Simplicity and Solitude
Celebration of Discipline • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Simplicity and Solitude Matthew 6
Leads on from Beatitudes
Who is your God?
Matthew 6: 33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The Gospel: Simple but Hard v. Complex and Easy
Rules mean we don’t need a relationship with Jesus
Simplicity – an outward expression of an internal attitude
Solitude – deliberately seeking to be alone
What is first in your life?
Who is first in your life?
If you’re not sure, try this one: On what do you spend the most of your time, money, effort, thoughts?
Quote from The Message
Simple but hard v. Complex but easy
What is the guiding question when you make a decision?
- Will I enjoy this?
- Will it make me/us/my kids happy? God does not call us to happiness but holiness
- Will it make me rich?
- Will it make life easier?
- Can I be bothered?
- What will people think?
May I suggest some better questions:
- Where is God in this?
- What is God saying?
- What is He asking me to do about it?
- How does this choice increase the reign of the Kingdom of God?
Big and Small –
what job? Where you live?
How you spend your money? Fairtrade, local etc. Amazon vs Petrarchs
Whose money is it?
Seek first his kingdom…
When we know who we are living for, life can be much simpler. It’s not about what we do or don’t own, but what does or doesn’t own us.
EG CDs
Not one size fits all – what books we read etc. Rules vs relationship
But to seek first his kingdom, we must first seek AND know the King.
To know Jesus, we, like him, need to draw away. Solitude. This is not being lonely, though it may feel lonely at times. It doesn’t necessarily mean being alone- I can be alone but utterly preoccupied with my thoughts, my phone, my book, my todo list. Carve out time.
So how do we ‘seek first his kingdom’…?
The usual, take time to be with God, prayerfully read the bible, pray as if it’s a conversation with God…ie give him time to respond. LISTEN
What else?
Mark 1:15
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
The learning circle.
Slides:
1. Matthew 6
2. Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Simple but hard vs. Complicated but easy
Rules vs. Relationship
How do we make decisions?
Will I enjoy this?
Will it make me/us/my kids happy?
Will it make me rich?
Will it make my life easier?
Can I be bothered?
What will people think?
VS
Where is God in this?
What is God saying?
What is He asking me to do about it?
How does this choice glorify God?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Who is your king?
So what?
Now what?
4. Mark 1:15
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
So what? Now what?