We Need an Old People’s Revival

“We need more young people in the church!” I hear this cry in lots of smaller churches across the country. Why would God give your church more young people, if the older people are spiritually stagnant and unwilling to sacrifice to build and encourage the next generation? Could it be that the problem in your church is you, not them?

Revival always starts with me.

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:19-21

Sometimes the hardest people in the church to motivate for Christ, are older believers. There is a revival among young people happening around the world. We are seeing young singles and couples returning to church in record numbers. They are coming to faith in Christ, and their lives are transforming. But for this to continue, we need a “revival among older believers.”  Let me explain by using the Apostle Paul as an example.

Consider the Apostle Paul when he wrote these words, not as an admonition to us, but as an explanation about how he was thinking about the last few years of his existence on earth. He was facing death but also knew he had some time left. He explains what he was thinking about himself, Christ, heaven, and others and how he intended to transform that thinking into his daily activity. These are his driving principles as he faced the end of his life.

Living is Christ

Living is Christ. It is not golf, fishing, relaxing, or just enjoying the sunshine. Life is about Christ. The American philosophy of retirement is unknown in scripture. It is antithetical to scripture. There is never an appropriate time for a believer to think his life is about just self, family, or pleasure.

But more than this, believers can never think that they have arrived spiritually. This is the Apostle Paul! Who else would we think of who would be more deeply spiritual and more connected to Christ than him? Yet he fleshes out his thoughts about his own spiritual journey in Philippians 3:7-16.

 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

In verses 1 through 9, he uses his own personal life as an example to others about how to go about walking with Christ. He does not propose that he is a perfect example. To live for Christ until the end, he was willing to abandon worldly things, not collect them. He set aside things previously thought valuable for things of more value.

His spiritual walk at the end of life focused on knowing Christ. This knowledge is not just a casual knowledge but rather a common experience with Christ. It is understanding the power of His resurrection. It is seeing suffering as a common experience with Christ and something that draws us closer to him. It is seeing our own death in the light of His death and the glory that should follow.

Knowing Christ means understanding that we are still pushing forward.

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Common flaws among aging believers are spending more time looking back than looking forward, thinking we have somehow attained an acceptable plateau of growth, and not pushing even harder to grow more.

Paul had set himself an impossible earthly goal that kept him motivated. The goal was forward. It was the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus. Whether that upward call occurs at death or the rapture, it will be that point in which the corruption of sinfulness in our hearts will finally be eradicated. So Paul was pushing for spiritual perfection even though he knew it would not be attained until death or the rapture.

The point is this, mature believer. You are not finished yet. You have not arrived. Your passion to grow and to be more Christlike should be as fervent now as when you were younger.

Dying is gain.

This hope takes the fear out of death. As Paul slept in his prison cell in Rome, death was not a fear. It was the huge, glorious leap in Christlikeness, taking him ever closer to his Lord. He, as we, lived without fear of death. In fact, he rejoiced in its prospect, as should we.

Too many believers are frozen in present usefulness because they live in fear of death. Life is all about prolonging its occurrence or trying to gain selfish pleasures in the shadow of its ever-nearing prospect.

Remaining is for others.

Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,  that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.  Philippians 1:24-26

Remaining is not for self. It is for others. Notice what Paul says. In Philippians 1:24-26 he tells the Philippians church that he is remaining so that they will progress in their faith—that is their theological and spiritual growth—and in joy and rejoicing. He remained to be a discipler and encourager.

Maturing believers, you are needed now more than ever for the cause of Christ. This is no time to step down, step aside, or step out of active ministry. However, ministry must be about relationships with other believers, not just doing ministry tasks. The church needs you desperately.

You must give others your presence. Meet with them, even when they are busy and it is not convenient for you. Give them time, even though you are aware you do not have many years left. Listen to them even though the things they talk about might be foreign to you. Understand them even though it will take work to grasp how a younger generation thinks. Be transparent with them just as the Apostle Paul was transparent about his own personal struggles. Help them grow. Encourage them and help them rejoice in a very scary world. And let them learn to lead while not abandoning them as they do.

The young people of today desperately need a revival among older believers who will recommit to personal spiritual growth and participation in the lives of other for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom.

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Audio version of this post here: We Need an Old People’s Revival