Category Archives: God’s government

Political heroes rise & fall, but . . .

Posted on July 16, 2022 by Steve Simms

Beyond human politicsThere’s an invisible kingdom,A government that flows fromBeyond this worldAnd seeks to endThe widespread rebellionInside human beingsAnd to bring restorationAnd peace of mindTo all who will fullySurrender to its authority.It’s not aligned with governmentsThat demand outward complianceAnd rule … Continue reading →

Posted in God's government, government, kingdom of God, nationalism, politics, politics and religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The government shall be upon His shoulders

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Steve Simms

“Peace on earth, goodwill toward men!” The vision of Christmas includes caring for and getting along with all people; and being one with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus prayed for the oneness of His followers in John 17. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in band of brothers, Bible one anothers, Christian unity, community, God's government, Jesus is Lord, Lord Jesus Christ, Love one another, one anothers, one in the Spirit, peace of God, Prince of Peace, surrender, surrender to God, Uncategorized, waiting on the Lord | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Body Of Christ: Dictatorship? Democracy? Christocracy?

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Steve Simms

Must a gathering of Christ-followers choose between being a hierarchy (a body of believers governed by an organizational chart) or anarchy (a body of believers with no government or order at all)? Historically church has chosen to be a hierarchy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Benjamin Rush, church government, God's government, government, Israelmore Ayivor, Jesus Christ, John Leland, kingdom, kingdom of heaven, kingdom values, kings and kingdoms, not of this world, organizational chart, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All lifestyles are not equal. (Is yours working?)

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Steve Simms

All lifestyles are not equal: –America teaches that there are a vast diversity of lifestyles, however, Christianity teaches that there are only two basic lifestyles. We can live our life following and obeying our thoughts, feelings, opinions, and desires. Or … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, America, casting your vote, choice of lifestyle, faith in politics, flesh, fruit of the Spirit, God's government, government, human nature, kingdom of God, lifestyle Christianity, Make America safe again, make straight paths, political choice, political correctness, political dysfunction, political environment, political positions, political views, politics and religion, power of choice, presidential campaign, presidential election, Presidential politics, prochoice, religion, spirituality, straight is the gate and narrow the way, Uncategorized, works of the flesh | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How many sermons does it take to make a person pure?

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

Christ-followers are called to be pure and holy! That’s not easy to do when seductive media is so readily accessible and overflowing with negativity, disrespect, vulgarity, adultery, nudity, profanity, and worse. Have all the sermons that we have heard (and … Continue reading →

Posted in church, church fathers, church government, city council meeting, early church, ekklesia, evangelism, God's government, government, on earth as it is in heaven, Origen, religion, spiritual formation, spiritual transformation, testimonies, Thom Schultz, transformation, Uncategorized, Walk by the Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Two Questions About Human Leadership Vs. The Spirit’s Leadership In Church

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

Here are two questions about church leadership for pastors and so-called laymen: Question #1: Who is the most capable church leader in the world? Answer: The living, resurrected Jesus Christ present in our midst when we gather in His name. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ followers, Christian, Christian community, Christian organizations, church, church history, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, comfort, comfort zone, congregational, deciision making, decision-making, earn his keep, East Nashville, God's government, guidance, homes, house church, human leadership, improv, improvisation, laymen, Laymen's prayer revival, Music City, Nashville, non-church, non-church movement, non-traditional church, order of worship, participatory church, pastor, religious ceremonies, religious innovation, religious tradition, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual leaders, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 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