bearing fruit in old age

Bearing Fruit In Old Age

Psalm Psalm 92:12-1592:12-15

Challenges of Old Age (Ecc. 12:1-7)• Mobility is lostMobility is lost• Teeth fall outTeeth fall out• Eyes dimEyes dim• Ears begin to shutEars begin to shut• Voice weakensVoice weakens• Unsound sleepUnsound sleep• Everyday activity is a burdenEveryday activity is a burden

• Increasing Increasing apprehensivenessapprehensiveness

• Fleshly desires Fleshly desires wanewane

• Imminence of Imminence of deathdeath

Stubbornly ignore the limitations of old age

Two Two Dangerous Dangerous ExtremesExtremes

Strongly exaggerate the limitations of old age

“I can still do everything!”

“I can’t do anything!”

The ProperThe ProperBalance:Balance:

II Cor. 4:16II Cor. 4:16

What can older Christians do to be fruitful in the kingdom of God?

The Example of Moses:The Example of Moses:• Impart knowledge/wisdom (Deut. 4:5-6)Impart knowledge/wisdom (Deut. 4:5-6)• Pray for those who are serving in ways Pray for those who are serving in ways

that you cannot (Ex. 17:9-13)that you cannot (Ex. 17:9-13)• Train up the next generation of workers Train up the next generation of workers

in the kingdom (Num. 27:18-23)in the kingdom (Num. 27:18-23)• Serve as an example of endurance Serve as an example of endurance

(Deut. 34:7-8, 10-12)(Deut. 34:7-8, 10-12)

A word to the younger people…

““Do not be deceived: God is not Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Gal. 6:7-8)reap eternal life.” (Gal. 6:7-8)

In 30, 40, 50 years, you will become what you are sowing right now.

“The Great Vine” -244 Years Old-244 Years Old

Jesus Christ:Jesus Christ:““The True Vine”The True Vine”

(John 15:1)(John 15:1)

Have you been grafted into The Vine?