1. Old Age Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

2. Who Can Define It? Like beauty, “in the eye of the beholder” Like beauty, “in the eye of the beholder” Estimate changes with our own age! Estimate changes with our own age!

3. Emphasis On Youth Problems peculiar to them (2 Timothy 2:22) Problems peculiar to them (2 Timothy 2:22) Caution: Peer pressure must not be overemphasized Caution: Peer pressure must not be overemphasized

4. Aging Problems Vision weakened (v. 2) Vision weakened (v. 2) More “cloudy” days (v. 2) More “cloudy” days (v. 2) Hands, legs weaken (v. 3) Hands, legs weaken (v. 3) Teeth become discolored, some fall out (v. 3) Teeth become discolored, some fall out (v. 3)

5. Aging Problems Voice weakens (v. 4) Voice weakens (v. 4) Fear of height (v. 5) Fear of height (v. 5) Gray hair (v. 5) Gray hair (v. 5) Little things worry us (v. 5) Little things worry us (v. 5)

6. Honor Obsession with youth Obsession with youth –“Wash that gray right out of your hair” –Smooth all the wrinkles –No fountain of youth

7. Honor Downside to being old Downside to being old –Physical problems –Deserve honor (Proverbs 16:31) –Gray hair is a sign of honor (Proverbs 20:29)

8. Honor Young are to honor the elderly Young are to honor the elderly –Eliphaz honored the older generation (Job 15:10) –Rehoboam’s mistake (1 Kings 12:6-19)

9. Respect Old Testament Old Testament –Law required it (Leviticus 19:32) –Elihu waited to speak (Job 32:4, 6, 7)

10. Respect New Testament New Testament –Entreat older men as fathers (1 Timothy 5:1) –Submit to elders (1 Peter 5:5) –Paul’s appeal to Philemon as “the aged” (Philemon 9)

11. Respect Too much disrespect today Too much disrespect today –Children to parents (Ephesians 6:1, 2) –People in general

12. Opportunities Not “over the hill” Not “over the hill” –Physical problems –No “spiritual retirement” Some work for older members Some work for older members –Men: Serve as elders –Women: Teach younger women

13. Opportunities Crisis in the church Crisis in the church –Young families struggle –Need sound advice God’s care of older people God’s care of older people –David’s trust (Psalm 37:25) –Yet, David knew right from wrong (Psalm 37:35, 36)

14. Conclusion Older members are valuable Older members are valuable Be a Caleb (Joshua 14:6-12) Be a Caleb (Joshua 14:6-12) Work to do when we grow old (Psalm 71:18) Work to do when we grow old (Psalm 71:18)