The Plain Thing is the Main Thing 1

The Plain Thing is the Main Thing 1 Corinthians 11 Why be so motivated to be complicated?

2 Corinthians 11 I hope you will be patient with me as I keep on talking like a fool. Please bear with me. I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. For I betrothed you as a pure bride to one husband, Christ.

2 Corinthians 11 v 3 But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent.

2 Corinthians What is the main 11 basis for close 3 But I fear that somehow you will relationships? be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. Honesty? Trust? Commitment?

2 Corinthians 11 We have God’s commitment to us: 3 But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. Hebrews 13: 5 “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. ”

2 Corinthians 11 He wants our commitment to you him 3 But I fear that somehow will be led away from your pure and No amount of hanging simple devotion to Christ , just as out, snuggling, etc. Eve was deceived the serpent. amounts to abymarriage. . . “Hanging around” God is not saying, “I do!”

1 Cor. 2: 1 Dear 2 Corinthians brothers and 11 sisters, 1 Cor. I 1: 22 when first For came to indeed Jewsyou askwill for you I didn’t use lofty 3 But I fear that somehow signs and Greeks andpure brilliant be led awaywords from your and search for wisdom; ideas to tell you God’s simple devotion to Christ, just as message. 23 but we preach Eve was deceived by the serpent. 2 Christ For I crucified, decided toto Jews anothing stumbling know but block and to Gentiles Jesus Christ and his The majestic foolishness …cross. death on the simplicity of Christ

2 Corinthians 11 3 But I fear that somehow you will 2: 6 Yet we do speak be led away from your pure and wisdom among those who simple just as aredevotion mature; toa. Christ, wisdom, however, not by of this age… Eve was deceived the serpent. The majestic simplicity of Christ

Not Simplistic! 1 Cor. 1: 23 ff 1: 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God.

Not Simplistic! 1 Cor. 1: 23 ff 25 This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength The majestic simplicity of Christ

Not Simplistic! 1 Cor. 1: 23 ff 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you 27 Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

Not Simplistic! 1 Cor. 1: 23 ff 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important 29 so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God

Pure and Simple… 1. Reconciliation with God is Simple! John 4: 6: 35, 47 –John Even children get it! Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of Rev. 3: 20 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread – It is not only available to the God and who it is that asks you for a drink, “Here I am! I comes stand at the door and of life. He who to me will never youeducated! would have asked him and he would knock. If anyone hears my voice and go hungry, and he who believes in me have given you living water. . . whoever – opens People from all backgrounds have door, I will in and eat will never be thirsty. . . drinks thethe water I give himcome will never thirst. access to Christ--always the same him, and he with me. ” Indeed, thethe water I give willbelieves become in I with tell you truth, hehim who has way! him a spring of water welling up to eternal everlasting life. ”

Pure and Simple… 1. Reconciliation with God is Simple! If you know how to eat some bread, drink water or open a door, you can come to Christ! God is upset when people take his simple offer and try to complicate it

Pure and Simple… 1. Reconciliation with God is Simple! 2. Living the Christian life is Simple! main thing isinthe thing –The John 15 “Abide Me plain and I in you. ” Why does it get so complicated?

Pure and Simple… 1. Reconciliation with God is Simple! 2. Living the Christian life is Simple! 3. Some are motivated to make it complicated! 1 Thess. 5: 27 I adjure you by 1. Consider scholar’s the Lordthe to have thisneed letterfor read to all the brethren. acclaim: “the new insight…” 2. Clergy who can convince members they need a professional to interpret

Pure and Simple… 1. Reconciliation with God is Simple! 2. Living the Christian life is Simple! 3. Some are motivated to make it complicated! 1. The esoteric, “inside truth” always appeals. 2. Bible teachers feel pressure to come

Pure and Simple… 1. Reconciliation with God is The Point: Simple! We will succumb 2. Living the Christian life is either to quests for experience, Simple! or intellectual posturing 3. Some are motivated to make it No wonder they if wehad turnnothing away from the complicated! simple, cool their better to do than indulge 1. People not involved in accomplishing commission God has egos lofty theological trash! theirwith mission turn to the “deeper things” given us! for stimulation! 2. The Corinthian church showed a callous

Pure and Simple… ‘You say, "I amare rich, and have become But since you like lukewarm 1. Reconciliation with Godwater, is wealthy, and have nothing, " and neither hot nor cold, need I willof spit you out of my Simple! you do not know that you are wretched mouth! Revelation 3: 16 miserable and poor and blind 2. and Living the Christian life is and naked…” Revelation 3: 17 Simple! 3. Some are motivated to make it complicated! 1. Groups not involved in accomplishing their mission turn to the “deeper things” for stimulation!

Pure and Simple… 1. Reconciliation with God is 2. 3. 4. Simple! Living the Christian life is Simple! Some are motivated to make it complicated! “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. ” Gal. 5: 6