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New Life in Christ “Turned to God” OUR FALL WARDROBE I Thessalonians Series # 7
What happened when normal people like you and me turned around and came into contact with God?
1. Adam and Eve HID. Genesis 3:8-10 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (KJV) 2. Abraham felt GREAT HORROR. Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. (KJV) 3. Moses FELL ON HIS FACE. Exodus 3:5-6 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. (KJV) 4. Job was SMITTEN. Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (KJV) 5. Isaiah cried out that he was UNDONE. Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (KJV) 6. Daniel became TROUBLED. Daniel 7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart. (KJV) 7. Peter wanted to escape THE PRESENCE OF Christ. Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (KJV) 8. Paul was BLINDED . Acts 9:1
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9. John FELL ON HIS FACE as a dead man. Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (KJV)
Why? what is it like to come into God’s presence? and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. (Daniel 7:9-10 NIV His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. (Revelation 1:13-17 NIV I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1-4 NIV) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 NIV)
Turning to the Awesome God of Heaven is transforming event. The Apostle Paul is celebrating the transformation Christ brings to all who come to Him. No less than 10 times he points out freshness of this new life in Christ. Let me just trace them across the pages of this letter.
1. They had A NEW PLAN IN LIFE: Walk worthy of God [2.12] 2. They had A NEW AUTHORITY IN LIFE: Take God at His Word [2.13] 3. They had A NEW MEASURING STICK IN LIFE: Measure all by Christ’s coming [2.19-20] 4. They had A NEW PERSPECTIVE IN LIFE: Accept suffering from God [3.3-4] 5. They had A NEW RESOURCE IN LIFE: Abound in love [3.12] 6. They had A NEW APPETITE IN LIFE: Stay pure [4.3] 7. They had A NEW LIFESTYLE: Be quiet, Mind own business, Work [4.11] 8. They had A NEW OCCUPATION IN LIFE – MINISTRY : Comfort one another [4.18]; Edify one another [5.11] 9. They had A NEW HABIT IN LIFE: Rejoice always [5.16]
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10.They had A NEW AWARENESS IN LIFE – CONTACT WITH GOD: Pray always [5.17]; Be thankful [5.18]
I. They had A NEW DIRECTION IN LIFE: First Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (KJV) Psalm 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. (KJV) A. WORLDLINESS IS A SIGN OF SPIRITUAL EMPTINESS. One of the key themes of Ezekiel is the “glory of God” and how the sin of Judah makes the cloud signifying God’s presence to depart. Up through chapter 11 the glory is mentioned 12x. In chapters 1242 the glory is not mentioned at all. We see the glory of the Lord gradually removing. Note the departure in 10:18 and 11:23. Then the return in 43:2. Grieved away from the inner sanctuary by the sin of idolatry, the brightness fills the court. Then it departed from the threshold and rested over the cherubim, those beings who perfectly fulfilled God’s will and responded to His power. As the cherubim mounted from the earth, the glory of the Lord abode above their free pinions and mounted with them, forsaking the city and removing to the mountains. 1. In the same way it is possible for a Christian so to provoke, resist, grieve, straiten, limit, vex, quench the Holy Spirit, that the heart may become like a ruined temple bereft of the glory. There is many a blighted life from which the early glow departed through simple disobedience, refusing to give the Lord’s message, it may be. ” God can do so much with a spark, and it is dreadful when He cannot get a conductor for it ” (Bramwell Booth). 2. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we do not allow ourselves time for communion with God; 3. We limit Him by doubting His power to cleanse and keep and fill. 4. We provoke and resist Him by the idols in our hearts. 5. We vex the Holy Spirit by our rebellion, by not really saying in very truth “Thy will be done.” And if rebellion is persisted in, the Holy Spirit may be quenched. 6. The spirit of worldliness is one of the chief idols that is grieving the Holy Spirit away from His temple. It is sapping the very life of the Church today. How much of
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the worldly spirit of utter selfishness there is in the business life, in the undue estimation of wealth and position, in love of display, and in friendships made with the people of the world, forgetting that “whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”. Christians conform to the world’s ways, and read the world’s books, and dress in the world’s fashions, instead of being a people separated unto the Lord. The real cure for this worldliness is such a vision of Christ Jesus as shall make the earthly lights pale before the splendor of it. If our hearts are satisfied with Him, the world will have no hold upon us. He said: ” The Prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in Me.” Are we able to say -. “The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not ” 7. Visions of God give great blessing. When Jacob saw God he was transformed from a deceiver into the Prince of God and the nation of Israel. When Moses saw God he became the one who knew God face to face, and his face glowed with the presence of God. When Isaiah saw God he yielded his life to ministry. Saul saw the Lord and became the Apostle Paul. John saw the Lord in His Awe inspiring heavens. The prophet Ezekiel saw the Lord and lived his life as the servant who watched and warned. Over 60 x he quotes God saying “they will know that I am the LORD”. B. WORLDLINESS IS A SIGN OF LOSTNESS 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever. (NASB) C. WORLDLINESS INHIBITS WORSHIP AND USEFULNESS TO GOD Romans 12:1-2 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB) 1. Leviticus 18:3 ‘You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. (NASB)
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2. Leviticus 20:23 ‘Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I shall drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them. (NASB) 3. Psalm 106:35 But they mingled with the nations, And learned their practices, (NASB) 4. Jeremiah 10:2 Thus says the LORD, “Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them; (NASB) 5. Second Corinthians 6:14-7:1 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. 18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (NASB) 6. Ephesians 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; (NASB) 7. First Peter 1:15-16 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (NASB) quoting Lev 11.44 8. First Peter 4:4 And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you; (NASB) D. WORLDLINESS IMITATES THE WRONG HOME. Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (KJV)What is the AGE characterized by in which we live? Irreverence, casualness,
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immodesty, rebelliousness, flippancy, contentiousness, self lovers, proud, fractiousness, E. WORLDLINESS IS AN ACT OF HOSTILITY TOWARD GOD James 4:4-5 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? (NASB) 1. 2889 kosmos {kos’-mos} AV – world 186, adorning 1; 187 1)the world, the universe; the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race; the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ; world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly: the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ. 2. 2190 echthros {ech-thros’} AV – enemy 30, foe 2; 32 hated, odious, hateful; hostile, hating, and opposing another; used of men as at enmity with God by their sin; opposing (God) in the mind; the devil who is the most bitter enemy of the divine government. F. WORLDLINESS OBSCURES OUR TRUE CLOTHING. Romans 13:13-14 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV) II. OUR APPEARANCE MUST BE HOLY. Our dress = His righteousness It’s different . Whenever we see the glorified Lord Jesus Christ or anyone that is to represent God on Earth (angels and priests) they are very modest! Before the Fall when mankind was perfect many bible teachers believe that Adam and Eve were clothed in light Psalm 104:2 He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent (NIV). But when they sinned that light faded and they were ashamed and naked. Because of the fallen lusts of the flesh God clothes them. What do the Scriptures present as the wardrobe we should wear since the Fall? Our Fall wardrobe should reflect three timeless principles: A. In the Garden of Eden God introduces clothing to be a COVERING FOR HIS CREATURES (remember God invented clothing.). 1. Before the fall no shame Genesis 2:25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. (NIV)
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2. After the fall shame and a desire to be covered Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (NIV) 3. Because of the fallen, lustful human heart God said don’t allow yourself by a lack of modesty to become a wicked picture in an evil person’s heart! 2 Peter 2:14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed — an accursed brood! (NIV) B. In the Old Testament God regulates clothing to be a TESTIMONY OF HIS OWNERSHIP! 1. Clothing was to show SEPARATION. a) Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: `Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. 19:19 “`Keep my decrees. “`Do not mate different kinds of animals. “`Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. “`Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. (NIV) b) Deuteronomy 22:11Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together. (NIV) 2. Clothing was to prevent CONFUSION. Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. (NIV) 3. Clothing was to demonstrate HUMILITY. Isaiah 3:16-24 The LORD says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. 17 Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald.” 18 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, 19 the earrings and bracelets and veils, 20 the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, 21 the signet rings and nose rings, 22 the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses 23 and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls. 24 Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding. (NIV)
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4. Clothing was to be Beautiful not lustful Proverbs 31:22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. (NIV) Proverbs 7:10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. (NIV) C. In the New Testament God expects clothing to be a reflection of HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND OUR MODESTY AS HIS TEMPLE! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (KJV) Because of the Fall we must be on guard at all times. The Flesh wants to rise up. 1. Beware of the pride of life: CLOTHING MUST NOT BE OSTENTATIOUS. Luke 20:46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. (NIV) 2. Beware of the lusts of the flesh: CLOTHING MUST NOT BE SENSUSOUS. 1 Timothy 2:9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, (NIV); 3. Beware of the lust of the eyes: CLOTHING MUST NOT BE CONSPICUOUS. 1 Peter 3:3-5 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 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. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, (NIV); James 2:1-2 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. (NIV) D. Whenever we see someone in heaven or coming from the presence of God what do they look like? What characterizes them? 1. LOOK WHAT JESUS WEARS Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (KJV)
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2. LOOK WHAT WE ARE GOING TO WEAR Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (KJV) 3. LOOK WHAT GOD’S SPECIAL REPRESENT-ATIVES WEAR Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. (KJV) 4. LOOK WHAT GOD EXPECTS US TO WEAR – THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (KJV) E. LOOK WHAT GOD OFFERS US TO WEAR – CHRIST Romans 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV)