Francis Chan shares his thoughts on Biblical Simplicy

Francis Chan makes me feel inadequate as a Christian and as a pastor.  And that is a good thing.  Today Kent Shaffer shared some thoughts about Chan's presentation about Biblical Simplicity at Catalyst 2010.  Below is a segment, click through for the full post.

During Catalyst Conference, Francis Chan discussed following Biblical simplicity.

This is what the Lord  says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord , have spoken!
- Jeremiah 9:23-24

You should brag about the fact that you know God.
God answers prayer. But he doesn’t always answer prayer. The Bible says if you treat your wife with disrespect, He doesn’t hear your prayer. If you doubt, it is like you are being tossed by the waves of the sea.
A lot of times we just assume things are good. But there are plenty of times that God says, “Just stop it because I am looking at your life.”
Sometimes we need simplicity.

I know God, and He listens to me.

Think about that.

Is it weird to go about ministry and life and say God will take care of it? The world thinks it is.
The church looks back and is embarrassed about the Crusades and about encouraging slavery, but what will future generations look back on and think is weird about the way we do church?
What are we doing that is weird? If you read the Bible, would it be weird if it said the early church goers switched churches because of a better speaker or a better worship service or service times or whatever?

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sisters in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
- 1 John 3:16-18

It looks to me like we should lay down our lives for other people just like Jesus did. It seems like it is normal to sacrifice.

Then they will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, `I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
- Matthew 25:44-46

“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.
- Luke 12:33

Read the full thing on Kent's blog - Church Relevance.