Sermon for 9/16/2007
Psalm 71
Introduction:
Jeanne Calment, at 120 years, was the oldest living human whose birth date could be authenticated. When asked to describe her vision for the future, she replied, “Very brief.”
When the reporter asked the birthday girl what she like best about being 102 years old, she answered, “Well, there’s no peer pressure.”
Finally, John Fetterman in Madison Wisconsin told of an elderly woman who died last April. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, “The men wouldn’t take me out while I was alive, I don’t want them to take me out when I’m dead.”
WBTU:
A. Last Sunday was Grandparent’s Sunday. In Japan today is Respect for the Aged Day.
B. Psalm 71 has a lot to say to us about aging and the aged. Read Psalm 71:10-13.
C. The story of David is really quite fascinating when you read about it. It certainly won’t put you to sleep. He grew up as a shepherd boy - having to fend off bears and lions from a bunch of sheep in his younger teenage years. He was spending cold nights out on his own and risking his life to take care of a bunch of sheep.
D. Things got better for him when he went and fought a huge Philistine enemy soldier named Goliath and toppled him with the throw of one stone. He went on to become a great warrior and fighter for King Saul’s army. Samuel even anointed him to be the next king of Israel. Yet just when you would think he was in the prime of his life, in the midst of all this success David went through all kinds of hard knocks. The Israelites made a song up about David, that he killed tens of thousands, while Saul only killed thousands. That irritated king Saul, so much to the point that he constantly was trying to kill David. Even though David was loyal to Saul, he had to spend a majority of his early years on the run from King Saul.
E. Not too long after Saul died David ended up with the kingdom of Israel. Things were again going great. It was then that he committed a terrible sin - by committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband Uriah murdered. God said through Nathan the prophet to David, (2 Sam 12:10 ) Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
F. The sword didn’t depart from his house. Soon afterward his infant son died. One of his daughters was raped by her half brother - David’s son - Amnon. This enraged David’s son Absalom, who had Amnon put to death. Then Absalom was banished for the kingdom for quite some time. When Absalom was finally allowed back, he ended up trying to usurp David’s kingdom. Absalom was a handsome kid and David loved him dearly. But when he was riding through the forest fighting against his father David, his hair got stuck in a tree, so David’s general Joab stabbed Absalom to death while he was hanging there from the tree. It broke David’s heart.
F. As David got older, he then found his military power slipping away. Several times he had run ins with General Joab and his brothers, but he was not powerful enough to do anything with them. By the end of his life, Scriptures show that David was bed ridden and his circulation was so bad that he just couldn’t keep warm. He needed someone to lay with him to keep him somewhat comfortable.
G. At this point, something terrible happens again. David’s fears in Psalm 71 are realized. Another son attempts a coup. His name was Adonijah. David had planned to hand his kingdom over to Solomon. However, seeing his father’s elderly and weakened condition, Adonijah conferred with Joab and a priest to try and claim himself to be king. Bathsheba’s and Solomon’s lives were in danger, and David’s probably was as well. So David realized that there was only one person who could help him in his old age, and that was God. To see how that turns out and you will have to read 1 Kings chapters 1 and 2.
I. (Prov 16:31 NIV) Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. I think Solomon is talking about more than just hair. Everyone’s hair turns gray, both the righteous and the wicked! (Unless you go to the beautician!)
J. For the Christian, it should get sweeter as the days go by not more bitter.
K. No one ages well physically, we are all getting closer to death. But spiritual speaking some age well; others do not! What makes the difference? It is all in the attitude!
L. In Psalm 71 we have the portrait of a godly old man.
Thesis: Let’s look at some identifying marks of this godly old man!
For instances:
I. His Faith
A. Psalm 71:1 Read NIV; KJV- In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust.
B. Yes, tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease, Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!
II. His prayers
A. Christians are given to prayer. To be a Christian that doesn’t pray is to be like a living creature that doesn’t breath!
B. The Psalmist (David) learned this. Read Psalm 71:2-4. Focus on vs. 3- To which I can always go. New Living Translation- Where I am always welcome. Talking to friend!
C. (Phil 4:6 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(Phil 4:7 NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
III. His experiences
A. Psalm 71:5-8
1. Vs. 6- From the womb- it is amazing that we live at all. Many fertilized eggs never make it. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Clara Wagoner.
2. Vs. 7- A portent. Two meanings:
A) A wonder (used in KJV in vs. 7)- Like Caleb in the OT marching up the hill, defeating the giants at the age of 85, that is a wonder.
B) A monstrous creature or a bad omen- The Christian is a riddle, an enigma puzzling the unspiritual. We are a wonder to be gazed at, feared, and by and by hated. Few understand us, many are surprised at us. Much like Jesus a few were in awe while most were astonished at his message and ministry. In the end Jesus Christ was hated. Jesus did excite wonder but it was not the wonder of admiration. (2 Cor 2:15 NIV) For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.(2 Cor 2:16 NIV) To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.
3. It is a shame that some in the church view a saintly elderly Christian as a monstrous creature or a bad omen. This is not wise! (Lev 19:32 NIV) "’Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.
B. Psalm 71:20-21
1. (Job 14:1 NIV) "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.
2. And It Came to Pass is used 396 times in the KJV. It didn’t come to stay it came to pass!
IV. His Convictions
A. Read Psalm 71:14-16
B. Vs. 14- We always have hope.
C. Vs. 15- My grandmother will not be quiet about salvation. She is always talking about God and the church. Doesn’t matter that some in her family hate it, she will not talk about anything else.
E. The Psalmists know that God is worthy of trust. The Word of God is true. Christianity is not a delusion but a reality. He would not be quiet about it. (Rom 1:16 NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
V. His resolution.
A. Read Psalm 71:17-19
1. Why do they want to stay alive? To plague the next generation. Steven Curtis Chapman- No I will not, No I will not, Not go quietly!
2. Grandparents are so valuable!
3. His resolution is not to stay alive for any other reason that this. (Exo 12:26 NIV) And when your children ask you, ’What does this ceremony mean to you?’
B. Read Psalm 71:22-24
C. Recently a report came out and it studied the faith of churched people. I am paraphrasing but the report said that people who are raised in church, when they get grown, 75% will leave the church for a time. Some will come back but most will never come back. Let’s say that 55% will leave the church and never come back. Something is wrong!
D. Grandparents and elderly Christians need to be emphasizing the most important thing and that is Jesus Christ.
E. In some churches it is grandpa and grandma’s way or it is the highway! Many of our young people are saying, "If that is the case, I’m taking the highway." They leave the church and they never come back to any church! Something is wrong!
VI. His Future.
A. Read Psalm 71:9
1. Soon we must die, and this seems terrible. Not really!
2. At death the Lord forsakes them. At the surface but not really.
2. (Psa 23:4 NIV) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
3. (2 Cor 5:1 NIV) Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
B. Read Psalm 71:20- Restore life from the depths of the earth- (1 Cor 6:14 NIV) By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
C. Many times we live in the past. We have precious memories. This is alright but we need to be thinking about our future. 33 miles- Now I’m living in the days ahead. I’m already dancing on the streets of gold and I can’t stop celebrating in my soul. I’m living in the days ahead. Nothing on earth could ever compare. Can’t wait for the day when I get there. When I see Jesus face to face, tell me what could be better.
C. I have heard of a land on the far away strand ’Tis a beautiful home of the soul Built by Jesus on high, there we never shall die ’Tis a land where we never grow old.
E. But where are you going? Heaven or hell? Most people don’t know. How can we be joyful and look forward to the days ahead if we are unsure???
