Category Archives: body of Christ

Do the things you need to learn . . .

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Steve Simms

Too often Christianity presents Christ like a tame lion locked up in a cage on Sunday mornings. Dare we let Him out? Is Christianity, presented without wonder, passion, surprise, power, conviction, and awe, biblical Christianity? Perhaps Christians in church spend … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, church movements, collaborative learning, evangelism, how to learn the Bible, inner Light, interactive learning, involve me and I learn, Jesus Movement, learning environment, learning to pray, marathon, Men learn what they teach, movement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond sermon-hearing to Spirit-hearing

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Steve Simms

Christ experienced is much more powerful than Christ explained. The “let the preacher do it” mentality has crippled contemporary Christianity. However, Jesus never said: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the preacher says.” (He said, “Let them hear what the … Continue reading →

Posted in art of listening, Bible reading, body of Christ, church programs, cost of discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, disciple making, discipleship, Great Commission, homiletics, homily, how the body of Christ functions, how to be a disciple, listening, listening to God, preaching, spiritual growth, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dare to lovingly pray for Christians you disagree with

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Steve Simms

Should we pray for Christian groups that hold beliefs that we disagree with and/or that do things we don’t approve of? Jesus did. In John 17, Jesus didn’t just pray for His first disciples, “but for them also who shall … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, book of James, Christian community, Christian unity, Ephesians, intercessory prayer, James, Jesus prayer, love your enemies, pray for your enemy, prayers, praying community, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Humpty Dumpty Christianity?

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Steve Simms

Like Humpty Dumpty, the body of Christ has broken into many pieces. Nowadays, there are tens of thousands of Christian denominations and ministries around the world. But is this how God wants it to be? Jesus prayed, in John 17, … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, Christ-centered community, Christian church, Christian Denominations, Christian unity, conflict, denominations, ecumenical, healing, healing life's hurts, how the body of Christ functions, interdenominational, one in the Spirit, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bible heroes were ordinary people (Moses stuttered)

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Steve Simms

You’ve probably seen some of these statements about how God uses regular people (like you and me). They are often shared on social media: Moses stuttered. Miriam was a gossip. Jonah ran from God. Leah was unattractive. Paul saw himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible one anothers, body of Christ, fellowship, how the body of Christ functions, ministries, ministry, ministry team, mutual ministry, one another, one anothering, one anothers, priesthood of all believers, royal priesthood, Uncategorized, universal priesthood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Some religious things Billy Graham didn’t do

Posted on February 25, 2018 by Steve Simms

Billy Graham didn’t go to seminary, but look how God used him. He wasn’t a pastor or an official in a church or denomination, but he sure let God him. Too many church leaders are grasping the throat of the body … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, bread of life, institutional church, obedience, obedience to God, rebellion, rebellion against God, sermons, spiritual authority, spiritual formation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Steve Simms

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

Religion — a track for God to run on?

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Steve Simms

Church sometimes seems like going to a restaurant to hear a talk about food and then thinking we’ve been fed. Too many Christians have been taught that their primary role in the body of Christ is to sit and listen to … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, frozen, how the body of Christ functions, religious ceremonies, spectators, Uncategorized, unprogrammed, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The most important embassy isn’t in Jerusalem.

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Steve Simms

The body of Christ is called to meet as the embassy of the kingdom of God–demonstrating the government of God, to the world. Therefore, the most important embassy isn’t in the city of Jerusalem, but is located wherever two or … Continue reading →

Posted in anxiety, birth of Christ, body of Christ, ekklesia, eternity, government, opportunity, spiritual transformation, the Kingdom of God is at hand, transformation, two or three in My name, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cast out demons? Or sit through sermons?

Posted on December 16, 2017 by Steve Simms

Jesus calls people to be child-like; not to be scholar-like. It’s important that Christ-followers not just listen to preachers but also listen to and obey the inner voice of Jesus, or else they become preacher-followers. Jesus said that His followers would … Continue reading →

Posted in anointing, be doers of the word, body of Christ, ekklesia, hearing God, spiritual atrophy, spiritual fire, train unto godliness, Uncategorized, what is Christianity? | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment