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Church Clothes

Words of Faith Final
Church Clothes 
Words of Faith 2-13-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Exodus 28
     [1]  "Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. [2]  Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. [3]  Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. [4]  These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. [5]  Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. 
         What do you wear when you come to meet with God? 
         The Lord gave detailed instructions for the clothing of the High Priest, Aaron, and his sons. These are recorded in chapter 28 of Exodus. The basic list is in the first few verses. It is a fascinating chapter of scripture, and I commend it to you. I have included the rest of the chapter below.
          At this time in biblical history, the Priest stood between God and the people. The first High Priest was Aaron, the brother of Moses. His sons were designated as Priests. The Priest was a mediator between God and the people. He brought prayers and offerings before the Lord on behalf of the people. He also brought words of forgiveness to the people on behalf of God. It was important to elevate these functions of the priests through sacred garments that were worn only when Priests were in the Tabernacle.
          The scripture tells us that the purpose of the garments was "to give him dignity and honor." They were a reminder of the Holiness of God. The Priest did not appear before the Lord in regular clothing. The special holy clothing of the Priests set them apart when they served in the Tabernacle.
          In Christian history, priests and clerics have worn special robes that are sometimes called "vestments." The word comes from French, vestir, and means to clothe, dress, or adorn. In finance, the same word describes someone who is fully established or a legal owner of a retirement asset-- "fully vested." Wearing the robes or vestments of the priesthood was a statement that a person had an established right to enter the presence of God. 
          The Bible teaches that Jesus is now our High Priest. "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 2:17). "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (Hebrews 4:14). "Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself" (Hebrews 7:26-27).
          Scripture also teaches that, as people saved by His grace, we are part of a priesthood of all believers. "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5-9).
          What are we supposed to wear if we are part of a Royal Priesthood? What do we wear "to church" when we gather for worship? We sometimes talk about wearing our "Sunday best," but this can become a sort of weekly fashion show. What do we wear at other times? 
          The basics are essential to hear. Romans 13:14 directs us to "put on Christ." Have I put on Christ when I leave the house? Is the way of Jesus reflected in my spirit, demeanor, countenance, and dress? These are the most critical questions.
           Isaiah 61:10 declares, "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness..."  We must be sure that we are wearing the garments of salvation and the robe of His righteousness. These are the most apparent vestments to wear. 
           It can be argued that these are the most important garments for a believer. Are you "vested" in Christ? But what about the rest of what we wear? We could get into much discussion, division, and disagreement regarding appropriate attire for a believer or leader in worship. So much of this discussion is clouded by changing trends and styles. 
           There are some phrases in this text that are helpful. The physical garments for worship-- appearing before God-- were to reflect dignity and honor (28:2). Does my attire reflect dignity and honor before the Lord? I sometimes ask these questions of myself: Am I trying to glorify God, or glorify myself? Am I drawing attention to Jesus, or drawing attention to myself? Is the manner of my dress a distraction? Of course, modesty in dress enters into the discussion here.  
           When I was a Youth Pastor, years ago, the church Board had a big discussion regarding a large number teenage boys wearing ball caps in church on Sunday nights. I listened for a while but finally had to point out what a victory it was that we had boys attending worship on Sunday nights! Can I get an 'Amen'? Ball caps did not meet the expectation of respect within the older generation, but I somehow think that God was pleased by their presence. And yes, I did talk later with the youth about the importance of respect in the house of worship.
           So, what are your church clothes? 
        Father God, thank You for making the way so that I might be clothed with Christ and reflect the righteousness of Christ. Guide me, Lord, as I choose clothing that reflects dignity and honor. Most of all, help to have the countenance of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit in all that I say and do. In Jesus' Name.
Exodus 28 
 [6]  "Make the ephod of gold and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen--the work of a skilled craftsman. [7]  It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. [8]  Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it--of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen. [9]  "Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel [10]  in the order of their birth--six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. [11]  Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings [12]  and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD. [13]  Make gold filigree settings [14]  and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings. [15]  "Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions--the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. [16]  It is to be square--a span long and a span wide--and folded double. [17]  Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; [18]  in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald; [19]  in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; [20]  in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings. [21]  There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes. [22]  "For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. [23]  Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece. [24]  Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, [25]  and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. [26]  Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. [27]  Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. [28]  The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod. [29]  "Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD. [30]  Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD. [31]  "Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, [32]  with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. [33]  Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. [34]  The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. [35]  Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die. [36]  "Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. [37]  Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. [38]  It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD. [39]  "Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. [40]  Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons, to give them dignity and honor. [41]  After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. [42]  "Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. [43]  Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. "This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants."