WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.740 We started a brand new series here in 1 Timothy just two weeks ago. 00:00:04.320 --> 00:00:08.120 And if you missed the past two weeks, I'd encourage you, go to the church website 00:00:08.120 --> 00:00:11.359 and you can listen to those first two messages in the series. 00:00:12.220 --> 00:00:15.580 You can find it on Google or the addresses on the front cover of the bulletin. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:18.920 We've already covered the background of this letter. 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:25.260 And we looked at the introduction and the first instructions in verses 1 to 8. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:28.620 Then last Sunday we jumped ahead to chapter 2. 00:00:28.620 --> 00:00:31.140 And we did the first eight verses there. 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:37.620 And we heard Paul urge Timothy to implement the prime directive in the church. 00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:38.840 And what's the prime directive? 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:44.240 Was anybody here? 00:00:46.400 --> 00:00:52.540 Pray, pray, pray, and give thanks for all people. 00:00:52.539 --> 00:01:02.979 Then we heard how Paul urged the men specifically to come together and pray without anger, without disputing. 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:07.500 And I encouraged our men about those things last Sunday. 00:01:08.659 --> 00:01:14.780 Well, now we're going to move into the Lord's instructions for women in the church. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:19.159 And we're looking at verses 9 and 10 of chapter 2 today. 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:22.239 Let me just read these verses for us. 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:23.780 This is Paul writing to Timothy. 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:34.260 Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:41.460 I also want the women to dress modestly with decency and propriety, 00:01:41.459 --> 00:01:49.239 adorning themselves not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:56.219 but with good deeds appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:00.679 So Jesus has specific instructions here for the men. 00:02:01.799 --> 00:02:04.319 He also has specific instructions for the women. 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:10.799 But I want to start this morning by acknowledging that there's a sense in which both instructions to men and women 00:02:10.799 --> 00:02:13.079 apply to both men and women. 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:16.479 Paul says, I want the men everywhere to pray. 00:02:17.359 --> 00:02:19.199 Does he want the women to pray too? 00:02:20.579 --> 00:02:21.519 Of course. 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:27.359 Paul highlights that the men should pray without anger or disputing. 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:33.900 Do women ever have issues with anger or get in arguments? 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:36.680 Of course you do. 00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:45.019 But, as I said last week, some of these things might be more of an issue for men. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:46.159 Neglecting prayer. 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:48.219 Anger. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:48.959 Disputing. 00:02:50.259 --> 00:02:54.639 I look out my back window and I see my girls playing family in the backyard. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:59.459 I look out my front window and I see Caleb and Josh wrestling in the grass. 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:02.879 We tend to be a little more vigorous and abrasive. 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:07.359 So now as we come to these instructions for women in verses 9 and 10, 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:09.479 yes, it is mainly aimed at women. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:13.620 But the general principle applies to men as well. 00:03:14.740 --> 00:03:18.599 Yes, us men sometimes are tempted to dress immodestly. 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:23.939 To show off new or expensive clothes or accessories. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:29.379 But generally it is going to be more of an issue for the women than the men. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:33.759 So what's the instruction given here to the women? 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:36.419 In verse 9, Paul says, 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:58.439 So our faith in Jesus affects every area of our lives. 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:04.939 Yes, even down to how we dress and the clothes that we wear. 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:10.259 There are certain ways of dressing that simply do not fit with our faith in Christ. 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:17.000 And I want us first to notice here that Christ's instructions for how we should physically clothe ourselves 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:19.339 only last for one verse. 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:22.599 This isn't a 10-page list. 00:04:23.259 --> 00:04:27.019 And the instructions given here revolve really around two moral issues. 00:04:27.599 --> 00:04:32.959 So it's not a highly restricted dress code that's intended to take away all of our freedoms. 00:04:33.719 --> 00:04:35.739 We aren't told what color socks to wear. 00:04:36.479 --> 00:04:41.259 We aren't told that we must, for women, must always wear dresses. 00:04:41.599 --> 00:04:44.500 Or that on certain days of the week we must wear this or that. 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:48.639 Or that women must wear burqas. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:53.720 Rather, Christ gives us a couple principles and a couple examples 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:58.939 to steer us away from that way of dressing that is inappropriate for God's people. 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:04.519 And the first principle that he gives us here about how we should physically clothe ourselves 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:08.959 is this principle of modesty. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:14.620 I want the women to dress modestly, with decency, and propriety. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:17.019 Paul uses three words here. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:19.639 Modesty, decency, and propriety. 00:05:20.039 --> 00:05:22.319 And it's kind of hard to define these words without each other. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:26.439 I tried looking them up in the dictionary and they all just had the other word there. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:30.759 But when it comes right down to it, their meaning is very similar. 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:34.279 Especially in the context of clothing and how we dress. 00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:39.239 Basically, the idea is that we dress appropriately. 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:41.359 Respectably. 00:05:41.919 --> 00:05:42.359 Suitably. 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:48.479 Decency carries that same idea, but also that idea of being adequately covered. 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:49.759 Or not exposed. 00:05:50.719 --> 00:05:53.379 And with propriety means with reasonableness. 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:54.799 Good judgment. 00:05:55.299 --> 00:05:55.839 Discretion. 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:56.759 Moderation. 00:05:57.979 --> 00:06:03.299 Now part of the trouble here is that how we dress is very much related to current culture. 00:06:04.279 --> 00:06:08.559 And we have to be careful here because we can go too far in either direction. 00:06:09.119 --> 00:06:13.119 We can make the cultural context too much of a factor here. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:16.279 Or we can make it not enough of a factor here. 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:19.119 In how we interpret and apply these words. 00:06:20.219 --> 00:06:24.879 For example, some people will just let these words go in one ear and out the other. 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:27.659 And say, well, that was way back then in Ephesus. 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:29.379 Times have changed. 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:34.800 How could any of this possibly have any application or relevance to us today? 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:42.740 Elaborate braided hairstyles may have been immodest back then, but today, that's totally all right. 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:44.579 Culturally, it's all right, isn't it? 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:52.620 Or we can kind of go down the other side and we could say that, well, the culture isn't really the issue. 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:54.219 It's what does it say? 00:06:55.219 --> 00:06:56.419 This is immodest. 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:59.039 No matter what the cultural context is. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:07.479 But then how do we apply this in cultures today around the world when we see such different standards of dress for women? 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:10.020 So it's not totally irrelevant. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:16.180 As we'll see in a moment, modesty and clothing transcends culture in some ways. 00:07:16.840 --> 00:07:19.700 But it's also bound by culture in some ways. 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:27.920 Let's start by realizing that this wasn't just a problem for the women in the church at Ephesus. 00:07:28.900 --> 00:07:30.080 How do we know that? 00:07:31.580 --> 00:07:35.439 Well, we see this in verses 8 and 9. 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:37.319 8 is the instructions for men. 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:39.199 That's the first sentence. 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:41.379 9 is the instructions for women. 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:47.300 And back in the original language, in the original way this was written, 00:07:47.779 --> 00:07:53.839 they actually share the same verb and they're connected by that word also or likewise, depending on your translation. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:07:57.959 So these instructions are meant to be together. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:04.740 I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:10.639 Likewise, the women to dress modestly with decency and propriety. 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:17.100 So Paul himself lets us know that this is an issue that transcends local culture. 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:22.360 Just as the men were to pray everywhere, in every church. 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:27.300 The women too, to dress modestly, everywhere, in every church. 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:34.220 Whether that's in the Jewish areas or the Roman cultures or the Greek cultures. 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:42.680 So there is a bit of a transculturalness to this that we need to see here. 00:08:42.820 --> 00:08:46.139 It's not just the women in Ephesus who struggled with this. 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:52.800 But next, let's see how this issue was affected by the culture of the first century. 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:56.279 Back in those days, it was the days of the Roman Empire. 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:59.480 And there was something of a dress code back then. 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:05.100 Now it wasn't necessarily written down in law or any policies. 00:09:05.439 --> 00:09:12.500 But there was this shared cultural understanding of what was appropriate for women to wear and what was inappropriate. 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:17.299 They had women who worked as prostitutes back then. 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:23.699 And they would dress in a certain way in order to attract men and to make money. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:27.740 And so if you were a married woman, you didn't dress like that. 00:09:28.699 --> 00:09:30.259 That was considered inappropriate. 00:09:31.079 --> 00:09:35.159 It was considered dishonoring to your husband and to your family. 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:39.679 And so by what you wore, you could either broadcast this message as a woman. 00:09:40.219 --> 00:09:44.919 Either I'm taken, I'm married, I'm unavailable. 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:48.779 Or you could broadcast the opposite. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.099 I'm available. 00:09:50.839 --> 00:09:54.019 I'm interested in some kind of a relationship. 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:56.679 Whether romantic or sexual. 00:09:58.659 --> 00:10:01.539 Not only that, but fashion was a thing back then too. 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:07.039 The wealthy, courtesan women in the highest levels of the Roman Empire, 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:12.279 they seemed to set the trend for women all around. 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:16.980 And so as we read of the kind of the styles back then, 00:10:17.079 --> 00:10:21.179 we hear mentioned in the passage, elaborate braided hairstyles. 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:24.360 This was really a fashion trend started by the wealthy, courtesan women. 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:31.319 They would spend hours having their servants do up their hair with these elaborate braids 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:36.899 and kind of piling it all on top of their heads with gold and pearls and beads, 00:10:37.319 --> 00:10:38.519 worked into the design. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:45.120 And then young girls and women all throughout the empire would see them and they think, 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:47.519 wow, that looks beautiful. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:51.659 And they would begin to imitate and follow along with that. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:56.759 Surprisingly, when we think about that cultural context, 00:10:57.379 --> 00:11:00.539 it's actually not all that different from today. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:06.759 We have women today who work in the sex industry and who dress a certain way 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:11.519 in order to attract and allure the attention of men. 00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:17.620 And most women today are quite aware of the difference between business casual 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:21.980 and the outfit for the bar or clubbing. 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:28.200 We also have wealthy celebrities today spending thousands of dollars on fashion, 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:35.039 styling, even cosmetic surgery, eager to show off the latest and the greatest. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:39.779 And similarly, we have countless women who are watching, 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:42.259 young girls who are watching and who are imitating. 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:46.279 So what are the real problems here? 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:49.639 Essentially, there are two. 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:55.580 The first is dressing to appeal in the sexual sense. 00:11:56.480 --> 00:12:02.960 That's kind of implied by the terms modestly, decency, and propriety. 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:06.280 And the second is dressing to show off. 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:10.620 That's kind of comes to us in what Paul says, 00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:15.860 not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:19.660 So these are the two big ways, the two moral principles 00:12:19.660 --> 00:12:22.660 that kind of anchor his instructions here about modesty. 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:24.980 One is more about sexual attraction. 00:12:25.780 --> 00:12:30.280 And the other is more about showing off through fashion and style. 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:37.259 But I would like to suggest that both of these really boil down to just one principle, 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:38.720 one heart problem. 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.379 And it's simply this. 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:44.299 Dressing to draw attention to myself. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:51.579 That's what a modest dress and indecent clothing and expensive clothes are about. 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:56.360 I'm dressing in order to draw attention to myself. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:59.159 I want people to notice me. 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:02.159 I want people to like me. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:05.459 I want that guy to see me. 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.799 I hope that he asks me out. 00:13:07.819 --> 00:13:10.879 I want my friends to compliment me and think I'm awesome. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:13.259 I want them to be impressed when I walk through the door. 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:20.639 I want them to ooh and ah over my new hairdo or my nails or my new piece of brand name clothing. 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:27.000 I want them to see how well I'm doing financially with my latest purchase. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:30.840 Whether clothing or accessory or jewelry. 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:37.360 The problem with all of this is that the focus is on me. 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:39.480 It's all about me. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.620 Me, me. 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:43.139 It's on me being loved by others. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.899 Me being admired by others. 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:47.519 Me being praised by others. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:49.399 Having the attention of others. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:56.100 And it really is a selfish and self-centered attitude of the heart. 00:13:56.100 --> 00:14:03.879 Now again, I want to point out this isn't just a problem for women. 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:09.700 Do you know who else had this problem of dressing in order to get others to notice them? 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:14.140 The Pharisees. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:17.140 The religious leaders of the Jews. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:20.660 Jesus himself speaking about them said, 00:14:20.660 --> 00:14:23.140 Everything they do is done for people to see. 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:28.620 They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long. 00:14:32.280 --> 00:14:34.680 And this wasn't just a problem in the first century. 00:14:35.420 --> 00:14:38.259 Way back long ago, hundreds of years before all this, 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:42.679 The prophet Isaiah rebuked the women of Jerusalem for their immodesty. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:45.439 Isaiah chapter 3 verse 16. 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:47.019 The Lord is speaking and he says, 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:49.460 The women of Zion are haughty. 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:53.019 Walking along with outstretched necks. 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:55.120 Flirting with their eyes. 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:57.600 Strutting along with swaying hips. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:15:00.319 With ornaments jingling on their ankles. 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.799 He goes on, 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.299 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery. 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:08.539 The bangles and the headbands and the crescent necklaces. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:13.259 And the earrings and bracelets and veils and headdresses and anklets and sashes. 00:15:13.599 --> 00:15:16.059 The perfume bottles and charms. 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:17.159 The signet rings. 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.019 The nose rings. 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:19.079 The fine robes. 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:19.740 The capes. 00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:20.659 The cloaks. 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.539 The purses and mirrors. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:25.719 And the linen garments and tiaras and shawls. 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:34.899 It's quite the list that he used back then to describe all the different ways that the women were dressing seductively. 00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:37.340 Or dressing to show off and to impress. 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.960 To get attention for themselves. 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:41.340 And back then the Lord promised judgment. 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:43.080 Because these women were wicked. 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:48.139 And this way of dressing kind of fed into that and was part of that. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:51.919 So it all boils down here. 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:52.759 I'm suggesting. 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:53.419 I'm submitting. 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:56.580 When it comes to how we dress to a heart issue. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:16:01.980 Am I dressing to draw attention to myself? 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:05.659 The Bible's words for this is vanity. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:09.379 It means being self-absorbed. 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:15.299 Really desiring the admiration and appreciation of others. 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:20.179 It means being excessively concerned with your own physical appearance. 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.939 Being a show off. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:28.059 About something that in the grand scheme of life isn't even really that important. 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:32.099 This is the heart behind a modest dress. 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:36.039 Am I dressing to draw attention to myself? 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:40.419 This is a thing that doesn't fit with faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:43.179 It's a thing that in the household of God. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:43.839 In the church. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:45.259 We should turn away from. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.080 We should reject. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.440 Now. 00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:50.700 I want to briefly acknowledge that. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:55.320 Dressing in this way isn't always a heart issue. 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:56.940 In some cases. 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:59.320 It's kind of done in ignorance. 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:02.580 Without really thinking too much about it. 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:05.860 Girls go shopping with their moms. 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:10.840 And what happens when the vast majority of the clothes on the shelf are immodest? 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.900 Because that's the trend of the day. 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:16.420 You get these really low cut tops. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:19.480 Or you get these really high cut skirts. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.620 Or shorts. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:25.080 We can think of culture. 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:27.259 And its effect on us. 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:29.080 Like a fish swimming in the water. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.140 All the fish really knows about. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.259 Is the water that it's swimming in. 00:17:34.800 --> 00:17:38.240 It doesn't really know too much about the world outside the water. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:42.120 And I think sometimes it's like that for girls and for young women. 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:46.799 If the world all around us is all dressing this way. 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:49.420 And just acts like it's normal. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.359 We see it on TV. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.400 We see it in the movies. 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.700 We see it online. 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.140 We see it at school. 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:57.820 We don't know anything else. 00:17:57.820 --> 00:17:59.160 Without even realizing it. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.420 We just accept. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.020 Yes. 00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:02.259 This is the way to dress. 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.080 This is normal. 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.240 This is beautiful. 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:06.060 This is what's appropriate. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:10.240 And so we see these kind of ridiculous things. 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:14.659 Like children wearing bikinis at the swimming pool. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:17.599 There's not a heart issue there, obviously. 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:20.440 It's an innocent thing. 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.379 It's more of an ignorance. 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.879 Maybe an imitation thing. 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:23.940 I want to be like mom. 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:26.779 They don't realize yet why it's immodest. 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:30.700 But as we grow and develop. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.700 And puberty happens. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:35.799 And interest in the opposite sex awakens. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:41.359 Suddenly we become more aware of what dressing in these ways does for us. 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:43.180 That attention that we start to get. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.920 And we lose that ignorance. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.519 And that innocence. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.019 And so as parents. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:52.000 And even just as people in general. 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.440 We need to be sensitive to this. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.620 In some cases. 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:58.140 It's not that the person is just hungry for attention. 00:18:58.620 --> 00:19:01.640 Sometimes we just get into following the trend of the day. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.420 Without thinking too much about it. 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.240 Or sometimes. 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:09.519 Women may choose to wear modest clothes. 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:11.180 Simply because they don't want to stand out. 00:19:11.580 --> 00:19:12.420 Like a sore thumb. 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.580 Because if that's the trend. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.380 That's the style. 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.980 And everybody else is dressed like this. 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.960 I'm going to feel really weird. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:20.600 If I'm wearing something totally different. 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.700 Something that's out of style. 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.960 My friends will make fun of me. 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.580 So yes. 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.920 There is a heart issue here. 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:31.319 That we have to watch out for. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.460 But also an ignorance. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.819 And a naivety that can be part of it. 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:37.180 Especially for girls or young ladies. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:40.539 As the temptation is there just to follow the crowd. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.580 So here are some questions. 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.220 To ask yourself. 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.640 As you get dressed in the morning. 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:48.039 And look in the mirror. 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.120 And do all the stuff that you do. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:53.079 It's different for men than for women. 00:19:54.199 --> 00:19:55.439 Here's some questions. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.719 Is this modest? 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.599 Is this appropriate? 00:20:02.219 --> 00:20:03.599 Is this respectable? 00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:06.339 Is it honorable? 00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:10.739 Am I looking for attention from others? 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.399 With this outfit? 00:20:13.679 --> 00:20:14.619 This makeup? 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:17.479 These accessories? 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.419 Or jewelry? 00:20:20.419 --> 00:20:22.599 Am I dressing like this to impress someone? 00:20:24.679 --> 00:20:26.039 And if so, who is it? 00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:33.139 What part of my body does this outfit highlight? 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:36.000 And draw people's eyes to? 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.060 The most? 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:42.060 And is it one of the parts that they shouldn't be looking at? 00:20:43.780 --> 00:20:45.720 You guys know the parts I'm talking about. 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:50.380 Now we might wonder here. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:56.500 You know, is Jesus saying that we should never braid our hair? 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:58.460 Or have elaborate hairstyles? 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:00.539 Or even wear expensive clothes? 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:02.059 Or have any jewelry? 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:05.059 And I think the answer to that question is no. 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:09.960 These things listed are an example of the immodesty common in the day. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:14.440 Paul's just kind of painting a picture of how they would dress when they come to church. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:16.039 Or just even on an ordinary day. 00:21:16.899 --> 00:21:26.179 But even Jesus acknowledged that it was appropriate to dress up for occasions in one of his parables. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:34.259 In Matthew chapter 22, Jesus tells a parable about a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:39.580 And there was this man who slips in unnoticed without wedding clothes. 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:48.759 And when the king finds him at the banquet, the king throws him out because he's not dressed appropriately for the occasion. 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:51.519 Now yes, there is a deeper meaning to this parable. 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.859 It's about the kingdom of God. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:57.460 But the illustration that holds that meaning up is still true. 00:21:57.819 --> 00:22:08.039 Jesus was implicitly acknowledging that, yes, it would be inappropriate to go to a wedding banquet without wearing clothes suitable for the occasion. 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:11.059 And I think there's a principle here. 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:14.900 That we should dress to suit the occasion. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:20.319 We should dress in a way that honors the person that's being celebrated. 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:29.039 And yes, wedding suits and gowns and dresses are expensive. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:34.039 But that expense is not paid just to draw attention to myself. 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:39.660 It's paid to honor the one being celebrated and remembered that day. 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:45.019 Maybe you've been in that position where you didn't have anything that fit anymore. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:48.319 Or something happened to your old wedding attire. 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:51.879 But then somebody gets married and you've got to go get a new suit. 00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:54.599 You wouldn't have got it otherwise, maybe. 00:22:54.859 --> 00:23:00.960 But you go get it because that's how you honor the occasion and the people that are being celebrated that day. 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:05.619 So we should dress up to honor the occasion or the person. 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.819 Some occasions are very special. 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.960 Some are once in a lifetime. 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:15.840 That's a different heart than dressing, though, just to draw attention to yourself. 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:20.660 And it still needs to be governed by decency and modesty. 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:23.120 Now, I haven't been to a wedding in a while. 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:29.779 But when I was younger, I was always surprised by how some of my peers, young Christian women, 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:32.799 I mean, they dress modestly every day. 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.279 Everything was all covered. 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:39.119 But then comes the wedding day and the dress is so revealing. 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:44.220 Just showing it all up here or totally all bare right down the back. 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.559 I couldn't believe it. 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:49.460 I was like, man, it's like they're half naked in front of all these people. 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:53.420 Like, awkward for me. 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:57.899 Or at the pool with bikinis. 00:23:57.900 --> 00:24:05.660 You know, if it's immodest to wear just a bra and panties out in public, 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:09.800 how's that any different than wearing a bikini at the public swimming pool? 00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:12.100 It's the same amount of coverage. 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.420 Basically the same thing. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:19.100 So yes, we dress up to suit the occasion. 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:22.280 We dress up to show honor to others. 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:26.559 Yet also keeping in mind decency, modesty. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:31.519 Let's talk for a moment about how we should dress for church on Sundays. 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:37.799 I know that this conversation has bubbled around the surface here in our church on occasion. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.920 Should we dress up? 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:42.139 Or should we just come as we are? 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.480 Because that's who we are. 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.539 And that's more authentic. 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:52.639 I think, again, it all comes back to this heart question of why am I dressing up for church? 00:24:55.059 --> 00:25:01.680 If it's just to draw attention to yourself or because others expect it, then it's vanity. 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:05.680 It's just like the women portrayed here in this passage. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:14.560 But if you're dressing up to honor the occasion, to honor the Lord who we are gathered to worship, 00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:19.660 then by all means, dress nicer for his sake. 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:26.620 Probably don't dress it up so much that you end up drawing a lot of attention to yourself. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:30.279 I mean, do you want people singing and praising God during worship? 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:37.079 Or do you want them kind of distracted by your bridesmaid's gown or your tuxedo and your shiny shoes? 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:51.759 That being said, there are times and situations where we've got to choose between coming to worship or not coming to worship. 00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:55.960 And we don't want to make that choice based on whether we can get home and get the clothes. 00:25:55.960 --> 00:26:00.779 So if you've got a shift after this at the health center or you're working on duty or whatever, 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:07.200 coming off a shift here in coveralls, I think the Lord would rather you be here and be worshiping. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:12.200 Because worship is really all about the heart and not about the outward appearance. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:16.259 It's just a way that we can honor the Lord when we gather. 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:24.019 Now I want to take a few minutes to talk practically about what immodest dress looks like. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:27.339 And then we're going to look at how Christ wants us to dress. 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:31.440 Now I hemmed and hawed over this back and forth all week long, 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:33.660 whether to make a list like this. 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:40.599 But you know, I think in the church we need to spell it out clearly. 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:45.579 If we don't, then we leave it up to the world. 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:48.879 We leave it up to culture around us to define modesty. 00:26:49.719 --> 00:26:53.740 And as we're seeing more and more, our culture is going away from it. 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:58.199 So don't take this as a religious to-do list. 00:26:58.299 --> 00:27:03.419 Just take it as a practical guide for how a person might dress immodestly. 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:09.259 And also this list is for us who are followers of Jesus. 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:13.680 I hope that, I want you to know that if you're visiting or new here, 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:17.180 just checking things out, if you're dressed like this, 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:19.200 you don't need to run out the door here. 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:22.059 We're not going to hold a check stop at the back door on the way out. 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.920 We're here to learn. 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:27.920 We're here to see what Christ is calling us to as his followers. 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:31.759 And so I hope this list is helpful. 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:34.480 Maybe we can have some conversations about it. 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:37.839 If there's some pushback, bring it on. 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.740 Let's talk about it. 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.859 Let's have the conversation. 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.819 It's important. 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.940 So here goes. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:49.500 Immodest dress is clothing that doesn't completely cover private parts. 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:57.720 Clothing that can be seen to fit very tightly around the private areas. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.720 The areas listed on screen. 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:09.720 Clothing that is see-through or sheer, which allows people to see your undergarments or lack thereof. 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:19.259 Clothing that covers but is still designed intentionally to get people's attention to private parts. 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:25.180 Clothing that reveals midriff. 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:27.680 Now I know there might be some pushback on that. 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:29.500 I'm going to tell you though. 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:34.860 If you Google outfits for the bar, you'll find a lot that show midriff. 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:38.500 And if you Google business casual, you'll find none. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:40.500 Why is that? 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:49.279 I think it's because we generally have this sense of what is acceptable out in the public, in the workplace, in the daytime. 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:58.619 Clothing that has windows or cutouts near private parts or along the sides of the body. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:01.279 Clothing that reveals the inner thighs. 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:07.839 Now I'm not going to give an exact skirt or shorts length above the knee, but I'm going to say when in doubt, probably go longer. 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:10.679 Because we see the direction that our culture is moving, right? 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:21.079 Again, Google business casual for women and you won't find short skirts, really short skirts, really short shorts. 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:33.119 Another thing that's not inherently immodest, but just sometimes something to watch out for, is clothing that is unsuitable for the activity. 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:38.419 Maybe it reveals private areas when you're bending over or sitting down. 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:44.359 When we gather like this, we're almost in like a family gathering as a church. 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.819 I mean, there's hustle and bustle. 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:46.599 Things are going on. 00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:48.899 There's stuff all over the floor that the kids have dropped. 00:29:49.179 --> 00:29:50.719 We're shuffling furniture sometimes. 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.919 We're doing different things. 00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:55.199 We need clothing that is functionally modest. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:30:04.299 Whereas there's some occasions where you can kind of get away with clothing that is less functionally modest. 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:08.180 On the other side of things, on the showy side of things, 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:13.860 immodest dress includes brand name clothing or accessories that are very expensive. 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:18.500 I'm thinking coach purses. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:21.420 Maybe you women know what those are all about. 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:28.460 $500 clutch, $1,000 handbag, $2,200 leather jacket. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:31.400 And that's the only brand name I know. 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:32.980 You guys can probably think of more. 00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:34.920 Those highfalutin brands. 00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:37.560 At this point, it's not about quality. 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.700 It's about getting attention. 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:43.600 It's about showing off because you've got the brand name swag. 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:50.459 But hey, if you find one of these pieces of clothing or these purses for almost nothing at Value Village, 00:30:51.399 --> 00:30:52.679 go for it. 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:54.000 Don't worry about it. 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.459 God knows your heart. 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.779 Ostentatious jewelry. 00:30:59.919 --> 00:31:04.679 Really large earrings, rings, necklaces, brooches. 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:11.519 Probably not for most people in our generation, but over-the-top fascinators. 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:15.160 You ever see those hats that all the feathers coming out and it's like, woo! 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:22.920 And for many young people today, their phones have almost become like a fashion accessory. 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:31.140 People showing off their expensive new iPhone 14, 15, whatever it is. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:36.840 And then when people stop caring about it, oh, I've got to go get another case that matches my favorite outfit 00:31:36.840 --> 00:31:40.019 so that I can show how it matches with my clothes. 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:42.200 And just spending all this money just for a show. 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.320 It's modest. 00:31:46.080 --> 00:31:48.300 All right, well, that's the end of the list. 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:56.879 We've thoroughly unpacked and applied that first part about how to dress modestly with decency and propriety. 00:31:57.559 --> 00:32:00.879 But now let's hear the second half of what Jesus wants us to do. 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:07.279 I also want the women to dress modestly with decency and propriety, 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:12.740 adorning themselves not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:18.960 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:23.200 Adorn yourselves with good deeds. 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:29.759 Make yourselves beautiful, not with all these outward things, but with good deeds. 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:36.640 The kind of actions and works that are fitting for a woman who claims to worship God, 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:39.380 says Jesus through Paul. 00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:45.180 Again, we get this idea here that there is a way of making ourselves beautiful 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:48.280 that is fitting with our faith in God. 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:53.880 And there's a way of making ourselves beautiful that's not fitting with our faith in him. 00:32:55.300 --> 00:32:57.200 And so I want to say to you women, 00:32:57.780 --> 00:33:05.080 do not concern yourself too much with body beautification, fashion, clothing, accessories. 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:12.059 Make yourself beautiful by doing the things that godly women do. 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:15.599 Quite literally, through good works. 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:19.359 In other words, you know what's truly beautiful? 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:22.240 It's when you see another person in need, 00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:24.639 and you give of your time, 00:33:25.439 --> 00:33:26.159 your resources, 00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:28.659 your energy to help that person 00:33:28.659 --> 00:33:29.919 and meet that need. 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:33.240 That's what good works are all about. 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.420 Acts of love. 00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:38.240 Acts of encouragement. 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:41.920 Things done to meet the needs of others. 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.860 And now be careful. 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.640 Paul's not saying, 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:47.779 well, go around and do a bunch of good works 00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:49.320 to get others to notice you. 00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:50.060 Of course not. 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:53.980 That's what Jesus scolded the Pharisees for doing. 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:58.779 He means do these good works out of that genuine love in your heart 00:33:58.779 --> 00:34:00.740 for the people around you, 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.639 the people in need. 00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:03.639 Again, the heart is the key. 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:05.859 True beauty. 00:34:07.139 --> 00:34:09.219 The greatest beauty that a woman can have 00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:12.559 has to do with who she is on the inside. 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.820 Not the outside. 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:18.460 Jesus said it this way through the Apostle Peter. 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.980 He said, 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:22.720 your beauty should not come from outward adornment. 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:24.320 He's talking to wives specifically. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.900 Such as elaborate hairstyles 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:29.019 and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:31.659 Rather, it should be that of your inner self. 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:36.480 The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:39.400 which is of great worth in God's sight. 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:43.000 Now here in this context, 00:34:43.220 --> 00:34:47.199 Peter is talking specifically about wives submitting to husbands, 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:49.539 and we're going to get to that in time, 00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.239 not today. 00:34:50.919 --> 00:34:53.619 So that's why he highlights these particular qualities. 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:55.599 Gentleness and a quiet spirit. 00:34:56.279 --> 00:34:58.859 But there are other inward character qualities 00:34:58.859 --> 00:35:00.379 that make a woman beautiful. 00:35:01.859 --> 00:35:04.059 The fruits of the spirit is a good place 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:05.739 to look for a quick list. 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:06.419 Love. 00:35:07.719 --> 00:35:08.079 Joy. 00:35:09.859 --> 00:35:10.339 Patience. 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:12.180 kindness. 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.440 Faithfulness. 00:35:15.680 --> 00:35:16.620 Self-control. 00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:19.320 And we could add to that list. 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.559 Wisdom. 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:22.380 Humility. 00:35:24.059 --> 00:35:26.160 Deep trust or faith in God. 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.480 Reverence. 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.539 Respect. 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:32.940 Compassion. 00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:34.940 Generosity. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:37.579 These are all inward things 00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:39.780 that we get through our devotion to God, 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:41.340 through our relationship with him. 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.960 And these are the things 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:45.440 that make a man or a woman 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.659 beautiful. 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:47.940 Radiant. 00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:51.000 And so I want to encourage you women. 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:53.599 Pursue the inward beauty. 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:56.139 Pursue that inward beauty. 00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:56.980 Go after it. 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:58.800 Let it flow out of you 00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.659 in your actions. 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:02.500 I think we all know the answer, 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:04.179 but let me just ask it anyway. 00:36:04.379 --> 00:36:04.619 Women, 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:06.440 what's more attractive? 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:09.039 That muscular guy 00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.799 who's ripped 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:11.719 with that charming face, 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:13.799 who only cares about himself 00:36:13.799 --> 00:36:15.699 and lives to please himself, 00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:17.279 whose mouth is foul 00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:18.759 and who never keeps his word. 00:36:20.339 --> 00:36:22.159 Or a somewhat overweight, 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:24.179 ordinary looking guy 00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:25.579 who isn't perfect, 00:36:25.739 --> 00:36:26.859 but loves God 00:36:26.859 --> 00:36:29.519 and genuinely cares about other people 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.840 and treats them with kindness 00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:32.039 and respect 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:33.259 and honor. 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:37.340 Solomon said it this way, 00:36:37.739 --> 00:36:38.900 Proverbs 11, 22. 00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:41.380 Like a gold ring 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:43.280 in a pig's snout 00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:45.039 is a beautiful woman 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:46.900 who shows no discretion. 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:50.440 So you can be outwardly beautiful, 00:36:50.699 --> 00:36:53.840 but altogether quite unattractive. 00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:56.739 Without the godly character 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:57.400 and wisdom 00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:58.239 that only comes 00:36:58.239 --> 00:36:59.239 through your relationship 00:36:59.239 --> 00:36:59.879 with Jesus, 00:36:59.879 --> 00:37:01.879 you could have the perfect body, 00:37:01.979 --> 00:37:02.959 the perfect features, 00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:05.339 but they would actually be spoiled 00:37:05.339 --> 00:37:08.159 by your lack of character. 00:37:11.819 --> 00:37:13.099 Proverbs chapter 31 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:14.239 is one of the best chapters 00:37:14.239 --> 00:37:14.779 in the Bible 00:37:14.779 --> 00:37:15.699 dealing with this. 00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:18.299 The whole chapter 00:37:18.299 --> 00:37:18.899 is wonderful. 00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:20.599 It speaks of all the good deeds 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:22.659 that a wife might do 00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:24.319 to bring blessing 00:37:24.319 --> 00:37:25.059 and benefit 00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:25.919 to her children, 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:27.340 to her husband, 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:28.599 to the poor 00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:29.400 and the needy. 00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:31.139 And at the end of the chapter 00:37:31.139 --> 00:37:32.059 it says this, 00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:33.800 Proverbs 31, verse 30. 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:36.980 Charm is deceptive 00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:40.220 and beauty is fleeting, 00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:42.579 but a woman 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.959 who fears the Lord 00:37:43.959 --> 00:37:45.899 is to be praised. 00:37:48.599 --> 00:37:49.279 One day, 00:37:49.379 --> 00:37:50.719 if God lets us live that long, 00:37:50.779 --> 00:37:51.799 we'll all be old, 00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:53.159 wrinkled, 00:37:53.759 --> 00:37:54.179 baggy, 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.059 and saggy. 00:37:56.859 --> 00:37:57.699 Outward beauty 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.559 is fleeting. 00:37:58.779 --> 00:37:59.759 It doesn't last. 00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:02.000 But that inward beauty 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:03.160 of godly character 00:38:03.160 --> 00:38:05.160 is unfading. 00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:08.260 And it leads us 00:38:08.260 --> 00:38:09.100 to do all kinds 00:38:09.100 --> 00:38:09.880 of beautiful things 00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:10.420 that will leave 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:12.040 a truly beautiful legacy 00:38:12.040 --> 00:38:14.080 in the world around us. 00:38:15.540 --> 00:38:16.800 Pop culture blogs 00:38:16.800 --> 00:38:17.560 and websites 00:38:17.560 --> 00:38:19.840 like to keep records 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:21.100 of ridiculous things 00:38:21.100 --> 00:38:22.020 like the top ten 00:38:22.020 --> 00:38:23.040 most beautiful women 00:38:23.040 --> 00:38:23.800 of all time. 00:38:24.040 --> 00:38:24.540 Maybe you've 00:38:24.540 --> 00:38:25.820 come across 00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:26.660 an article or two 00:38:26.660 --> 00:38:27.240 like that. 00:38:28.320 --> 00:38:28.920 And the list, 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:29.320 of course, 00:38:29.380 --> 00:38:30.720 will be all these 00:38:30.720 --> 00:38:32.180 celebrities, 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:33.200 models, 00:38:33.420 --> 00:38:34.119 wealthy people. 00:38:35.159 --> 00:38:36.019 But I can tell you 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:36.440 right now, 00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:37.320 much more beautiful 00:38:37.320 --> 00:38:38.700 than any from those lists 00:38:38.700 --> 00:38:40.019 are women like 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:40.900 Corrie Ten Boom, 00:38:41.980 --> 00:38:45.900 whose faith led her 00:38:45.900 --> 00:38:46.700 to put her life 00:38:46.700 --> 00:38:47.360 on the line, 00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:48.940 to hide Jews, 00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:49.980 to save their lives 00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:51.039 during World War II. 00:38:51.680 --> 00:38:53.320 Or little Gladys Aylward 00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:54.480 who packed her bag 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:56.079 and went all by herself 00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:56.539 to China 00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:57.360 to share Jesus 00:38:57.360 --> 00:38:58.260 with these people 00:38:58.260 --> 00:39:00.680 who didn't know Christ 00:39:00.680 --> 00:39:01.680 even though everybody 00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:02.460 laughed at her 00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:02.780 and said, 00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:04.180 what can you possibly do? 00:39:05.800 --> 00:39:07.080 Or Elizabeth Elliot 00:39:07.080 --> 00:39:08.260 who followed her husband 00:39:08.260 --> 00:39:09.740 to reach out to 00:39:09.740 --> 00:39:10.880 a tribe that 00:39:10.880 --> 00:39:12.140 killed him 00:39:12.140 --> 00:39:13.440 and then went 00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:14.840 one step further 00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:16.360 and moved into the tribe 00:39:16.360 --> 00:39:17.580 and shared Jesus 00:39:17.580 --> 00:39:18.160 with them. 00:39:20.120 --> 00:39:21.000 I'm going to bet 00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.680 that most of you 00:39:21.680 --> 00:39:23.280 wouldn't even recognize them 00:39:23.280 --> 00:39:24.560 if you saw their photo 00:39:24.560 --> 00:39:25.320 on the screen. 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:28.220 And yet from the things 00:39:28.220 --> 00:39:28.780 that they did, 00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:29.900 those real acts 00:39:29.900 --> 00:39:31.559 of courageous love, 00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:33.320 they are among 00:39:33.320 --> 00:39:34.380 the most beautiful women 00:39:34.380 --> 00:39:35.580 our world has ever seen. 00:39:36.500 --> 00:39:37.960 And so I want to encourage you, 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:39.059 be like them. 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:42.039 Let who you are 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:43.160 on the inside 00:39:43.160 --> 00:39:44.860 be your highest priority. 00:39:45.080 --> 00:39:45.940 Go after God. 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:47.780 Love him with all your heart, 00:39:48.180 --> 00:39:48.500 soul, 00:39:48.680 --> 00:39:48.960 mind, 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:49.640 and strength. 00:39:50.840 --> 00:39:51.680 Live for him. 00:39:51.800 --> 00:39:52.340 Obey him. 00:39:52.340 --> 00:39:53.260 And do the good works 00:39:53.260 --> 00:39:54.420 that he's put before you 00:39:54.420 --> 00:39:54.880 to do. 00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:57.180 And you will be 00:39:57.180 --> 00:39:58.720 outstandingly beautiful. 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:02.579 We've got to tune out 00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:03.700 what the world is telling us 00:40:03.700 --> 00:40:04.300 about beauty. 00:40:05.140 --> 00:40:06.180 Most of it's wrong. 00:40:06.740 --> 00:40:07.700 Don't listen to Disney. 00:40:08.059 --> 00:40:09.260 Don't listen to Mattel. 00:40:10.160 --> 00:40:11.800 Don't look at Vanity Fair 00:40:11.800 --> 00:40:12.380 or Vogue 00:40:12.380 --> 00:40:13.579 or the Kardashians 00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:17.120 or those trashy men's magazines 00:40:17.120 --> 00:40:18.700 that sell indecent pictures 00:40:18.700 --> 00:40:19.820 of women for profit. 00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:21.980 Don't take the fashion advice 00:40:21.980 --> 00:40:22.800 from the YouTubers 00:40:22.800 --> 00:40:23.900 or the TikTokers 00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:24.559 who are just trying 00:40:24.559 --> 00:40:25.660 to get more subscribers 00:40:25.660 --> 00:40:26.580 for their channel. 00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:28.840 As Christians 00:40:28.840 --> 00:40:29.920 in the household of God, 00:40:29.980 --> 00:40:30.600 we need to listen 00:40:30.600 --> 00:40:31.500 to the Lord Jesus. 00:40:32.180 --> 00:40:33.680 We need to take our advice, 00:40:34.160 --> 00:40:35.760 our instruction from him. 00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:36.480 He is the one 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:38.100 who loves his bride 00:40:38.100 --> 00:40:38.900 so much 00:40:38.900 --> 00:40:40.900 that he died for us 00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:43.519 to make us, 00:40:44.180 --> 00:40:44.920 to cleanse us, 00:40:45.000 --> 00:40:45.740 to wash us, 00:40:45.780 --> 00:40:46.780 and to present us 00:40:46.780 --> 00:40:47.420 to himself 00:40:47.420 --> 00:40:48.800 as a radiant church. 00:40:49.820 --> 00:40:53.260 If we focus on ourselves, 00:40:53.360 --> 00:40:54.019 we'll wind up 00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:54.780 feeling empty 00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:55.900 and disappointed. 00:40:56.700 --> 00:40:58.260 But if we focus on him, 00:40:58.700 --> 00:41:00.380 he will make us shine 00:41:00.380 --> 00:41:01.640 with a beauty 00:41:01.640 --> 00:41:02.960 that's like no other. 00:41:06.660 --> 00:41:07.300 Let's pray. 00:41:07.300 --> 00:41:07.340 Let's pray. 00:41:14.660 --> 00:41:15.420 Father in heaven, 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:16.539 I thank you for these words 00:41:16.539 --> 00:41:17.400 that you've given us. 00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:19.360 And I know I'm aware 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:21.460 that for some here today, 00:41:21.619 --> 00:41:22.740 they may be hard words 00:41:22.740 --> 00:41:23.160 to hear, 00:41:23.260 --> 00:41:24.300 but they're your words. 00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:25.340 And I pray that you would 00:41:25.340 --> 00:41:26.460 press them into our hearts 00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:28.220 and in all the right places 00:41:28.220 --> 00:41:29.420 and that we would grow, 00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:30.260 that we would see 00:41:30.260 --> 00:41:31.300 how we can continue 00:41:31.300 --> 00:41:32.519 to walk in this world 00:41:32.519 --> 00:41:33.420 holy, 00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:35.900 distinct, 00:41:36.200 --> 00:41:36.740 set apart, 00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:39.320 holding up the light 00:41:39.320 --> 00:41:39.820 of Jesus. 00:41:41.220 --> 00:41:42.460 May the world around us 00:41:42.460 --> 00:41:43.220 see the difference 00:41:43.219 --> 00:41:44.659 and come to put 00:41:44.659 --> 00:41:45.579 their trust in you. 00:41:46.659 --> 00:41:47.279 We ask this 00:41:47.279 --> 00:41:48.399 for Jesus' sake. 00:41:49.500 --> 00:41:49.819 Amen.