The overcomplication of the Gospel is one of the greatest sins of the 21st century church. Don't know if it's because we want to sell more books, teaching cds, or just sound smarter than we really are, but I fear that we are making it more and more difficult for interested people to engage in relationship with God.
I gave one of the simplest teachings of my life last night to a group of young people, Living on Target with God(faith vs fear). Worried that it would sound too basic, I juiced it up some by using big words, video, and spray paint. In other words, I committed the very sin that my message was all about; I call it elusive evangelicalism- alluding to the great character and nature of God while at the same time presenting it more as illusion than reality.
Well the true reality is found in 1 Samuel 15 (The Message Bible) "... Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production."
Here's my notes...
Living on Target
Exodus 7:10-12
1. Simplistic Linguistics
Exodus 7:8-9, "The Lord said..."
2. Awesome Acquiescence
Exodus 7:10, "... and did just as the Lord commanded."
Missing the Target
Exodus 32:2-4
1. Confusing Linguistics
Exodus 32:1, "... they gathered around Aaron and said..."
2. Nonsense Acquiescence
Exodus 32:22-24, "... I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!"
Watch the full service, with worship, at www.ustream.tv/channel/encounter-student-ministries
