Old Age - 2 Cor. 4:16
Even in old age, our spiritual lives can continue to grow and be renewed through our relationship with God.
Bernard Fell reflects on the aging process, likening the physical decay of our bodies to a crumbling house, but emphasizes the renewal of the inward man day by day through Christ living within us. He encourages embracing old age as a time of harvest, where precious memories and deeds of love accumulate, and the afterglow of life shines brightest as we draw nearer to Heaven.
Text
Though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man
is renewed day by day
2 Corinthians 4:16
Months are passing, years are fleeting;
Lo! the hair is turning grey,
And the step is not so sprightly
As in youth's more vigorous day.
This old tenement is crumbling,
Grinders cease: for they are few;
Doors are closing in the gloaming,
Darkened windows dim the view.
But the aged saint is happy,
Though the house is past repair;
Christ now lives within the dwelling,
And the dew of youth is there.
Age is like a golden harvest,
All the past laid up in store;
Full the barn of precious mem'ries
Ere we reach the distant shore.
Deeds of love in early morning,
For declining years abide;
Kindly smiles like rays of sunshine,
Beam in life's late eventide.
Seeds of goodness sown at noontime
To enrich the lives of all,
Like the bread cast on the waters,
Shall be found when shadows fall.
While life's sun is slowly setting,
Let us now possess the West;
Heav'n is nearer, faith is richer,
And the afterglow is best!
Sermon Outline
- The Reality of Old Age
- The Inner Man
- The Value of Age
- A Golden Harvest
- Deeds of Love Abide
- Seeds of Goodness Enrich Lives
Key Quotes
“Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day 2 Corinthians 4:16” — Bernard Fell
“Age is like a golden harvest, all the past laid up in store;” — Bernard Fell
“While life's sun is slowly setting, let us now possess the West;” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- Recognize that Christ lives within you and that you have a rich store of memories and experiences to draw upon.
- Sow seeds of goodness and kindness in the lives of others, which will continue to enrich their lives long after you are gone.
- Focus on possessing the West, or the afterglow, of life, rather than dwelling on its decline.