Keep on Doing the Simple Things

This talk was first shared at Grace Baptist Church Youth fellowship on Friday, 25 Jan 2008. It was the first youth fellowship meeting of 2008, and the first we have had in a number of years. In this I shared my conviction that the foundation for the Christian Life is the Word of God and Prayer.

Michael Jordan. He is in my opinion the best NBA basket-ball star there is. Star guard and captain of the Chicago Bulls in the 80s; he led the team to 3 consequent championship wins. Then he took a break and played some baseball, after which he came back to the game and led the Chicago Bulls to another 3 consequent championship wins in the early 90s. I remember watching one of his games, he was fouled by the opposing team at the side-lines, and as he was falling backwards out of the court, he shot a basket. That was a moment where time seemed to slow… it was a shot of great difficulty… surely it would miss… the basketball floated in the air towards the hoop… it seemed to hang in the air for an impossibly long time… the ball closed on the hoop… and it entered straight in… he scored and he went on to take a penalty for an additional point. Michael Jordan is acknowledged by many basketball fans as one of the game’s best ever; he seems able to make a shot from almost anywhere on the court. Just what is his secret to his achievements?

Before anyone from Chicago Bulls was on the court for training, Michael Jordan was already there. In fact, he arrived 2 hours earlier before training and stayed on 2 hours after. And what does he do in this extra 2 hours? He worked on his basics – shooting hoops. He kept doing the simple thing of shooting hoops till he could almost make a shot from anywhere in the court. He kept doing the simple things.

Let us look back two thousand years in history. The Apostle Paul. He is considered by many Christians as one of the best missionary and church planter. He started churches all over the Mediterranean Sea, over most of the known world of the Roman Empire; he mentored a number of prominent young church leaders e.g. Timothy and Titus; he wrote many of the letters in the New Testament; he was an eminent scholar and communicator, respected by many Christians even today. Just what was his secret to his achievements?

For the answer let us look to the letter of 2 Timothy. This was the final letter written by Paul as he awaited his execution in a Roman jail. He wrote this letter to his Son in Christ – Timothy, to encourage him and to point him to the hope in Christ. In this letter, you would expect Paul to advise Timothy on the secret of his achievements - perhaps a seven point strategy to evangelize Europe or a guide to effective mentoring. However, let us see what Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:14:

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed…” - 2 Timothy 3:14a (English Standard Version; emphasis mine). You continue in what you have learned… it seems that Paul said to Timothy, “that’s right, you have already learnt it from me; keep doing these things; keep on doing these simple things!”

And just what are these things? Let’s look down to the subsequent verses from 2 Timothy 3:14-17: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (English Standard Version, emphasis mine.)

Paul is telling Timothy to continue in the things he had learnt and had been convinced of. These things had come from two sources, which Paul set side by side as of equal importance: Paul’s own testimony, and the sacred writings or Holy Scriptures, the Word of God, which at that time of course consisted of the Old Testament. Paul is telling Timothy continue to do the simple things – immerse yourself in God’s Word, seek to understand God’s Word, and live by the God’s Word, following the example Paul set. I am reminded and convicted that the basis of (or authority for) what we do in life, the key to spiritual growth, and the foundation for ministry and service remains the Word of God. It is through the Word of God that presents the Living Word that we may grow in our walk with Jesus.

I remember Kim Meng's 50th Birthday at the Mori's home. He shared his journey as a Christ-Follower. He said that in his years, he has to continue to re-learn and re-do the simple things - to forgive often, to love often, and not to get bitter.

In my 10 years since baptism in 1997, I continue to struggle to learn and apply this simple truth. Sure, the big things and events are useful standing stones - markers of God's grace, but it is in the doing the simple things again and again in all of life that defines your character and walk. It is tempting to focus on the big events like conferences and camps, but to be honest, I think many of us struggle in the in-between. To love and forgive those who has hurt and offended you, to continue to read and study the bible and do devotions, to pray continuously, and to continue to love God with our heart, our mind, our soul and our strength. It is difficult, but we need to keep on doing the simple things again and again in the mostly mundane-ness of life.

So how do we continue to do the simple things – to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, to seek to understand God’s Word, and to live by the God’s Word as Paul advised Timothy?

I suggest that we can do the following:

Read God’s word – read the bible, set aside time and space to read large chunks of the bible, not just 1 verse or 2 but whole chapters or even chapters or books. It is possible to read the entire bible in year or so; I know of at least 2 young persons in this room who have done so. Or if reading the whole bible seems daunting, then at least in the next 2 – 3 months, read the 4 Gospels. I know of another young person, who after my challenge to do so at Youth Camp, read the 4 Gospels in a month. I myself am rereading the 4 Gospels and am halfway through; I should be done by Chinese New Year.

Explore God’s Word – Study the bible. Equip yourself in simple personal bible study skills and study what the bible means. Understand it. Attend Youth Care Groups where currently we are doing the study in James. This is where the Youth Ministry can continue to help you. We are planning a half day Bible Conference in June to equip and train you with skills to get into the word of God.

Do Devotions from God’s Word. Besides reading, exploring and mastering God’s word, we should also let God’s word master us. This is where devotional sessions spent in God’s Word helps. Many of you from Youth Camp would remember the Appointment with God (or AWGs) sessions. We followed a simple outline of read, record, reflect and respond. We read a portion of God’s word a few times, letting it sink into us. Then we record the verse, phase or word that seems to speak to us. Next we reflect on that verse, phase or word and see what God is speaking to us. Lastly, we write a short prayer in response to what God is speaking to us.

Do what God’s Word tells us. We put in action what we already know. The sermons by our pastors in James has taught us we need to be doers of the Word; not just mere hearers.

REDD. We read God’s Word, explore God’s Word, do devotions from God’s Word and do what God’s Word tells us. We need to keep on doing the simple things again and again. The Word of God is the basis of (or authority for) what we do in life; the key to spiritual growth; and the foundation for ministry and service. May you continue to follow Paul’s advice, may you continue to do these simple things again and again.

Ollie
March 2008