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The Language of Dress

James 2:1-4

1.   How we dress speaks volumes about our life, values and morals.

2.   Appearance matters

3.   Appearances can make a statement and say a lot about an individual.

4.   We must NOT be guilty of making laws where God made none.

Clothing makes a statement.

1)  About our success or failures in life. (homeless, wealthy)

2)  It can make a statement of allegiance to a country or a sports team. (USA, Auburn)

3)  It can make a statement about our religious views (Amish, backward collar, woman in burka)

4)  It speaks of our joy or grief. (Kids party, family at a funeral)

5)  It can show acceptance. Teens like to dress to show their differences from parents.

6)  It can show rebellion.

7)  James 2:1-4

8)  In this passage, dress is assumed to make a statement about the wealth and position of the one wearing it.

9)  Dress can even make a moral statement.

a)  Genesis 38:14-15

b)  Proverbs 7:10

10)                 Matthew 11:21

1 Timothy 2:9-10

1)  Modest includes two ideas:

a)  Decent

b)  Appropriate

2)  Most sermons focus on – What is decent? Too tight. Too short. Too low. Too high. Too revealing.

3)  I CAN NOT WRITE YOUR RULES.

4)  We must also consider what is appropriate.

a)  Attend a funeral or change oil in your car.

b)  Worship God or clean out a clogged sewer line.

c)   Go to a wedding or work in your garden.

What is the point?

1.   How we dress makes a statement about our values, morals, loyalty, attitude, and if we are Christians or not.

2.   I am a child of God. Does my dress say so?

3.   We must consider – Will people say things about us that we do not want said?

4.   We must challenge ourselves to dress in a way that is both decent and appropriate.

5.   Do you need to put on the new man in Christ?

6.   Do you need to be clothed with the garments of righteousness?

7.   How we dress speaks volumes about our life, values and morals.

 

Adapted from an outline by Michael D. Greene, Lehman Ave church of Christ, Bowling Green, KY


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