Sermon for 5/5/2002
Isaiah 3:16
Introduction:
James Gibbons- Worldly Womanhood
She has her hair put up in tiers, And from her ears hang chandeliers; Her lips are painted red as blood- All badges of her "womanhood."
She drapes herself in clothing tight, A sexy object to the sight; All bright, aglitter, and aglow, She makes herself a "manly" show.
WBTU:
A. Background to Isaiah:
1. He wrote during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in Judah.
2. A time of reasonable prosperity. A time of spiritual renewal for Judah.
3. The Assyrian Kingdom wiped out the northern nation of Israel.
4. The Assyrian Kingdom threatened the little nation of Judah throughout the ministry of Isaiah. Greatest miracle was when 185,000 Assyrians died outside the walls of Jerusalem during the reign of the righteous King Hezekiah.
5. Called the Messianic Prophet because he talks about the Israelites as the Messianic Nation to the world.
6. He talks about the Israelites nation through whom one day a great and wonderful blessing would come from God to all nations.
7. He was continually dreaming of the day when that great and wonderful work would be done.
8. He has been called the Shakespeare of the Old Testament. Wonderful writing.
9. Great prophecies of the Messiah like Isaiah 53. Bad times are coming but he contrasts that with the Messiah and the coming of the church.
B. Isaiah 3.
1. Since this was a time of material prosperity, the people of Judah had become slack in their spiritual lives. Isaiah gives them a picture of the judgement that God would bring upon them because of their sins and spiritual apathy.
2. This chapter can be directed against the United States and many of our problems.
3. Vs. 2-3- He is saying that qualified men for high positions will be lacking, and this will be a judgment from God. The cream will rise to the top. The cream will not want to rise if taking a high position means hardship and frustration because people will be rebellious. We see this in our land. Many Godly men do not want to lead in the church or in government because it is a burden and not a joy. God has made some people to lead but because of the state of sinful people, they never fulfill their God given desires. WE then inherit bad leadership.
4. In art we are not what we used to be. In music and moves, we are not what we used to be.
5. WE lack greatness in this day, but we are not willing to admit it because we have become a proud nation. When little men leave long shadows, then we know that the day is soon done.
6. Vs. 4- Men in positions of leadership will act like children. No self-control, totally incompetent.
7. VS. 5- Children shall rise against the older generation. No rules, no standards, if it is old it is no good.
8. Vs. 8- The cities will be ruined. Urban decay.
9. Vs. 12- Juvenile delinquency- our children are oppressing us.
10. Then beginning in vs. 16 he begins to address the issue of the women’s dress. In the future, they will not have any finery; they will look like refugees.
11. The sin that Isaiah is addressing is that the women are more concerned with the packaging than they are with character. It is style over substance. In our day it is all about style, we can get away with anything as long as we have some charisma.
C. (1 Tim 2:8 NIV) I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.(1 Tim 2:9 NIV) I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,(1 Tim 2:10 NIV) but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
1. Modestly = Observing acceptable standards in speech, behavior, or dress. Also, not extreme.
2. God is more concerned with the heart and the spirit than he is with what we wear.
3. However, if we are dressing in a way that is socially unacceptable or is giving people (especially men) the wrong impression of our inward character, then we need to dress modestly.
4. We need to impress people with our sensual movements, tight clothes, painted eyes, luscious lips, etc, this is worldly. We need to impress people with our godly lives filled with good deeds. Need to impress them for the Kingdom of God so that they will come to salvation. What kind of impression are you leaving with your clothes, demeanor, etc.
5. Many of the problems we hear about today- sexual harassment, date rape, young women who suffer from eating disorders and report feeling a lack of control over their bodies- are all connected, I believe, to our culture’s attack on modesty.
6. Look at the award shows. Look at MTV. It is all about style.
D. (1 Pet 3:3 NIV) Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.(1 Pet 3:4 NIV) Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.(1 Pet 3:5 NIV) For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. 1. There is a beauty that has nothing to do with rock hard body, with the right measurements in the chest, with jewelry, with outward adornment, and this beauty is the important one to God.
2. This is the beauty that will shine through an exterior that is less than desirable. This body is dying. Not that we should just let ourselves go, but which one is going to last for eternity.
3. (Prov 31:30 NIV) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
4. Who are we supposed to impress? I need to dress this way so that I can get a man. What is the most important relationship we should have as Christian people? If we are faithful to Christ, he will probably bless us with a good man. If we do it our way, we will be stuck with sick and perverted and worthless men. If he doesn’t give us a man, who cares because we have Christ. I have found a Friend in Jesus- He’s everything to me, He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul; The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole. In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay; He tells me every care on Him to roll. He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star; He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
5. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
a. Physical cord- Intimate relations, beautiful body.
b. Psychological cord- Friendship, same interests.
c. Spiritual cord- Love for God and His work.
6. If we only have the physical cord, the time will come when he is no longer interested. Getting older, body is deteriorating. He may trade you in for a newer model.
7. Women’s dress is the barometer of any civilization. When women’s dress is modest it tells something about the nation as a whole.
8. God is not condemning the women of Israel for dressing in the style of their day. He is talking about the inner life.
E. Had two 3:16’s for Mother’s Day. This one this week, Ruth next week.
F. Talking with someone this last week. Boys and girls are different. 1 brother and two sisters. When going to church, my mother would lay out an outfit and my brother and I would put it on and we would go. However, my sisters were different.
G. I am not going to give fashion tips this morning. I know nothing about such things and I have no desire to learn anything about fashion. I come out and Crystal says don’t you think those things clash. No clue! I have clothes and that is enough for me. I not cool and that’s OK; God still loves me anyway. Not going to give fashion or clothing advice to women. What a Joke!
H. What am I going to wear today? For most ladies this is a daily dilemma because we all want to look our best. The Bible offers tips on fashions that never go out of style.
Thesis: Here are some of the requirements for the well-dressed Christian woman (and man).
For instances:
I. A gentle and quiet spirit- 1 Peter 3:3,4
A. This does not mean we must be silent or never speak our mind.
B. It does mean that we should not be loud or boisterous or call attention to ourselves by being bawdy or brazen.
II. Contentment-
A. (Heb 13:5 NIV) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
C. We may not have a big, fancy house or the latest car or the latest clothes, but we need to remember to count the blessings we do have and to be content with them.
D. Nothing is less attractive than a complaining, jealous spirit.
III. A smile.
A. My experiences at the radio station.
B. This is a reflection of a joyous heart.
C. Christians have every reason to be joyful because we have hope above all hope. (John 16:22 NIV) So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
D. Why would others desire to serve Christ if they see us wearing pained expressions on our faces? Don’t forget that smile!
IV. Inner peace.
A. (Rom 5:1 NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
B. God gives us strength and peace in facing whatever we encounter every day.
V. Confidence
A. Not an arrogance or proud attitude. I believe in me. No.
B. Confidence in Christ.
C. (Phil 4:13 NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
D. He is our strength and refuge. We should not fear.
VI. Love.
A. (Col 3:14 NIV) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
B. Love Adds the Chocolate. Money can build a charming house, but only love can furnish it with a feeling of home. Compulsion keeps a sparkling house. But love and prayer stand a better chance of producing a happy family. Duty gets offended quickly if it isn’t appreciated. But love learns to laugh a lot and to work for the sheer joy of doing it. Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often love will add a little chocolate.
VII. Armor of God.
A. (Eph 6:11 NIV) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
B. Women are not excluded from the battle.
C. Devil is aiming a lot of his attacks against women. When the women become as immoral as the men do, the nation collapses.
VIII. New Self
A. (Eph 4:22 NIV) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;(Eph 4:23 NIV) to be made new in the attitude of your minds;(Eph 4:24 NIV) and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
B. We are to be different from the world.
Conclusion:
A. Summary. What am I going to put on? Remember to put on the important things.
B. Finally, put on the white robe of righteousness. Put on Christ.
1. (Gal 3:27 NIV) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
2. Plan of salvation.
