Beech Tree News Network

The above statement is the “motto” of a friend of mine. When it comes to the preaching and teaching of God’s word, he tells me often, “Keep it simple.” This sentiment was impressed upon my mind even further when a lady said she had learned that the main problem that high school students have today is not which church to go to, but whether or not to believe in God in the first place. Think about it: We live in a society that has so pushed God aside, that the lady who talked with me said she knows high school students who need to be convinced about the very existence of God!

This sister’s observation told me that, yes, it is necessary to “keep it simple” as I preach. It also tells me that I need to be preaching and teaching these “simple” sermons not only to the teenagers but also to the parents of those teenagers! After all, children are the students of their parents. Therefore, if parents are not doing their job and exposing their children to God, the Bible, to the truth, etc., then how can we expect them to know these things? God has placed the responsibility of teaching primarily with parents (Gen. 18:19; Deut. 6:6-9, 11:18-21; Eph. 6:4; II Tim. 1:5; etc.).

Furthermore, when I think about the statement, “Keep it simple,” I find that this does not mean make things simplistic, or speak down to people. Rather, it places responsibility on the teacher to make sure things are said in such a way that folks can understand. One does not need to be a “Greek scholar” to go to Heaven. We do not need to have Ph.D. degrees in order to understand the Bible! The apostle Paul said, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4). Jesus encouraged the reading and searching (studying) of Scriptures, for He knew that in so doing, mankind can understand the truth and can follow it (Jn. 5:39, 17:17; Rev. 1:3). Not only did He state this truth, but He lived it (Acts 1:1)! Bear in mind, that when Jesus spoke, “the common people heard him gladly” (Mk. 12:37). Those who listened to Jesus were often the “unknowns,” the “rejected,” and “the general population.” In contrast, the social “elites,” and their ilk like the Pharisees and Sadducees, did not like Jesus. In fact, they conspired against Him to keep Him from preaching (Jn. 11:47-53). After Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, the apostles continued preaching His simple message (Acts 2, etc.). When they preached that simple message, the “elites,” and “educated” people marveled, at their words, noting, “...they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Therefore, to “keep it simple” means to do as Jesus and the apostles did. Can we think of any better examples to follow than Christ and His apostles when one wants to communicate God’s will in the best way? I can’t! Generally speaking, men have a tendency to complicate the things they are involved in, whether it be a physical or spiritual endeavor. Yet, our Lord knows how to “keep it simple.” Let us follow His example (I Pet. 2:21-22)!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167