Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians In An Immodest World

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… “As He Thinks In His Heart…” (Proverbs 23:7)  Toward God (Rom. 11:33-36; 1 Cor. 10:31)  Toward the Bible (Psa. 119:97ff; 1 Cor. 2:13)  Toward Modesty (Gen. 9:22-23)  Toward Preaching on Modesty (Acts 22:22)  Toward Preacher/Teacher About Modesty (see 1 Thes. 2:3-8)  Toward A Local Church That Is Faithful To God (Rev. 3:8-12)

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… “To Whom Shall We Go?” (Jn. 6:68)  Positive Divine Authority A Must (Acts 17:2-3)!  Frequent Standards – Subject To Error: -What I’ve Always Thought/Practiced -Parents or Other Family Members -Christians -Friends/Peers -World Our Only Safe Guide – God’s Word (Jn. 17:17)

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Back to the Beginning  Before sin, full fellowship with God (Gen. 1:31; 2:15-17,24-25; 3:8-10)  After Eve and Adam sin (3:7-13)  Four Sequential Descriptions (2:25; 3:7,10,21)  Some Practical Lessons: 1.Rights and privileges of lawful marriage (2:25). 2.The biblical use of “naked”/”nakedness”. 3.Man’s concept of “clothed” vs. God’s concept of “clothed” (cp. vv. 7,21) 4.No double-standard with God (v. 21). 5.Acceptable vs. unacceptable bodily coverage (v. 21).

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… New Testament Guidelines  Consistency (1 Tim. 2:10).  “Modest” (1 Tim. 2:9; KJV).  “Shamefacedness” (1 Tim. 2:9; KJV).  “Sobriety” (1 Tim. 2:9; KJV).  Emphasis (1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:3-5).  Male-Female Distinctions Maintained (cp. Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 6:9; 11:14-15). Four Observations: 1.No double standard – applies to men and women. 2.Biblical guidelines do not shift with cultural shifts. 3.They are not seasonal. 4.They are not situational.

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Bodily Coverage - Any Guidelines?

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Bodily Coverage - Any Guidelines?  If none, then anything goes!

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Bodily Coverage - Any Guidelines?  If none, then anything goes!  Unacceptable bodily coverage (Gen. 3:7).  Acceptable bodily coverage (Gen. 3:21; cp. Gen. 37:3; Exo. 28:40; etc.).

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Bodily Coverage - Any Guidelines?  If none, then anything goes!  Unacceptable bodily coverage (Gen. 3:7).  Acceptable bodily coverage (Gen. 3:21; cp. Gen. 37:3; Exo. 28:40; etc.).  Use of Old Testament?

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Bodily Coverage - Any Guidelines?  If none, then anything goes!  Unacceptable bodily coverage (Gen. 3:7).  Acceptable bodily coverage (Gen. 3:21; cp. Gen. 37:3; Exo. 28:40; etc.).  Use of Old Testament (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6,11; 1 Pet. 3:5-6).  Specific applications to modern clothing choices – lower and upper body.

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty By Nakedness and Lasciviousness:  The Two Terms Defined.  Six Ways a Christian Can Be Immodest.  Why do people, sometimes even Christians, dress immodestly?

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Seven Questions That Will Help Us To Dress Modestly  Can I stand, walk, sit, kneel, bend over, etc. without being biblically naked?  Does my clothing emphasize body parts or areas that would tend to provoke lust in others?  Does my clothing stir admiration and respect for me or does it prompt opinions otherwise?  Would my clothing suggest an abundance or lack of upright character?  What influence would my clothing have on those who are not Christians?  What influence would my clothing have on those who are Christians?  Would I wear this if Jesus was in my personal, physical presence?

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Some Reminders To Parents

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Some Reminders To Parents  Begin teaching early.  Children grow up.  Take the lead in teaching YOUR children.  Teach by verbal instruction.  Teach by personal example.  Be consistent in standards, applications.  Do not allow double standards.  A Word to Fathers…  A Word to Mothers…

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: On The One Who Practices Immodesty

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: On The One Who Practices Immodesty 1.Disregard God by disregarding His word. 2.Defile and sear your conscience. 3.Lose your sense of shame. 4.Conform to the world. 5.Likely move to more immodesty. 6.Likely move to other forms of worldliness. 7.Will resent questions and/or teaching about the topic.

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: On Other People

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: On Other People 1.Set a poor example. 2.Could create sexual temptations for others. 3.Could cause others to sin. 4.Weaken your home. 5.Bring shame on Christ and His children. 6.Discourage faithful Christians. 7.Mislead weak Christians.

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: The Ultimate Cost

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: The Ultimate Cost You will lose your soul unless you repent!

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: The Ultimate Cost You will lose your soul unless you repent! - and -

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: The Ultimate Cost You will lose your soul unless you repent! - and - You may cause others to lose their souls too!

Modesty: A Challenge For 21 st -Century Christians… Immodesty’s Immoral Impact: The Ultimate Cost You will lose your soul unless you repent! - and - You may cause others to lose their souls too! Is it worth it?