THEME:        OUR DRESS CODE:

Text:             1 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 3:3-4

By:                 Bro Chris Afekolu (Bishop)

March 21, 2021

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PREAMBLE

This sermon becomes very necessary because of

• Current insinuation by some for the need of the Church to agree on a dress code.
• The conduct of some of our brethren even matured ones’ choices of clothing within and outside the meeting hall/worship.

Our dress code is very explicit in the scripture and we have discussed this severally and we will continue to this until disobedient children learn to repent and obey God’s word. The Elders or leadership of the Church don’t have the powers to make laws outside the scripture because of stubborn/hardened hearts. However, they have the powers to discipline persistent erring ones who abuse Christian conduct regarding clothing.

In attendance on public worship, the word of God would have us appear in apparel suitable to the place and the occasion; we are admonished to adorn ourselves not after the manner of the world, but with the zeal and love in the cause of the Redeemer as we become Christians.

There are some that believe they can do anything regarding their dressing after worship or out there in our neighbourhood, in the market, their business premises, social media, Sporting activities etc. this notion is very bad and sinful. We are ambassadors of Christ anywhere we find ourselves and we must be seen as such.

The principles laid down in the scripture are doubtless such as were intended to apply to us in the other situations in life, for if modest apparel is appropriate in the sanctuary, it is also appropriate everywhere. If what is here prohibited in dress is wrong there, it would be difficult to show that it is right elsewhere.

Our clothing could be

• TRENDY – Latest fad
• CONSERVATIVE
• FASHIONABLE OR OLD FASHION

There are no restrictions on your choices here, but the guiding principle is modesty and propriety. I give you a vivid picture with two notable personalities in the world, their mode of dressing. One is conservative and the other is trendy, both uses Nigeria ankara clothing material, yet both appears differently but Modesty well demonstrated in their appearance. The personalities are 1) Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and 2) Mrs. Amina J Mohammed.  The former is WTO Director-General while the latter is UN Deputy Secretary General. Both are in very exalted position with the well withal yet always dressed modestly.

Our dressing paints a great picture of who we are? In those good old days when virtue was very valuable, the way a lady or a young man dresses indicates where you are from, A HOME or A HOUSE! Those raised from the home are those who were privilege to have Parents and community neighbours that cares. People did not dress as mad men and women under the name of fashion.  Examples…

They care about your appearance and the type of friends you hang out with. Those raised from the house are unfortunate to have Parents or Neighbors that do not care about their appearance or conduct in the society; anything goes. Majority nowadays are coming from the group raised the house. Many are copying from this group even among children of God. Even when you try to help them, they tell you they have their own life to live… It’s my life! Sadly, the result may be failure in life and eternal destruction. Christian families need to wake up!

It is a free world, full of choices but we need to make a difference because we are peculiar people!

Our arch enemy Satan is wooing many into the kingdom of darkness from all angles. He had taken full gripe of the fashion world with great innovations such that many in the world even among the elect are patronizing it. Majority of modern fashion Designers are engrossed in making designs that exposes the sensitive part of the human body. Anything outside this is seen as primitive!

They come out with designs that enhance the derriere shaping of their skirts, pants etc. The object of their design is to not cover properly any part of the sensitive areas… From at least mid-hip to the ankle—and upper region.

They come out with designs that the fabrics are stretchy knit, lighter weight, thinner fabric, the area from the waist to the knee is fitted close to the body, upper region they create enhanced cleavage. In addition, some fabric is so thin as to be almost invisible over curves, bumps, and wrinkles.

Wearing such attire out in public without attempting to cover these areas is sinful as it negates Christian virtue; adorn self in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation. Modest is not offensive to sexual mores in conduct and appearance. Propriety is the quality or state of being proper or suitable. It is conformity to what is socially acceptable. KJV used shamefacedness – showing shame. The world is almost drifting away from shamefacedness NKJV comes in with propriety. (1 Timothy 2:9 NKJV).

Can Clothing be Both Modest and Fashionable?

A woman might say, “But I want to be attractive.”  The question one can challenge self with is “What, exactly, are you trying to attract?”  It is possible to dress in fashionable styles while remaining modest. It is as much about how we wear clothing as what clothing we wear. Give example, the woman skirt.

A quote from one actress, Lauren Hutton maybe useful, when she said, “Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.” I think choose is the keyword.

We choose what we want to convey about ourselves by the clothing choices we make. A woman must answer the question of what she intends to convey. Then all of her choices are much easier to make.

CAN THE CHURCH MAKE A RULE ON WHAT A SISTER OR BROTHER SHOULD WEAR?

Using the Bible as our guide, we can see that Paul and Peter were both careful to preach against using lists of clothing as a spiritual barometer. Rather, they offered principles upon which to build. We do well to follow their example.

CAN THE CHURCH MAKE A RULE ON WHAT A SISTER OR BROTHER SHOULD WEAR?

Using the Bible as our guide, we can see that Paul and Peter were both careful to preach against using lists of clothing as a spiritual barometer. Rather, they offered principles upon which to build. We do well to follow their example.

• “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,” (1 Timothy 2:9 NKJV)
• Do not let your adornment be merely outward–arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel– rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV)

Examples of some of our clothing include trouser, skirt, gown, blouse, leggings, dreadlock hair, man wearing ear rings, Ripped hole jeans, Spaghetti strap bodycon mini dress, Spaghetti straps backless bodycon jumpsuit, endless list {key determinant as a child of God is to use the scriptures quoted above as a benchmark for your choice. Does it meet modest, propriety and moderation?}

What Is Christian Modesty? It is important to note that modesty is a posture of the heart, not a set of rules to shame women into submission. Reading the letters in the New Testament that the apostle Paul wrote helps shed light on this thorny issue. At some point in each letter, he brings up cultural difficulties faced by the local believers—and offers insight on how to live a practical life as a person of faith. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, Peter addressed what women wore. His advice? Don’t focus so much on the externals that we lose sight of the great truth of Christ living in us. Evidently, the women of that day were very much like contemporary Christian women—concerned about their outward appearance.

Peter encouraged women to decide that cultivating their spiritual relationship with God was most important. Both men and women are equally called to be modest towards God in all that He has given us.

It’s easy to let the externals distract us, but we need to resist. If we are each consumed with living our own lives to please the Lord and spread the gospel, we are less likely to be tripped up by another person’s choices. We won’t be carried away by the current world fashion. A person’s wardrobe selection does act as a message board. It indeed points to your level of relationship with God.

Conclusion

We need to pay attention to ourselves. Galatians 5; 22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit and these never go out of style.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)

When we take care to “dress” our inner person with these qualities, our outer self will be easier to manage in a way that pleases God. Because, as 1 Peter 3:4 reminds us, that is the whole point—living for Him, not ourselves. Keeping the biblical view in mind, pay attention to the messages you are sending. Make an honest assessment of your wardrobe. Ask yourself what each item might say to people you meet.

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