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Summer Time Tendencies Introduction: Let me start out by saying that I really like this time of the year. Summer time allows us to get outside and enjoy the "great outdoors." Young people look forward to being out of the school. . I remember the Alice Cooper song, "Schools Out For Summer" and its line "schools out forever." There is a certain feeling of freedom when the school year ends. It is a time for vacations and getting away, going places, and breaking the routine. Here we are at the official beginning of summer. But there are also some warnings and temptations that comes with summer. I) Immodesty A) Various Bible passages dealing with "modesty" 1. Proverbs 7.10 Solomon describes a woman by describing her clothing as the "attire of a harlot." He did not have to say, "she was wearing a skirt that was way to short" or, "clothing that was clinging to every curve of her body" or, "a see through blouse", etc. He simply had to say, "The attire of a harlot" and we know what he meant. 2. In talking about godly women we read we read of the words "modest apparel" and moderation. 1 Timothy 2.8-10 a. Interesting that Paul does not specifically mention the clothing but the manner of behavior, or attitude and its corresponding behavior. i.e. a crafty heart. b. A modest person will act modestly, will dress modestly. B) Summer time problems with modesty 1. Hot weather and clothing styles tend to reveal more during the summer months. See more of the legs, mid-section, breast, and just about everything else. 2. Activities around water also tends to make clothing more immodest. Problem with swim wear that reveals; problem with clothes that cling to the body when wet. C) This is not just a summer time problem but it is more acute in the summer. 1. Problem because of attitude with the immodest person. 2. Problem of how it affects others around you. 3. Quotes from Christian men to the women of their congregation, taken from Biblical Insights, April 2010 issue, "If You Could Say Something to Your Sisters in Christ about Modesty, What Would It Be?" by Wilson Adams. a. The way you dress can distract during worship b. I question whom you're dressing for. I hope you are not dressing to attract other men. When you expose yourself--showing cleavage or thighs, it's hard not to look. You make me feel very uncomfortable. c. PLEASE consider your brothers! Don't wear low-cut blouses... Don't wear tight slacks or jean that fit too closely... It's hard to keep a pure mind in the world, but if you dress like the world at church, you make it hard on us while worshipping as well. d. When considering what to wear, ask your husband. Men know what causes other men to fail. e. I respect sisters in Christ that dress modestly. I expect if from my wife and children. All should respect God's standard. f. Leave the skin show to your husband. There is no reason to be wearing spaghetti straps, or shoulder-less dresses. If you're unmarried and doing this, it's the wrong way to attract the right man. 4. This should not be taken as an excuse for men to place themselves so as to be tempted, Matthew 5.28 (Men are to dress modestly too!!) II) Sexual Sins A) Increase during the summer time 1. Radio show was referring to a survey when asking a question, "What it is that most people lose in June than any other time of the year?" People were calling in and saying, sunglasses, car keys, etc. The answer is "their virginity." 2. Why? Partly because of the way people are dressing but also because of the increase freedom of summer time. a. No school means young people are often left at home alone. Friends come over to the house. b. Lack of restrictions and the general feeling of freedom may encourage some to give in to temptation. B) Proverbs 7.21-27 1. There is a cost to immoral conduct. a. The feeling of being used afterward (Shame) b. The fear of pregnancy and getting pregnant (Fear) c. Your reputation being harmed (Ridicule) d. Sin against God and causing another to sin against God. (Guilt) e. Anger from those betrayed (Retribution) C) Therefore 1. Parents know where your children are at; who is coming over to your house. 2. Young people -- don't place yourself so as to be tempted. James 1.13-15 3. The fact is teenage sex and pregnancies percentages are about the same between those claiming to be Christians and those not. 4. The lax attitude toward sex in our society has had an effect on sexual attitudes of our young people. III) Vacations and Forgetting About God A) Summer time offers more free time and more to do with our time 1. Generally this time of the year is when families take vacations. Children are out of school and we visit families or just go somewhere. 2. There is more to do in outside work and recreation. Mowing yard, gardening, baseball or softball games, are just some activities we get involved in. B) There are two dangers we need to beware of 1. The danger of doing things away from home that we would not do at home. a. Strange thing happens when some people get away from home, they leave their convictions behind! b. Know of Christians to dress immodestly, gamble, drink alcohol, swear, etc. c. What happens in Vegas, or anywhere else does not stay in Vegas. 2. Some forsake the assembling of the saints. a. Is there a congregation nearby or one we can be at? If not, how are we going to handle this? Meet with Christians you are traveling with? Jeremiah 2.32 b. Perhaps get too busy to worship God at home. Conclusion: Summer time offers great opportunities to visit more, escape peer pressure, to do more and not less to serve God. It is at this time we remember those who died in service to this country. After the Civil War, those in the North observed "Memorial Day" and was first called "Decoration Day." People in the south did not observe this day due to hostility still felt toward the North. After World War 2 is became more universal since it honored those from the North and South that died in that war. What made it more acceptable was the fact that men who died in that war died for everyone. When we think of Jesus' death on the cross we remember He died for Jew and Gentile, man and woman, free men and slaves, the young and old. The reason is because we all sin and are condemned by the Law of God. Only through His sacrifice can we be free from the burden of sin. His blood redeems us and makes us whole. We hope this morning as we get ready to sing this invitation song we all remember that Jesus died for me. If you are not a child of God, a Christian, we hope you will be willing to render obedience and turn from your sins, be baptized for the remission of your sins, and live faithfully.
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