Participants: Chris Shelton (Host), Kenny Shelton
Series Code: BTLP
Program Code: BTLP000062
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00:41 Hello, and welcome to "Behold the Lamb Presents."
00:44 I'm Chris Shelton your host. 00:46 And as always we're so blessed 00:48 to be able to have this time together 00:50 with you to study God's word. 00:53 Today's message is the third in our three part series 00:56 that we have entitled 00:57 "Does our Appearance Really Matters to God?" 01:01 In 1 John 3:18, we read "My little children, 01:06 let us not love in word, 01:08 or in tongue but in deed and in truth." 01:12 We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only. 01:16 James 1:22 says, "That if we're only hearers of the word 01:21 we're deceiving ourselves." 01:24 So as we study God's word 01:26 here a little and there a little line upon line, 01:29 precept upon precept, we begin to ascertain 01:32 that God is calling each and everyone of us 01:35 just as we are. 01:37 Yet, as we continue to study 01:39 and learn the truth in no way 01:42 does God want us to stay just as we claim to Him. 01:46 He wants us to be transformed 01:48 into His image, His likeness, 01:51 prepared as a bride that waiting for her groom. 01:54 These beautiful truths of God's word 01:56 are given to do a wonderful work in our hearts, 02:00 and in our minds. 02:01 And if we surrender our will, 02:03 our very will to God at each step of the way 02:06 our deeds in actions will follow just as noted in scripture. 02:12 And as we have seen in parts one and two 02:14 of "Does our Appearance Really Matter to God?" 02:17 the Bible does have something to say about our appearance. 02:21 And that our choice of dress and adornment, 02:24 they really do matter. 02:26 And I'm very sure that Pastor Kenny Shelton 02:29 will bring more of these verses in view today 02:32 during the study. 02:33 So get prepared won't you 02:35 to take notes and allow God's Spirit 02:38 to work on all of our hearts 02:40 as we conclude this series 02:42 on "Does our Appearance Really Matter to God?" 02:46 But first we're blessed to visit the 3ABN worship center 02:50 and listen to a song that is entitled "The Lord's Prayer" 02:55 as performed by Eva and Klara Palhegyi. 05:45 Thanks for joining us today. 05:46 Our subject "Does our Appearance Really Matter to God?" 05:52 And we've been finding out 05:53 part one and part two of the series 05:57 that we're going to be discussing something's here 05:59 that we're going to just hit lightly 06:01 on that we've covered in part one and part two. 06:04 So you don't want to get the whole series 06:06 so it really makes sense to you. 06:07 Very important subject that we feel 06:10 that the standard needs to be raised once again. 06:12 Before we get into this, vital part, part three, 06:15 we're going to have prayers, we always do. 06:17 Won't you pray along with me 06:18 as I kneel ask God's blessing upon this message. 06:22 Merciful Father in heaven, we thank You, 06:24 for the privilege of Your Prayer. 06:25 We ask forgiveness of sin anything in our hearts 06:27 and lives that would separate us from thee. 06:30 We need to hear Your voice. 06:31 Lord bless as we pray, open our ears, 06:34 our hearts and our minds 06:35 that we may understand these beautiful truths. 06:38 These truths that You have left for us in last day people, 06:42 may we present them in the way that pleasing in thy sight. 06:45 Bless each one who has views 06:46 and those who listen in Jesus name 06:48 we pray and for His sake, amen. 06:51 Again as I mentioned before we have a lot of subject matter 06:54 so you need to get a pencil and paper 06:56 and jot everything down. 06:57 And if you find me moving fast, 06:59 I always do but little faster than normal 07:01 you'll know why because this is the third part 07:03 and we need to get right on with it. 07:05 And we're left off at this point in part two 07:08 in 1 Timothy 2:9, 10. 07:10 I'm just going to refer to it not read it. 07:12 You can look it up in the scripture. 07:14 And the comment is made in the spirit of prophecy 07:16 about this passage of scripture. 07:18 Here what it says, 1 Testimonies 460 says, 07:22 "Where the apostle Paul alive, today 07:26 as he behold women professing godliness 07:29 with this style of dress, he would utter a rebuke." 07:33 So we're talking about dresses, 07:34 we're talking about the shortness, 07:35 we're talking about too long. 07:37 So if Paul would alive today he would utter a rebuke 07:41 what was going on among God's professed children today. 07:44 Does God really care? 07:46 Yes, He cares. 07:48 Little article in Signs of the Times, 07:50 nice little magazine 498-499 listen to this carefully. 07:55 Remember read it all if you can. 07:57 I'm just going to try take a few lines here 07:58 that may be will help us. 08:00 And the Spirit of God was working upon Ellen White 08:02 when she said this. 08:03 "I am often pained as I enter the house of God 08:06 as where is to be God is to be worshipped, 08:08 to see the untidy dress of both men and women. 08:13 If the heart and the character 08:15 where indicated by the outward apparel, 08:18 then certainly nothing would be heavenly about them. 08:22 They have no true idea of the order, 08:26 the neatness, and the refined deportment 08:29 that God requires of all who come 08:32 into His presence to worship Him." 08:35 God requires us, doesn't He, 08:38 to come before Him the very best that we can. 08:42 And He is wanting just to have a real knowledge 08:43 of this last day message to go into all the world 08:47 and part of it including in here is, what. 08:49 What we put on our body? 08:50 What we take into our body? 08:52 Now, much more to be said about that subject 08:55 that kind of finish part two. 08:57 But I want to touch upon and I think we must go ahead. 09:00 I'm going to mention lightly the subject of Make Up. 09:03 Not a subject that many people want to deal with. 09:05 But, you know, the Bible deals with it. 09:07 And the Bible says something about it, 09:09 shouldn't we be interested as Christians I think so. 09:12 Back to Book of Jeremiah 4:30, the Bible says, 09:16 it talks about a-- now notice this, 09:18 the Bible talks about here Jeremiah about a harlot 09:21 and how she dresses 09:23 and what she puts on her face. 09:25 Now we don't want to be a harlot, do we? 09:27 But here is what the scriptures says. 09:30 It says, "Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, 09:34 though thou deckest thyself with ornaments of gold, 09:39 though thou rentest thy face with painting" 09:41 notice "in vain shalt thou make thyself fair, 09:46 thy lovers will despise thee." 09:49 Notice the dress of the harlot. 09:52 Now are we trying to talk bad about that? 09:54 Jeremiah the prophet of God penned these words. 09:57 Notice that how the harlot dressed. 09:59 Surely we won't want to dress like that. 10:02 She put ornaments of gold and things on her body 10:05 and she painted her face. 10:07 We'll see more about that. 10:08 In fact Revelation 17:4 that we find here 10:12 another harlot as it were clothed herself 10:14 in a very deceitful way. 10:17 The Bible says "There that the women was arrayed 10:20 in purple and scarlet and decked herself with" what? 10:24 "Gold and precious stones." 10:27 Interesting precious stones, 10:28 gold, jewelry, painted faces. 10:31 All had to do with what? 10:33 The past date church or what, 10:35 the harlot as it were 10:36 or someone who strayed away from God. 10:39 So we need to be careful if we're doing those things 10:41 we need to examine ourselves to see whether we be in the faith. 10:45 It's just an interesting point 10:47 and may be interesting thought I want you to think with me. 10:49 Four Testimonies 645 says, this makes sense. 10:53 "When the mind is fixed upon pleasing God." 10:56 Is your mind fixed upon pleasing God, today? 10:59 And "God alone, 11:01 all the needless embellishments of that person disappear." 11:07 Notice that. 11:08 If our mind and heart is really on pleasing God alone 11:12 all the needless things on our body will disappear. 11:15 Praise God for that. 11:17 You know, the little book I like it 11:18 Message to Young People page 353. 11:21 This is very-- this will get some of you. 11:24 Now listen, it says 11:25 "When we lose our taste for order 11:28 and neatness in dress, we virtually leave the truth." 11:35 Is it important in this subject? 11:36 You better believe it is. 11:37 When we lose our taste, order, 11:40 neatness what we put on to our body 11:42 and we virtually leave the faith, the truth. 11:46 See to me it's interesting when God's people 11:48 where in the backslidden state. 11:51 In other words they were, you know, going away from God. 11:53 And the farther they get away from God 11:55 the prophets when they begin to right things down, 11:58 the prophets always called the people a harlot. 12:02 The harlot or an unfaithful wife. 12:05 Notice that is what we study here 12:07 you'll see it coming little clear focus on prayer. 12:10 1 John 3:22 the Bible says this. 12:12 "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, 12:16 because we keep his commandments." 12:18 Pay attention to this. 12:20 "And we do those things that pleases him." 12:24 Did you get that? 12:26 We do those things that please him. 12:28 See we live in such a selfish world today 12:31 that everybody just wants to please themselves. 12:34 Oh, it's such a little thing. 12:35 Oh, it doesn't make any difference. 12:37 Friends, in our study we're going to see 12:38 much different than that 12:40 every little detail God is interested in. 12:43 And there're test of our fellowship with Him. 12:46 There is nothing little, there is nothing minute, 12:49 there is nothing that doesn't make a difference. 12:52 See I believe this with all my heart 12:54 God's last day people will be careful 12:57 what they put on their faces. 13:00 The Bible calls it painting up the face 13:03 or putting on--here's what-- putting yon a lot of make up. 13:08 Now again the Bible refers to this 13:10 as a sign of apostasy against God. 13:14 A sign of following after the heathen nations 13:17 and it also what defined as being unfaithful wife 13:21 or unfaithful people to God. 13:24 So you don't want to be unfaithful, 13:26 you don't want to follow after the heathen, 13:28 you don't want to be an apostasy. 13:29 But always the Bible refers to what we're painting up 13:32 and putting these things on. 13:34 I'm going to give you some illustration 13:35 so you'll understand. 13:36 We're going to read from scripture. 13:37 The Bible says, now notice the use of colorful-- 13:41 we're talking about you know cosmetics and a painter. 13:44 Have you heard that the saying I painted up like a Jezebel? 13:49 You know, 2 Kings 9:30. 13:53 It comes to it says Painted up like Jezebel. 13:55 "She painted her face" the Bible says, 13:58 "and she tired her head," 14:00 Or she arranged herself or she tried to look good 14:03 "and she looked out the window." 14:05 So the Jezebel right Jezebel the harlot right, 14:08 that in apostasy against God 14:10 notice how she conducted herself. 14:13 Notice, what she did to her face. 14:15 Notice what she did to her body. 14:16 You don't want to be like that. 14:18 I don't want to be like that. 14:20 See we can trace this custom then painting up the face 14:24 and putting things on our body. 14:25 Back to the heathen queen that's what she was. 14:29 And she was known for killing the prophets of God. 14:33 That would be an opposition of God then, wouldn't. 14:36 I want you to listen this counsel 14:37 found in Child Guidance page 424, 14:41 it says, "The pure religion of Jesus" 14:43 this is what we're after today. 14:44 "The pure religion of Jesus requires its followers" 14:48 now notice this, "the simplicity and the natural beauty." 14:52 God wants us to have what? 14:54 "Simplicity natural beauty" 14:56 and then the "A polish 14:58 of natural refinement elevating purity, 15:03 rather than artificial and false." 15:07 Purely religion of Jesus. 15:10 Is that what you're after today 15:11 or you just after your-- you know what you want 15:13 and how you want to may be accepted by the world 15:16 or do we want to really follow the God's Counsel. 15:18 And where is that there we can say that 15:19 well, we'll follow this but we don't follow that. 15:22 When you say, thus say of the Lord. 15:23 Oh, surely you're not that way today. 15:25 Child Guidance again page 425. 15:28 It starts down and says if. 15:30 "If our hearts are untied with Christ's heart." 15:34 Are you not united with Him today or you with together? 15:37 It says notice "Nothing will be put upon that person 15:42 that will attract attention or to crate controversy." 15:46 Two points don't miss these things. 15:48 We will never put anything upon our body 15:50 that attracts attention to ourselves. 15:54 You know what's opposite is that is in the world today. 15:56 When people in Hollywood when they get out 15:58 they're just they have so much of this, 15:59 and that and everything on 16:00 we will talk about more in a minute. 16:03 Do you notice that? 16:04 Okay, but then it says here notice this 16:06 or we will not wear or put on anything 16:07 that will create controversy. 16:10 So we need to be careful even though we say, 16:11 well, I don't think there is anything wrong with this and, 16:13 you know, the Bible may be clear on 16:15 but you're saying what. 16:16 You don't want to hurt your fellowman, do you? 16:18 You don't to be a controversy in the church 16:20 or causing division in the church. 16:22 3 Testimonies 377 says this. 16:25 "There are those who may pass for Christians 16:28 but who are unworthy of the name. 16:34 They have not Christian characters. 16:37 When their Christianity is put to test, 16:41 its falsity is too evident. 16:44 True religion is seen in its deportment." 16:49 Now notice all of these things here. 16:52 Falsity, when it's put to test-- when you're Christianity 16:55 or my Christianity is put to the what, 16:58 to the test how will it prove. 17:02 Will it be false, or will it be real? 17:05 See God's people are represented in Revelation 12 17:09 as the women standing on the moon, you remember? 17:13 She is dressed in white-- now be careful now, 17:15 she has no make up on and she has no jewelry on. 17:19 This is representing God's true church. 17:24 We need not deviate from that 17:25 but we find ourselves really going way off on the other side. 17:29 And we need to comeback to sinner to the word of God. 17:32 Because, now Revelation 17 17:34 we discussed just a little bit the harlot, 17:37 the whore the Bible says dressed in scarlet. 17:40 She is dressed in purple 17:42 and she is decked herself with God 17:43 and all precious stones. 17:45 Wouldn't that make us think you have the true 17:47 and then you have the false 17:49 God says this is what the true is going to look like, 17:51 this is false is going to look like. 17:53 And let's just address a little clearly as we can. 17:57 This subject we say, jewelry. 17:59 Because this is quite an issue in the church today. 18:02 And it really--it shouldn't be an issue in the church. 18:05 It has to do with the heart. 18:07 It has to do with the connection that we have with Jesus Christ. 18:11 You know, as Christians we know that we are not, 18:13 to try to please ourselves. 18:16 Deny self, take up to the cross 18:18 and follow Jesus path this is the Christian walk. 18:21 But yet somehow as we approach this subject 18:26 we need to say now look, "What is it that pleases God? 18:31 See not what pleases myself, not what I'm all used to 18:34 but what pleases God as I read His word. 18:38 What's God's attitude toward the wearing of ornaments? 18:43 Isn't that what's important? 18:44 It's not I feel or so and so said 18:46 or everybody else is doing it. 18:48 How does God feel about us wearing ornaments, 18:52 jewelry, heavy make up? 18:54 What--how does that God feel about this? 18:56 Well, the Bible is very, very clear on it. 19:00 Interesting we serve a God 19:02 because we're going to read some passages, 19:03 where we serve a God that the Bible said 19:06 "Never changes His position." 19:09 Isn't' that interesting. 19:11 The Scriptures says that he-- we serve a God who changes not. 19:14 You remember reading that in Malachi 3:6. 19:18 Jesus Christ is saying "Yesterday, today and forever" 19:22 Hebrews 13:8. 19:23 So God is always is the same 19:25 because He doesn't have to change, 19:28 He never changes His position as it were to these to the truth 19:32 because it is the truth. 19:33 Keep this in mind. 19:35 I want you to keep this mind. 19:36 Let's balance it. 19:37 I know it's touchy, I know it's hurtful 19:39 but you know what we've got 19:41 to get really into the word of God. 19:42 We got to get into the straight testimony 19:44 and come in line with that. 19:46 Keep this in mind when God refers to objects of ornaments, 19:53 things that we put on to our body. 19:55 That's a cosmetics or jewelry even the cloths 19:57 that we wear especially, jewelry. 20:00 Here is how God refer. 20:01 There's three points. 20:02 Number one, God says jewelry and ornaments 20:05 He calls them filth. 20:06 We'll prove that in moment. 20:08 Number two, God calls them strange God's, 20:12 Ornaments strange God's. 20:15 And always in relationship to this, 20:18 God calls then it's a sin and has to do with apostasy, 20:23 it has to do with heathen 20:25 following after the heathen way. 20:27 And so God always says 20:29 we need to be taking some of these things off. 20:33 As people turn away from God. 20:35 You've seen this. 20:36 You've seen it in the church you see it out in the world 20:39 people--when they're following God they want to be like Him. 20:41 But it say turn their back on him. 20:43 They're going to apostasy. 20:44 They show quickly by how they dress, 20:46 what they put on their body 20:47 almost every time without question. 20:51 Remember, the way dress we're talking about sin, 20:53 we're talking about apostasy, 20:55 we're talking about following after the heathen. 20:57 See Isaiah said it like this listen very carefully. 20:59 He said this way "As the people turned away from God" 21:04 notice this "and they begin to put on different ornaments." 21:08 Isaiah said this. Isaiah 3:9. 21:11 He said, "it declared their sins." 21:16 What they put on their body did you get it, 21:18 it declared their sin. 21:20 So what either or isn't. 21:22 The Bible says it is. 21:23 How we gonna deal with this issue. 21:27 You see there is no lack of scripture that clearly, 21:32 clearly declares God's position about ornaments, 21:37 gold and silver and things we put on our body. 21:42 And you know, there is always, there's always people who say, 21:45 you know, it doesn't really, it doesn't really matter. 21:49 But please remember with me 21:50 if God says it does, it does matter. 21:54 It always matters when God says it does. 21:58 Now remember those who use these things 22:01 always symbolize a falling a way or a departure from God, 22:08 a departure from God. 22:10 Are you departing from God today? 22:12 Am I departing from God today? 22:13 Am I dressing, like the world? 22:16 Are we allowed things to come into our church 22:19 that should be there? 22:22 Because, people in position may be, 22:24 people of prominence, leadership. 22:27 Let's just examine just a few texts quickly here. 22:31 Hosea 2:13 is what the Bible says. 22:34 Now remember, he is describing the apostasy. 22:38 He is describing the unfaithfulness of Israel 22:41 or His people. 22:43 Here is what he said. 22:44 And now notice he always-- he uses a women 22:47 and how she has decorated her body with ornaments. 22:51 Now notice, scripture says 22:53 "I will visit her in the day Baalim, 22:57 wherein she burned incense to them, 23:01 she decked herself with earrings and jewels 23:06 and she went after her lovers, 23:08 and she forgot me, saith the Lord." 23:12 So as the people departed did you notice that 23:16 away from God it was a tell tail sign 23:18 what they begin to put on their bodies. 23:22 Say God moved on the prophets there is no doubt about it. 23:25 You see, you know we talked about to represent His church. 23:29 He is talking about here God moved on His prophets. 23:33 And He begun to speak to his prophets 23:36 and He gave us words of truth here 23:38 when He used a woman to represent, what, as His church. 23:43 And that's why we're talking about lot of time 23:45 about woman representing what, the church, Jeremiah 6:2. 23:50 See when His people were in apostasy 23:52 when they were backslidden you see, 23:55 they were spoken of once again as harlot as unfaithful wife. 24:00 Jeremiah 4:30 says, 24:02 "Thou clothest thyself with crimson, 24:05 though thou deckest thyself with ornaments of gold, 24:09 though thou rentest thy face with painting, 24:12 in vain shalt thou make thyself fair, 24:15 thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life." 24:21 Again the Ezekiel 23:40, 24:23 the Bible said God describes there, who? 24:26 Israelites backsliding and their conduct. 24:31 And it says it would be shown their conduct 24:34 their back sliding will be shown by what they were wearing. 24:36 Very interesting isn't it. 24:39 Bible says "For whom thou didst wash thyself, 24:43 thou paintedst thy eyes, 24:45 and deckesdst thyself with ornaments." 24:47 Did you notice every time as we pull away from God 24:51 further and further we get the more of the stuff 24:53 of the world we put on our poor bodies. 24:58 Remember, I don't need to remind you 25:00 but the true church of God in Revelation 12:1 25:05 is called what, the bride of Christ in Revelation 21:9. 25:11 There are no ornaments, no jewelry, no make up, 25:16 on the bride of Christ, interesting. 25:19 Revelation 17:4 describes once again the what? 25:23 The false church. Decked with what? 25:26 Keep this in mind we'll go-- over several times 25:28 gold and precious stones. 25:31 One false, one true which one you belong to. 25:34 Which one are you following after today? 25:39 My brothers and sisters what we are discussing today 25:41 is so important because the enemy has found ways 25:44 in which to come in. 25:46 He is dividing and separating causing contention 25:49 and problems of separation among God's last day people. 25:53 But it is a serious problem in God's last day church. 25:58 And many times women especially women 26:01 have to deal with some issues may be little more touchy 26:05 than may be with men. 26:06 Especially when she is listen carefully, 26:09 especially, when she is married to an unbeliever. 26:13 And sad to say sometimes when they're married to an believer. 26:19 Now this could be man or a woman 26:22 but the woman sometimes have a-- 26:23 put in a real pressure cooker here 26:26 and will have make some real decisions. 26:29 So let me ask you one, 26:30 how far should-- now we're looking at 26:33 some Bible principle here. 26:34 How far should the wife, how far should the husband go 26:38 or do in order to please her husband 26:42 or in order to please his wife. 26:44 How far should the Christian go? 26:48 I hear some men, I hear woman say, 26:50 well, I don't have a choice my husband said. 26:53 And husband said, well I don't really have 26:55 a choice in my wife will-- my wife will leave me 26:59 or she will divorce me if I change something's. 27:02 And yeah we're talking specifically 27:03 about the wedding band and so on so forth. 27:08 And so where you're confronted with some real serious issue 27:11 and I have heard them say 27:13 and tell me I don't have a choice. 27:14 Well really? 27:17 How far does one go in order to please their spouse 27:21 to keep peace in the home? 27:23 Can she compromise, he compromise 27:26 the truth of God's word? 27:29 See is there a compromise in the word of God. 27:32 May be just a little, may be just a little bit. 27:37 It's interesting that the apostle Peter-- 27:40 you know what he says. 27:43 He says not to compromise truth and principle at all, 27:49 truth and principle at all. 27:53 We're to please God. 27:55 Yes it can cause contention. 27:57 But how can we say well I know what the word says but. 28:01 What kind of a Christian are you? 28:02 What kind of a Christian am I? 28:03 every time I come up whether something is going to 28:05 cause a little anxiety or little problems 28:07 I'm just going to say well I can't do it 28:09 because God doesn't say that in His word. 28:15 It's interesting--here's what the Bible says about 28:17 and still saying well I'm going to have to compromise 28:19 and I'm going to do what my husband 28:21 and my wife wants me to do. 28:22 You remember what first Peter 3:1, 2 says. 28:25 It says especially about the woman. 28:26 It says, if she is faithful she may win her husband 28:31 by her conduct or her conversations 28:35 what the Bible says. 28:38 She will never win her husband or vice versa 28:40 by lowering the standards is by being willing to stand 28:44 for the truths of God's word. 28:47 God has set a standard up. 28:50 Now I know many of them would say, 28:51 yeah, but, you know, God doesn't want me to-- 28:53 God want you to follow His word 28:55 He will work everything else out 28:57 if you're willing to stand on His word what He says. 29:01 We must be faithful to his word. 29:04 Remember, who do you want to please? 29:08 Who do you really want to please? 29:10 Or are we may be trying to find a way 29:13 around God's plain word. 29:16 And then why is it that the wedding band of jewelry 29:19 and different things that just not so important 29:21 to a lot of people. 29:23 You don't say a much about that 29:24 because may be you're wearing it and so on so forth. 29:27 But yet, you know, you will start on somebody else 29:29 about some other kind of issue. 29:32 Its like well, I know the Bible says 29:33 I'm not supposed to it 29:34 but I'm going to go ahead and do it anyway. 29:37 Is that being obedient or is that being disobedient. 29:42 See the Bible is very clear. 29:43 God said, I will have My daughters of Zion washed. 29:48 What's does that mean? 29:50 I'm going to have My daughters in Zion washed. 29:53 And then if washed what is that mean? 29:59 If it means He is going to wash them 30:02 that mean then--that mean something needs to come off. 30:06 If He is going to wash them-- why would you wash them 30:08 if nothing needs to come off? 30:09 He says, I'm going to wash them and make them clean. 30:13 He says just going come off one way or the other 30:15 and then as Isaiah 4:3,4, 30:19 He say just going come off by judgment or by fire. 30:23 How interesting, by judgment or by fire. 30:29 See we gonna have to give it to God. 30:32 We're gonna have to choose to serve Him. 30:35 We're gonna have put him first in our hearts and in our life. 30:39 What a tough decision for many. 30:43 But how many of us are really willing to say God, 30:47 I want to put you first. 30:48 And Bible says all these other things 30:50 will be added unto you. 30:53 Those of you who know better I will just add a little bit 30:55 to that passage and you take it for what its worth. 30:59 But when you know what the Bible says 31:01 what God has said take these things off 31:03 and you refuse to do it because man has said. 31:06 Its okay or your husband said it's a necessity 31:11 and you cling to those things. 31:12 Is there a possibility? 31:15 When the Bible talks about is there possibility 31:17 that you can leave those things on 31:18 but you won't make it to heaven. 31:21 Absolutely, because we're disobeying 31:23 a direct command of God. 31:25 Let's look a little deeper and let's dig in 31:27 and view some of these, these ornaments right here, shall we. 31:31 Let's look at what God has to say. 31:33 You remember, in Genesis we go all way 31:35 back to the beginning in Genesis 34, 31:38 reveals that Jacob, Jacob and his sons 31:41 right his sons had committed some grievous, 31:44 the Bible says, some grievous sins. 31:46 Jacob was to bring them and the rest of his family 31:50 and to make an atonement for them 31:53 so that God could bless them. 31:55 Now we noticed that grievous sins, 31:58 sins separate us from God. 32:00 God want to bring them back 32:01 so Jacob says, right, I'm going to take-- 32:03 God told Jacob bring the family, bring them all. 32:05 In fact he brought them to the place 32:07 to where he had that dream. 32:08 You remember the ladder? 32:10 And he said it was before I can bless you 32:13 there's gonna have to be an atonement made, 32:14 there's gonna have to be some changes made. 32:17 And Genesis 35:1-4. 32:21 I love to read all those 32:22 but see time just won't permit us to do that. 32:26 Genesis 35:1-4 before the atonement 32:31 or you know atonement with God 32:33 or to make things right with God could be made. 32:36 Here is what Jacob told his family 32:38 under the direction of the Holy Spirit in verse 2. 32:42 He said "Put away those strange God's 32:46 that are among you." 32:48 Strange God's what does that mean? 32:51 Those strange God's. 32:52 Where did they get these strange God's. 32:55 Where have you gotten those strange God's 32:57 that you have put on your body? 33:01 Well, Jacob and his family, 33:02 you know, where his family had gotten those strange God's. 33:04 Sure you do. 33:06 Because his family had spent some time 33:08 dwelling with the heathen. 33:10 And the heathen was dressed 33:11 and put all kind of things on their body 33:14 and all of a sudden it was like 33:15 well we don't have all the things that they have on 33:17 and dress like they do 33:19 but just one or two little things won't hurt. 33:23 God said before you make an atonement 33:26 for atonement can be made. 33:27 Things right so that I can bless you. 33:29 There is gonna have to be something's taken off. 33:30 Isn't that interesting? 33:32 God called them strange God's that are among you. 33:39 And then verse 4, the Bible said. 33:41 You know, we're gonna identify these strange God's. 33:44 The Bible does it I don't' have to do it. 33:48 So his family as it where he says 33:49 "They gave unto Jacob all their strange gods" 33:56 listen "which were in their hands. 33:58 Is somebody with me? 34:00 "On their hands and all the earrings 34:03 which were in their ears." 34:05 We just cannot misinterpret that. 34:08 It's too clear. 34:10 Stuff they had in their ears, 34:12 earrings is what the Bible said on their ears. 34:15 Things that they had on their hands 34:17 before an atonement could be made. 34:18 Before God could bless them. 34:20 Before things could be made right. 34:22 God told Jacob take those strange god's off of them. 34:26 Why they picked it up in the heathen land. 34:29 Very interesting. 34:32 See and there will be many who will say, 34:33 I didn't say, well, you know, 34:35 it's just a little something to do. 34:36 I've heard it, but you would say it's not go great earring 34:39 it's just a little bit. So what? 34:40 What is the little sin, little sin, big sin. 34:43 God said no earrings, He said no gold. 34:49 See we have again such a habit of justifying 34:53 because we want to do something. 34:55 Then you can do it but there is price to be paid 34:58 because God said don't do it. 35:01 Earrings, we mean the earring, listen Jacob knew this. 35:05 You should know what is that you study the word of God 35:07 and was talking about earrings 35:09 these earrings were worn by the Ishmaelites, you see. 35:13 Judges 8:24. 35:15 And this--their earrings were a mark of apostasy 35:19 from the true God of heaven. 35:24 And they put those things on. 35:25 And as God said you got to take them off 35:28 before God could bless them. 35:31 And then Exodus 32, we find another instance, 35:36 you remember the golden calf, sure. 35:38 You remember that the story of, 35:40 you know, of Israel and of Aaron 35:43 and the apostasy of Israel. 35:48 How did that all come about. 35:51 Because they were accepting many of the heathen customs 35:55 that came with them out of Egypt. 35:58 They were wearing the wrong things. 36:01 They had some gold and they had some silver. 36:04 But notice how Exodus 32:31 says. 36:08 God talking to His people. 36:10 He said they "This people have sinned a great sin, 36:14 and have made them God's of gold." 36:18 God's of gold. 36:20 See some of you who realize this, 36:22 this is so simple to believe but you will say 36:24 well I know these are not god's really. 36:26 Are you willing to take them off 36:27 if God makes it very clear in His word 36:30 or has it become your God? 36:33 God of heaven said they've made God they've sinned. 36:36 So we're dealing with the heavy issue here of sin. 36:40 I sinned the great sin. 36:42 God's of gold. 36:43 Then in Exodus 32:34 you got to go read it all. 36:47 God said "I will visit their sin upon them." 36:52 Wow. 36:55 It's interesting even God's people of Israel what to have. 36:57 It says, you know, when they Moses didn't come back 37:00 from the mountain you remember what happened. 37:01 Sure you do. 37:02 It says, they begun to take the Gold 37:04 they had on their bodies off an of course Aaron told to them 37:08 if you remember he said, I just do in the fire 37:10 and here come a calf. 37:15 They had those gods of gold. 37:19 God said those things are going to that have to come off. 37:21 Exodus 33:5, 6 this is what God said. 37:25 In order to get things right 37:26 because God said I'm going to visit them 37:29 and when He meant visit them He is going to set things right. 37:31 And Moses began to plead in verse 33:5, 6. 37:35 Here's what God said. 37:36 "Therefore, now put off thy ornaments from thee, 37:40 that I may know what to do with thee." 37:43 Get those things off, 37:45 therefore, I know what to do with thee. 37:46 Verse 6, it says here what happened 37:48 "The children of Israel stripped themselves 37:51 of their ornaments." 37:54 Does God know what to do with you today, 37:56 He know what to do with me today? 37:58 See saying the same thing today--same God, 38:00 same yesterday and today and forever. 38:03 God that doesn't change. 38:06 So we must keep in mind God's plan to restore Israel. 38:10 You see, Israel falling apart right apostasy, 38:13 back sliding and it was always evident 38:15 by what they put on their body, 38:17 the way they talk, the way they dressed, 38:18 the way they action. 38:22 But we have to-- we have to think in terms 38:24 God's plan to restore Israel 38:25 was not just to change of the heart 38:28 but it was a change of dress. 38:30 It was what they put on their bodies. 38:33 And this change had to take place--listen, 38:37 before they entered their Promised Land, 38:40 the people were getting ready to go in to the Promised Land 38:44 and God said you gonna have to take off 38:47 those strange god's 38:48 if you want to enter into the Promised Land. 38:50 Are you getting it here? 38:53 And then Paul tells us that in 1 Corinthians 10:11. 38:59 He said, now listen, you say well why are we talking about? 39:02 "All of these things happened unto them for examples 39:07 or types and they are written for our admonition 39:11 upon whom the ends of the world are come." 39:16 You see the command to remove the ornaments 39:20 that God said before, they entered the Land of Canaan 39:24 applies to all of us before we go into the heavenly Canaan. 39:31 You say it's just a little ban, really? 39:35 It didn't cost anything, really. 39:38 The Bible doesn't talk like that or teach like that. 39:41 It just said no gold. 39:44 Now the Prophet Isaiah sent a message 39:48 and I'm glad we have some time to go over this 39:50 because I want to do it. 39:51 I had my Bible turned here I hope you do too. 39:53 Is Isaiah Chapter 3. 39:56 What an address that he gave 39:58 and he listen--he addressed the daughters of what? 40:01 Of Zion. 40:03 Now, who are the daughters of Zion? 40:05 That's must be God's people. 40:06 Remember, what he was pinning down here. 40:09 The prophet of God he was talking to the church 40:13 and you can very well to the church today. 40:15 Some changes need to come about 40:17 not just to recognize well I'm okay. 40:19 We're gonna serve God and we love God 40:21 and we want to put Him first this is what-- 40:22 notice in Isaiah Chapter 3 God talking to His people. 40:27 We're going to read verses 16 and onward, notice. 40:30 "Moreover, the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion." 40:35 Right, I'm talking about his church 40:36 and we can talk about Isaiah 6:2 40:38 and Isaiah 10 and Isaiah 16 so and so forth. 40:41 It says, "They are haughty, 40:43 they walk with stretched forth necks, 40:45 right getting some attention. 40:47 "And wanton eyes." 40:49 Deceiving eyes is what that means. 40:51 "They're walking and mincing as they go." 40:54 That means they're walking in such way 40:56 somebody stay with me. 40:57 That they're getting the attention of men 40:59 that's exactly what it means. 41:02 "And making a little tinkling with their feet." 41:04 They have got some things on they shouldn't have on. 41:06 "Therefore, the Lord will smite thee with a scab 41:10 of the crown of thy head of the daughters of Zion." 41:14 The Bible says "And the Lord will discover" notice this. 41:18 He is going to "discover their secret parts." 41:20 Somebody stay with me. 41:22 He is going to discover what? 41:23 Their secret parts. 41:24 "In that day the Lord will take away 41:27 the bravery of their tinkling ornaments 41:30 about their feet, and about their cauls" 41:33 which is in the mid section 41:35 "and their round tires like the moon." 41:38 Ornaments round what do you think 41:40 all this round business came in. 41:42 But from the heathen and pagans and we put it on our body. 41:45 God said "I am going to take those things round tires, 41:47 away from you in that day. 41:49 He said "I'm going to take away the chains, 41:51 and the bracelets and the mufflers, 41:53 or things that are hanging." 41:54 notice this "and the bonnets, 41:57 the ornaments, the ornaments of the legs. 41:59 Notice this, "the headbands, ornaments and the tablets." 42:04 Again things that are hanging. 42:05 Notice this and He says "And the earrings." 42:10 There is no mistake in that. 42:12 That's what it means. I'm going to take the earrings. 42:14 And then verse 21. 42:16 "And he said I'm going to take away the rings 42:19 and the nose jewels and the changes of apparel." 42:25 He says he is going to take away the earrings, 42:27 he is going to take away the rings. 42:29 Well, what a mess we get involved with today, 42:33 when people begin to try to make it excuses. 42:39 Remember, he said in we've talked about Isaiah 6:2 42:42 He said "I have likened the daughter of Zion to" 42:44 what "a comely and delicate woman." 42:49 Isaiah 3:9, he said "The shew of their countenance 42:52 doth witness against them. 42:55 And declare their sin as Sodom." 42:57 This is a heavy duty issue that we have let the standard down 43:01 and these to be raised up once again 43:03 among us, last day people. 43:07 See God identifies listen, God identifies rings 43:11 as filth of the daughter of the Zion. 43:14 That's what the word of God says. 43:16 Rings are filth in God's sight. 43:19 And who are we to say it doesn't make any difference. 43:22 Oh, it's a sign of this. 43:23 It's a symbol of this. Really? 43:26 God said they're filth. 43:31 Bible says notice this the word ring. 43:34 Let's discuss this. We have a few minutes to do it. 43:36 Rings, this my friend, my brother, 43:39 my sister includes all of them. 43:43 Wouldn't it be silly that if you thought 43:47 that you could wear one 43:48 because God is going to make an exception for you 43:52 because you are different you can wear it? 43:57 See it's always easy to try to justify the one 44:01 that we have isn't it. 44:04 What kind of rings is God talking about here? 44:10 Because again rings for many people will say, 44:13 well I can't take it off because my lodge gave it to me. 44:18 Oh, it's a retirement ring 44:19 I worked for forty years for the railroad, 44:21 whatever it might be. 44:23 Oh, it's a birthstone ring. 44:25 Its all right, it's a classic ring. 44:27 You know, it's an engagement ring, 44:29 it's a wedding ring, it's moms ring, 44:32 it's grandma's ring. 44:35 Again retirement ring or sports ring. 44:39 See everyone also say well, we have it that's special 44:41 so God is gonna overlook. 44:42 Is it God said rings. 44:46 That means all rings. 44:51 See we--all of these rings I just mentioned 44:54 and many more all have, listen, symbolic meanings. 44:59 Did you get that? 45:01 They all have symbolic meanings but God said no rings. 45:09 Oh, it's jut little. He said no gold. 45:11 Remember, of reading that 1 Timothy and Peter. 45:13 No gold. 45:17 So we must not fight over 45:19 what God has made plain in His word 45:22 no 'hmm' means no. 45:26 Oh I know it's difficult always it's going to twinge you, 45:28 you are gonna fighting some going to 45:30 all we just turn it off. 45:31 We're not going to listen to it. 45:32 You're still accountable for it. 45:34 You had the opportunity to listen. 45:37 See I believe this with all my heart 45:38 a born again Christian, a born again Christian 45:43 will not go against the clear revealed will of God. 45:49 We're not gonna justify, we're not going to rationalize. 45:54 And we will not by the grace God wear any rings 45:59 because the Bible said no. 46:00 He is going to take them away from us, wow. 46:05 Let's say if we try to justify one. 46:08 And let's just say the wedding ring 46:09 because that's really touchy. 46:11 Engagement and wedding ring. 46:14 Remember, a ring is what. 46:16 It's symbolic, isn't it? Yeah. 46:18 Of course all of the other rings are symbolic, 46:20 symbol of something, aren't they? 46:23 So then we all still could once again justify 46:27 anything that we put on our hand 46:29 or you know in our ear we can justify not with scripture 46:31 but humanly speaking. 46:36 And let me say this, 46:37 nowhere in the Bible do we find, 46:40 nowhere in the Bible do we find 46:43 that the wearing of a ring a physical sign of marriage. 46:49 Nowhere in the Bible so where do we get this stuff. 46:55 In fact the ring in marriage has Pagan son worship 47:00 written all over it. 47:03 It's easy to trace as well as papal of authority or customs. 47:10 Wow, as Cardinal Newman said in his book 47:15 "Development of Christian Doctrine." 47:18 He speaks about Constantine and trying to compromise 47:21 whenever the Christians and the pagans 47:23 and bringing them in to the church 47:24 and worship practices. 47:26 You know, what he tells us? 47:28 He tells us the use of--listen temples, 47:31 dedicated to the saints, incense, candles, 47:34 holy water, processions, 47:36 listen, the ring in marriage turning to the east 47:40 and later images, are all of Pagan origin. 47:47 The ring in marriage is Pagan origin. 47:50 So how is it we stand for certain things 47:52 that man it's ritual in paganism I'm not going to do it. 47:54 And other times you'd say that ritual are in paganism 47:57 but well come on. 48:00 And they were adopted into the church. 48:03 And certainly this would bring us 48:05 don't you think to the back to the New Testament 48:08 in 1 Timothy 2:9, 10 here what it says. 48:11 "In like manner also" we've covered it 48:13 "that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, 48:16 with shamefacedness and sobriety 48:18 not with broided hair or gold, 48:20 or pearls, or costly array." 48:23 You can take time to read that. 48:24 Compare 1 Peter 3:1-5. 48:27 We have already covered these passages 48:29 we're talking about the New Testament 48:30 how God says no pearls, no gold, 48:33 no silver, no exceptions. 48:37 Some of you might say and usually you know, 48:39 usually is the one who wants the one who wants 48:42 to not to give up-- I don't want to give up my ring 48:46 and but when here's, here's I have heard these. 48:49 You say, you know, this what the Bible teaches 48:50 and she would say well, I can't give up my ring. 48:52 This just shows that I'm married. 48:54 Wow, no one says I won't because it shows that 48:58 I love my husband. 49:01 I had one who said, well we wear so men won't hit on me. 49:06 Very, very interesting. 49:08 So men won't hit on me. 49:09 You realize ladies, men if your conduct-- 49:13 it's your conduct how conduct yourself, 49:17 how you talk, how you act, 49:19 how you dress, where the men will approach you or not. 49:24 Godly woman just don't have that kind of problem 49:27 I could tell you that. 49:30 Now I heard a lot of men and out there in a study 49:32 is that men look for women who have a wedding ring on 49:36 in this society, kind of interesting. 49:38 You know why? 49:40 Is there anything, question, is there anything more important 49:43 than the marriage because man we'll put some stuff. 49:45 There are something's down the line. 49:46 The Bible is putting on the line here. 49:48 There is a real test. 49:50 Is there anything more important than marriage? 49:54 Now I can say here now let's, yes. What? 49:58 What you're marriage to Christ. 50:01 You're marriage to Christ 50:02 is more important than an earthly marriage. 50:04 Did you get that? 50:07 Because we can't put anything 50:08 above our relationships with Jesus Christ. 50:10 Remember, put Him first 50:12 all these other things will be added. 50:15 See what is really being tested here. 50:20 Is it not really, 50:21 is it not your love for Christ it's being tested? 50:25 See the Bible has spoken and it's going to test you 50:28 and it's going to test me. 50:30 And please may I bring this, 50:32 please don't be a stumbling block. 50:35 There are many church members, 50:36 there are many who continued to wear their ornaments 50:39 or their rings and may be even necklaces 50:42 even among God's last day people, 50:44 some leaders of the church and church officers 50:46 and pastor and elders. 50:49 They know the truth but they refused to follow the truth. 50:52 And I say there is what a sad example 50:55 to the new people that are coming in. 50:58 When they were taught by the one 50:59 who give them Bible studies 51:01 that they need to give up these ornaments 51:02 because God said before they entered the heavenly Canaan. 51:05 What a stumbling block and I'm gonna be both 51:08 that you are if you continue to do that--when you know better. 51:11 A stumbling block. 51:14 You don't want to give these things up. 51:18 Now how about the other new members that are coming in, 51:20 they are looking at the older members 51:22 and they'll say why should we give them up 51:23 when they're not giving them up. 51:26 Why should we dress like this when they dress well they do. 51:29 Why should we be careful with our make up, 51:31 you see, when there are painted up like Jezebel. 51:33 I hope you hear what I'm saying. 51:35 Shouldn't the church practice what it preaches. 51:39 Bible is clear about stumbling block 51:41 let me do this quickly here. 51:42 Romans 14:13 it says, 51:44 "That no man put a stumbling block 51:46 or an occasion to fall in the brother's way." 51:51 Romans 14:21. "it is good neither to eat flesh 51:54 nor to drink wine, nor any thing 51:57 whereby they brother stumbleth, 52:00 or is offended, or is made weak." 52:03 You think you're not causing trouble, 52:04 you think you're not nervous 52:05 when you're wearing those things. 52:06 You're getting upfront and you're doing the picture 52:08 is on magazines and things. 52:09 You're stumbling block that's what the Bible says. 52:14 Luke 17:2 "If it were better for him 52:17 that a millstone were hanged around his neck, 52:20 and be cast into the sea, 52:22 than that he should offend one of these little ones." 52:27 Isn't it time we held up the standards of dress. 52:29 Oh, all kind of issues 52:31 to yet we're going to have time to do that 52:33 but isn't it time 52:34 then the time we take these things of right now. 52:37 Right now while you're listening this 52:38 you just being and the inspiration 52:39 of the spirit of the living God 52:40 just take off these ornaments. 52:43 Take off that heavy make up, take off that jewelry. 52:46 I'm a talking about the wedding rings to the Pagan wedding rings 52:50 and conduct ourselves like God's last day church. 52:54 You see, it's straight testimony time. 52:57 Not because some groups set up some rules. 53:00 Not because some groups said 53:02 it's okay to wear of these things now. 53:05 Listen God is the same 53:06 as in the other countries as He is here. 53:08 It's the same Bible that we read. 53:10 I hear its a custom in other lands 53:11 and so we don't mess with that. 53:13 The Bible the same God is in that country. 53:15 He requires the same of all of us. 53:18 Friend, you know Bible talks about 53:21 we need not do warn and leave the other undone. 53:24 Isn't it time that we begin 53:26 to conduct ourselves like Christians. 53:28 Isn't' it time that we pray about it right now. 53:30 Bring conviction upon the hearts of the God's last day people. 53:33 What's the straight testimony do? 53:36 Bible says, it cause, you know, 53:37 the Spirit of Prophecy said, 53:38 it causes the shaking among the church. 53:40 These are things that we don't want to hear. 53:42 These are things that we don't want to approach 53:44 as pastors and leaders but you know what, 53:46 you need to if you want the blessings of God. 53:48 We study just real quickly 53:49 and I want to pray about it right now. 53:51 Will you pray with me? 53:52 So Holy Spirit, will lead and guide us in all truth. 53:54 Let's pray. 53:56 Merciful Father in heaven, we thank You 53:57 for your precious word. 53:58 We know it's very difficult for many 54:00 others will see the importance of following You 54:03 and putting You first. 54:04 Our marriage to You 54:05 is more important than anything else. 54:07 Lord, I pray for conviction to come upon all of our hearts 54:10 and all of our lives that we may follow You. 54:13 That yes what we wear what we put on our bodies 54:16 does make a difference. 54:17 We want to be placing in Your sight. 54:19 We're in conviction and we pray in victory right now. 54:21 In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 54:25 Well I pray right now in last few seconds 54:27 that we have here with you that you're making 54:28 that decision right now. 54:30 You don't have to talk to anybody else about. 54:32 The Bible has said, You gonna reach, 54:33 you girls gonna take things off, you gonna put them down 54:35 and say God thank you for giving me that victory. 54:38 Friend, do you want that victory right now. 54:40 It's yours. 54:42 Do you love Jesus with all your heart? 54:43 Oh, I know I do. 54:45 And I want to follow Him. 54:47 And so you have that opportunity right now. 54:49 And these things that we brought out 54:50 we're just barely right 54:52 and we say tickling the edges of the scripture 54:54 that's so much more on this subject. 54:56 But I know that you're going to follow 54:57 what God has said because you love Him 54:59 with all your heart. 55:00 You know, we love you we'll see you next time. 55:05 Welcome back, friends. 55:07 God is calling us back from the allurements of this world. 55:11 And many times we find that 55:13 our affections have been placed upon objects 55:15 that are contrary to God's design for our lives. 55:19 I encourage you to trust Him today. 55:23 There is no trinket that this world has to offer 55:27 that is worth our placing up above them before God. 55:31 As God has told us time and again in His word that, 55:35 "When we chose Him as our Lord and Savior 55:38 that our whole hearts are to be surrendered." 55:41 And that only makes good sense. 55:43 If a part of our heart is withheld from Him 55:46 and it must be holding on to something, 55:49 something in this world. 55:51 And we know that this world is amenity against God. 55:54 The dwarfs of this world must fall away from our heart, 55:58 from the hearts of God's saints. 56:00 Therefore, it is our earnest prayer 56:03 here at Behold the Lamb Ministries 56:05 that during this series of messages 56:08 that the Holy Spirit has convicted 56:10 and strengthened you to make whatever changes are necessary 56:15 for the Kingdom of Heaven to one day be your home. 56:19 Does our appearance really matter to God? 56:22 Yes, indeed it does. 56:24 So chose you this day whom you'll serve 56:28 and join us as we concur with Joshua in 24:15 56:34 when he says "As for me 56:36 and my house we will serve the Lord." 56:40 We thank you once again for taking the time 56:43 to study God's word with us today. 56:45 And thank you for partnering up with us 56:47 in prayer and financial support. 56:50 "Behold the Lamb Ministry," is fully dependent 56:52 upon persons just like yourself 56:55 to partner up with us financially 56:57 and prayerfully to enable us 56:59 to continue to bring these timely messages into your home. 57:03 If you haven't it yet send support 57:06 we pray that you will consider doing so right away. 57:09 We truly need your help 57:11 and may God richly bless your decision. 57:15 And as always this three-part series entitled 57:18 "Does our Appearance Really Matter to God?" 57:20 is available to you for a love gift at just $23 and more. 57:26 And don't forget to ask about our special sharing price 57:29 when you call. 57:30 Our number here in the United States 57:32 is 618-942-5044, that's Central Standard Time 57:38 or write us at Behold the Lamb Ministries 57:41 P.O. 2030, Herrin, IL 62948. 57:46 You may also order by emailing us 57:48 at beholdthelambministries @yahoo.com 57:52 or on our website at beholdthelambministries.com. 57:58 Until next time friends, 57:59 may our precious loving wonderful Savior 58:03 continue to richly bless, you and yours. |
Revised 2014-12-17