And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron was fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh. Exodus 7:7
The term ‘grey matter’ is usually used to refer to that part of our brains that control our thinking and our memories. Brilliant people are often referred to as having ‘lots of grey matter’. But there is another use of the term, and it refers, not to brain cells, but to hair colour. Newly formed companies will often employ a number of older people to make it appear to prospective customers that the company has been around for a while, and those older workers are referred to as the company’s grey matter. Our Assemblies usually have some ‘grey matter’ as part of the fellowship, a crucial part of the company.
Our text tells us that Moses was 80, and Aaron was 83, when they began their great campaign for the deliverance of Israel. God did not think them too old for such a task, and we should never downplay the role that older saints have in the functioning of our Assemblies. Younger Christians, especially the teenagers, tend to group together and have little to do with older Christians. That is sad. They are missing out on so much that those older saints could offer them.
Those older Christians may not have the energy of youth anymore, but they have a wealth of experience that the youth of today can tap into. In most cases, those older men and women among us carry a burden of prayer daily for the young people. Because they care deeply about those young people, they are an ideal source for advice, encouragement, and comfort. Their long time membership can give those young Christians the valuable context of the Assembly’s history. Their knowledge of Scripture can give young Christians confidence in the Assembly’s position and activities.
Does your Assembly have ‘grey matter’? Treasure it highly! -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/olrqJpY6uAs