“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

If God is constantly in our midst, singing over us, it stands to reason that the more we tune in and listen to His voice, the more we’ll naturally start moving to the rhythm of His words and His thoughts towards us of joy, love, and delight defined by God rather than the enemy’s lies. Who could use more of that in their lives? I know I sure could!

Jesus, who works tireless among the people in need who are seeking to see, hear, and touch Him as they learn from Him, teaches his new disciples how to keep it simple.  It is just like we humans to overcomplicate what God called us to be and do.  Even the warning is simple and straightforward and completely understandable.  Keep it simple.

Luke 9, The Message

Keep It Simple

^1-5 Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick. He said, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on.”

⁶ Commissioned, they left. They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went.

^7-9 Herod, the ruler, heard of these goings on and didn’t know what to think. There were people saying John had come back from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up. Herod said, “But I killed John—took off his head. So who is this that I keep hearing about?” Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action.

^10-11 The apostles returned and reported on what they had done. Jesus took them away, off by themselves, near the town called Bethsaida. But the crowds got wind of it and followed. Jesus graciously welcomed them and talked to them about the kingdom of God. Those who needed healing, he healed.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30, MSG

The Called need rest.  Don’t miss the importance of what Jesus did when the sent-out disciples returned home to tell of their adventures!  “Jesus took them away, off by themselves, near the town called Bethsaida.”  Recovery and rest with Jesus, having a little talk with Jesus, learning from Jesus before doing the next mission or task is so important to staying in rhythm!  In my past experiences, I had to learn that the hard way and ended up exhausted because I overscheduled leaving no margin for rest and recovery.  This makes us weak and easy prey for the enemy.  Let God guide the agenda.  Keep it simple.

The Called are all who believe Jesus and follow God in His ways.  We are called to be His representatives of reconciliation between God and mankind through Jesus.  (See 2 Corinthians 5:11-21) We show and tell the way to a relationship with God through Jesus, but we lose the beat when we try to be saviors.  We are called to point people to the Savior who died for our sins.  We are called to show He is Lord of our lives by how we live.  Yes, Jesus saves, we do not.  Keep it simple. 

The Called can easily get caught up in the glory of seeing lives changed and lose the rhythm of God’s grace flowing generously through us.  Pride can easily seep in when we think we “fix” lost souls and begin to take credit for it.  It’s a trap by the Liar—don’t fall for it.  To God be the glory always and forever!  Keep it simple.

The Called can sometimes think that bigger is better and lose focus on the simple truth—Jesus saves us.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 8:23) I’m not saying to stay small in our thinking!  I’m not saying to build more space as people come to learn and grow either!  But don’t lose the beat of God’s heart in the process.  It is easy for talented humans, even those who love Jesus, to fall into the trap that more lights and sound on a bigger stage will draw all people to God but Jesus warns us to keep it simple.  I love great worship music but if it overcomes the mission and message of God, then the beat of God in our hearts can be lost in the production.  What counts is our hearts. God sees our hearts.  Keep it simple with pure hearts made holy by God.

The Called must not judge each other—this overthinking complicates the mission and throws us off beat, as well!  Small church versus large church is not the song to be sung!  Rather we ask God daily what He wants with humbled hearts ready to do His will, His way in full concert of unity of Spirit!  Keep it simple.

The Called are participants not spectators.  Where God calls, we go and tell.  It doesn’t matter whether we are introducing and teaching Jesus’ saving grace under a tree in Haiti, by the river in Ethiopia, to a small group gathered in our home, in the breakroom at lunch in the workplace, or to hundreds gathered in an auditorium.  Stay with the beat of God’s heart and flow with the rhythm of His grace.  Keep it simple.

The Called, who are in rhythm with God’s Spirit and dance to the beat of God’s heart, attract others to wonder what you’ve got that they do not have.  “So who is this that I keep hearing about?” Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action.”  These are Herod’s words—the one who ordered John the Baptist to be killed for his own pleasure!

I am reminded of my favorite songs by the Newsboys—SHINE!

Shine.
Make ’em wonder whatcha got.
Make ’em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored.
Shine.
Let it shine before all men.
Let em see good works and then
Let em glorify the Lord.

Believe and be saved. 

Live Jesus out loud as He draws people to Himself through us.

To God be the Glory!

Lord,

Thank you for the thoughts you have given to us this morning with teaching us about how you simply work through us so others will know you, too.  Thank you for providing all we need to do what you daily call us to be—your messengers of Truth!  Continue to be our strength and our song in the night!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word,
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard…

(Song written by Fannie Crosby, 1880)

And the beat goes on…