1. We Are to Represent Christ to the World.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are _ambassadors_ for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be _reconciled_ to God.
2. Lift up a Standard for the People.
Isaiah 62:10 Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the _highway_! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the _peoples_!
3. Love Not the World for It Will Pass Away.
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_.
4. Do Not Be Conformed to the World. Instead, Be Made New by Jesus.
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.
5. What Should Be Upper Most in Our Minds?
Philippians 4:7-8 And the peace of God, which _surpasses_ all _understanding_, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is _anything_ praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
6. How Can We Change?
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, _beholding_ as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being _transformed_ into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
7. God Is Not Pleased When We Love Violence.
Psalms 11:5 The Lord tests the _righteous_, But the wicked and the one who loves _violence_ His soul hates.
8. Turn Away From Vanity.
Psalms 119:37 Turn away my eyes from _looking_ at _worthless_ things, And revive me in Your way.
9. Seek to Have the Same Way of Thinking You See in Jesus.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in _Christ_ _Jesus_,
10. We Should Dress Modestly and Refrain From Ornamentation and Excessive Cost and Display in the Things We Wear.
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.
11. True Beauty Is Inside Our Hearts.
1 Peter 3:2-5 When they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. [3] Do not let your _adornment_ be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- [4] rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very _precious_ in the sight of God. [5] For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned _themselves_, being _submissive_ to their own _husbands_,
12. Jacob Leads a Revival and Commands His Household to Get Rid of Their Idols and Jewelry.
Genesis 35:2-4 And Jacob said to his _household_ and to all who were with him, Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your _garments_. [3] Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who _answered_ me in the day of my _distress_ and has been with me in the way which I have gone. [4] So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the _earrings_ which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the _terebinth_ tree which was by Shechem.
13. As the Children of Israel Enter the Promise Land They Remove Their Jewelry.
Exodus 33:3-6 Go up to a land _flowing_ with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people. [4] And when the people heard this bad news, they _mourned_, and no one put on his ornaments. [5] For the LORD had said to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, You are a stiff-necked people. I could come up into your midst in one _moment_ and consume you. Now therefore, take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do to you. [6] So the children of Israel _stripped_ _themselves_ of their ornaments by Mount _Horeb_.
14. God Reveals His Displeasure When People Artificially Adorn Themselves and Lack Character.
Isaiah 3:16-24 Moreover the Lord says: "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with _outstretched_ necks And wanton eyes, Walking and mincing as they go, Making a jingling with their feet, [17] Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab The crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, And the Lord will uncover their secret parts." [18] In that day the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the _crescents_; [19] The pendants, the _bracelets_, and the veils; [20] The _headdresses_, the leg _ornaments_, and the _headbands_; The perfume boxes, the charms, [21] and the rings; The nose jewels, [22] the festal apparel, and the mantles; The outer _garments_, the purses, [23] and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes. [24] And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; Instead of a sash, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, _baldness_; Instead of a rich robe, a girding of _sackcloth_; And _branding_ instead of beauty.
15. Jewelry Is Associated with Idolatry and Forgetting God.
Hosea 2:13 I will punish her For the days of the Baals to which she burned incense. She decked herself with her _earrings_ and _jewelry_, And went after her lovers; But Me she forgot," says the Lord.
16. The False Church Is Pictured by God As Being Decked Out with Jewels. She Has Left Her True Lover, Jesus Christ.
Revelation 17:1-5 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the _judgment_ of the great harlot who sits on many waters, [2] with whom the kings of the earth _committed_ fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." [3] So he carried me away in the Spirit into the _wilderness_. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of _blasphemy_, having seven heads and ten horns. [4] The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and _precious_ stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the _filthiness_ of her fornication. [5] And on her _forehead_ a name was written: MYSTERY, _BABYLON_ THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF _HARLOTS_ AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
17. Jesus Gives Us True Beauty When We Wear His Robe of Righteousness. What Is More Beautiful Than Happiness Within?
Isaiah 61:10 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_, As a bridegroom decks himself with _ornaments_, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
18. Jesus Said, "I Do Always Those Things Which Please Him." by God's Grace, We Should Seek to Be Like Jesus.
John 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those _things_ that _please_ Him."
19. Happiness Comes From Knowing and Doing God's Will.
John 13:17 If you know these _things_, _blessed_ are you if you do them.
20. I Delight to Do Thy Will, My God.
Psalms 40:8 I delight to do Your _will_, O my God, And Your law is within my _heart_."
Next Bible Study: 39-The Holy Spirit
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