Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

What Shall I Wear?
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. “What shall I wear?” is a question many people ask nearly every morning...
a. As they dress for work, to relax, etc.
b. Usually weighing such issues as fashion versus form, style versus substance
2. When Christians ask this question, other issues should come into consideration...
a. Is it modest?
b. Is it proper for those professing godliness? - cf. 1 Ti 2:9-10
3. The challenge is what constitutes modesty constantly changes...
a. At one time, it was immodest for a woman to expose her ankles
b. Today, even the most modest of dress would have been considered scandalous
4. So the question remains, “What Shall I Wear?”...
a. Should a Christian woman wear shorts, miniskirts, low-cut blouses, tight skirts or pants?
b. What about men? Should they be concerned about modest apparel?
c. What effect might this have on certain activities, such as mixed swimming and other athletic
sports?
[I do not propose some easy answer, or simple guideline (such as “no higher than an inch above the
knee”). Rather I encourage prayerful consideration of what the Bible has to say, which provides basic
principles that can help one discern between good and evil. For example...]
I. IT IS SHAMEFUL TO EXPOSE ONE’S NAKEDNESS
A. CONSIDER THE EXAMPLE OF ADAM AND EVE...
1. After they sinned, they made “coverings” for themselves - Gen 3:7-10
a. Hebrew, “chagorah”, meaning a garment which covers the midsection
b. Despite such coverings, they still felt naked!
2. The Lord made “tunics” for them - Gen 3:21
a. Hebrew, “kethoneth”, a garment commonly reaching to knee
b. Evidently God was not pleased with the brevity of the coverings they had made
B. IT IS SHAMEFUL TO EXPOSE OR DRAW ATTENTION TO PRIVATE PARTS OF
THE BODY...
1. Exposure of such parts was often a form of judgment intended to shame the wicked
- cf. Isa 3:16-17; 47:1-3
2. Paul alludes to the fact that some parts are “unpresentable” and should be covered - 1 Co
12:23-24
[At some point, then, there needs to be a line where it is a shame to cross, there are parts of the body that
should remain private. Perhaps we can begin to determine what these may be as we consider
another principle...]
II. WE MUST NOT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FLESHLY LUSTS
Topical Sermons 384