Jump Start # 2101

1 Timothy 2:9-10 “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discretely, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.”

It has always been a touchy subject to discuss the topic of modesty. We don’t like others telling us what we can or can not wear. Many of us argued with our parents about what we wanted to wear. Now, as Christians, sermons on modesty makes us uncomfortable. This subject needs to be talked about.

First, it may seem odd that a male preacher can talk about the subject of what women ought to wear. Modesty isn’t strictly a female issue. Men can be immodest as well as women. A male apostle Paul is the one who is writing to a male Timothy here in our verse. But beyond this, it is the Holy Spirit who is directing these thoughts. So, let’s not be so quick to shut down a conversation because of gender. You don’t know what you are talking about because you are a man, doesn’t change the issue at hand, modesty. And, from the male perspective, the way God has wired men to be visually attracted, he just might know a thing or two that the female is not willing to admit.

Second, the passage is directed toward “over dressing” rather than skimpy clothing. Paul states: costly garments, braided hair, gold, pearls. This is the mark of luxury. This is being showy. This is look at me. I have and you do not. Rather than having people talk about what you are wearing, have them notice all the good that you are doing. The Red Carpet walk belongs to Hollywood, not the people of God. You’ve seen the award shows, such as the Oscars. Much is made about who designed the dress. Actresses stand and twirl around so photographers can admire how they look. Proper, modestly and discretely are not found on those red carpets. Rather than showing off, do something worth while. Rather than putting all the attention on the outside, pour your efforts from the inside. Character and substance is what the apostle is driving at. Rather than having an amazing outside, have some substance on the inside. It’s the heart that matters.

Third, your appearance says something. It identifies whose side you are on. Dress as one who makes a claim to godliness. Godly, belonging to God. One of His. Looking like Him. Dressing like He would want you to dress. There are certain things that those who “make claims” do. If I made a claim to be a singer, my family would die laughing if this were true, then I’d go around singing. If I made a claim to be a musician, then I’d be found playing an instrument. If I made the claim to be a professional golfer, then I’d be on the golf course daily. If I made the claim to be a writer, then I’d write. If I made the claim to be a preacher, I’d do what preachers do. We see someone dressed in a military uniform. We rightly conclude that he is in the service. We see someone in a policeman’s uniform. We understand that he is a cop. So, here, women are to dress as those who claim to be godly. This means the spiritual is involved in picking out what they are going to wear. This means that they understand others are going to be looking at them. People are going to draw conclusions about them based upon what they are wearing. Their choice reflects godliness or ungodliness. This means there are going to be some dresses that will not make the grade. They may be affordable. They may be made of fine material. But when worn, one doesn’t think of godliness. Too much skin. Too tight. Too revealing. No, instead of godly, the words are: Hot, Wow. The thought isn’t, I expect that person worships every Sunday. No, those thoughts don’t happen. So, the godly person who wants to make a claim to godliness is going to pass on some outfits. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to wear an old sack. You can be fashionable, beautiful yet modest and godly. There may have to be some adjustments and alternations made to make the dress discrete, proper and modest. Everywhere you are, your example, influence and choices ought to point towards Heaven.

Now, let’s talk about three applications.

Prom time. I’ve seen some of the pics posted on Facebook. A lot of skin. A lot of show and tell. A lot for a young man to look at all evening long. At the end of the night, I doubt his thoughts are about God and worship. It’s easy to throw all of this in the young man’s heart. He just has a dirty mind, some will say. Men are always thinking that way. Possibly. But maybe his thoughts were encouraged and directed by what was worn by the young lady. Paul doesn’t give a pass here when it comes to the special occasions such as the prom. Dress as one who is making a claim to godliness.

Weddings. Again, too much skin, and too little godly claims. Sometimes it’s not the brides dress but the girls with her. Their outfits do not reflect godly choices. It’s a one time event, someone says. Yet, think about who is in the audience. Gathered are family and friends and what better way to make a statement that you can be beautiful and godly and modesty is wonderful. Dress makers don’t think of godliness. Most don’t even know what that means. So, again, adjustments have to be made to make that wedding dress something that is not shocking, embarrassing and the talk in church the next Sunday.

The beach. Headed to the ocean. Great time. Family time. Remember, you are making a claim to godliness. Your choice of what you wear speaks volumes. Paul didn’t give us a pass because it’s our vacation. He didn’t say dress modestly only in church, but anywhere else, it doesn’t matter. Making a claim of godliness is something that we want the world to notice. So, discretion, thought, and even prayer ought to be part of your vacation plans. Don’t ruin the trip by being ungodly.

These lessons begin at home. This is where dad needs to step up and be dad. Sometimes moms don’t see what could be a problem. You may have to send your child back to the closet to pick something else out, and you might head into a battle over this, but remember, you are trying to teach godliness.

Godliness begins in the heart. It is reflected in our words, our attitudes, our choices, and even our clothing. For those who do not have Christian dads, you may have to turn to a grandparent or someone you respect for their spiritual strength to help you make the right choices.

The boldness of Peter proved that they had been with Jesus. It was recognized that they were one of “those” people. We are making a similar claim. We belong to Jesus. I am one of His. Don’t muddy the water and don’t confuse people by dressing immodestly. This isn’t talked about much these days. The topic won’t go away because preachers don’t preach it. It’s in your Bible. You just need to read it. More and more, even in Sunday worship, some outfits seem to be more revealing than what they ought to be.

I wish we put as much money, time and effort to the way we look on the inside as we do on the outside. The showroom sparkles and is dazzling, but there is very little in the warehouse these days. Maybe it’s time to change that. With the temperature rising, so often the clothes vanish.

Make a claim to godliness. Let one of those claims be the clothes that you wear.

Roger

Jump Start # 1680

1 Timothy 2:9-10 “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.”

Our verse today is found in a section which gives practical instructions for both men and women. The men were told to pray everywhere. One verse for men. Here, two verses for women. Don’t be thinking, men, that women need more help than we do, that’s why there are two for them and one for us. Don’t even go there.

These verses addressed to women describe both the inside and the outside, the clothing and the character of a person of God. Don’t think that men get a pass on this. Women have to be modest, but men don’t? Really? Modesty is more than a clothing issue, it’s an attitude and a spiritual issue. Understanding or the lack of understanding about modesty is a huge issue in our culture. Everywhere, from billboards, to magazine covers, to TV commercials, to ads in the Sunday paper, scantly clothed women are used to grab the eye. Immodesty fuels lust which creates improper thoughts. Hollywood awards programs feature women who like to show as much skin as they can get away with. It’s shocking. It’s shameful. It feeds this sex crazed times that we are in. I wish someone would shout from the crowd, “Put your clothes on!”

Consider some thoughts from this passage.

First, Paul’s concern was not wearing too little clothing, but showing off by wearing very expensive clothing. Gold, pearls and costly garments were the attire of the rich. Most of the first Christians were poor. Many were servants and slaves. They didn’t have dozens and dozens of outfits to chose from. But there were a few, here and there that were wealthy. Leading women of Thessalonica became Christians. Lydia appears to have been wealthy. Some of Caesar’s household became Christians. Paul’s words here were about flaunting and showing off. Dressing to impress. We don’t generally think of modesty in that way. This is how it is used here. His words are not about bikinis but peals, gold and costly garments. Showing off, most of us did that when we were kids. Many guys did that on their first dates. We wanted to be noticed, liked and impressed. We went for that “wow” factor. It seems that some of the wealthy women were doing that. That would created an atmosphere that “I’m better than you,” when in truth, we are all sinners needing Jesus.

Second, Paul wanted the attention to be drawn to the good works that they were supposed to be doing. Instead of parading around in fine clothes, roll up your sleeves, get your hands in the bucket and get busy helping someone. Your fancy clothes tends to stick your nose up in the air and that leads to you thinking that you are too good to do certain things. Not in the kingdom. Not among God’s people.

These words are similar to the Lord’s address on the mount. Let them see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Good works is sprinkled throughout Paul’s writings. The Galatians were told, “while we have opportunity let us do good to all…” Three times in Titus the idea of engaging in good works is found. The hallmark of God’s people is not the talk that they talk, but the good that they do.

I have known some very wealthy Christians. Yet it was these very same Christians that I’ve seen down at the church house on a Saturday morning, pulling weeds, or even cleaning the toilets at the building. I’ve seen these folks cleaning the house of a young family that had sickness. I’ve seen them help pay the college expenses for a young Christian. These are the things that Paul wanted the wealthy to be known for. They used their talents and wealth to help others. They weren’t spending money on themselves. They were known, not for their wealth, but for being counted upon. They were doing good deeds.

Third, good deeds is natural for someone who is making the claim of godliness. Making the claim. That’s a great expression. If someone made the claim to be golfer, then there would be some things that you would expect. Right off the bat, you’d expect him to own a set of golf clubs. To be a golfer without a set of golf clubs doesn’t make sense. You’d expect that person to golf. The clubs that sits in the garage year round and are never used, doesn’t meet the claim that you are a golfer. We could say the same about a student. Someone who claimed to be a student, ought to be taking classes, going to those classes, owns textbooks, studies, writes papers and takes tests. That’s what students do. To claim to be a student, but one never goes to class, doesn’t fit the bill.

So, in the passage, Paul mentions the claim to godliness. There are certain things that ought to be expected and go with that claim. A godly person will worship God. Not just now and then, not as a CEO (Christmas and Easter Only), but regularly. That’s what godly people do. They do what God wants them to do. That’s what makes them godly.

Someone claiming to be godly is going to talk a certain way. The negative stuff, like gossip, cussing, abusive language, will not be there. But what will be noticed is kindness, thankfulness, thoughtfulness.

Someone who claims to be godly will dress modestly. That’s one of the points of the passage. Claiming to be a Christian, yet wearing very little clothing, or as in our passage, dressing to show off, do not go together. This includes special occasions, weddings and other events. The Christian doesn’t get a pass because they are in a wedding. It’s a special time, so I can be immodest. No. Our verse begins with the word “Likewise,” which connects it to the passage above where Paul wanted men to pray everywhere. Modesty isn’t just in the church building. It’s at work. It’s on vacation. It’s at weddings. It’s everywhere.

Someone who claims to be godly will be busy doing good works. They will help others. They will be encouragers. They will teach the Gospel where they can. They will let their lights shine for Jesus. That’s what we’d expect from godly people and that’s just what godly people would do.

Making a claim to godliness. Many folks do that. They let you know that they believe in Jesus, but ask them about the weekend, and they’ll talk about drinking parties, filthy movies that they watched and their language is peppered and salty with words that are offensive, obscene and indecent. These folks make the claim, but the claim doesn’t match the behavior. This is what Paul is driving at. You are claiming to be a Christian. Make sure your clothing and your actions live up to that claim. Walk the walk. Let your behavior, inside and out, speak for who you are.

I was teaching a group of our teens last evening about this very passage and this very subject, modesty. I asked them, “How do you know if something you are wearing is modest or not?” One said, “have your parents tell you.” I suggested putting a chair in front of a mirror. Sit down. What you see in the mirror is what others are seeing. The greatest thought came from a senior in high school. He said, “if it’s borderline, if it’s something that you’re not sure, why are you even considering wearing that?” Bravo! That’s it! Don’t get close to the line. Don’t wear something in which someone might want to come and evangelize you because they didn’t think you were a Christian. Certainly a Christian wouldn’t wear that.

Don’t just make that claim, live up to it. Live godly.

Roger

Jump Start # 614

1 Timothy 2:9-10 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

Our verse today addresses the subject of modesty. That subject, for many, seems to be old fashioned, and something that belongs in grandma’s days. Well, it’s not. The problems associated with immodesty are just as alive as they ever have been. Prom dresses, wedding dresses and what some wear to the mall are shocking. It’s even more shocking that Christians are wearing these things without any reservations. Jeremiah 6 says that the people in his days no longer blushed. I wonder if we are there, ourselves. Modesty matters. Not just in church buildings, but on vacation, or anywhere else.

The thought I want to look at is not so much the theme of modesty but Paul’s statement, “making a claim to godliness.” That’s the problem with immodesty—folks aren’t trying to be godly. They are not making that claim.

Making a claim to godliness is a definition of life. It affects multiple areas of life. I have a friend who loves University of Kentucky basketball, bless her heart! She is a die hard fan. She attends the games. She listens to the radio discussions after the game and then she comes home and watches the game again that she taped on TV. She wears wildcat blue. I’ve never seen her with blue hair, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Everyone knows she’s a fan. She shows her colors. She’s proud of her team. She knows the players names, backgrounds and all kinds of information about the team. She is a true fan. She makes a claim! There is no doubt what team she pulls for.

Now, consider that thought spiritually, about Jesus. A person making a claim to godliness is going to be known as godly. What they do, what they talk about, what they know, what they are interested in is going to surround Jesus and godliness. Their true colors will be known.

There is a difference between a real fan of a team and someone who hops on the bandwagon at the end of the season. The true fan has been following the team all season long. They have been there through the low periods and the losses. They have stuck with them. Others get excited about a team near the end of the season. They become a seasonal fan—liking them only when they are winning big and about to head to tournaments. They do not know much about the team. They haven’t stuck with them long.

Making a claim to godliness—means a person will show it, talk about it, know something about it, be interested in it, follow it, and be excited about it. Making a claim…

Making a claim has two affects.

First, there is an internal affect. It doesn’t something to the person making the claim. They think about God and being godly. They seek to please God. Godly people are their people. They walk with God. They pursue godly things. They want to be godly.

Second, it has an external affect. Those around them know them to be a godly person. Their behavior is a bit different, it’s godly. They pray before they eat. They watch their attitude, words, and actions. They have a positive affect upon others. They are good to be around. They can be counted upon. Their word is their word. They are helpful, dependable and confident. They freely talk about things of the Bible. They aren’t ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible in their hand. People know them for their hard work. They are a resource for help with life. People tend to gravitate to them because of who they are.

Making a claim. It’s not showing off, it’s not pretense, it’s not “in your face” stuff. It’s something that they have found to be right, good and true. They want to be godly. They will make that their choice. They don’t waver when others, especially in the family, don’t make that claim. That doesn’t stop them.

Making a claim—it will make a person modest, in all areas. It will make a person prayerful, in all areas. It will make a person Biblical, in all areas. It will lead to pleasing God, in all areas.

Make the claim—have you? Do people around you know that? Fitting in and blending in are not as important as making the claim—first to God, then to self, and finally to others. I am a Christian! I belong to Jesus! I worship on Sunday. I give money, time and talent to the cause of Christ. I believe in Him. I stand with Him. That’s the claim.

It’s time to make it, if you haven’t.

Roger