CELEBRATION of DISCIPLINE By Richard Foster “ Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness..”

Meditation Prayer Fasting Simplicity Solitude Submission The delight of the Disciplines

Meditation Prayer Fasting Simplicity Solitude Submission This week we will mainly be looking at…….

“Simplicity is an inward reality which results in an outward life style.”

Having a divine centre gives us security. A lack of security leads to a need for possessions. “We buy things we don’t want in order to impress people we don’t like.”

Some examples of Jesus’ teaching about money: Luke 3:14Luke 3:14Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” Luke 16:13Luke 16:13“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Matthew 6: Matthew 6: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 13: 45-46Matthew 13: “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Luke 19:15Luke 19:15“He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.”

3 Steps to Freedom from anxiety: 1. Receive what you have as a gift. 2. What you have is to be cared for by God. 3. What you have is available for others.

10 Outward Expressions of Simplicity

1. Buy things for their usefulness not for their status.

2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.

3. Develop a habit of giving things away.

4. Don’t get the latest gadgets.

5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.

6. Develop a deeper appreciation of creation.

7. Look with scepticism at “buy now pay later”

8. Matthew 5:37: All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

9. Reject anything which leads to the oppression of others.

Instead of being preoccupied with material things, the followers of Jesus are to seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness. To seek God’s kingdom is to proclaim Christ as King, so that people will submit to his rule. To seek God’s righteousness is to remember that God loves righteousness and hates evil, so that, even outside the circle of the kingdom, justice is more pleasing to God than injustice, freedom than oppression, and peace than violence and war. In this double ambition our evangelistic and social responsibilities are combined, and the glory of God becomes our supreme concern. John Stott

10. Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal.

Living Bible: He will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. Authorised Version: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Amplified Bible : But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. J.B. Philips: Set your heart on the kingdom and his goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.

The Message: Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Good News: Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.