Author Archives: Steve Simms

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About Steve Simms

I like to look and think outside the box. In college I encountered Jesus Christ and I have been passionate about trying to get to know Him better ever since. My wife and I long to see the power and passion of the first Christ-followers come to life in our time. I have written a book about our experiences in non-traditional church, called, "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia." If you need encouragement, search for: Elephants Encouraging The Room and/or check out my Amazon author page. Thank you!

A hell of a shake down! Fresh view of Matthew 16–the rock, the kingdom, the ekklesia, the keys to lock and unlock.

In Matthew 16, Jesus talks about a hell of a shakedown. He proclaims a rock, His kingdom, His ekklesia, and the keys to lock and unlock as representatives of His government. Some things are beyond human reasoning. They are mysteries … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christ, demons, evil, Flesh and blood has not revealed, God's authority, Greek language, Greek New Testament, hearing God, hearing God's voice, heart strangely warmed, Hell, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, mystery, New Testament, revelation, Son of the living God, spiritual authority, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized, voice of God | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kingdom thinking & inner theocracy

The kingdom of God is the only form of government that rules people from the inside out. Jesus announced: “The kingdom of God is within you.” Thus, the New Testament announces an inner theocracy and shows what it looks like when … Continue reading →

Posted in brokenness, church, church organizational chart, grace, hierarchy, humility, inner flow, inner Light, inner prompting, inner rivers, inner teacher, King of Kings, kingdom come, kingdom of priests, kingdom values, kings and kingdoms, music, organizational chart, political power, political views, politics and religion, poor in spirit, sin, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Home again? Home again ecclesiology!

“Ecclesiology” is a big sounding word. It also has a really big sounding definition: “theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Christian Church.” However, Christianity didn’t begin as formal church (needing an academic course of study), tightly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, alternative Christianity, alternative church, assembly of God, church history, early church, Henry Hon, house church, lost and restored, lost word of the Bible, New Testament church, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, rethink church, rethinking church, simple church, theologians, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Super Bowl & Home Meetings!

Are you ready for the 52nd Super Bowl? LII. It’s almost time. A lot of people will be holding Super Bowl home meetings I have my Eagles uniform ready. I like to wear the uniform of spiritual eagles: “Clothe yourselves … Continue reading →

Posted in home church, house church, National Football League, NFL, party, patriotism, professional football, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Would Jesus say: “Religion forgot Me for monotony.”

Christians often meet like robots–tightly programmed and controlled. Christians need to be allowed to freely express Christ, not just to contain Him locked down in their hearts. After all, it’s hard to be a passive lump on a church pew when … Continue reading →

Posted in audience, audience of One, Bible, church programming, church programs, ecclesia, ecclesiastical, ecclesiological, ecclesiology, ekklesia, fire in church, fire in the heart, inner Light, let your light shine, light, light of Christ, ministry, ministry of the Spirit, spiritual fire, Uncategorized, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus said “Follow Me,” not “Follow a 501c3!”

Christian disciples turn the world upside down; but religious adherents are often swept along with the world’s viewpoints. Jesus said: “Follow Me!” Not: “Follow a 501c3.” The risen Jesus lives inside of all His followers, so He doesn’t need a hierarchy … Continue reading →

Posted in apest, body of Christ, Christian organizations, church history, church movements, church organization, institutional church, Jesus Movement, Let the redeemed of the Lord, organizational chart, persecution, reform movements, religious persecution, spiritual life, spiritual movement, transformation movements, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spiritual paraplegics & pastor dependency

Instead of training and releasing people to follow and obey the living Jesus, churches tend to make people spiritual paraplegics. Perhaps sitting passively in church isn’t the kind of exercise that builds spiritual muscle. When people are made spiritually dependent on a … Continue reading →

Posted in call to ministry, growing in grace, Let go and let God, ministry, one man ministry, pastor, pastoring, pastors, pulpit ministry, purpose of a pastor, Sunday morning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unity in Christ — The other “Lord’s Prayer”

My dad taught me the Lord’s prayer when I was about ten. He wasn’t religious and our family didn’t go to church at that time. However, I remember him standing by my top bunk one night and having me repeat … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient prayer, apologetics, apologists, Christ in you, Christ-centered community, Christian community, community, fellowship, learning to pray, Our Father, prayers, praying, praying community, The Jesus Prayer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Christ-followers meet as Christ’s council

It’s good to learn more about Jesus. It’s better to listen to and obey Him as members of His council. Jesus-followers are invited to meet as His city council and to participate in conducting city business for His kingdom as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 7 churches, ancient Greeks, Book of Revelation, Greek city-states, Hebrews, inner Light, Jerusalem, one man ministry, revelation, the seven lampstands, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus can still speak. Will 21st century Christians listen?

Hearing Jesus speak to you isn’t about how-to. It’s about want-to. Do you want to hear Him? Many people would prefer to hear a preacher speak than to hear God speak. Why? What you hear from a preacher can easily be … Continue reading →

Posted in apostles, Christ the Head of the church, evangelists, gifts of the Spirit, Head of the church, hearing God, hearing Jesus, inner hearing, pastors, prophets, shepherds, still small voice, teachers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment