you can do of your own design and plan to fix what is spiritually broken.
b. None of us has that within ourselves – we can’t do it by ourselves
c. The world tells you that all the answers are inside you. As long as a person believes that lie, they will continue to tread water and it’s only a matter of time before they sink into an abyss of human misery and destruction.
d. But the good news is this, God loves you so much that He has given you everything you need to get the problem fixed – He has given you a road map to help you get past the impossible.
e. 2 Peter 1:3
3. Accurate thinking begins with SELF-analysis, but it also extends to every other discipline.
a. You MUST adopt the mental disposition that good enough isn’t good enough. Perfect is good enough, but we can’t be perfected without the Almighty
b. You MUST be fascinated with truth – not just casually interested as long as some version of “truth” confirms what you’re already comfortable with…
John 8:31-32
c. Without accurate thinking – precision thinking – especially about SELF, and every other spiritual topic, you can’t even begin to take the first step toward spiritual prosperity.
B. GET E-MOTIVATED
1. Even if we are willing to engage in accurate thinking about SELF and come away from that exercise realizing just how bad off we are – nothing, I repeat, NOTHING will change unless we let that realization sink in and motivate us to CHANGE the direction of our life.
2. But what is motivation? The root of that word forms the basis of another familiar word emotion.
a. And what are emotions? They are intense feelings that compel us to do something.
b. Are emotions good? Yes, absolutely. God created them to help us get up off the couch and into the game of life.
c. However, they must be educated with spiritual perspective.
d. Proverbs 14:12
3. The first part of that perspective has already occurred in step one (accurate thinking), or as I like to call it, living in “Realsville”
a. Accurate thinking should stimulate intense emotional feelings – sometimes painful feelings – that energize us to do something about the sorry state in which we find ourselves.
b. That real, emotional state should provide the energy needed to help us get to the next step.
C. SAY “NO” TO SELF
1. While emotions are great for motivating us to take action, especially when they are the product of us seeing our true spiritual state, feelings must give way to discipline.
2. If you can’t say “no” to self, putting the brakes on when needed … or if you can’t kick yourself in the back side to get going when necessary, then your emotional energy will be wasted and bound to cause more damage than good – emotion without action can lead anger, foul moods, depression, etc.
a. Galatians 2:20
b. Say no to self and yes to Christ
3. Here’s a tip. Saying “no” to self is probably the most difficult part … especially when we live in a world that makes it easy to avoid immediate negative consequences for the bad decisions we make.
4. But if you can harness your emotions and use them to get you headed in the right direction spiritually, then it’s time to feed an addiction.
D. GET SPIRITUALLY ADDICTED
1. Addiction for many people is a bad word, it brings to mind those who are enslaved often to a chemical dependency of some sort.
a. However, there is an addiction that is perfectly acceptable, and here it is.
b. Getting addicted to reading, studying, applying, and teaching God’s word.
c. 2 Timothy 2:15
d. 1 Timothy 4:13
e. Psalm 119:97
2. I know a fellow who once told me, “I really don’t like reading the Bible.”
a. That makes me sad.
b. Because that person is not addicted to the one thing that provides the ONLY source of true spiritual development.
c. Matthew 5:6
3. When you analyze self and realize you are spiritually broke…
a. When you get motivated to do something about it – to make real and meaningful changes…
b. When you say no to the thoughts of your own head and look for real answers in God’s word, and then begin searching the scriptures relentlessly for wisdom and direction in your life,
c. When you become physically and psychologically dependent on God’s word, and when there is no plausible substitute
4. Then and only then will your spiritual progress greatly improve
5. But be careful there is a pitfall to avoid. And it’s the basis of the next step.
6. But before we move on, let’s quickly recap the first four steps.
a. Accurate Thinking – We must MUST demand of ourselves accurate thinking in all spiritual matters … especially when it comes to self-evaluation.
b. E-motivated – We must be emotionally affected by the truth. Rocks are unemotional; so are tree stumps. We are humans, not stumps. We must fuel the emotional fires that will help us move in the direction of spiritual maturity.
c. Say “No” to self – Emotional energy must not run amok. Our emotions must be directed with self-discipline. We channel emotional energy to work for us rather than against us.
d. Get Spiritually Addicted – With so many diversions and distractions, we will never grow as we should until we pursue righteousness as if it were the most important thing in our lives.
7. This next step is critical because it addresses a big problem that has the potential to destroy even the godliest person. In order to continue to progress along a path toward spiritual maturity, we must develop…
E. COMPASSION FOR OTHERS
1. Have you ever known someone who seems to be spiritually knowledgeable? I mean, they can quote verse after verse from the Bible (or at least cite lots of references), but then they demonstrate very little tolerance or compassion for others especially those who are just starting on the path toward spiritual maturity.
2. Compassion for others is the next step. Don’t skip it.
a. Mercy and heartfelt compassion for others is essential to getting beyond the basics.
b. Because love demonstrated constantly reminds us of where we were and where we are spiritually.
3. Fostering compassion for others helps us to not think of ourselves more highly than we ought.
a. Romans 12:3
b. 1 John 3:17
c. A sense of compassion for others helps us to go back and relive step 1 (accurate thinking), but on a more active level.
d. Why do some folks hold grudges? Why do some constantly jockey for position seeking the chief seats?
e. Such behaviors only demonstrate that a person is bogged down and stuck in a spiritual ditch rather than truly maturing in Christian virtue.
4. Here’s a self-check quiz: Do you actively think to yourself, “How can I demonstrate compassion to ______,” and think those thoughts about every person you meet?
a. It’s not easy, quite frankly, for some people are not so lovable.
b. But if we put our personal agendas aside and learn to really show compassion, not just with lip service but in action, then we are well on our way to getting the next step in focus.
F. ELIMINATE THE DROSS
1. So how do we become a more compassionate people?
a. Like a refiner of gold, we must get rid of the dross – the worthless impurities that devalue the treasure.
b. Eliminating ALL other motives other than serving God and helping others is the key to this step.
2. But words are cheap. It’s much easier to say, “I love God,” than it is to PROVE it by demonstration.
a. In fact, the person who truly masters this step has little need to TELL anyone how much they love God – for it is easily seen
b. So here’s a tip. Behavior proves your motives. In other words as the old saying goes actions speak louder than words.
c. Matthew 7:21
d. Luke 6:46
3. In other words, the fruit that you bear is evidence of what kind of tree you are…
G. HELP TRANSFORM OTHER PEOPLE … EVEN YOUR ENEMIES.
1. If you have followed all these steps thus far accurate thinking with self-analysis, emotional focus, self-discipline, getting addicted to God’s word, compassion for others, purifying your motives…
a. When you understand and put these steps into action, then you will be prepared to be transformed into something different.
b. And most importantly, you will be ready to deal with the most difficult people in your life on a whole new level.
c. Romans 12:1-2
2. Imagine turning the biggest pain in your neck, the person in your life who causes you the greatest amount of grief, into a personal friend and spiritual partner.
3. You may be thinking: “Tom, have you been talking to fairies in the woods?”
a. If you knew Mr. _______, you would know my pain.
b. What you are talking about is mission impossible.”
4. The fact is that you will never know if your enemy could become a friend unless you TRY with your best effort to become what Christ called a “peace-MAKER.”
a. Matthew 5:9
b. When you have the righteous confidence that only comes with spiritual maturity and compassion for others,
c. When you realize that you cannot lose by making peace rather than engaging in mortal combat with others – peace is possible
5. We are not talking about compromising truth for peace.
a. Proverbs 23:23
b. We are talking about working for peace and harmony with your enemies – those who would do you harm – using God’s word as our guide
6. And now you are ready to move to the final step…
H. TOTAL, ABSOLUTE, UNCONDITIONAL COMMITMENT
1. This last step is so simple and so obvious to explain but not so easy to do. That part will be up to you.
2. When President Truman was negotiating the terms of surrender in World War II, these were his conditions: There were NO conditions. The only thing he would accept is complete and total unconditional surrender.
3. In the spiritual journey we’ve been discussing, we are the enemy. Christ is the victor. He is inviting us to join Him as friend and brother.
a. But here are His terms: Total and unconditional surrender. Total commitment to Him no matter what the cost… Mark 12:30
b. And there is a cost. You may be abused by enemies who will never soften despite your best efforts at peacemaking – it may cost you relationships with family – it may cost you a job
c. Matthew 10:34-39
d. Spiritual maturity WILL cost you something so here is the key…
4. Are you willing to sacrifice something NOW for something better LATER?
a. Jesus put it like this… Luke 9:62
b. To really develop spiritually, you’ve got to be 100% committed to making spiritual progress – NO MATTER WHAT.
5. Those are the 8 Steps that lead to spiritual prosperity.
a. Embrace Accurate Thinking
b. Be Emotionally Motivated
c. Exercise Self-control
d. Get Addicted to Righteousness
e. Practice and Demonstrate Compassion
f. Eliminate Impure Motives
g. Seek peace
h. Be Totally Committed
CONCLUSION
A. These 8 steps that lead toward spiritual prosperity are not merely steps they ARE spiritual prosperity.
B. In this case the journey really is the reward.
1. When you successfully incorporate these principles, ALL of them in your life, you will be a spiritually prosperous person – something to think about.
2. And ultimately these attitudes will lead you to the ultimate spiritual reward in heaven with your God.
C. Finally, I didn’t make up these steps. They are not my own creation. So I don’t take credit for some kind of super spiritual insight. I have merely brought these ideas to you as something that can really help you like they have helped me.
D. Where did I get these ideas? Read Matthew 5:3-13

*This sermon was developed from an article written by Jason Jackson

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
http://www.parkheightscoc.com