Keeping it Simple!

A Sermon preached on Sunday 6th July 2025 in St. Peter's Church Carrigrohane  

This morning is my  pre-holiday sermon

When lists are being made and ticked,  bags are getting packed and when I’m realising that there is so much to do – Work Stuff that needs left on the desk – That won’t be accomplished in next 48 hours. 

When we turn to pages of scripture this morning – we see the importance of simplicity – of the simple things of faith – No great schemes simply doing the bits that God says and things work out. 

The Disciples – no great plan other that to follow what Jesus told them – Don’t bother packing a Big suitcase … just go – yes it might not work out if it doesn’t move on 

Paul – the Apostle – encourages the believers to care for one another gently and humbly. When someone falls into sin, those who live by the Spirit should help restore them — but with caution and humility, remembering we all carry our own responsibility. Believers are to bear one another’s burdens and test their own actions honestly, not comparing themselves to others.

Naaman - Here is a mighty man — commander of the army of Aram. He’s powerful, respected, and yet… he’s helpless in the face of leprosy. No amount of rank or money can fix it.

When Naaman comes to Elisha, the prophet doesn’t even come out to meet him. He sends word: “Go wash in the Jordan River seven times and you will be clean.

Can you picture Naaman’s pride? “What? That’s it? No dramatic ceremony? No waving of the prophet’s hand? Just a muddy river?”

Naaman nearly storms off. But his servants — who see things more clearly — gently persuade him. “If the prophet had asked for something difficult, you would’ve done it. Why not do the simple thing?”

So Naaman humbles himself. He washes in the Jordan. And his skin becomes like that of a young boy — he’s restored.

Simplicity – We tend towards complexity sometimes when God reminds us – simply and humbly this life is about relationship one with another. 

• Gentle and humble restoration 
• Dust off and move on if we’re not welcome
• Healing not in a dramatic way 

I just wonder this morning do we complicate things too much sometimes in the pursuit of the kingdom of God.  I know a lot about complication! 

• In an age of insurance and legality 

• Doing the simple things of going and sharing the Gospel 

• Speaking words of reconciliation and hope 

• Keeping the main thing the main thing 

A design principle in the 1960 – K.I.S.S. – Keep It Super Simple where there was lots of techie complication. 

This principle is important. 

Keeping things simple is really important – As we go out into a complex world – That seems to be getting more and more complex day by day. Keeping the main thing the main thing. 

I come back to a very simple principle – it was the mission statement for my home church when I was growing up - Growing in God’s love and sharing it with others

This morning The facets of God’s love are all around about us 

I have No props today! – simply a message of – God’s Love which is sufficient to meet our needs – asking ourselves what he might be saying to us – and having the courage to do what he says. Having the conversations with people we encounter along the way. 

• What do we need to lay down 
• What do we need to pick up 
• Where might be he be calling us to go to 

Let’s Pray