Endued

1) In the song we just sang, there is the word “endued.”

2) Perhaps this word was chosen because of a word used in the Greek New Testament.

3) This word is “enduo.”

a) From “enduo” we get English words like “endure, endurance, enduring.”

b) Enduo can have a more than one meaning in our New Testaments.

4) Today we want to study this particular word.

5) In many of the verses we look at, enduo has the sense of “put on.”

a) We first find enduo in the book of Matthew (Mt. 6:25).

b) In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warned about the desire to get rich.

c) He said (Mt. 6:24) that no one can serve two masters; we cannot serve God and mammon.

d) Then He said this in verse 25: READ.

6) Enduo is here used in a literal way to describe clothing the body.

a) As people we “put on” different types of clothing.

b) There are occasions when we “dress up.”

c) If a person is not feeling well, he may be dressed in pajamas.

d) Working in the yard will probably not involve wearing our finest clothing.

7) Jesus recognized that people use different clothing for different occasions.

a) In Mt. 22:11 Jesus spoke of someone not having put on (enduo) a “wedding garment.”

b) If we study this account, we find that not having the proper attire was a problem.

c) It is not uncommon for people to consider where they are going and dress appropriately.

d) Instead of considering this from time to time, this should be a frequent consideration.

e) In many ways, our society has lost a lot of common sense and decorum.

f) Preachers from years ago used to sometimes argue based upon good manners and etiquette.

g) That kind of argumentation has lost some of its potency.

8) In a growing number of places, dressing for an occasion is no longer an issue.

9) I have never seen this, but I have talked with other preachers who have.

a) We have brethren in southern states who live near the beach.

b) There are Christian women who show up for Sunday morning worship in swimsuits.

c) Our preachers have seen bikini clad sisters sitting in the pews during worship.

d) I did not ask if these women also taught Bible classes in their bikinis.

e) We have no dress code in the Bible and we cannot bind where God has bound.

f) Jesus said in Mt. 22 that certain occasions go along with a certain kind of dress.

g) When the man was not dressed right in Mt. 22, he was cast out.

h) Circumstances can guide or even dictate the way we dress.

10) In view of what the Lord said, we are entitled to ask if a swimsuit is the right attire for worship.

11) John the Baptist lived by the principle Jesus introduced in Mt. 22.

12) John came from a rugged environment and he was clothed with camel’s hair (Mk. 1:6).

13) John put on (enduo) garments made from camels.

14) Other people are described as “putting on” clothing that fit the situation.

a) Herod (Acts 12:21) “put on” (enduo) “royal apparel.”

b) Jesus had a purple robe “put on” Him (Mk. 15:17).

15) If we look at enduo, we find that it is applied to literal clothing.

WHILE THE PASSAGES THUS FAR ILLUSTRATE ONE MEANING OF THE WORD, THEY DO NOT PROVIDE US WITH SEVERAL LASTING LESSONS. OTHER PASSAGES THAT USE ENDUO MUST BE USED, AND THESE WILL BE INTRODUCED NOW.

a) Some of the most well known material in the book of Romans occurs in Rom. 12 & 13.

b) Rom. 13:11 is where we find brethren in Rome being told to “wake up” from their “sleep.”

c) It was time to be alive and active in God’s service.

d) As Christians the “works of darkness” had to be forsaken.

e) A further exhortation is given in verse 12 – READ.

2) We understand what it means to “put on” (enduo) clothing.

3) Sometimes children like to “put on” clothes (they may change outfits several times a day).

4) Paul told these Christians, “put on the Christian virtues associated with Christ.

5) Just as we dress physically, so we should dress spiritually.

6) Our spiritual attire is not for show; it is part of our character, who we really are.

7) In verse 14 Paul used this term again – READ.

a) After the book of Romans we see this term occurring in 1 Cor. 15.

b) Someone might say, “Why should I put on the qualities found in the Bible?”

c) “What benefit will such a choice offer to me?”

d) God tells us.

e) 1 Cor. 15:53 uses enduo twice; then it occurs twice in verse 54.

8) We will read these passages individually.

9) Verse 53 is first – READ.

a) As the present time we are “corruptible” (subject to death and decay).

b) A time is coming when we will “put on” something else (no more death).

c) We all know that man is now “mortal” (our lives are terminal; they have an ending point).

d) At a future time we will “put on” immortality (life without end).

e) We strive to put on the right spiritual characteristics because of what we will put on later.

f) In the future we want to put on life with God in heaven, not life without God in condemnation.

10) Verse 54 describes this choice as achieving the victory – READ.

11) My next reference comes from the 2 Corinthian letter.

a) 2 Cor. 5:3 is the exact citation.

b) I have been at funerals where a person said of the deceased, “He must be cold.

c) Or, the person would say something like, “He must be so alone.”

d) At the time of a funeral people, especially the young can perceive death to be cold & lonely.

e) God tells us something about death.

f) He tells us that death allows us to “put on” (assume) something new.

g) What people sometimes say or think at a funeral is completely wrong.

12) We will start with 2 Cor. 5:2 – READ.

13) Paul already told the Corinthians the human body wears out (1 Cor. 15).

14) Because we are all winding down, this text says we “groan” for a better body.

15) Now verse 3 – READ.

a) What happens in death?

b) A person is not in a state where they are “cold” or alone.

c) Paul said God does not leave the deceased “naked.”

d) God “clothes” (enduo) the deceased. Just as we clothe our bodies now, God clothes the dead.

e) Let’s go back to the first verse – READ.

f) God clothes His people.

16) It sounds like God takes good care of His people.

17) Because of what God does, many might want to know how they can come to God.

18) How can we access God and the blessings He has for His people?

a) The way we come to God is related to clothing and our word enduo.

b) At different times we cite Gal. 3:27. QUOTE.

c) Would you like to guess what word translates “put on” Christ? Enduo.

d) We enduo clothes, Christians enduo the qualities found in the Bible.

e) To become a Christian, we must enduo (put on) Jesus Christ.

19) We must “clothe ourselves” with Christ.

20) How do we clothe ourselves (join ourselves) to the Lord?

21) Gal. 3:27 answers in the most straight forward way: we are baptized into the Lord.

22) This passage does not say water baptism, but the book of Acts shows it was water baptism.

23) Many want to come to Christ and they want to be clothed with Him.

a) People say yes to Christ and no to water baptism.

b) This might be likened to a man or woman who wants some clothing.

c) They see some attire and agree it is wonderful.

d) It is the exact style and fit they need. They want it and they will take it.

e) When the cost is presented to them, they object.

f) God has set the conditions for being clothed with Christ.

g) If we do not meet the criteria, we cannot be clothed with the Lord.

24) We need to meet the criteria Christ has given because this is the only way to have a new life.

25) Eph. 4:24 is where we go next because it also has enduo.

a) Starting with verse 22, we learn how the Ephesians had left behind a bad way of life.

b) Their old way of life was like filthy rags. These rags been exchanged for new clothing.

c) What was new was a lot different from what was old – verse 24 – READ.

26) When a person is clothed with Christ, he or she becomes a “new man.”

27) There is “righteousness” in the life as well as “true holiness.”

28) When we come to Christ on His terms, we have embraced “the truth.” We have it all.

29) If we are not clothed with Christ, none of these blessings are not ours.

a) Because God has done wonderful things for His people, we have a command.

b) Eph. 6:11 says “put on” the whole armor of God.

c) We enduo the whole armor of God so we can stay faithful to God and overcome Satan.

d) The next time we sing Soldiers of Christ, let’s think about enduo.

e) This term says we clothe ourselves with Christ and the qualities in His word.

f) Verse 14 of Eph. 6 also uses enduo (we “put on” the breastplate of righteousness).

g) We can put on Christ no matter who we are (Col. 3:10-11).

h) Greek, Jew, bond, free, male or female – it doesn’t matter.

30) God wants us to be clothed with Christ.

31) Then He wants us to continually to immerse ourselves in the qualities found in the Scriptures.

32) Have we taken the first step?

33) Have we been “baptized into Christ”?

34) If so, are we continuing to live by the qualities found in the Scriptures?

35) One of the soul saving words in the New Testament is enduo.

36) If we need help applying this word to our life—to become a Christian or be strengthened—now is the time to receive assistance.