We are dis-eased from having a double-mind, a double-master, and a double-tongue.
The practice of simplicity is removing the number of digital distractions, material desires, and relational dishonesties that keep us from living a joyful life in the
with Jesus.
Simplicity
“While simplicity provides an answer to the modern dilemma, it does not provide an easy answer. We must never confuse simplicity with simplism. If you came to this book in the hope of finding four easy steps, you will be sadly disappointed.” —Richard Foster, Freedom of Simplicity, 5
“Can you imagine Jesus himself teaching this? ‘Believing all that I teach is true—that’s optional. Believing that I can run your life and allowing me to do so—that’s optional. Intending to actually obey me—that’s optional. As long as you believe that my death paid for your sins, you don’t need to worry about doing what I’ve said as far as heaven is concerned… To ‘trust in Jesus’ in the Gospels simply means to think he is right—about everything—and therefore to be ready to do what he says, not as a means of getting into the good place but as the best advice from the wisest person possible.”’” —John Ortberg, Eternity is Now in Session, 34-36
In an effort to make the gospel
, we’ve made it
.
Mark 10:13-16 CSB
Mark 10:17-22 CSB
Living a joyful life in the Kingdom with Jesus is not about passing a
but about placing your
.
“If we don’t practice abstinence disciplines regularly, we find ourselves stuck. We become reliant on our own devices (yelling, manipulation) to get people to do things, or we turn to inappropriate sources of satisfaction (our job, Internet porn). We’re unable to experience transformation no matter how much we pray or meditate because there’s all this stuff in us that needs undoing.” —Jan Johnson, Abundant Simplicity
Mark 10:23-31 CSB
What are you called to let go of and surrender? To start:
1. Let go of your
2. Let go of your
3. Let go of your
This Week’s Practice: Sabbath, Scripture, & Simplicity in a 24-hour Period
- Pick a 24-hour period to Sabbath: stop, rest, delight, worship.
- Start and end your time in Scripture. Consider slowly meditating on a passage like Psalm 119 or Romans 8.
- During your Sabbath, abstain from the digital and material world.
- Spend time during the day speaking life into people around you or practicing silence.