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10 Short Sermons For Seniors

Emma Ajay

Speaking in the presence of a group can feel like a daunting task. You may have difficulty determining what your message will be, or be afraid no one will listen. Before we experience these fears and anxieties, it is important to remember that our calling as elders is not to make people listen – but to speak (1 Pet. 3:15-17). If you know your audience, your message will resonate with them. As you seek to make an impression on their hearts, allow these 10 Short Sermons for Senior Citizens to offer a little inspiration for what you can say. To be sure, getting the right information online doesn’t come easily. article below brings you Spiritual Messages For Senior Citizens

However, the article below brings you the best and latest information on encouraging sermons for the elderly, 10 Short Sermons For Seniors. We are here to guide you to the answers to your questions concerning sermons for senior adults I would recommend you save time and effort by visiting our website as soon as possible. If you’re looking for a way to get involved in your church, and you’re over 65, consider taking on the task of delivering a sermon. In the next article, you will be Encouraging Sermons For The Elderly

These are the 10 best sermons for seniors. If you’re looking for a small and easy read that’s packed with insightful stuff — this is the article for you. I’ve put together some of the most popular and best short sermons for seniors. The great thing about short sermons is that you don’t need to worry about them getting cut off in church if there are long pauses, which leads to unfinished thoughts or losing your place, and it also means that you can read these sermons in two minutes flat!

10 Short Sermons For Seniors

  1. The Purpose of Life
  2. The Value of Suffering
  3. The Importance of Gratitude
  4. The Blessing of Obedience
  5. The Value of Repentance
  6. The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting
  7. The Danger of Idleness and Slothfulness
  8. The Need for Self-Control and Temperance
  9. The Importance of Contentment, Peace and Patience in All Circumstances
  10. The Greatness of Small Things

There are some days when you just don’t have time to write a long sermon. You need something quick and simple, but still meaningful. These 10 sermons will take less than five minutes to prepare and deliver, but they’ll give your congregation a good dose of inspiration.

  1. “Be Blessed”

“People are always asking me how it feels to be 90 years old,” said actress Betty White in an interview with AARP magazine. “I always answer that it’s better than the alternative.” She’s right! Life is short — so let’s make the most of it by being thankful for the blessings we have. Here’s a short sermon on being blessed:

  1. The Bible is not only a good book, but the best book.
  2. God is more interested in character than performance.
  3. Our sins can keep us from God, but they cannot keep God from us (see Romans 5:8).
  4. God loves you because He loves you; that’s why He loves you (see 1 John 4:19).
  5. God wants to be with you now more than ever before (see Matthew 28:20).
  6. Your life is worth living because there is hope beyond it (see 1 Peter 1:3-5).
  7. You have the ability to be a good person even when no one else is around (see James 4:17-18).
  8. You can do something about your problems by bringing them to God and seeking His help (see Matthew 7:7-11).
  9. You have an eternal destination in heaven, but it is up to you whether or not you get there (see Revelation 20:11-15).
  10. The Christian life is a race.
  11. The Christian life is a battle.
  12. The Christian life is a journey.
  13. The Christian life is a pilgrimage.
  14. The Christian life is a struggle against sin, the world and the devil.
  15. The Christian life is an adventure of faith and obedience to God’s Word as we seek to follow Christ in our daily lives and ministry
  16. The Christian life is a death struggle against sin that results in spiritual victory over sin through the power of God’s Spirit working in our hearts by faith (Romans 8:13).
  17. The Christian life is an experience of being united with Christ and His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). 9

10

  1. I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
  2. Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
  3. Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
  4. The word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory full of grace and truth.
  5. The Lord said this parable: The landowner went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;

Here are 10 sermons that are perfect for senior citizens:

  1. “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale
  2. “How to Tell If You’re Ready for the Senior Citizen Ministry” by John F. MacArthur
  3. “God Loves You” by A.W. Tozer
  4. “What’s Next?” by Fred Rogers (a primer on how not to scare off seniors when they hear about heaven)
  5. “The Holy Spirit Is Not Your Friend” by Billy Graham
  6. “How I Got Over My Fear of Death” by Mother Teresa (a very short lecture on how we can all get over our fear of death)
  7. “You Can’t Take It With You” by George Bernard Shaw (a quick explanation of why people shouldn’t worry about what they leave behind when they pass away)
  8. “Why God Doesn’t Care About Your Medicare Premiums” by Denny Hastert (an explanation of why it’s important to give back now that you’ve lived long
  1. It’s never too late to start over, What to do with all those extra hours in your day.
  2. Life is short, enjoy it while you can, Are you living your best life?

10 Short Sermons for Seniors

The following post will provide you with the greatest and most recent information on 10 short sermons for seniors because we know it can be difficult to locate the appropriate material online. Learn more by reading on. We at churchgists offer all the details you require regarding 10 brief sermons for older citizens.

  1. You are the only you there is, and the only you there will ever be. Be yourself.
  2. Be grateful for what you have. It’s better to have little and be grateful than to want more and never get it.
  3. Don’t let anyone tell you who you are or what you can do. You are an individual with your own story, your own desires, and your own dreams.
  4. Don’t be afraid of change—change is necessary for growth! Open yourself up to new ideas and experiences because they will expand your understanding of the world around you and make life more interesting!
  5. Make sure that those around you feel valued and loved—this will help them feel empowered in their daily lives rather than overwhelmed by stressors that can negatively impact their mental health over time (e.g., depression/anxiety).
  6. Take care of yourself first so that you can take care of others later on down the road when they need it most (e.g., family members). Setting boundaries early on may prevent future conflicts from occurring later on down the line!
  7. Give back whenever possible! Volunteer at a local food bank or homeless shelter
  8. Don’t worry about what other people think of you—it’s not worth it!
  9. Take care of yourself physically and mentally by eating right and exercising regularly—you’ll feel better in mind AND body!
  10. Have fun! Life is too short not to enjoy every day as much as possible!

Spiritual Messages For Senior Citizens

The Bible is full of stories about people who are older than you. In fact, it’s full of people who are older than you and younger than you, too! And it all starts with a guy named Adam. Now, Adam didn’t have any hair on his head when the story began, but he did have someone to look after him: a very nice lady named Eve. But don’t worry—even though they were naked and had no idea what was going on, they still got married and had kids!

God was really proud of Adam and Eve for being so brave and doing such a good job. So He decided to send them some helpers: these were the first animals He made—and they were all different kinds of animals that could help Adam and Eve take care of their family and each other.

Security, not Insecurity (Luke 12:13-21)

The rich fool had a barn full of corn, and he decided to build more. When he had finished building all the barns that his corn was going to fill, he said to himself: *“Soul, you have plenty of good things laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, be merry.”* But God said: *“Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose shall those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.”*

The Rich Man and Lazarus tells the story of two people who died. The Rich Man lived a luxurious life while Lazarus lived in poverty and had to live on scraps from the Rich Man’s table. When they died they both went to the afterlife where the positions were reversed with Lazarus finding comfort in Abraham’s bosom while the Rich Man was tormented in Hades by flames that couldn’t quench him or kill him.

Service, not Self-Centeredness (Mark 9:35)

The story of the transfiguration is quoted in Mark 9:35 with a message for us all: “What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses his soul?” This passage tells us that service to others will bring lasting rewards, while self-centeredness brings only meaningless gain. The irony here is that we have the ability to have both. We can attain our goals and help others along the way.

Service and selflessness are key elements to a complete life of fulfillment. The following are some examples of service and selflessness you can do in your daily lives that will bring you great joy and meaning, as well as blessing those around you:

Sacrifice, not Selfishness (Philippians 2:3-8)

Strength, not Weakness (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Today we are going to look at Isaiah 40:28-31. But before we do, let me remind you that the God who gives strength is the same God who gives hope. The same God who gives power is the same God who gives peace. The same God who gives life is the same God who forgives sin. The same One, in other words, is at work in our lives as believers – both to give us strength and to give us hope. He works through his Holy Spirit to enable us to stay strong and keep on going until he brings us home or comes for us himself (whichever comes first).

Structure, not Confusion (John 14:6)

Jesus tells us that He is the Way, and so His way is not just one of many. It’s not just a way that someone else has proposed, or a bridge to the Father. His way IS the Father. Jesus’ way to God is God himself.

More than merely a philosophy or religious system, Jesus’ way includes life itself, eternal life. His is a path that leads from death to life. Jesus makes it clear: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). The path of salvation—the way—is through Him alone!

When we enter into Christ, we enter into eternal life—not after we die, but right now in this world (John 17:3). We are no longer alienated from God by sin but made one with Him because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross (Colossians 1:20).

Satisfaction, not Greed (Proverbs 15:17)

Be content with what you have. Don’t be greedy.

Too often, we get stuck in this mindset that we need more, that we need to keep acquiring things. But in reality, the more we want and the more stuff we own, the less satisfied we are. It’s a trap!

I know it’s easy to fall into it—I’m guilty of it myself sometimes—but don’t let your desires consume you. The purpose of life is not to acquire as many possessions as possible; rather, it is to be fulfilled by what you already have.

Sensitivity, not Insensitivity (Romans 15:1-4 niv)

Sensitivity is a good thing. God wants us to be sensitive to the needs of others, to the leading of God’s Spirit, and so on. In fact, we find in Scripture that such sensitivity is not just a good thing, but it’s an essential thing. In Romans 15:1-4 (niv), Paul instructs Christians to live in harmony with one another and with God. He says that those who follow Christ should help their neighbors find strength by bearing their burdens because by doing so one fulfills the law of Christ (Romans 15:1). But how are we able to bear others’ burdens? Only through sensitivity can we tell when another person is struggling or when God is leading us toward a certain course of action.

Solitude, not Isolation (Hebrews 13:5-6)

The difference is subtle. Solitude gives us the time we need to be still before God and know him in the quiet of our hearts (Psalm 46:10), but it can develop into isolation if we don’t guard against it.

Solitude helps us find our bearings, settle our souls, and commune with God, but isolation tends to alienate and hurt. It is like solitude run amok.

This was a significant issue for Elijah as he fled from murderous Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 19). He escaped into the wilderness, where he had room to think and pray. But his encounter with God took place not in the desert alone but at Mount Horeb (Sinai), when he was reunited with other people of faith.

Society, not Alienation (Colossians 3:12-17 niv)

You belong to a community of people. And the church is meant to be an expression of that community. The church then is about relationship. It’s about friendship—real friendship—with people who love you and care for you, whom you love and care for, people with whom you worship and serve God.

You are a part of His body, born again into His family by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. When we are born again we become a part of the great body of Christ throughout history. That’s what Paul is talking about when He says “you have put off the old man with his deeds [that sense of alienation], and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him [God].” It’s not just some religious ceremony or act that gets us into heaven when we die, but it is a living relationship with God that begins now as we trust in Christ as our Savior from sin and begin walking together as followers of Jesus by faith

Simplicity, not Complication (Ecclesiastes 7;9)

The homily that I want to preach to you today is distinguished by a single word, “simplicity.” In our culture, we often equate simplicity with ignorance and poverty — simple people are viewed as those who lack the intelligence or the means to make complex decisions. Yet in this verse, the Bible teaches us that simplicity is a virtue. The wise man will pursue simplicity and eschew complication.

We know this intuitively. When we look at something that is simple and uncluttered, we are moved by its beauty and its efficiency (for example: the ancient Greek Parthenon). We admire in others their ability to solve problems with such elegant solutions that seem so obvious in hindsight (think of Thomas Edison’s early lightbulbs or Elon Musk’s Tesla).

Among other things sermons can be about finding ways to live your life well.

Sermons can be funny, serious, long or short. They can also be both of those things at the same time!

For example, many people like to tell jokes and stories. Find one that you’re comfortable with and consider how it relates to your life experiences. Then try trying to tell it out loud.

Sermon for elderly woman

It is not just a sermon for an elderly woman, however. It is also a sermon for you.

You and I have been given the gift of life, and we are here today because of it. We have had the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer us, and we have had the chance to learn from our mistakes and grow from them. We have had loved ones who have come into and out of our lives, sometimes leaving us with only memories and sometimes leaving us with more than we ever thought possible—more love, more joy, more meaning than we could ever hope for. We are all blessed with so much in this world—with friends, family members, pets, jobs… With everything that surrounds us every day there is always something new to learn about ourselves and about others around us. And it’s not just what happens outside of us either: inside each one of us lies a world full of wonders as well!

We are all here today because there is something special inside each one of us—something beautiful that makes each one of us unique from everyone else around us. We all have different interests; different dreams; different goals; different hopes;

God bless you, dear woman. We are so happy to have you here with us today.

You have lived a full life, and now you are at the end of it. I know that this is a difficult time for you, but I also know that you have been through worse times in your life and have come out on top. That’s why I’m going to share with you some of the things that helped me when I was facing this same situation.

First of all, remember that no matter how bad things seem now, they will get better soon enough—and even if they don’t get better immediately, they will eventually. You may not see any improvement today or tomorrow or even next week or next month, but give it some time: eventually things will get better again.

Secondly: if any part of your body hurts or feels uncomfortable right now (and it probably does), try putting ice on it or taking some ibuprofen—that’ll help keep things under control until they can be fixed permanently later on down the line!

Thirdly: make sure that your loved ones know how much they mean to you! Don’t wait until after it’s too late; let them know now before anyone else does because then there won’t be any

Dear friends, we are gathered here today to honor an incredible woman.

I know that you are all wondering, “Why is this woman so special?” And the answer is: she’s just like all of us. She has had ups and downs in life; she has faced challenges and overcome them; she has looked at the world and seen beauty in it. But unlike most of us, her life has spanned decades. She has been on this planet for as long as I’ve been alive—and even longer than that!

She is a testament to the fact that aging doesn’t have to mean giving up on what makes you happy or slowing down your pace of life. It means taking a step back from some things, but also taking steps forward in others—and finding joy in both experiences.

I know that many of you are afraid of getting older, but let me tell you something: when I was young, I was terrified of getting older too! But now that I’m older, I realize that aging isn’t something we should fear—it’s something we should embrace! We can use our wisdom and experience to help guide others through their own lives with grace and compassion.

As much as we

We were all young once—and now we’re here.

I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid, I thought that being old meant you had to stay in the house all day and not do anything.

And then I grew up, and realized that was stupid.

We are all old now—it’s just a fact of life. We’ve been around for a long time, and we’re about to be around for even longer. But it doesn’t mean that we can’t still be productive members of society! In fact, staying active is one of the best things you can do for yourself as you age—it keeps your mind active, your body strong, and your spirit alive (pun intended). So today I want to encourage you to get out there and get moving! Get involved with your community, find something that makes you happy outside of the home (like volunteering), and don’t forget: there’s more to life than sitting on the couch watching TV!

Dear Grandma,

I know you’re not always around. I know that sometimes you can’t hear me, and I know that it’s hard for you to understand what I’m saying. But even though you don’t have perfect hearing and your mind wanders sometimes, I want to tell you something.

I want to thank you for being there when I needed someone most. When my mother died, when my sister was in the hospital after her accident, when my father was sick, you were there for me. You held my hand and made sure that I had everything I needed. You helped me cook dinner when all I could think about was going to see my sister in the hospital again. You helped me with homework and taught me how to knit—even though knitting is really hard! You even helped me make pancakes once! You’re an amazing grandma! And if there’s anything I can do for you, just ask!

Short sermons for seniors in nursing homes

You are loved. You are valued. You are appreciated.

You don’t have to do anything to earn that love, value, or appreciation. It’s yours because you’re a human being on this earth. And everyone else here—all the people around you—are also human beings on this earth. They may look different than you, they may come from different backgrounds than you, but they are just as worthy of love and appreciation as you are.

We all have our own unique gifts, talents, and abilities that make us who we are—and those things make us valuable in God’s eyes. If someone else doesn’t see those gifts or talents in you? That’s okay! They don’t have the same perspective as God does, so maybe they just need a little more time to get used to how amazing you really are!

And if someone else doesn’t appreciate all the beautiful things about themselves? Well… that’s also okay! We’re all works in progress and we’re always learning new things about ourselves every day. Just remember: God made each one of us exactly how he wanted us to be—there is no “wrong” way for anyone to be themselves!

For every person who has ever felt like they’re not worth anything, I want to tell you this: God loves you.

It’s true. You are loved by a power greater than yourself, and that power is real. It’s not something you can see or feel or touch; it’s something that lives inside of you—a part of your soul that will never die. And if you weren’t able to feel it before, maybe it was because you were too busy trying to prove yourself to people who didn’t matter—but now is the time for you to focus on what matters most: your own personal relationship with God.

You don’t have to be perfect in order for him to love you. You don’t need to be rich or famous or beautiful or talented in order for him to care about what happens to you. All he asks is that you try your best at everything, especially at loving others as much as possible (even if it doesn’t always turn out right).

And remember: no matter how many times this world knocks us down, there will always be someone ready and willing to pick us back up again.

When I was younger, I thought that my life was going to be a continuous series of exciting adventures.

But then I grew up, and realized that most of the time, it’s just a lot of boring routine.

And I don’t want you to feel like your life is boring! So today, let’s talk about how you can spice things up.

First off: Set goals for yourself. You may not be able to go on an adventure every day, but if you have something to work towards—a goal—that can make even your most boring day seem more exciting. You might decide to read a book or learn how to cook or learn how to knit… whatever floats your boat! The point is, having goals will help you feel more fulfilled and satisfied with your life. And that leads us into our next point: Find something new each day! Maybe it’s as simple as getting dressed up in different clothes, or finding a new restaurant in town where all the locals go (and then telling everyone about it). Or maybe it’s finding a way to challenge yourself each day by learning something new (like a foreign language), or trying out some new exercise class at the gym (or even just doing yoga in

I want to talk today about the importance of being a good listener.

When we are in the presence of someone who is speaking, we should not be thinking about what we are going to say when they are done. Instead, we should be listening intently and taking in what they have said. We should also try to put ourselves in their shoes and think about how they feel when they speak.

We all make mistakes, but that does not mean that you shouldn’t try your best to listen closely. If you have trouble hearing well or understanding what someone is saying, then ask them to repeat themselves or write it down for you so that you can read it later when your mind isn’t focused on something else like reading or working on the computer (or even watching television).

When someone speaks, it is important that we take time out of our busy lives so that we can listen closely and learn from what others have said in order for us not only feel better about ourselves but also help others feel better about themselves as well!

Encouraging Sermons For The Elderly

  1. Live life for today and not for tomorrow.
  2. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
  3. Enjoy all that life has to offer, and don’t be afraid to try new things!
  4. Don’t compare yourself to others; each person has their own strengths and weaknesses.
  5. Love your family, friends, and pets like they are your entire world—they are!

I love associating with fellow senior citizens. Even when I was young I had a deep love and respect for older folks. Some of the people who have meant the most to me and my family, and continue to, are senior citizens–and some of the people who mean the most to our communities, our nation, and our churches are senior citizens. So, I salute you for the many contributions you have made on so many fronts, and for the contributions you are still making today.

You’ve probably heard all of the one-liners on how you can tell when you’ve become a senior citizen. It’s when you finally know your way around, but you don’t feel like going. Or, another way to tell that you’ve become a senior citizen is this: when you bend down to tie your shoes, you ask yourself the question, “Is there anything else I can do while I’m down here?” Or, it’s when the gleam in your eye is the sun reflecting off your trifocals. Or, you’ve finally got it all together, but you’ve forgotten where you put it!

Someone has said that you’re as old as you feel. When the late Bob Hope was 100 years old, someone asked him how it felt to be 100. He said, “I don’t feel anything until about noon, and then I take a nap.”

So, we’re all getting older, and naturally we all want to grow older gracefully–and that’s the subject of my remarks tonight: “How to Grow Older Gracefully.” On another occasion when I announced that subject, I learned later that one man in the audience turned to the fellow next to him and said, “There ain’t no way!” But of course there is; I know many senior citizens who, in spite of their aches and pains and other burdens, are nevertheless growing older with grace and dignity. So, it can be done, and there are some well established guidelines for so doing–guidelines that have a clear Biblical basis. So, let’s look together at some of those guidelines.

I. BE SURE YOU’RE RIGHT WITH GOD

That’s foundational. Proverbs 16:31 says, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, IF it be found in the way of righteousness.” That means, first of all, be sure that you’re repented of your sins and by faith have committed yourself to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That’s the only way to go to heaven instead of hell, and that’s the only way to experience your highest God-given potential in this life.

To be “in the way of righteousness” also means another thing; following conversion, we should begin every day by reaffirming our allegiance to Christ and his Lordship in our lives. Every morning we should begin the day by praying, “Lord, please guide me today in what I say, do, and even think.” That, essentially, is the point our Savior was making in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

But being right with God not only means being saved and renewing one’s commitment daily; it also includes serving God. The author of Psalm 92:13-14 said: “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age….”

Of course, not all of us can do the same things, but we can all do something productive in the service of the Lord. Paul Powell said: “We are to be faithful not just until we’re tired, or until we retired. We are to be faithful until we are expired–until our going or his coming.”

II. RADIATE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Psalm 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

What does it mean to “sit in the seat of the scornful?” It means to be hyper-critical, overly negative, always looking at the dark side, at the cracks and crevices….and that’s an attitude we must avoid at all costs.

An old cowpoke was riding out on the range “where the deer and antelope play,” when he ran across a herd of buffalo. He rode up to one of those buffalo, looked him right in the eye, and said, “You are undoubtedly the scraggliest, ugliest, stinkin’est, most repulsive critter I’ve ever seen.” Then he rode off. That buffalo turned to the buffalo next to him and said, “You know, I think I just heard a discouraging word!”

Well, people hear enough discouraging words in today’s world; what they need is optimism and encouragement—and you and I need to radiate that kind of a spirit if we’re going to grow old gracefully.

III. MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOR

Proverbs 17:22 says that “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine”—and the wonderful thing is that there aren‘t any side effects.

I like the spirit of that elderly gentleman whose doctor examined him and said, “We’re going to have to remove half of your colon.” With a twinkle in his eye the elderly man said, “Well, doc, I expect a semicolon is better than a period.”

It helps, in every department of life, to have a sense of humor. An elderly man had been courting an elderly lady for quite some time. One evening they were sitting together in her living room. He got off the couch, got on his knees in front of her, and said, “I have two questions. First, will you marry me?” She said, “Yes. What’s the second question?” He said, “Will you help me up?”

An elderly man and his wife went to a crowded restaurant one night and were told by the host that it would be 45 minutes before he could seat them. The man said, “Young fellow, my wife and I are both 90 years old; we may not have 45 minutes.” They were seated immediately.

A man very advanced in age was getting married. His friends said, “Tell us about her. Is she a good cook?” He said, “I don’t know.” Is she a good housekeeper?” “I don’t know.” “Well, why are you marrying her?” He said, “She drives at night.”

I agree with the late Catherine Marshall that God apparently has a sense of humor. When I look at a giraffe, or a duck-billed platypus, I’m convinced that he has a sense of humor—and sometimes when I look in the mirror, that conviction is reaffirmed.

For handsomeness I’m not a star;

There are others better looking by far;

But my face, I don’t mind it, because I’m behind it,

It’s the people out front that I jar.

IV. KEEP UP CONTACTS WITH OTHER PEOPLE

Romans 14:7 says, “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” John Donne, a 17th century writer, said: “No man is an island, entire of itself….”

In his famous sermon, “The Conquest of Fear,” the late Dr. George Truett was speaking about our need to be involved with other people. He said, “Occasionally the vaunting, swelling word is heard, ‘I’m independent now.’” Truett said, “Oh, You are? Independent of whom, and when, and where, and how?” He said, “We’re bound together in the bundle of life….We are dependent—utterly upon God, and to a marked degree upon one another.”

If we don’t maintain contact with, and interest in, other people, we’re liable to become self-centered—and that’s one of life’s most terrible tragedies. Someone has said, “A man wrapped up in himself makes a mighty small package”—and I might add, a mighty miserable one, also.

V. TAKE CARE OF YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH

Obviously, health conditions vary greatly from one person to another. Some people, for reasons beyond their control, have very fragile health—but God gives special grace in such situations if those concerned call on him. Indeed, some of the greatest spiritual giants I know are people with severe physical problems and limitations, but who live so close to God on a daily basis that they are a blessing and inspiration to all of us who know them.

God doesn’t hold us responsible for what we don’t have; but taking proper care of whatever health potential we do have is a sacred trust. Here’s what the Bible says about it in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,

which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Glorifying God in our body obviously involves doing the very best we can to take care of whatever measure of health we have, by eating properly and taking whatever exercise we are capable of.

Sometimes it’s hard to discipline ourselves in that regard. One fellow wrote the following: “I enrolled in a local health club, to tone up my body a bit; but I knew after only one visit, I was in no shape to be fit.” Carl Hurley, the Christian comedian, said that his wife tried to encourage him to exercise by buying him a rowing machine. He said, “After about a week I installed an outboard motor on it.”

VI. ALWAYS HAVE A THANKFUL ATTITUDE

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

A. We’re to be thankful not only for those rare, once-in-a-blue-moon blessings—but we’re also to be thankful for those everyday blessings—those blessings that we tend to take for granted, because we’re so used to them.

We need to thank him for each beautiful sunset, and for all the wonders of nature. Emerson said that if the stars came out only once a year, we would all want to stay up and see them; but because they are visible so much of the time, we hardly notice them.

When you turn on the faucet and get a glass of clean water, thank God that you can do that, because a vast percentage of the world’s population drinks from contaminated water sources.

If you got up this morning with a roof over your head, with food to eat, clothes to put on, and even a small amount of money in your pocket, in the eyes of 75% of this world’s population you are wealthy.

Thousands of people on this planet didn’t see the light of this day, because they died last night of diseases that could have been easily prevented or cured had they had access to even the simplest medical treatment. In places like Sudan and Rwanda, thousands of mothers last night sat exposed to the elements and in unspeakable despair watched as their thin, emaciated little children died of starvation.

B. But there’s still another thing to be noted, as we think about what God expects of us in the area of gratitude. We are to thank him not only amidst life’s pleasantries and joys, but also amidst life’s reverses and disappointments and sorrows.

“In everything give thanks.” That doesn’t mean, of course, that everything which happens is in itself cause for gratitude–but it does mean that along with every experience, however tragic, painful, or heartbreaking, causes for gratitude can be found if only we’ll look for them.

Practically any hymn book you pick up will have at least one song by Fanny J. Crosby, but more likely several. She died in 1915, just short of her 95th birthday. She has been called “the greatest hymn writer in the history of the Christian church.” Although blind, she was a prolific writer. During her lifetime over 8,000 of her poems were set to music and over 100 million copies of her songs were printed. She also authored several books. Hymns that she wrote include “All The Way My Savior Leads Me,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet,” “To God Be The Glory”—just to mention a few. She loved the Scriptures, and memorized whole books of the Bible. She was an inspiration to millions, and was widely sought after as a speaker and a counselor.

She was permanently blinded when she was only six weeks old, as a result of absurdly incompetent treatment by a charlatan posing as a doctor. Her wise mother set about immediately to prepare her daughter for a productive, useful life in spite of her handicap. Then, another tragedy—when she was 12 months old her father died. When she was five years old, neighbors and friends contributed money to enable her mother to take Fanny to consult with the best eye specialist in the country, but he sadly informed them that nothing could be done. Fanny held no animosity or bitterness. She determined to have a positive outlook, and at eight years of age she wrote this, her first poem:

“O what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see,

I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy, that other people don’t.

To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot and I won’t!”

Fanny J. Crosby was a living testimony to the fact that being thankful is not a matter of one’s circumstances, but, rather, of one’s decision. She made up her mind, while still a little child, that she would count her blessings and not her liabilities.

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