GOD’S “OLDER MEN”– Part 5-(Titus 2:2)

Older Men Are To Be “Sound in LOVE”

A husband excitedly came home and told his wife about the message he had heard about husbands and how they were to love their wives from Ephesians 5:25-, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” He excitedly told her, “I’d die for you!” To which she replied, “Can you take out the Garbage {trash}.” Though Love is a very noble thought, Biblical love is very practical, as simple as choosing to take out the trash to help another! Peter puts it this way in regards to his choosing to love his wife with attitude and actions towards his wife, “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”-{1 Peter 3:7 nlt}

Paul tells Timothy to teach the “Older Men” six truths that are to characterize them as “OLDER MEN,” as a testimony and encouragement to those around them and the younger generation. It’s not growing old and indifferent or Retiring and being selfish, but being involved in the lives of others, investing your life into others for Jesus sake! “Older Men,” have a Divinely Given responsibility. Their lives are valued by God and they have a ministry to discharge to those around them!

They don’t need to be validated or permission from those around them. God had COMMISSIONED them! The Word of God validates it!

Grow old, GROWING, and SHOWING LOVE!

As Titus continually reminds them of the six traits that they are to live out, they can examine themselves and gauge how they are living by knowing what is expected of them.

They will realize increasingly their dependence upon the Holy Spirit to make true in and through them these traits. It’s not that the older you grow the more self-sufficient you become but the more dependent you become upon the Holy Spirit as you realize He alone can produce these traits in you!

As they submit to the Word of God this wonderful truth which is true for all believers works for them also as Old age is not a barrier, “For God is working IN YOU, giving you the DESIRE and the POWER to do what PLEASES Him.”-(Phil 2:23 nlt)

The “older men” are to choose to LOVE. They have the capacity to love, to unconditionally choose to deny themselves and prefer others for their highest good expecting or demanding nothing in return, for Jesus sake.

1,- LOVE TAKES THE LOW PLACE

Paul puts it this way

“For we do not profess ourselves but Jesus Christ as LORD, OURSELVES YOUR SERVANTS for Jesus sake.”-(2 Cor 4:5)

It is the love that reflects God, it is evidence of being under the control of the Holy Spirit and is manifested in the way they are to think, and treat others!

2. – LOVE IS AN ACTION!

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”-( 1 Cor 13:4-7)

3.- LOVE RECOGNIZES AND MEETS NEEDS;

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”-( 1 John 3:16-18)

4. – LOVE IS A CHOICE;

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”-(Phil 2:3-5)

5.- LOVE IS THE EVIDENCE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN;

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”- (John 13:34-35)

6.- THE COMMITMENT TO LOVING DESPITE NOT BEING LOVED BACK

“I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.”-(2 Cor 12:15)

7.-LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”-{1 Peter 4:8}. Here is the effect of love, the forgiveness of sins! It doesn’t mean that at times where there is unrepentance that loving restorative church disciple is excluded, But it does mean, that we do not hold grudges, broadcasting the sins of others, but choose to pardon and forgive them of unkindness, lovlessness. What a supernatural work of God in a life that the effect of Love is forgiveness. The ability… and choice to…forgive! His towards us and in turn us towards others. And indeed there have been times, are times when we have sinned against others and are in need of their love towards us in forgiving us. How great the mercy, grace and love of God is for us and through us “Forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.”-{Eph 4:32}

8- LOVE IS TO CHARACTERIZE “OLDER MEN”– “ Sound in LOVE.”- (Titus 2:2)

Old age brings limitations of various types, it can also bring with it sorrows of loss of loved ones, isolation a real threat, loneliness a true opponent. But where there are people LOVE can be expressed by “Older Men.” Love is a choice to look beyond ourselves to unconditionally, Sacrificially prefer others, always with the Motivation being to do so “… FOR Jesus Sake”-(2 Cor 4:5). LOVE IS A CHOICE! if there is one more person in your presence, they are the most important person- you get to choose to express love to them by the way you treat, honor, prefer them, one choice at a time- “… For Jesus sake!”

Paul tells Titus to “teach…Sound Doctrine” to the “OLDER MEN” that they may know their Role and God-given RESPONSIBILITIES to spiritually benefit others in the Kingdom of God!

“Older Men” are to be characterized by LOVE! Old age does not give them a pass, a reason to behave rudely, but indeed to excel in love… Paul says that LOVE is “…THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY.”-( 1 Cor 12:31). And these “ OLDER MEN” have the opportunity and responsibility to show forth even in old age “… the MOST EXCELLENT WAY..” the Way of LOVE! Paul wrote, ” And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the GREATEST of these is LOVE.”-{1 Cor 13:13}. If God puts such a high premium on love how much more should we! And “Older men” have the great opportunity to love and love well!

Paul tells Titus to teach the Sound healthy doctrine that the “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, LOVE, in perseverance.”

LOVE WELL TODAY;

1.- One choice at a time.

2.- Denying yourself in order to Prefer others

3.- For Jesus’ sake!

God bless

Aidan