Clutter-Free Christianity: What God Really Desires for You [Paperback]

Robert Jeffress (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 2009

Your greatest desire is to please God, but with each passing week, your spiritual to-do list grows longer. As you strive to fulfill a never-ending inventory of requirements for being a godly parent, spouse, voter, employee, and more, you feel increasingly disconnected from the God you’re trying to serve.

When did the Christian life become so complicated?

It’s time to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of what it means to please God. In this liberating look at the core principles of faith, Dr. Robert Jeffress reveals the truth about what God really wants from you–and what He wants to do for you.

Through solid biblical teaching and practical insights, Dr. Jeffress points you toward a revitalized faith centered on becoming more like Jesus in action, attitude, and affection. You’ll learn how to partner with God in the process of spiritual transformation as you choose to follow Christ in forgiveness, obedience, trust, contentment, service, and prayer.

Through a renewed focus on experiencing the kingdom of God right now, you’ll find your to-do list shrinking and your spiritual life deepening. It all comes with embracing Clutter-Free Christianity.

Includes a Bible study guide for personal growth and group discussion

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Gets to the heart of how to live like Jesus a little more each day. This book can add joy to your life that you’ve never experienced before.”
–Josh D. McDowell, author of More Than a Carpenter, New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, and Beyond Belief to Convictions

"Robert Jeffress reminds us that the essence of the gospel is a changed life flowing from a God-transformed heart. From such a heart pours obedience, faith, contentment, service, and prayer—every facet of our continuing relationship with God. This book will ignite a passion to live wholly and holy for God as an overflow of our heart's love for Him."
– R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“True, raw, real Christianity–what does it look like? Dr. Robert Jeffress helps us discover what God actually wants from us and for us. Cutting through all the clutter of theology, cultural misconceptions, and assumptions, Jeffress goes to the core of Christianity. In this powerful book, he shows how to un-complicate our Christian walk by focusing on what really matters to God. Clutter Free Christianity will help you find the joy of ‘setting your heart on things above’ and guarding it against destructive behaviors. This is a book for every Christian who wants to experience God’s transforming work and walk the path of intentional Christian living.”
–Karol Ladd, bestselling author of the Power of a Positive Woman series

“With the skill of a surgeon, Robert Jeffress cuts to the heart of the matter of spiritual growth. This is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to be serious about the Christian walk.”
–Dr. Geoff Hammond, president of the North American Mission Board, SBC

Praise for
When Forgiveness Makes No Sense
“Dr. Jeffress makes sense out of giving forgiveness when it sometimes seems so senseless. With each page of this book, he opens the door to healing and grace.”
–Les Parrott III, PHD, Seattle Pacific University; Author of 3 Seconds, The Power of Thinking Twice

“Anger, hurt feelings, and even betrayal can emotionally and spiritually tie us in knots. Robert Jeffress shows us biblically and practically how to ‘untie the knots.’ If you’ve struggled with forgiving others, or even God, this is your book.”
–John Trent, PHD, author and speaker, president and founder of StrongFamilies.com and the Center for StrongFamilies

Praise for
The Divine Defense
“A clear and practical battle strategy for the ideals we hold sacred.”
–Dr. Ed Young, pastor, Second Baptist Church in Houston, and author of The Marriage Mirrorom and The Creative Leader

“A great resource for Christians living in a fast-paced world. You will be reminded as to the why of the distress in and around you as well as the how to mute the agitation. The truth is our enemy doesn’t have a prayer–and this book will help you practice that truth.”
–Neil Atkinson, author of The Shrewd Christian

Praise for
Outrageous Truth
“Outrageous Truth is refreshing, affirming, and convicting…a must-read for people of every persuasion, but especially for Christians who want to be found faithful in this generation.”
–Rick Scarborough, founder and president of Vision America, author of Enough Is Enough

“Outrageous Truth ….is one text that all Christians should read.”
–Dr. Richard Land, president, The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Praise for
Second Chance, Second Act
“Everyone needs a new beginning at one time or another….This book will help you make the best of a mess you never intended. You really can begin again!
– Dr. David H. McKinley, teaching pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas

“This practical, biblical guide shows how to recover from mistakes and make your second act worthy of a standing ovation!”
–June Hunt, founder and CEO, Hope for the Heart

About the Author

Dr. Robert Jeffress is the senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas and the Bible teacher on the internationally broadcast television program Pathway to Victory. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, he has written sixteen previous books, including Outrageous Truth and When Forgiveness Doesn’t Make Sense. Dr. Jeffress and his wife, Amy, are the parents of two adult daughters.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (March 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400070929
• ISBN-13: 978-1400070923
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,015,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart Surgery, March 30, 2009

By 

Connie Y. Mishali - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clutter-Free Christianity: What God Really Desires for You (Paperback)

Would you do surgery on yourself? No? You need a surgeon? Okay, would you help your surgeon do surgery on you? How about heart surgery?

Of course, in the physical realm, we would never perform heart surgery or even try to help our cardiac surgeon do the procedure. But in the spiritual realm, it's required. Although we become new creations when we are accept the Master, the process of sanctification -- becoming like Yeshua (Jesus) -- is the work God does in us with our cooperation and with us doing a lot of the work.

Clutter Free Christianity, What God Really Desires for You by Robert Jeffress describes how to assist God in performing heart surgery on you. He describes six fundamental areas where we need to have a change in heart in order to become more Christlike: We need to learn to (1) forgive, (2) obey, (3) trust, (4) be content, (5) serve others and (6) pray. This process is a lifelong journey toward transformation.

Clutter Free Christianity focuses on what God really requires from us in order to have a relationship with Him. Too often we get busy with our "to do" list -- we volunteer our time, we cook for various functions, we take Bible study classes, we chaperone the youth retreat -- and we lose sight of what God really wants us to focus on in order to be good disciples of the Master. The funny thing is, when we focus on the changes our heart requires, the "to dos" of corporate worship become easy. You'll never learn to forgive, trust, be content, etc., from cooking for a church supper, but if you work on forgiveness, trust, being content, etc., cooking for a church supper will naturally flow out of those heart transformations.

This book is great for baby believers, but is even better for those who have been at it awhile -- it brings back your focus to what really matters to God.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kept Picking it Back Up, August 21, 2009

By 

Darien Gabriel "dariengabriel.com" (Summerville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clutter-Free Christianity: What God Really Desires for You (Paperback)

This book was like bad cold--I couldn't shake it.

Dealing with the heart of the matter in following Christ, there wasn't a lot of new information for me. Which is why I kept trying to put it down...but every time I'd read a little I found I wanted to keep going.

Jeffress is witty, real and smart in his writing. I felt like I got to know him in this book. Like a great mentor, he gently and compellingly kept encouraging me to do what I already knew I needed to be doing to strengthen my walk with Christ.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YES!!! Shout it Loud..., April 3, 2009

By 

Jeffrey Borden "Pastor" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Clutter-Free Christianity: What God Really Desires for You (Paperback)

Here's a two for one review...from me and my wife:

I don't know where to start with my review of this book; however, I will say that I think it will be one of the most impactful books that I will read this year. Quite the statement and needing some qualification I am sure. What makes it so impacting? You might wonder; "Is it profound and revelatory?" No, there is nothing profound...at least to my thinking, but there is page after page of affirming teaching. Most exciting is the succinct and down-to-earth delivery of Dr. Jeffress. One can sense the wisdom and years of pastoral experience coming through the delivery of this message. And what a message it is! Clutter-Free Christianity does not do justice to what resides beneath the title and between the covers. This book is about life...real life, ABUNDANT LIFE; the kind of life that our Savior Jesus Christ came to this earth to give us. This book is about redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. This book is about the invitation, acceptance, and participation of new life transformed into the image of the first-born of many brothers. It is about imago-dei and the call to "be thou transformed."

The subject and the context of the book are enough for me to do cartwheels of excitement over, but there are other technical merits that I'd like mention too. For starters, the book is an easy read. This doesn't mean that it is elementary is sharing deep spiritual truths. It means that deep spiritual truths are shared in such a way that every person, regardless of education or Biblical training, will glean benefit...perhaps that is part of the "clutter-free" meaning behind the title. The book is not weighted down with heavy terms, definitions, and doctrinal treatise. This makes it an easy read. Second, Dr. Jeffress uses down-to-earth examples and illustrations that help the reader connect to the simple but deep truths that are being expounded upon chapter after chapter. Finally, I loved the inductive style of writing and the logical flow of the premise and thesis that carried the book from beginning to conclusion. I am sure that it will be helpful to me in my own efforts of teaching, writing, counseling, and preaching.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I will be ordering several more copies to put in rotation in my lending library. It will have a place of prominence on my list of "must read" books. Thank you, Dr. Jeffress, for a great read and a compilation of wonderful teaching and thank you WaterBrook Press for introducing me to this book.

I have included the review of my best friend and wife, Laurie Borden, below:

Review by Laurie Borden

Except for the title, I loved this book! I would like to see something in the title about transformation or life change or freedom because that is the wonderful truth that this book presents. The premise of the book is that God intends for us to be conformed to the image of His Son, which I believe, but the illustrations and practical suggestions were the part I loved because they are easy to understand, to apply, to remember, and to share with others. I see many Christians who would like to experience the life change that God offers, but they don't know if it is possible or how to make it happen. Even though I know that it is possible, I have found that it is not an easy concept to explain to others. In this book, the author has given me words, illustrations, and tools to assist me in my attempts to share this vital truth with others. Mr. Jeffress begins the book by stating that it is indeed possible, but only if we have a transformed heart. He then spends the remainder of the book sharing practical insight into areas of our heart that keep us bound in failure and discouragement as well as helpful suggestions for surrendering and allowing God to change those areas.

As I was reading this book, I recalled a book by Chip Ingram, "Holy Transformation", which contains much of the same information. I would highly recommend both books. I hope to utilize "Clutter-Free Christianity" in a Sunday School class this year, as the book contains questions for self-evaluation as well as suggested group discussion questions. I have already shared a selection during a worship service as a challenge to our congregation. Since then, I have quoted the book in several conversations, and I used one of the suggested exercises in a small group setting.

If you struggle with worry, discontentment, bitterness, destructive habits, stress, or fear that you are not pleasing God, I encourage you to get a copy of this book. It contains truths from God's Word presented in a way that can transform your life today.