Category Archives: God’s authority

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

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Steve Simms

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

If the mayor should run his city council, shouldn’t Jesus run His church (ekklesia)?

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Steve Simms

–If someone ignored the mayor and began to run and control a city council meeting as if the mayor wasn’t even there, how would the mayor feel? –When someone ignores the living, risen Jesus and begins to run and control … Continue reading →

Posted in America, ancient Greek wisdom, Christian leadership, city of God, ekklesia, God's authority, Greek city-states, Greek word, honor, human authority, leadership, Middle Tennessee, Nashville, Salvation Army, Tennessee, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Martin Luther King, Jr. On Liberalism (& Other Forgotten MLK Quotes)

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Steve Simms

“I began to question the liberal doctrine of man. The more I observed the tragedies of history and man’s shameful inclination to choose the low road, the more I came to see the depths and strength of sin. . . … Continue reading →

Posted in A.D., African American experience, African Americans, American history, B.C., black history, blacks, Caesar, faith, faith in God, faith-based, God, God's authority, God's presence, God's protection, God's voice, idealism, optimism, philosophical, philosophy, political views, politics, politics and religion, racism, reason, religion, religious beliefs, religious talks, sentimentalism, sin, thinking | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Church Ledership — Hierarchy or Humility?

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Steve Simms

Should leadership in the church be based on hierarchy or humility?   Well, according to Jesus leadership is not established by human authority, official position, titles, rank, strength, or hierarchy; but by humility, service, weakness, brokenness before God, and submission … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church leadership, church meetings, church organizational chart, church programs, church roles, denominations, do it, facebook, God resists the proud, God's authority, have mercy on me a sinner, hymn, hymns, ministers, ministry, Mother Mary, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, pastor, Quench not the Spirit, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual, theology, web, website | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Perhaps A Pastor Should Oversee, Not Direct Church Services

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Steve Simms

–“Overseer” — that’s how the word for Christian leader is translated in some versions of the New Testament.  That translation fits Jesus’ command that leaders be “servants.” –A great example of an overseer is a basketball or football official.  He/she … Continue reading →

Posted in agenda, agendaless, agendaless church, basketball officials, Bible, boundaries, Christianity, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church overseers, church roles, church structure, clergy, clergy/laity, football officials, God's authority, God's government, hearing the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, impact of church, Jesus, kingdom of God, leaders, leadership, led by the Spirit, Music City, order of worship, organic church, oversight, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual church | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Message Of Obama’s Inaugural Bibles

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Steve Simms

President Barack Obama took the oath of office for his second term on a stack (of two) Bibles — Lincoln’s Bible and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s traveling Bible.  So what would Lincoln and King have to say about that? “In … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century, Alveda King, America, American, American history, and, atheism, Atheists, Barack Obama, Bible reading, biblical, Biblical concept, black history, Christian, Christian history, Christian values, Christianity, church, church history, civil religion, Dr. King sermon, family values, God, God's authority, inaugural Bibles, Martin Luther King's niece, moral foundations, moral laws, moral restraints, morality, oath of office, political correctness, political dysfunction, political issue, political views, politicized, politics, politics and religion, popular culture, popular opinion, post-Christianity, prayer, praying, preaching, President, quote, Quotes, revolting against God, right and wrong, right conduct, right from wrong, Ten Commandments, the eleventh commandment, values, White House, word of God, you shall reap what you sow | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Quantum Church Is A Leap Into Another Form Of Reality

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Steve Simms

Quantum church, like quantum mechanics, is a leap into another form of reality.  Quantum physics studies the subatomic world of infinitesimally small particles and waves. The subatomic, quantum world operates differently than the world of clearly defined matter that we … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, angels, belief system, Bible, Biblical concept, brokenness, Catherine Booth, Catholic mystics, Christian, Christian community, Christian values, church, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, devotion, ekklesia, faith, faith-based, freedom, gifts of the Spirit, God experiment, God's authority, guidance, Holy Spirit, house church, improv, improvisation, inner peace, insight, inspiration, interactive, international movement, invisible, Jesus, Jesus Christ, joy, lifestyles, move of God, movement, Music City, Nashville, nature of God, non-church movement, non-material reality, non-traditional church, order of worship, particles, quantum mechanics, Quantum physics, Quotations, quote, Quotes, relational church, relevation, religion, religious ceremonies, religious tradition, repentance, revelation, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, self-denial, sharing, simple church, soul, soul food, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual interaction, spiritual warfare, spooky action, subatomic, submission, surrender, surrender to God, testimonies, testimony, The Salvation Army, The Voice, Uncategorized, voice of God | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Trying To Understand Hell

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Steve Simms

Popular writer, Rob Bell, wrote a book called Love Wins where he gives his views about Hell.  I’ve not read Rob’s book, but here are my views of Hell uninfluenced by Mr. Bell. I believe that Hell is a spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Americans, answer to God, Baghdad, Bible, biblical, Biblical concept, books, choice, Christian, Christian values, conscience, deterrent, eternal life, evil entities, evil spirits, fear, fire, fire insurance, God, God calling, God's authority, God's government, harmful habit, harmful thinking, hate, Heaven, hell on wheels, hellfire, How Evil Works, judge, judgment, judgments, justice, Katrina, looting, missional, moral failures, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morality-phobic, morals, mystery, New Orleans, omnipresent, Quantum physics, self-destruction, self-focus, self-inflicted, selfish desires, sin, soul, spiritual, suffering, unhappiness, views, voice of God | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Was Jeremiah A Holy Shock Jock?

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Steve Simms

A shock jock can be defined as:  A radio personality who uses provocative or inflammatory words to make offensive and/or controversial comments in order to get people’s attention and build ratings for his program. A modern example of a shock jock … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, Bible reading, Bible type revival, biblical, Biblical concept, Christian, Christian history, Christian values, Christianity, conscience, contemporary society, controversial, conviction, conviction of sin, faith, faith-based, fatherless children, God, God's authority, God's government, godly sorrow, greed, guilt, Israel, Judeo-Christian, judgment, judgments, justice, kingdom of God, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, live to please God, meaning, moral failures, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morality-phobic, morals, natural laws, nature of God, obedience, offensive, prostitute, radio, refuse to blush, repent, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, righteousness, self-focus, selfish desires, shocking statements, sin, spiritual combat, spiritual warfare, values, wickedness | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Imagine If Church Had More And Less

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Steve Simms

What if would happen if church had . . . More of the Spiritual Guide speaking inside of everybody present and less of the one man sage on the stage?  (1 John 2:27) More prayer, less pride?  (2 Chronicles 7:14) … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 John 1:9, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, brokenness, Christian, Christian community, Christian organizations, Christian values, Chronicles, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church structure, confession of sin, East Nashville, gift of God, gifts of the Spirit, God's authority, God's government, Holy Spirit, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, improv, improvisation, inward change, Isaiah, John, keeping it together, lifestyle Christianity, Matthew, moral failures, Music City, non-church, non-traditional church, participatory church, prayer, pride, religion, religious ceremonies, repentance, sage on the stage, self-focus, simple church, societal, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual interaction, Tennessee, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment