SIMPLICITY

For four weeks we have been studying Spiritual Disciplines. In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster breaks Spiritual Disciplines into three categories – Inward Disciplines, Outward Disciplines, and Corporate Disciplines. Last week we finished up the first category of Inward Disciplines.

The first inward discipline we discussed was meditation and we talked about what meditation is and is not, why we should meditate, how to prepare to meditate and then examples of meditation – experiencing biblical stories, focused concentration on Scripture or creation.

The second inward discipline was the Discipline of Prayer. We defined prayer as communication between us and God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and the communication is not a monologue but two-way. And unlike meditation which requires other disciplines to be in motion as well –prayer can be done in isolation; it is a counterpart of many of the other disciplines.

The third inward discipline of fasting. We talked about how it is not the diet-fad that is going around but it is a spiritual discipline of connecting deeper with our Heavenly Father and being more in tune to the voice of the Holy Spirit. We looked at 8 biblical examples of fasting as well as going over 9 potential ways to fast.

The final inward discipline was STUDY – study is specifically directed and focused attention to Scripture and God’s character and presence (in creation) and we talked about study requiring Repetition, Concentration, Comprehension, and Reflection as well as using the acronym SOAP to study Scripture.

This week dive into the first Outward discipline of Simplicity.

Let Us Pray!

I. Why Simplicity?

Simplicity is freedom – duplicity is bondage.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 – This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.”

God made us simple – we make things more complicated than they need to be because we search for answers or ease in things or areas other than God. We search for schemes to make life easier!

Thomas Kelly said, "Life is meant to be lived from a Center, a divine Center... Life from the Center is a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It is amazing. It is triumphant. It is radiant. It takes no time, but it occupies all our time…We need not get frantic. He is at the helm. And when our little day is done we lie down quietly in peace, for all is well."

When we don’t live in the Divine Center – our need for security forces us into finding that security in things, possessions, attachments

What God calls covetousness – we call ambition

What God calls hoarding – we call prudence

What God calls greed – we call industrious

Ecclesiastes 4:6 – Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

Proverbs 9:16 – “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says,

Proverbs 15:16-17 – Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Proverbs 16:8 – Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

What does the Bible say about why we should simplify?

Psalm 62:10b – if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

Proverbs 11:28 – Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

Luke 16:13 – No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Luke 6:20, 24 – And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

v24 – “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:15 – (16-21) – And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

(v16-21 – build a bigger storehouse, let me relax, eat, drink and be merry - But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”)

1 Timothy 6:9-10 – But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Timothy 3:3, 8 – not a lover of money, greedy or works towards dishonest gain

II. What Is Simplicity?

Simplicity is an inward knowledge that forces an out-ward lifestyle change

It is not asceticism – asceticism hates possessions, loves poverty, renounces even God’s blessings – do not enjoy the land flowing with milk and honey

Simplicity is the natural blending of provisions and blessings but not to the extent that they own us or that we desire the provisions over the provider

The root of simplicity is to first seek the Kingdom of God –

Matthew 6:33-34 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Don’t be anxious – trust God

Freedom from anxiety comes from 3 attitudes we must possess –

1. Everything we have is a gift from God

2. What we have is cared for by God – He will protect -

3. What we have should be available to others

III. How do I Simplify?

9 Ways to Simplify

1. Buy things for their usefulness and not status or want – do you need a new car or a replacement vehicle? A new battery-powered driver or a driver set?

2. Reject anything that produces an addiction in you – not just drugs or alcohol, energy drinks, coffee, caffeine, chocolate, technology – if you feel like you can't live without it maybe you should! Addictions we can't control – they control us – let God be in control

3. Develop a habit of giving things away – declutter – use the 30-day rule – if you haven’t worn in it 30 days – give it away. Again – if you feel like you can't live without it – maybe you should – if the object owns you and your attention – get rid of it

4. Refuse propaganda – Don’t fall for the you need the latest and greatest version (Story of JB’s birthday – our refrigerator etc.)

5. Enjoy what you have without owning them – If we feel we own – then we cannot give away – 2 Corinthians 8:14 – At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, NIV

6. Develop a deep appreciation for creation – take time to smell the flowers. (meditation, prayer, study – have all said utilize some time for applying that to creation). Mnts vs living in the plains. Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

7. Avoid the bondage of debt – don’t fall for the buy now – pay later – if you can't afford it now don’t buy it (houses, car exception – buy only what you need and can afford)

8. Be honest – say what you mean – mean what you say – Matthew 5:37 – Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. If you say you are going to do something – follow through, don’t flatter or speak in half-truths – honesty and integrity should be words that come to mind if you are a Christian, especially a Christian and a business owner (Fellowship Business directory)

9. Avoid whatever distracts you from seeking first the Kingdom of God – Matthew 6:33-34 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – these can be jobs, technology, friendships, relationships, technology, food, that 1 more 0 at the end of the number in my bank account.

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