14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, *that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God,* which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3
The word of God has a lot to say about the Christian's conduct. How he or she should act and behave. How he or she should carry himself/herself about. This morning I want us to look at how a Christian should behave in the house of God (or when he comes to the church house). I want us to look at three areas this morning in regards to this subject.
They are:
(1) His Clothes (along with that his/her appearance);
(2) His/her Conversation; and
(3) His/her Conduct.
*CLOTHES*
The word of God tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that, ' *whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.*' Whenever, you leave your house to go anywhere especially church you should ask yourself, *Does the way I am dressed bring glory to God?* If it doesn't then *you need to go back into your home and change.* When you leave your home for church do your neighbors know that you are going somewhere special by the way you are dressed? Or do they think by the way you are dressed that you are going to the beach or a walk in the park or attending a sporting event going to the amusement park. Going to play baseball, basketball, football or handball. Probably you are going to do some yard work. Some may say that it does not matter how you are dressed because after all the Bible says that for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. We have to be very careful how we wrestle the scriptures to justify our sin. Yes, the most important thing is for your heart to be right with God. But remember if the inside is right the outside will be also. The Lord would want you to dress in such a manner that brings honour and glory to Him. The Bible says the children of God are peculiar people. There should be a difference between Christians, the children of light and the unsaved and the children of darkness. Furthermore, you could be a stumbling block to a new saved Christian by the way you dress especially when coming to church.
The word of God says in Romans 14:13, Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. If someone who has been saved for a number of years comes to church dressed like a slob, like they just rolled out of bed, not bathed and new Christian comes to church neatly dressed, shirt and tie, hair combed, showered and shaved. They are going to scratch their heads and be confused and probably start dressing like so called mature Christian. You could be a stumbling block to an unsaved person visiting the church for the first time. Even as an unsaved person they expect people to come to church dressed in an appropriate manner. When they come to church and see you dressed like a slob it could turn them off and even prevent them from getting saved. The old clique *First impression is a lasting impression* is so true. When you get ready for church ask yourself; "What impression am I going to make on a person that I meet for the first time.?" You are an Ambassador for Christ. You represent the God of the universe, the Saviour of the world!. You should look like who you represent!!!
How can God call a person to be a pastor, deacon, missionary, teacher, or serve in any capacity for that matter, if they cannot even behave themselves in the house of God. The Apostle Paul prayed for the Philippians that they would be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. You need to ask yourself,; "Am I sincere about the things of God in the house of God? Do I behave in the house of God in a way that does not bring offense to Christ and to others?" Some Christians may use the excuse to dress any way that they want by saying; "I am not under the law but under grace. I have liberty in Christ."
Both statements are true but notice with me what the Word of God has to say in 1 Corinthians 10:23, *All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.* I would believe that coming to church dressed like you just rolled out of bed would not be edifying to anyone including yourself. The Apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:5, that each believer belongs to an holy priesthood. Notice the word of God says that you are not just part of any priesthood but an holy priesthood. Holy means separated, set aside for the work of God. The Apostle Peter goes on to tell us in 1 Peter 2:9, that God has chosen each believer to be part of a royal priesthood. Why is it called a royal priesthood? Because the head of this priesthood that we belong to is our great high priest (Hebrews 4:14) our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Who according to the Word of God is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If you study the Old Testament at all you will notice that the Levitical Priest who were called and chosen by God to administer the things of the tabernacle and later the temple were dressed in very specific and elaborate clothing. God was very specific about how they were to be dressed.
In fact the seven holy garments that the high priest was dressed in are a type of the *NATURE and CHARACTER of Christ,* reflecting his glory and beauty. I know that the priesthood that each believer is a member of is spiritual in nature and in the age of grace we are instructed to offer up spiritual sacrifices. Unlike our Old Testament counterparts who offered up literal physical sacrifices. However, I believe that a saved, born again, child of God should come to church dressed in such a manner that reflects his membership in a holy and royal priesthood. His clothes do not have to be expensive. However, they should be clean and pressed. Shoes shinned. If you are a man you should have your hair neatly trimmed. You should be washed and shaven (unless you have a beard but beard should be neatly trimmed). You should wear at least a clean pair of trousers, shirt and tie. And if you are going to be before the people then you need a sports coat. If you are a woman, the key word is modesty. You should dressed in such a way that you do not bring attention to yourself or make a man lust after you. You should dress in such a way that represents a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God a great price. Not the town hawker. Remember this, you should be preparing Saturday night what you are going to wear Sunday morning to church. So, you can look your best for the Lord Jesus Christ. Isn't He worth it?
*CONVERSATION*
Our conversation especially in the house of God should edify or build up and minister grace to the individual listening. The word of God reminds us in Ephesians 4:29 that, *Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.* Our words should be pleasant according to the word of God. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24). Our words should bring comfort to our brothers and sisters in Christ. *The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:* (Isaiah 50:4) All through the Epistles of Paul a common theme that runs through them is *unity in the church house.*
Being of the same mind and spirit. Therefore *our conversation should reflect that unity, harmony and of the same mind.* The Apostle Paul said regarding the believer's conversation in Philippians 1:27, *Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ* The Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12, exhorted Timothy to, *be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation,* Each member should *speak positively about the ministries of the church, the pastor, and each other.* You should hear such words spoken as: It is a blessing to see you. I have been praying for you. I hope that you are feeling better. Is there anything that I can help you with. The Pastor and his wife are real blessing to us. Pastor, that was a great message. *Pastor is there anything that needs to be done around the church. Pastor can I help you with anything. Pastor could I take care of that for you.* We saw earlier how each believer belongs to a holy and royal priesthood. As priests we are to offer up to God spiritual sacrifices. Hebrews 13:15, instructs us to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
So, we should hear in church such expressions as *Bless God! Glory to God! Thanks be to God! Praise His Holy Name! Praise the Lord!* Psalm 134:2 instructs us to Lift up our hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. Psalm 9:11 says, Sing praises to the Lord. During the preaching we should hear such expressions as Amen! Hallelujah! Preach It! Instead most of the time the conversation is nothing but complaints: The pastor is always picking on me! The pastor's message was too hard! The pastor's message was too long! Who does he think he is! Did you see what the pastor's wife had on, they must be millionaires. How dare she correct my children. Who does she think she is! The pastor never shows any love or compassion! I am not appreciated around hear!
We don’t have enough belly ship (I mean fellowships) The pastor is nothing but slave driver. Did you know so and so is the pastor's pet. It is too hot in here. It is too cold in here.
*CONDUCT*
We read in 1 Timothy 3:15, But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, The meaning of the word behave is: *To restrain; To govern; To subdue. To act, To conduct; generally applied to manners, or to conduct in any particular business; and in a good or bad sense.* In some ways when we come to the house of God we are here *to conduct business with Almighty God.* We should be *serious about our worship.* Our total focus *should be on the Lord.* Your conduct and your families' conduct should be in some ways restrain or in control. *Your children should not come running in.* Remember, the Church is not a school yard, we are not in church to play. We are not in church to chew gum and suck on candy like it is the movies.
We are the people of God in the house of God and your conduct should reflect that *You need to be on time and be in church before the service begins* and not dragging in at the last minute and drawing attention to yourself. To get to church on time *you need to prepare the night before* not Sunday morning. You and your children do not need to be up late watching the television or playing on the computer! *Your child should be with you at all times or at the children's service not off somewhere getting into trouble and being disruptive to everyone else.* Don't get upset if the Sunday school teacher correct your child or some other adult for that matter. The one to be mad with is yourself because they are just doing the job that you should be doing. Remember, God has given you the responsibility to train your child, not anyone else. How can you expect your child to have respect for those in authority if you don't. The pastor should always be addressed as pastor or pastor followed by his last name. *Never should you take the liberty to call him by his first name.* Your child should be taught not to call an adult by their first name but as Mr or Mrs or Miss followed by their last name.
You must always be seated in church unless very urgent. You must not be outside chatting with another parent.
The aim of this post is not to turn life into 'DOs and DON'Ts, but to draw our attention to the fact that the freedom we have in Christ places on us a responsibility towards others. We must walk and live the Word of God.
Bro Ritchie Edukwesi WOANYA
