Worldly Minimalist and Spiritual Hoarder

Note: The title of the Sermon is the goal we want to reach

MINIMALISM DEFINED

Intentionally living with only the things that are needed

Removing the distraction of excess possessions in order to focus more on those things that matter most.

1 John 2:15 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

John 17:14–17 ESV

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

HOARDING DEFINED

A behavior where a person accumulates food or other items

The inability of a person to let go of items, no matter the importance or value of the item.

Matthew 5:6 ESV

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Hunger, in the physical sense, is a sign of life. Dead men need no food; they crave no water. Christians must have spiritual nourishment or they’ll starve.

The Bible teaches that the soul must feed on the things of God otherwise one’s heart can become hardened.

2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

2 Peter 1:5–8 ESV

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What happens with this is reversed?

When you hoard the world and minimize God

DANGERS OF BEING A WORLDLY HOARDER WHILE MINIMIZING GOD

2 Timothy 4:10 ESV

For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Present world literally means “now age”

No time or desire to grow in the knowledge of the Bible.

Distracted from God and His purpose for you.

Allowing social media/influencers to distract you or make you insecure.

Entertain superficial relationships that drain energy and waste time.

Luke 8:7 ESV

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.

Luke 8:14 ESV

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

What does that Look like?

The Bible MIGHT be in there somewhere. But it’s being chocked, hidden, covered by worldly cares, worldly perspective, worldview, etc.

Hebrews 5:12–14 ESV

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Use sports play analogy

Joys of Being a Worldly Minimalist and Spiritual Hoarder

Some where in there is the world struggling to get out.

Helps Prioritize

Reduces stress

Sharpens Clarity

Brings Peace

Elevates Life

HOW TO DO IT

Identify The Problem

Formulate Your Vision

Take Systematic, Deliberate Action