Tuesday, March 5, 2019

“WILL A MAN GO TO HELL FOR WEARING TIGHT PANTS OR A DRESS?”



By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD
(unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from the New International Version)

GREETING

Psalm 134:1-2.
1 Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1.     Life Center Service Tonight. 7 pm. Message entitled, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T STOP PRAYING!

2.     Join me at the following events:

·                    Louisiana 1st Workers Meeting. Thursday 10AM and 7PM Shreveport Convention Center (400 Caddo St, Shreveport, LA).

·                    Ohio West Jurisdiction. Friday 7PM Nevels Temple (939 Elm St, Youngstown, OH).

·                    Int’l AIM Convention Rally. Saturday 10AM and 12 Noon (Brown Memorial COGIC 2313 27th Ave, Tampa, FL). Be sure to register for AIM under “Evangelism.”

LESSON NOTES

I.                  WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS LESSON? Tight pants have been a fashion fad off and on for years. And, actually, this lesson will show that historically it is not new for men to wear dresses. [There are some cultures where men wear kilts (and the traditional way of wearing a kilt is with not underwear); and even the cassock (worn in many black Pentecostal circles) is actually a form of a tunic or dress. Even during high services in the black Pentecostal tradition the attire for clergy is deemed “choir dress.“] However, the current trend has nothing to do with culture nor ancient tunics. It has to do with an agenda. The agenda is to blur the lines between the genders. God is the one who created the genders of male and female. A particular fabric or design may not take a person to Hell by itself. But, rebellion against God WILL. So how do we address an undercurrent that is totally adverse to God’s standards? This lesson will address that question.

II.               HUMANS WERE CREATED TO BE NAKED.

Before sin tainted humanity; humans were naked. After sin infiltrated humanity; Adam and Eve made a futile attempt to cover their nakedness with fig leaves.

Genesis 2:255Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

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.

III.           WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF CLOTHES?

God is the one Who created the first “real” clothes after the failure of the fig leaves. The clothes God created "covered" the man and woman. Thus, creating a principle that clothes are to COVER our nakedness; NOT highlight and expose it (as very tight clothing would). If clothing was never an issue with God, He never would have taken the time to personally create Adam and Eve's clothes:

Genesis 3:21, "The LORD God made clothes from animal skins for the man and his wife and dressed them."

IV.           THERE IS SUCH A THING AS HOLY CLOTHES.

Later, in the Word, God designed the clothing of the High Priest. This signified that the clothing of a worshipper should have dignity, modest elegance and bring glory to God; so much so that the priests clothing was called "HOLY CLOTHES!"

Exodus 31:10, "the special clothes-the holy clothes for the priest Aaron and the clothes for his sons when they serve as priests."

V.               BUT ISN’T THAT OLD TESTAMENT?

For those that would argue that these are Old Testament passages; my only question is, “WHAT BIBLE DO YOU THINK JESUS AND PAUL USED?” The first books of the New Testament were not composed until at least 40 years after the Resurrection!

So Jesus and Paul never used the “New Testament.” They used Genesis to Malachi. Thus, we CANNOT dismiss the Word and say, “that's Old Testament.”

John 5:39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

VI.           NEW TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES OF HOW SAINTS SHOULD ADORN THEMSELVES.

The New Testament does address the subject of clothing. Clothing is to be modest. Here's what the Word says:

1 Timothy 2:9, “I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable. Their beauty will be shown by what they do, not by their hair styles or the gold jewelry, pearls, or expensive clothes they wear.”

VII.        WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE MODEST?

Modest is defined as, “Dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention.”[1] (Tight clothing, which highlights the private areas, would definitely draw sexual attention). But, what is impropriety and indecency?

Impropriety.[2] A failure to observe standards or show due honesty or modesty; improper language, behavior, or character.

Indecency.[3] Not conforming with generally accepted standards of behavior or propriety; obscene.

VIII.    NOTICE THESE DEFINITIONS ADDRESS “STANDARDS.”

Standards are, “Principles of conduct informed by notions of honor and decency.”[4] Who sets the standards and what the standards are, depends on that particular group. For example, non-Christians have their standards and Christians have their standards. And, different Christian groups have their own particular standards; because (even though most of us say that the Bible is our standard) everyone apparently interprets Scripture differently. But, some principles in the Bible are really difficult to misinterpret. The Bible is pretty clear on a few things.

A.               GOD WANTS US ALL TO SAY THE SAME THING.

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

B.               THE WORD DOES NOT GIVE US ALL THE LIBERTY TO FOLLOW OUR “OWN TRUTH.”

2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things.

C.               GOD SETS OUR STANDARDS NOT THE NON-BELIEVERS (OR “THE WORLD”).[5]

Romans 12:2 New International Version
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 New Living Translation’
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And do not imitate this world, but be transformed by the renovation of your minds, and you shall distinguish what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2 GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Romans 12:2 American Standard Version
And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2 Weymouth New Testament
And do not follow the customs of the present age, but be transformed by the entire renewal of your minds, so that you may learn by experience what God's will is--that will which is good and beautiful and perfect.

IX.           IT IS A STANDARD IN THE SCRIPTURES THAT THERE IS A DISINCTION BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.

A.               GOD MADE THE DISTINCTION.

God is the one, IN THE BEGINNING, that made that distinction. If he intended for all to be the same, then there never would have been the distinction. You would have either had all males or all females. But, God created male AND female.

Genesis 5:2 2He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them "Mankind" when they were created.

Genesis 5:2 New Living Translation[6]
He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them "human."

1.                 THERE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ANY GENDER CONFUSION.

While there are trivial controversies over whether women should wear pants or not, or whether there was a distinction between male robes and women’s robes in Bible days; the PRINCIPLE is very clear – a man should not want to look and act like a woman and a woman should not want to act and look like a man. That is a Bible PRINCIPLE in both the Old and New Testaments that cannot be ignored or overlooked.

a.             WOMEN ARE NOT TO WEAR MEN’S CLOTHING AND MEN ARE NOT TO WEAR WOMEN’S CLOTHING.

Deuteronomy 22:5 5A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.

i.                   WHAT DOES JUDAISM SAY ABOUT THIS VERSE?[7] [8]

The Torah (the law of God as revealed to Moses and recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures) forbids men and women to adopt the garb or other practices that are associated with the opposite sex. This is to avoid excessive mingling that can lead to promiscuity, and to preserve the normal and constructive differences between males and females. Thus, the Sages apply this prohibition to men who are excessively concerned with personal grooming and to women who wear battle dress.

ii.                 CROSS DRESSING IN BIBLE TIMES?

To “cross dress” is to, “wear clothing typical of the opposite sex.”[9] Apparently, this was a big problem in Bible times:[10]

The dress of the sexes in those days being more alike than in our day, there was more need for regulation. The law was perhaps made not only to preserve decency and the clear distinction between the males and the females, but also because pagans were in the habit of erasing such distinction in idolatrous worship. Men wore the colored dress of women when they presented themselves before the Star of Venus, and women wore men’s armor when presenting themselves before the Star of Mars. Idols were frequently represented with the features of one sex and the dress of the other; and their worshippers endeavored to be like them. In heathenism such exchange of garments was generally for immoral purposes. [11]

B.               MEN ARE NOT TO BE EFFEMINATE.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV 9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1.                 DEFINING THE WORD EFFEMINATE.

·                    FROM THE GREEK WORD MALAKOS.[12] [13] [14] Fine, soft, male prostitute, a male homosexual who is the passive sex partner, effeminate, soft to the touch. Not simply of a male who practices forms of lewdness, but persons in general, who are guilty of addiction to sins of the flesh, voluptuous (relating to or characterized by luxury or sensual pleasure).

·                    MEN WHO HAVE WOMANLIKE TRAITS TO AN INAPPROPRIATE DEGREE. Lacking in manly strength or aggressiveness; especially marked with weakness, softness, and love of ease; over emotional and over delicate.[15]

·                    HOMOSEXUALS. For the two nouns translated in the KJV as “effeminate” and “abusers of themselves with mankind,” the RSV uses simply, “homosexuals.” This vice is condemned by the apostle in Romans 1:27. Its prevalence in the ancient world is witnessed by the moralists of the time. Paul mentions it when writing from Corinth or to Corinth, a city where licentiousness was especially rife. [16]

2.                 WHAT ABOUT THE STATEMENT THAT THERE IS NO MALE OR FEMALE?

Admittedly there are passages that allude to that. That we are spirit and there is no male or female in spirit.

Galatians 3:28 28There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 22:30 30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:16 16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

However, no matter how much spirit we are, if you are reading these notes you are yet in a body and yet in the natural. Thus, in the natural, there is yet the distinction between the sexes.

X.               WE SHOULD NOT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE ANOTHER PERSON TO STUMBLE.

In preparing for this lesson, one woman commented, “A man wearing tight pants may not take him to Hell, but if the right man is in tight pants, it may send me to Hell.” For a man to wear clothing so tight that the imprints of the genitals are showing, that is being a temptation to others (that is to women and even to men who may be struggling with homosexuality). The Bible pronounces a curse on those who cause others to stumble.

Luke 17:1 Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.

Luke 17:2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Matthew 18:6 "If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in me-to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!

XI.           SHOULDN’T THEIR MIND BE ON THE LORD?

A person may feel like they can do what they want and if another person is tempted, “that’s their problem; they should have their mind on the Lord.” But, that is not the right attitude, neither is it biblical. We should not do anything that would cause someone else to stumble.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

Romans 15:1-2 1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

1 Corinthians 10:23
"I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but not everything is constructive.

Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

1 Corinthians 8:13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

XII.        SHOULD THE CHURCH PUSH ITS STANDARDS OFF ON OTHER PEOPLE; ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE NOT BELIEVERS?

Is it our business to tell other people how to live their lives? Should we just do our thing and allow others to do theirs? Should we even bother people with our standards and belief system?

As you read the following answers, please keep in mind that the LORD is not just God of the Christians. He is not just God of the Church. He is God of everyone and everything. The Earth belongs to Him. Thus, His rules and principles really apply to everyone.

A.               THE WORD TELLS US TO TEACH OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Isaiah 11:9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

B.               THE WORD SAYS THAT GOD’S INFLUENCE WILL COVER THE EARTH.

Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

C.               THE WORD SAYS THAT WE ARE TO SPREAD JESUS’ MESSAGE.

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

D.               THE WORD SAYS THAT WE ARE TO BE THE SALT OF THE EARTH.

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

E.               THE WORD SAYS THAT WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

XIII.    ALL WE DO, INCLUDING HOW WE DRESS SHOULD GLORIFY GOD.

At the close of the age; the saints are to be dressed with Jesus in white. But, the white is only to be worn by those who have overcome the corruption of the world. Thus, our clothing should proclaim that we have come out from the seductiveness, debauchery and lewdness of the world:

Revelation 3:4 “But you have a few people in Sardis who have kept their clothes clean. They will walk with me in white clothes because they deserve it.”





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[5] https://www.biblehub.com/romans/12-2.htm. (Accessed, March 5, 2019).
[6] https://www.biblehub.com/genesis/5-2.htm. (Accessed, March 5, 2019).
[8] Scherman, Rabbi Nosson. The Chumash. Mesorah: Brooklyn, 2003.
[10] Dake, Finnis Jennings. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible. Lawrenceville: Dake, 2001.
[11] Buttrick, Arthur George. The Interpreter’s Bible Vol. II. New York: Abingdon, 1955.
[12] Strong, James. The Strongest Strong’s. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 2001.
[14] Vine, W. E. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nelson: Nashville, 1996.
[15] Dake, Finnis Jennings. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible. Lawrenceville: Dake, 2001.
[16] Buttrick, Arthur George. The Interpreter’s Bible Vol. X. New York: Abingdon, 1955.


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