Simplicity Of Life

Outline 1: Simple Stuff--We live in a society that loves to accumulate stuff. Have you ever wondered what God thinks about this habit? We do a lot of asking God for things we like, but perhaps the question God desires us to ask is not "What can I have?", but "What can I give?" (Mark 10:17-25; Acts 20:33-35)

Outline 2: Simplify the Baggage--God gives us gentle instructions that guide us along the path that holds His best for us. Sometimes, however, we become blinded by our pain. We say we want freedom from our pain, but we either are not sure what to do, or we do not believe that God's way is truly the way of freedom. God's Word offers us the keys to simplify the baggage or burden in our hearts. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Outline 3: Simple Faith-- God's Word is filled with men and women of simple faith. They did not know what God would do or how He would move, but they believed He would intervene somehow. God knows that when we try to figure it out or take matters into our own hands, things get complicated and messy. Instead, He desires to free us of the complicated mess and establish in us an absolute certainty that God is who He says He is. He longs for us to have a simple faith that He will honor. (Hebrews 11:1; Matthew 5:35-42)

Outline 4: The Multiplication of Simplicity-- The freedom in which Jesus walked attracted hurting people (like many of us) who longed for a much simpler life, free of baggage, worry, and self-centered living. The Old and New Testaments are filled with stories of men and women that chose to accept God's gift of a life of freedom and simplicity, and we ourselves have found their walks attractive. Were they perfect? No, but their perseverance for simplicity in their walk has drawn many of us to our Savior, because we realize that kind of life is possible. (Hebrews 11; 12:1-2)