Properly using the Old Testament Scriptures… What Is…? Properly using the Old Testament Scriptures… “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 (Read) Preached at West Side on August 26, 2012 PM Print Slides: 4,8,13,17,26,37

What is Faith? The point of Hebrews 11 is to show what faith is by the examples of Old Testament witnesses: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab and others. (cf. Hebrews 12:1-2)

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What is Faith? The point of Hebrews 11 is to show what faith is by the examples of Old Testament witnesses: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab and others. (cf. Hebrews 12:1-2) We go to the New Covenant to determine if faith is necessary (cf. Hebrews 11:6)

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

What is the Sabbath Day? God created the heavens and earth in six days, and rested on the seventh (cf. Genesis 2:2) The Sabbath (7th day of the week) was to be observed with rest in Israel (Exodus 20:8-11)

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

What is the Sabbath Day? God created the heavens and earth in six days, and rested on the seventh (cf. Genesis 2:2) The Sabbath (7th day of the week) was to be observed with rest in Israel (Exodus 20:8-11) We go to the New Covenant to determine if it is necessary to observe the Sabbath Day (no requirement revealed)

What is Marriage? Marriage is a lifetime covenant between a man and a woman. (Genesis 2:23-25)

Genesis 2:23-25 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

What is Marriage? Marriage is a lifetime covenant between a man and a woman. (Genesis 2:23-25) Jesus appealed to this record (Matthew 19:4-6)

Matthew 19:4-6 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

What is Marriage? Marriage is a lifetime covenant between a man and a woman. (Genesis 2:23-25) Jesus appealed to this record (Matthew 19:4-6) We go to the New Covenant to determine if marriage is still required for cohabitation. (Hebrews 13:4)

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

What is Homosexuality? “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22) The men of Sodom as an example (Genesis 19:4-6)

Genesis 19:4-6 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.” 6 So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly!”

What is Homosexuality? “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22) The men of Sodom as an example (Genesis 19:4-6) We can go to the New Covenant to determine if homosexuality remains a sin before God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

What is Modest Dress? The Bible does not reveal what is modest dress for the Christian ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What is Modest Dress? The Bible does not reveal what is modest dress for the Christian ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Men determine for themselves what is modest dress (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12)

Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

What is Modest Dress? The Bible does not reveal what is modest dress for the Christian ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Men determine for themselves what is modest dress (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12) Society is the standard (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17)

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or 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, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

What is Modest Dress? The Bible does not reveal what is modest dress for the Christian ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Men determine for themselves what is modest dress (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12) Society is the standard (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17) God has a more relaxed moral standard under the New Covenant (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 43-44 [READ] ; Acts 17:29-31)

Acts 17:29-31 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

What is Modest Dress? Not fig leaves… rather a tunic! (Genesis 3:9-10, 21) (lit. to cover - scholars agree at least from neck to knees)

Genesis 3:9-10, 21 (9-10), Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (21), Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

What is Modest Dress? Not fig leaves… rather a tunic! (Genesis 3:9-10, 21) (lit. to cover - scholars agree at least from neck to knees) Linen trousers for priests, waist to knee (Exodus 28:42-43) “cover their nakedness”

Exodus 28:42-43 And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. 43 They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.

What is Modest Dress? Not fig leaves… rather a tunic! (Genesis 3:9-10, 21) (lit. to cover - scholars agree at least from neck to knees) Linen trousers for priests, waist to knee (Exodus 28:42-43) “cover their nakedness” Nakedness – Isaiah 47:2-3; Nahum 3:5

Isaiah 47:2-3 [Humiliation of Babylon] Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, Take off the skirt, Uncover the thigh, Pass through the rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, Yes, your shame will be seen; I will take vengeance, And I will not arbitrate with a man.”

Nahum 3:5 [The Woe of Nineveh] “Behold, I am against you,” says the Lord of hosts; “I will lift your skirts over your face, I will show the nations your nakedness, And the kingdoms your shame.

What is Modest Dress? Not fig leaves… rather a tunic! (Genesis 3:9-10, 21) (lit. to cover - scholars agree at least from neck to knees) Linen trousers for priests, waist to knee (Exodus 28:42-43) “cover their nakedness” Nakedness – Isaiah 47:2-3; Nahum 3:5 We can go to the New Covenant to determine if modest dress is required by God. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

1 Timothy 2:9-10  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, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

Conclusion God’s people need to be covered before others! (That is the purpose of clothing, not fashion). No matter the circumstance or context. The apostle Peter put on clothing to go swimming! (cf. John 21:4-7) It is appropriate to use the scriptures found in the Old Testament to learn what God considers modest dress – sufficient to cover). God’s word equips us in this and all things!

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