Skip to main content

Older Men

             Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (Titus 2:2)

School is in session, and things are starting to ramp up from the summer “living must be easy” nonsense. Sorry, but one of my irritations for years has been that “life” gets set aside. It made sense when society was agrarian, but our society isn’t. In any case, Biblegateway.com is getting back to what pastors are supposed to do, starting with their focus for older men. No more coasting for them, and I suspect there won’t be coasting for younger men or older or younger women over the next few days.

Paul instructed Pastor Titus to teach older men. He wasn’t to assume that white hair meant wise or done. No coasting for older men.  Their dues aren’t paid. Their work isn’t done. It wasn’t time for them to kick back and enjoy life. Titus was to teach older men to be things that required effort and attention.

First, he was to teach them temperance. While this often refers to alcohol, temperance is a response that can be applied anywhere excess or addiction is a temptation.

Along with temperance, he was to teach them to be worthy of respect. This may be my main focus. What makes a person deserving of respect? I tend to have little respect for people in positions of authority, at least as a consequence of their position. White hair doesn’t do it either, nor does wealth or fame.

It shouldn’t be surprising that part of what makes someone worthy of respect is being temperate, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. All of these are aspects of a person’s character. As I think about people I respect, they tend to add a level of knowledge to these qualities. They may not be highly educated, but they have practical skills and knowledge and perhaps influence. This is why I respect many of my coworkers. Two other factors that come to mind are that people I respect tend to be honest. They also tend to be gentle – using no more strength than is necessary.

Titus was to teach self-control. At some point, the idea of self-control as being potty trained. It’s a crude way of seeing it, but it works. Someone with self-control doesn’t do what he should not do when and where he is. He’ll find the time and place that is appropriate and if he has an accident, he cleans up his own mess. Older men must be reminded that their being old doesn’t mean they can be irresponsible.

Lastly, Titus was to teach older men to be sound in love, faith, and in endurance. These bring to mind a type of sermon I’ve heard given too many times. Titus was to avoid fluffy, feel-good preaching. Warm fuzzies were not what the older men needed to hear. They needed to be reminded that they – old as they are – are still in the game. Still significant. Still capable of fighting battles and doing good. Just as we all do.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Virgin?

           Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)           This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)           But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”            “How will this be,” Mary asked the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Higher Thoughts

  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the  Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)           The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,   for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord      so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:15-16) If you read about the ancient gods of the various peoples, you’ll find that they think just like people. In fact, they think just like the sort of people we really wouldn’t want to be around. They think like the most corrupt Hollywood producer or, like hormone overloaded teens with no upbringing.   It’s embarrassing to read. I have a friend who argues that because God is not just like us, He is so vastly dif...
2 comments
Read more

Saved?

  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23) Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” (Romans 3:4)   What conclusion do you draw when someone who was raised in a Christian family and church, perhaps even playing a significant role in a chur...
Post a Comment
Read more