December 1 all the men were wearing suits

 All the men were wearing suits.  Except me.  All of the women were wearing dresses.  Except my wife.  We were out of state on vacation.  We visited a Baptist church.  I felt like an outcast.  Peer pressure makes us want to conform to be like those around us.  But we were there to worship.  The beautiful thing is they welcomed us with open arms. This church was one of the friendliest churches I have ever been in.  Just how important is it that people dress up to go to church?  In reality I believe it is more important to worship the Lord than try to conform to a dress code.  Therefore a church should be happy to have someone worship the Lord with them no matter how they are dressed.  Although let’s dress modestly please. Jesus died to establish the church.  A “called out” assembly of sinners cleansed through personal faith in Jesus.  A church sign I saw says, “Come dressed as you are.  You can change inside.”  We are to catch the fish.  Jesus is the one that cleans them.  Consider the lepers who came to Jesus.  Diseased. Outcasts.  Most of them probably poor and dressed poorly.  Did Jesus care?  He was happy to see them turn to Him in faith.  The disciples were horrified He would associate with lepers. (and other sinners). Some church members seem to be horrified that the church is to welcome sinners.  After all if there were no sinners in the church the building would be vacant.  James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?     James 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.   Verse 9 clearly teaches us that to have respect to persons is a sin.  Love the unlovely.  Invite the repulsive.  Don’t look on the outward appearance. 1 Samuel 16:7 ... for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. While we want to give of our best to the Master and look as nice as we can Jesus looks at our heart.  Give Him your best.  If you can dress up, He is worthy.  If not... come dressed casually. 

 Apollos said “no” to Paul. 1 Corinthians 16:12  As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time. Paul greatly desired Apollos to go to Corinth with the other leaders.  Apollos refused. I suspect the Apostle Paul was used to having his way. He must have been disappointed. God gives us shepherds because us sheep need someone to guide us.  Yet us sheep still have free will to determine what we believe the Lord wants us to do.  If I was working side by side with Paul I imagine if he said to me ,”Jump!” I would have probably said “How high sir?” on my way up.  But not Apollos.  It was not his will to make the trip at this time. We may disappoint one another but the more important question is “Am I a disappointment to my Lord?”  While probably disappointed in Apollos they were still co-laborers  in the Lord.  Apollos apparently agreed his visit to Corinth was a good idea however he would make it when it was convenient.  Pastors and leaders need and deserve respect but must be careful to not crack the whip and  guide the church by constraint.   1 Peter 5:2-3 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  Pastors can be bullies.  We can be firm and sometimes we need to be firm.  However pastors can be wrong.  Just because your pastor tells you to do something does not mean he is right.  Walk in sweet fellowship with Jesus.  Read a portion of the Bible everyday.  Pray. Listen to God.  Obey our Lord.  Obey your leaders but not blindly.  Understand that disagreements will occur.  Don’t let disagreements be used by Satan to cause you to drop out of serving the Lord.  Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement that was so great they went their separate ways. Acts 15:39  And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;  They disagreed and went on serving the Lord going separate ways but they both went on serving the Lord. You will give an account for your life.  Don’t live in such a way that you will hang your head in disgrace when you arrive at your destination when you die.  Make the course adjustments today so the rest of your life can be walked in victory.