July 9, 2000 Volume 1 Number 28
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Casual
Attire At Worship (Prologue:
A deacon in a large midwestern church wrote with respect to the
"heat" he was receiving because of his protest against casual,
sloppy, intemperate dress worn by some to worship services. My remarks
to him follow below.) I
commend your stand. As you noted, we cannot make specific dress code
laws, perhaps, for one's economic status must be considered Jas. 2:1-4.
However, when Joseph was called from prison to meet before Pharaoh,
"he shaved himself, and changed his raiment" Gen. 41:14. What
does that say about decorum and propriety? While
the story of the centurion who thought himself unworthy to entertain
Jesus is not about clothing, it illustrates a principle of modesty with
respect to being in the presence of our august Lord Lk. 7:6, 7. How does
sloppy, slovenly, intemperate, immodest dress relate to that principle? There
is a "former manner of life" which is to be "put
off" Eph. 4:22. Some of the particulars of that "former manner
of life" are specified in Eph 4:25 through 5:18 and in 1 Pet 4:3.
One's life in Christ is to stand out in stark contrast and bold relief
against the former lifestyle 1 Pet. 4:4. In that same connection,
regarding "the time past of our" lives, we are now to be
"ashamed" of it. We are to be "ashamed" of how we
once lived Rom. 6:21. We were conformed, shaped, molded, patterned after
the world and its intemperance and immodesty, but now we are to be
transformed, having put on the new man Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:22-24. Put all
those texts together. Now, what does our dress reflect with respect to
our "former manner of life"? Does our dress cause people to
think it strange that we run not with them, or does it suggest that we
live like they live, act like they act? Does our dress place us with the
ungodly and lump us with the world of iniquity? Prov
7:10 mentions a woman clad "in the attire of an harlot." That
statement means something, else, why did the Holy Spirit cite it? If a
TV show wants to portray a prostitute, how do they dress her for the
role? (Rather, how do they undress her for the role!) While it's true
that one "cannot (always) tell a book by its cover," I think
we all know the difference between Playboy and the Bible! When
the wild man, "Legion," was cleansed of his demons, he later
was found "sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right
mind" Lk. 8:35. Is it too much to ask that those today who are
"sitting at the feet of Jesus, (be) clothed, and in (their) right
mind"? Dress,
Appearance, Impression In
a cover article in Time Magazine (June 22, 1998), the following snippet
concerning Michael Jordan appeared: "'The
15 seconds it takes for him to go from the elevator to the bus is the
only time in [his fans'] lives that they would see him. Jordan wants
those 15 seconds to be dignified. Because he knows forever those will be
the 15 seconds that they saw Michael Jordan.' (Columnist BOB GREENE, on
how Jordan dons a suit and tie for the brief walk through the hotel
lobby out to the bus taking him to a game.") For
good or ill, how you dress, your appearance, makes an impression on
other people. Michael Jordan knows it. So does Dennis Rodman, his
"sideshow-freak" teammate. Why else do you suppose Rodman
dresses as he does? He knows it makes an impression. He does not care.
Jordan knows it makes an impression. He cares. Do you? No,
we are not suggesting that you need to "make a fashion
statement" in order to impress people. However, we do need to
realize that the way we dress says a lot about us. Again, if you doubt
it, compare Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman! When
Joseph was summoned out of the prison where he was held and was taken
into the presence of the great Pharaoh (or King) of Egypt, the Bible
says, "When he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came
to Pharaoh" Gen. 41:14. Joseph realized that prison garb is not the
proper attire in which to meet the King! Is there a lesson in there for
us? There
is no dress code for scriptural worship. Indeed, some have served the
Lord in scant attire, dirty clothes, and nakedness brought on by
deprivation, poverty, and persecution 2 Cor. 11:27; Heb. 11:37; Jas.
2:2. Those
unfortunate and unavoidable conditions are no excuse for us to see how
grungy and unkempt we can be when we serve the Lord. Women
know how to dress when they want to express virtue or incite lust Gen.
38:14, 15; Prov. 7:10; Est. 1:11; 1 Pet. 3:1-4. Men know how to dress to
lay bricks, hunt deer, or meet the bank president when applying for a
loan. Do
we know how to dress to exemplify modesty, dignity and integrity as we
serve God?
Apparently
some do not, for there has been a gradual lessening of standards of
dress in our society. Schools and business offices have been overtaken
by slovenliness if not outright sloppy indecency. Some churches are not
far behind. Crude "T" shirts, shorts, ragged, purposely torn
jeans, and immodestly slit dresses are the rage in some houses of
worship. Why are the voices of modesty and appropriate behavior not
raised in holy protest against all such descents into depraved dress
Phil. 4:5; Titus 2:12? Probably those voices are not heard because such
clothing is the product of homes where such despicable dress has never
been challenged or questioned. Your
dress does give an impression of you. It may not always be fair or
right, but it does say something about you. Joseph thought so. Jordan
thinks so. God says so Phil. 1:27; 1 Tim. 2:9; 4:12; Titus 2:4, 5, 7; 1
Pet. 3:1-4. Home
and Family: The
finest young people in the world are associated with the churches of
Christ. They are washed in the blood of the Lamb, zealous, dedicated,
pure, strong and faithful 1 Jn. 2:14. We want you to know that we love
you and want you to "be all that you can be" for Christ and
His Cause. Christianity
is not a spectator sport, it demands involvement I Cor. 15:58; Mt.
25:24-26. If one is old enough to obey the Gospel, he is old enough to
labor in the vineyard of Christ. There are no apprentices in the shop of
salvation. No "try it before you buy it" plans for
Christianity. You do not have to be eighteen to be in the Lord's army.
No Visas are needed to enter His kingdom. Every worker is expected to
use his talents, abilities and opportunities for the good of the group. TEENAGERS
CAN OBEY THE GOSPEL. God is against infant baptism, but He does want
every sinner to come to Him. Too many think they will become Christians
later in life, but then never do Ecc. 12:1. They are interested as
adolescents but disinterested as adults. Many will be eternally lost
because they decided not to decide 2 Thess. 1:8. Their tender hearts
said, "Yes," Satan whispered , "Later." And they
listened to the Serpent. God
wants you in the water Acts 2:28. That is, if you believe that Christ is
His Son (Jn 3:16) and you are willing to repent Lk. 13:3. This is where
it all begins. You cannot serve Christ until you do. TEENAGERS
CAN WORSHIP GOD. Have you ever stood in the presence of the Governor of
California? Have you ever been in a room with the President? Few have,
but each has a much greater privilege this Sunday. We stand in the
presence of the Maker of heaven and earth! Teenage Christians are in
that group. Do not ever miss an opportunity to worship God -- He
deserves the praises of every voice in the world. Never deny Him His
glory Heb. 10:25. Young men should be allowed (encouraged) to take
leading roles in worship -- teach them to lead singing, preach, work on
the Lord's Table and lead prayers. God
expects teenagers (as well as others) to worship Him reverently Jn.
4:24. Worship is not time for talking, passing notes, sleeping or
cutting up. It is a time when hearts are set on pleasing God and minds
are filled with spiritual things Mt. 5:6; Psa. 96:7. TEENAGERS
CAN LIVE RIGHT. Some adults see the years of youth as a time to sow wild
oats, but sober-minded young people know better. These years belong to
God Eph. 5:16; I Cor. 6:19,20. God expects every one of His children to
give Him a sanctified life Titus 2:6,12; I Tim. 4:12,15-16. At whatever
age, it is time now to be adding the Christian virtues 2 Pet. 1:5-8 and
to incorporate the beautiful attitudes Mt. 5:3-10. Sowing wild oats
precipitates a harvest that no one wants Gal. 6:7. Why have to pray for
"crop failure" when there is a better way? TEENAGERS
CAN BE INVOLVED WITH THE LOCAL CHURCH. Obviously, teenagers are not
qualified to do everything that others might do. Elders and deacons are
not taken from teenage classes. But because one cannot do some things
does not mean that he cannot do anything.
There
are many things that young people can do. In fact, their energy, free
time and zeal allows them to do more than many adults. Young people are
terrific at door-knocking for meetings and Vacation Bible Schools. They
meet people well, enjoy working with other teenagers, and especially
like the opportunity to do something real for Christ. Young people are
good at visiting; especially with old people. It does them so much good
to see a young person coming with a flower or hug. Young Christians,
especially girls, are good at sending cards to the sick and delinquent. Teenagers
are better at bringing their friends to meetings and regular services
than almost all adults. They can be good soul winners. They have a wider
circle of friends than most adults and find their friends have more open
minds than many adults. For these reasons, young Christians lead many
souls to Christ Mk. 16:15. Young people, you have a bright future in the church. We treasure the opportunity to help you grow stronger. Listen closely, learn well, for in not so long, you will be where we are. Not very exciting, you say? Try it, it just might be the most challenging thing you will ever do. ~Allen
Webster Without
A Word A
member of the church, who previously had been attending services
regularly, stopped attending. After a few weeks the preacher decided to
visit him. It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home
alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the preacher’s
visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair by the fireplace, and
waited. The
preacher made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence,
he contemplated the play of the flames on the burning logs. After some
minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly
burning ember, and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then
he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet
fascination. As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a
momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and “dead
as a doornail.” Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just
before the preacher was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember
and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow
once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As
the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said, “Thank you so
much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back
at worship next Lord’s Day.” ~Author
Unknown Who
Is Sitting In Your Seat? A
preacher met a lukewarm Christian on the street Monday morning. The man
knew he was in for a lecture because the preacher had often talked about
failing to attend the worship services. Thinking he would beat the
preacher to the punch and take the sting out of the rebuke, the man began
his greeting by making a frank confession. "Well, my seat was empty
again yesterday," he said. "Oh,
no!" exclaimed the preacher. It wasn't empty at all!" "What?"
asked the absentee. "Who was there?" The
preacher replied, "Satan was there in your seat, leering at me and
saying, 'I've got him again, preacher!'" The
careless member repented and was in his seat the next Sunday. --Author
unknown, submitted Sentence
Sermons "Men
stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and
hurry off as if nothing happened."
~Winston
Churchill We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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