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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n-1- Kyle Pope<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1993 a movie came out entitled Grumpy Old Men.<\/em> I never saw the movie, but as a thirty-year-old (at the time) I could maintain the assumption that such a description couldn\u2019t apply to me\u2014I was still young. Now the years have rolled on, and as David said, \u201cI have been young and now I am old\u201d<\/strong> (Psa. 37:25a). Sadly, far too often, as I look in the mirror or through the lens of self-examination, the phrase \u201cgrumpy old man\u201d describes me all too well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t like that! When I was a young preacher, many hours of discouragement came directly from the carelessness of cranky old men. How I pray that I will never be the source of such discouragement to my younger brothers and sisters in Christ! I must recognize, however, that unless I am careful\u2014unless we all are careful that is exactly what we can become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They May not Know Why. <\/strong>If I can look to myself as an example, the answer to this question at times may be \u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d Have you ever just awoke in the morning in a cranky mood? There is nothing that directly seems to trigger it. Nothing specifically has gone wrong\u2014you just feel irritated at the whole world! That\u2019s not just a problem with old men\u2014sometimes \u201cangry young men\u201d grow into \u201ccranky old men.\u201d As Christians, however, we must never tell ourselves, \u201cthat\u2019s just the way I am.\u201d If my disposition is not what it ought to be I need to repent! If I can identify the problem I must change it, improve it, or learn to be content with it (Phil. 4:11-13). If I can\u2019t identify it I must not allow it to take control of my life and discourage those around me. We men especially struggle with this. That is likely why Paul taught, \u201cHusbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them\u201d <\/strong>(Col. 3:19). I\u2019m sure there are bitter women, but more often we men just let ourselves simmer with a cranky attitude. Solomon wrote, \u201cHe who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city\u201d<\/strong> (Prov. 16:32).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Aging of the Body.<\/strong> Health can be a part of this. As the body grows older it is frustrating that things don\u2019t work as they once did. The body aches when it didn\u2019t before. The slightest effort, which the young man could do without a thought, leaves the old man exhausted. There isn\u2019t a cure for this, it is just part of growing older. The wise man described this as when, \u201cthe difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, \u2018I have no pleasure in them\u2019\u201d <\/strong>(Eccl. 12:1b). We should note, however, that just because these are \u201cdifficult days\u201d <\/strong>that hold less \u201cpleasure in them\u201d <\/strong>does not grant Christians the right to wallow in misery and self-pity. Paul told Titus to teach older men to be \u201csound in faith, in love, in patience\u201d<\/strong> (Titus 2:2b). I don\u2019t show love and patience if I have a cranky and bitter disposition. Paul told the Thessalonians to \u201crejoice always\u201d <\/strong>(1 Thess. 5:16). Peter urged all Christians in their faith to \u201crejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory\u201d<\/strong> (1 Pet. 1:8). I do not have \u201cjoy inexpressible\u201d <\/strong>when I allow my heart to be dominated by crankiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Changing World. <\/strong>Every generation observes changes in customs, morality, and attitudes with every passing year that are different from what they once were. The preacher of Ecclesiastes taught, \u201cDo not say, \u2018Why were the former days better than these?\u2019 For you do not inquire wisely concerning this\u201d<\/strong> (Eccl. 7:10). The reality will always be that some things improve and some things get worse, but change is never easy. This is especially true in technology. About the time I figure out how to use one device it is updated and becomes obsolete. That can be irritating! I don\u2019t learn things as quickly as I once did. In spite of that, if I am not careful I can discourage the young if I make it seem as if \u201ceverything new is bad\u201d\u2014\u201cthe young are worse than my generation,\u201d or \u201cthere is no hope for the future.\u201d As an older man I need to show those younger than me how to \u201cshine as lights\u201d <\/strong>in the \u201cmidst of a crooked and perverse generation\u201d <\/strong>(Phil. 2:15). I won\u2019t do that by crankiness or being overly critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not Realizing How They Come Across.<\/strong> Several weeks ago I lost my voice. When it came back, for quite some time my voice continued to be rough and gravelly. During that time we had a home Bible study with the middle, high school, and college age kids. My wife and I joked that with my voice impaired the kids had a harder time knowing when I was joking. Things I said playfully sounded as if I was scolding them. Age can cause the same problems. An older man or woman may say something with the sweetest of intentions, but the voice seasoned by age, or impaired by poor health seems harsher than intended. This calls for consideration on both sides. I need to make sure my tone or manner doesn\u2019t come across in ways that are destructive, but when I hear things that might seem harsh I need to give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Paul taught that love hopes for the best (1 Cor. 13:7), as we act \u201cwith all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love\u201d <\/strong>(Eph. 4:2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grasping for Lost Respect or Influence. <\/strong>As we grow older, younger men step into roles we once held. That\u2019s how it ought to be. In the church Paul told Timothy, \u201cAnd the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also\u201d <\/strong>(2 Tim. 2:2). As our roles change in the workplace, in the home, or in the church it can easily cause us to feel unappreciated, neglected, or disrespected. If we aren\u2019t careful this can lead us in some very childish ways to try and demand respect, assert influence, or regain some status we perceive to have been lost. That\u2019s part of what happened to Saul. This once great leader of Israel was so resentful and envious of the success of David that it moved him to petty jealousy and sinful efforts to regain respect (1 Samuel 17-31). Sadly, in many cases our respect and influence have not really been lost\u2014we only imagine that they have. Yet, when coarse, selfish, childish, and abrasive actions are taken, that\u2019s when we truly lose the respect of others. Snapping at a waitress in a restaurant, harshly criticizing the actions of a younger brother or sister, or throwing a fit when things aren\u2019t done our way do not motivate respect. They destroy it. The young are commanded to respect those older than they are (Lev. 19:32; 1 Pet. 5:5), but we who are older are also commanded to act in ways that motivate respect. Paul commanded Timothy to teach that \u201cthe older men\u201d <\/strong>should \u201cbe sober, reverent, temperate\u201d <\/strong>(Titus 2:2a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I was a young preacher, some of the discouragements brought on by those I perceived as cranky old men concerned things they believed. In some cases, as the years have gone by, I have come to appreciate (and even agree with) some of the things that so troubled them. The wise man taught, \u201cIncline your ear and hear the words of the wise\u201d <\/strong>(Prov. 22:17). In other cases, what was so important to them proved to be nothing more than a pet opinion, personal preference, or peculiar perspective with no scriptural foundation. The wise man also said, \u201cWords of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools\u201d<\/strong> (Eccl. 9:17).<\/p>\n\n\n\n I must be careful that in matters about which I feel strongly or in instances in which I choose to offer criticism to those younger than me I offer my thoughts \u201cquietly\u201d<\/strong> without anger, aggression, or assuming improper intent on the part of the one to whom I speak. I must make certain that when I choose to speak, I only push God\u2019s word rather than my own opinions and preferences lest my words prove to be nothing more than \u201cthe shout of a ruler of fools.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The wonderful example of Aquila and Priscilla teaches us so much about love and kindness. They did not blast Apollos publicly. They did not assume that he was deliberately avoiding teaching about Christ. \u201cThey took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately\u201d<\/strong> (Acts 18:26b). If I must correct or rebuke a brother or sister in Christ, except in the most extreme cases (e.g. 1 Tim. 5:20), I must not do it publicly. Souls can be lost by the thoughtless action of cranky old men like us if we are not careful! As we are so quick to win an argument, young and struggling souls may see our actions as hateful, mean-spirited, and contrary to the cause of Christ. Paul told Timothy, \u201ca servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient\u201d<\/strong> (2 Tim. 2:24). While I must ever stand for truth, may God help me to always do so with love, and an encouraging tone, never allowing my own struggle with crankiness to harm a soul created in God\u2019s image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 via Focus Online,<\/em> January 3, 2019 -2- Joe R. Price 1) Hear <\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street Sunday: 9 a.m. <\/strong>Bible Classes and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service. Congregational Song Service<\/strong>: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wednesday: 7 p.m. <\/strong>Bible Classes<\/p>\n\n\n\n evangelist\/editor: <\/strong><\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents 1) Cranky Old Men (Kyle Pope)2) Sword Tips #36 (Joe R. Price) ——————– -1- Cranky Old Men Kyle Pope In […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2617"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2617\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2626,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2617\/revisions\/2626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nCranky Old Men<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Why Are Old Men Cranky?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What I Must Not Do<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAnd take\u2026the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God\u201d<\/em> (Eph. 6:17).<\/p>\n\n\n\nSword Tips #36 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority\u201d<\/em> (Luke 4:32).
The authority of the word of Jesus Christ is profoundly superior to the words of any person. The great thinkers of this world pale in comparison to the simple yet powerful message of the word of God.
Jesus taught with the authority of heaven. God speaks to us now through the word of Jesus, His Son (Heb. 1:2). His word brings blessings to every soul who believes it and obeys it.
His word will change your life. It will give you hope. It will save your soul. There is no greater authority or power than that.
Honor Christ\u2019s authority today.
Commit yourself completely to following His word.
<\/strong>——————–<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith<\/strong> in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized <\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST<\/strong><\/strong>
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/strong>Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
<\/a>https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> <\/strong><\/strong>(This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but <\/strong><\/strong>with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)
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