Simple Christianity

I. Introduction: Jesus has given us many principles that are simple to understand but are very profound. By following His words and example, we can be simply Christians, and in doing so, be all that He wants us to be.

II. Simply serving God in His own way.

A. Last night we studied about the New Testament church and how to find it.

B. In the church of the New Testament, each church was independent under the oversight of its elders, edified by its evangelist, and served by deacons. Men have built large bureaucracies out of religion that were not in the simple plan of God. God has decided what is true and right so we don’t need committees, synods, councils, or conferences to decide what is right and wrong (ie., homosexual marriages, homosexual members, women preachers, etc.) The word of God is our standard and our guide.

C. Some churches have lost their faith in the word of God, the divinity of Jesus, His resurrection, etc. and have turned the spiritual organization of the church into a social problem solver.

D. Martin D’Arey in Humanism and Christianity said, “So far I have considered first the possibilities of a purely secular humanism, and some attempts to show how Christianity, for example, should abandon its supernatural character and work in with secular ideals.” I have read atheistic and agnostic literature where preachers have given up on faith but can’t give up on the church and so use it for social reengineering, having no regard for Scripture because they do not believe in God. Scripture becomes a starting point for a sermon, nothing more.

E. There is a God, His attributes are clearly seen, and we will stand before Him in judgment. Therefore, we must serve Him in the way He has commanded.

III. Living simply by being content.

A. Philippians 4:11-13 – Content in Christ who strengthens us.

B. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 – Contentment with what we have.

C. Those who desire riches will not be content.

D. They will not be satisfied, Ecclesiasted 5:10. Their riches will not give them rest, Ecclesiastes 5:12. He has to sacrifice much to gain riches and will leave them to another, one who may be a fool, Ecclesiastes 2:17-23. However, God will take care of our needs and if we can be content with that, we can have great comfort, Ecclesiastes 4:6, 5:12.

E. We should be content with ourselves.

F. Matthew 6:27 – Worry cannot make you taller.

G. Media culture places unrealistic standards of beauty and appearance.

H. Even the models aren’t that beautiful-it’s the work of artists. Stars are photographed and filmed after extensive makeup and very controlled conditions. Cory Everson, a bodybuilder and model: “People are striving for Mr. and Mrs. Impossibly perfect and should be happy with themselves.” Ecclesiastes 31:30 – Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain.1 Timothy 2:9-10 – Women should focus on love and good works more than their physical appearance. Their good works will follow them.

I. We should be content with our life.

J. Ecclesiastes 6:1-9 – Must be content and find joy in our life.

K. How sad to think of a man with hundreds of children but cannot see joy in any of them. If we cannot recognize and enjoy the goodness of daily life, how can we enjoy any goodness in the future even if accompanied by wealth?

L. Why do people hope tomorrow will be better?

M. Because it is not here. Because we see our problems already solved (not the new problems!) Because it is imaginary! We always think tomorrow will be better but it will have its own problems. We must look for the goodness in today, in our lives, and we will find it.

IV. Living simply with our family.

A. The great success of the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff books indicates our problem with so many little things that harm the family relationship.

B. We must strive to have contentment and satisfaction with our family.

C. A good family life might mean:

D. No extra jobs unless absolutely necessary. Saying “no” to committees and activities at school or at the park in order to have more time to spend together as a family. Saying “no” to extra hobbies or recreation, at least for a time, to be able to properly raise children. Less TV and Internet and more time spent talking and playing together. Opening our house to our friends and our kid’s friends and guiding them in having wholesome fun.

E. We should appreciate our extended family, while we have them, enjoy their company, and learn from their wisdom.

V. Living simply with God.

A. Above all, we must strive to have a relationship with God.

B. We can come together to worship Him and even spend some time in study and not truly have a relationship with Him; just following tradition.

C. Job 1:9 – Do we fear God because of what He has done?

D. Psalm 23 – A truly intimate love for God, yet with awe and respect.

E. Psalm 25 – Our relationship with God should be like this.

F. God cannot simply be this “being out there” but should be very near to us, Acts 17:27.

G. God desires us and has adopted us as sons, 1 John 3:1-3.

VI. Conclusion: Let us learn to be simply Christians: doing what God has commanded, content with ourselves, our situation, and our family, and living in a close relationship with our God and Creator.