Bare Minimum ChristianitBare Minimum ChristianityDangers of a Minimalist AttitudeDangers of a Minimalist Attitude

God’s CommandsGod’s Commands• Sometimes God’s commands are a matter of exact precision, like in the case of

baptism

• Acts 2:38 (NKJV) 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

• Sometimes God’s commands are a matter of exact precision and non-precision, like in the case of contributing ( 2 Cor. 9:6-7)

• 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

God’s CommandsGod’s Commands

• 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NKJV) 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

• People respond to God’s lack of precision in different ways: a bountiful attitude and a minimalist attitude

The Minimalist ContagionThe Minimalist Contagion

• Lack of attendance or Sunday morning only (Heb. 10:25)

• Coming for the Lord’s supper only (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11,14,16)

• Lack of daily Bible study (1 Tim. 4:13) and prayer (1 Thess. 5:17)

The Minimalist ContagionThe Minimalist Contagion

• Lack of association with brethren outside the service (Acts 2:46; Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9)

• Dressing down or casual (Gen. 41:14; Esther 4:4; 5:1; Prov. 7:10; Jer. 52:32-33; Mal. 1:6-14)

• Shortened services, removing services, or fewer gospel meetings (Mal. 1:13)

The Minimalist ContagionThe Minimalist Contagion

• Robbing God of our offering (Mal. 3:8; 2 Cor. 9:6-7)

• No good works outside the assembly (Mt. 25:25,40; Jas. 2:14ff)

The Minimalist CureThe Minimalist Cure

• Abound (exceed, excel, overflow, abundance)…

Edifying the church (1 Cor. 14:12)

The work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)

Faith, utterance, knowledge, earnestness, love (2 Cor. 8:7)

Thanksgiving (Col. 2:7)

Christian graces (2 Pet. 1:5-8)

The Minimalist CureThe Minimalist Cure

• Do you have a Burger King religion: “Have it your way”?

• Do you have a microwave religion?

• Do you have a bargain basement religion?

The Minimalist CureThe Minimalist Cure

• Put God first (Mt. 6:33)

• Remove the weeds and thorns (Mt. 13:22)

• Love God completely (Mt. 22:37; Rev. 2:5)

• Give God your all (Mk. 12:41-44; 2 Sam. 24:24)

• Be a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2)