Sermon Theme
Some of them are referred to as the ‘Blue rinse set’; ‘Dad’s army’ ‘Grey Nomads’ They are those who are older or senior among us who could be our parents or grandparents
This senior group is found within any healthy congregation of God’s people – characteristics can incl…
- Resistant to change – like things as they used to be
- Appreciate things to be quiet around them
- Can feel they ‘no longer belong’ as rising generations take up the reins and ‘power’ shifts away
Rest of church community can view them as..
- Obstacles in the way of progress
- Expendable – members who should get out of the way
What place do the aged have in the church today? What responsibility for the aged within our family?
“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” (Lev 19:32, NIV)
Sermon outline
- HONOURING OUR AGED RELATIVES
- PLEASING GOD IN OUR SERVICE TO THE AGED
- GETTING IT INTO FOCUS
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Mark 7:1–16 (NIV84)
1The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and
2saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed.
3(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.
4When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)
5So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?”
6He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
7They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’
8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”
9And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
11But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God),
12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.
13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
14Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this.
15Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’”
Text
1 Timothy 5:3–16 (NIV84)
3Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
5The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
6But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
7Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame.
8If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,
10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
11As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.
12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.
13Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
14So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
15Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.
16If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.
