Keep it Simple

1. Introduction
   1. Growing up in life always seemed to be an educational aptitude where the world strives for education. Education is good but simplicity can be just as good.
   2. I know that when growing up everything was a learned effort, teaching me how to understand life, and understand complicated situations.
   3. Being taught about the world by and large. My education was enhanced by my upbringing.
   4. I wasn’t the greatest student in school during grade years, but I learned that if I didn’t have a good education I may not be where I am today.
   5. When I became a Christian in 1981 I learned that I needed to go and learn all that I could about who God is, and what he expected of me.
   6. My skill was defined in my early years through contracting, but God had given me many gifts. Not just contracting but a gift in His Word.
   7. To preach it and later on to teach it. I’m now the pastor of The Greatest Gift’s Little House of Hope & Prayer, The Greatest Gift gospel music group, and the teacher at the Little School of Hope.
   8. It’s been an awesome journey. The one thing I’ve learned through all of my education, is that simplicity is what works best. Now let us look into our message today//

Keep it Simple

2. Are you one that complicates life by feeling inadequate because you’re not educated enough?
   1. If you are one that feels inadequate and uneducated, remember that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. 2nd Peter 1:3: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: God has given you a calling to serve Him with, and everything you need to serve Him in that calling. Just educate yourself in His Word, and in the area of ministry you are in, and depend on Him for the rest.
   2. If you are feeling inadequate and uneducated compared to someone else, it is important to remember that you do not come behind in any gift or knowledge that He has for you. 1st Corinthians 1:4-7: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: If you have the testimony of Jesus in you through salvation, you are not lacking in anything that God wants you to have.

3. Do you feel you have no education and all you have is what you know through life experience?
   1. If you have committed your life to Jesus Christ, and are seeking Him, He will give you the life experience as well as the education you need. pSALM 37:4-5: Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. What is it that you are seeking to do in life? Are you making it complicated and unattainable, or are you simply committing your way to the Lord, trusting Him to bring it about in His Way.

4. Are you one that likes to learn? Are you one that’s focused or out of focus?
   1. We should always be wanting to learn. It is especially important as we live the Christian life that we learn the ways of God more and more. Psalm 119:73: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. Studying and learning God’s Word is crucial, especially in this, the Laodicean Church Age.
   2. We also need to be focused. Both on God, and the things He has called us to do. Isaiah 30:21: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. There are a lot of things out in the world that can distract us, but all God wants for us is to simply focus on His Leading and walk where He directs.

5. Why do I say that simplicity makes life easier?
   42. Let’s take a look at 2 sisters in the bible. One followed the simplistic way, and the other made things complicated. Let’s turn to Luke 10, starting at verse 38 and ending at verse 42.
   43. Now we’re walking with Jesus and we come to the town of Bethany, & these 2 outgoing, cheerful sisters welcome us into their home. Verses38-39: Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: & a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, & heard his word. Now as we look at these 2 sisters, you can see that Martha has the ministry of hospitality. Mary, she’s just kneeling at Jesus’ Feet, soaking up every word.
   44. As we watch the scene unfold, Jesus is teaching in the living room. Martha is running around like a chicken with her head cut off making preparations. You can hear pots, pans, and dishes clanging around furiously. Suddenly Martha stomps into the living room. Verse 40: But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Next we’ll see what matters most to our Lord.
   45. Now Jesus loves the fact that the ladies are serving Him, but it’s the simplistic heart of love and teachability that He most appreciates. Verses 41-42; And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. The chapter ends, and we don’t know how Martha responded to this, but the takeaway from us, is this. Let’s soak up every Word of His, and THEN we can more adequately serve Him.

6. What is simplicity? What does it mean?
   1. As always, we get our definitions from the AV-1611 bible dictionary, and this is no exception.
   2. The first definition of simplicity is Singleness; the state of being unmixed or uncompounded; as the simplicity of metals or of earths.
   3. The state of being not complex, or of consisting of few parts; as the simplicity of a machine.
   4. Plainness; freedom from artificial ornament; as the simplicity of a dress, of style, of language, &c. Simplicity in writing is the first or excellences.
   5. Plainness; freedom from subtilty or obscurity; as the simplicity of scriptural doctrines or truth. The gospel message is a simplistic message, not a complex one.

7. What kind of life did Jesus live? Was it highly educated or simplistic?
   1. Jesus, being God astonished the people with His Knowledge, even at an early age. Luke 2:46-47: And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. He was highly educated because he knew everything, being God in the flesh.
   2. However, He lived a very simplistic and humble life. So much so that when he came into his ministry, people questioned it. Matthew 13:55: Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? They were not expecting this humble carpenter to be their long awaited Messiah, but He absolutely was.

8. Who in the bible led a simplistic life? (OT&NT)
   1. Abraham simply obeyed and trusted God as he led him on his journey to the land of Israel. Genesis 12:1-3: 2 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Abraham stepped out in faith, and in so many of the places where God led him, you see him building an altar to the Lord. Simply trusting Him all the way to the promised land.
   2. David was a man after God’s Heart, and his simplistic faith is evident as you read this. Psalm 23:1-3: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. He too was a simple shepherd. Though he sinned, and had to deal with the consequences of sin, he had a simple life of faith.
   3. Joseph, Mary’s husband was a simple carpenter. Taking care of the King of kings and His Mother was not on his radar. Matthew 1:18-20: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Joseph simply obeyed as he was guided in dreams, and the Messiah was born, right on schedule, just as the scriptures foretold.
   4. Peter and John were simplistic people, and their audiences knew it. Acts 4:13: Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. When we are available to be used by God, whether educated or simple, God can cause people to take notice of us and listen to our message.

9. Who in the bible led a highly educated life?
   1. Moses: Raised in the Egyptian court, he was “educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” according to Acts 7:22: And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
   2. Solomon: Known for his wisdom and ability to rule justly, he was believed to have been gifted with exceptional knowledge by God, according to 1st Kings 3:5-15. We’ll look at verses 9-10: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
   3. Paul was a Phariseee. One who was highly educated in the traditions of his people. Acts 22:3: I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. Paul was highly educated, and it took a road trip to Damascus to get him to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
   4. Luke: A physician (doctor) and the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, he would have been highly educated in medicine and the Greek language.

10. What did those who were teachers in the New Testament tell us about simplicity vs education?
    1. Paul had the following to say about simplicity and education. 1st Corinthians 1:25-26: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: Not many of the “highly educated” are able to grasp the gospel message. They trust more in their own knowledge and wisdom, than the Word of God. Though I have learned much, I preach the simplistic message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ only.
    2. Are you simplistic, highly educated, but know how to relate to someone both ways?

1. Story: Enjoy the Season
   1. Here is a story about someone who truly knew how to Keep it Simple. I bring you…Enjoy the Season.
   2. “Come on, James, let’s go play in the snow!” James looked up lethargically. His brother already had his snow bibs on and was energetically pulling boots over his feet.
   3. “All right, I guess I’ll go. But I do wish it wasn’t so cold! I can’t wait for summer,” James grumbled.
   4. For a brief moment, Eric felt tempted to complain about the cold too. But then the boys’ father walked into the room and offered to go sledding with them.
   5. One look at his father’s face wiped all thought of complaint from Eric’s mind. How could he complain when his father was with them?
   6. Besides, he also remembered how much he and his brother had longed for the cool weather last summer. He wasn’t going to complain about the cold! He was going to enjoy the season!
   7. “It will be summer again soon enough,” he told James as they headed out the door. “Let’s enjoy winter while it’s here!”
   8. We move forward in our story to the spring season.
   9. Eric and James were keeping quite busy. Between finishing their schoolwork and all their other spring activities, they could hardly find any time for play or relaxation.
   10. “Oh, man, I just wish things would slow down!” James moaned. “I do wish planting season would hurry up and end. I can’t wait to rest and relax in the summer.” James was just trying to survive the busy planting season.
   11. Eric paused for a moment on his shovel to think about his brother’s words. “I’m sure father wouldn’t give us more work to do than we could handle,” he reflected.
   12. “He loves us so perfectly. This hard work must be just what we need. I’m going to choose to enjoy it!”
   13. “But we can’t possibly get it all done!” James countered. Eric knew James was right.
   14. They had more things to do than they could ever hope to finish. James’ words brought the weight of all that needed done pressing down on Eric’s shoulders.
   15. Then Eric remembered—it was his father’s problem to figure out how everything would get done! Eric was only responsible for doing each task with a full heart.
   16. The smile returned to Eric’s face. He didn’t have to carry the burden; he just needed to be diligent with the tasks his father had given him.
   17. Now, we move into the summer season. Spring eventually ended and summertime came.
   18. Now, instead of having too much to do, the boys seemed to have the opposite problem. Besides keeping the crops watered and the grass mowed, there wasn’t much to do.
   19. The inactivity, coupled with the summer heat, was taxing on the boys. Yet both chose drastically different responses.
   20. As he had in the past, James chose to complain. He longed for something—anything—exciting to happen. And he longed for a relief from the heat!
   21. Eric, however, again chose to rejoice in the season. Although he, like James, felt the heat, he knew autumn would come soon enough, bringing cooler temperatures. And while he liked excitement just as much as his brother, Eric chose to use the quiet summer season to spend extra special time with his father.
   22. He spent hours sitting at his father’s workbench listening—and learning.
   23. The more he sat there, the more confident he became that his father would give him just what he needed in each season of life. He had only to trust and delight.
   24. That’s what you and I need in these times, simply to trust our Father God and know that He will lead us from one joy-filled season to the next. That’s keeping it simple! 

11. Conclusion
    1. What has your life been? Has it been a life of learning and education? Or living life moment by moment, day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year?
    2. Jesus talked about keeping things simple. Not complicated. Have you learned that or are you still working on it?