I love the quote by Karl Barth –

“The Word became flesh–and then through theologians it became words again. ”

The world, (my world) is way too complicated.

In this new series we will be looking at Simple Faith, Simple Church, Simple Marriages, and Simple Living.

I am really attempting to make the profound simple and the simple profound lately.

These messages are part of that attempt.

Here is the outline to the first in our series called simply, SIMPLICITY.

SIMPLICITY
Pastor Steve
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Cor. 2:1-5

WHO IS JESUS?

Simply ASK.
Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him Exodus 5:2
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”  Matthew 21:10
Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. Acts 9:5

Simply LOOK

Look at his FRIENDS.
Look at the HYMNS.
Look at the BIBLE.
Look at the RESULTS.

Simply REMAIN
John 15 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

How do I remain in Jesus?

1. Remain HUNGRY for him.
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4

2. Remain REPENTANT before him
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:8

3. Remain DAILY in him
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!  2 My soul yearns, even faints,  for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  Psalm 84:1,2

4. Remain READY for him
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

Richard Foster’s Guidelines for Simplicity

1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you
3. Develop a habit of giving things away
4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry
5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation
7. Look with a healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes
8. Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech
9. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others
10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God

“May God give you – and me- the courage, the wisdom, the strength always to hold the kingdom of God as the number one priority of our lives. To do so, is to live in simplicity”

–Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline

Here is the outline to the final message in our series called Scar Wars.

SCAR WARS
Pastor Steve Lummer

Introduction:
The wounds of our nation are still very evident and painful from the 9/11 tragedy even after nine years.

“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” John 20:25 (NIV)

JESUS SCARS

1. JESUS SCARS SERVE AS PROOF.
“He showed them his hands and his feet.”—Luke 24:40.

That he went into battle for us.            That he cares for us     That he was not defeated by death.

2. JESUS SCARS SHOW US THE HUMAN AND DIVINE NATURE OF GOD.
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

3. JESUS SCARS SHOW US HOW GOD CAN RELATE TO OUR PAIN.
For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

OUR SCARS

From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.  Galations 6:17 NLT

WE ARE FRAGILE

WE MAKE MISTAKES

WE ALL HAVE A STORY

WE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON WITH EVERYONE.

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