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 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 v3 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 11 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. Honesty? What is the main basis for close relationships? Honesty?Trust?Honesty?Trust?Commitment?

2 Corinthians 11 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.” We have God’s commitment to us:

2 Corinthians 11 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. He wants our commitment to him No amount of hanging out, snuggling, etc. amounts to a marriage... “Hanging around” God is not saying, “I do!”

2 Corinthians 11 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. The majestic simplicity of Christ 1 Cor. 2:1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn’t use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God’s message. 2 For I decided to know nothing but Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. 1 Cor. 1:22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness…

2 Corinthians 11 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. The majestic simplicity of Christ 2:6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age…

Not Simplistic! 1Cor.1:23ff 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! 1Cor.1:23ff 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! 1Cor.1:23ff 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! 1Cor.1:23ff 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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Reconciliation with God is Simple! 2. Living the Christian life is Simple! 3. Some are motivated to make it complicated! People not involved in accomplishing their mission turn to the “deeper things” for stimulation!People not involved in accomplishing their mission turn to the “deeper things” for stimulation! The Corinthian church showed a callous disregard for the lost state of people without Christ…The Corinthian church showed a callous disregard for the lost state of people without Christ… Pure and Simple… No wonder they had nothing better to do than indulge their egos with lofty theological trash! The Point: We will succumb either to quests for experience, or intellectual posturing if we turn away from the simple, cool commission God has given us!

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

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