Tag Archives: book of Acts

A Hunka Hunka Burnin’ Words

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Steve Simms

When I was a boy my dad had a book called:  Eloquence in Public Speaking: How To Set Your Words On Fire by Kenneth McFarland.  It was about how to put sparks in human hearts and it helped to create … Continue reading →

Posted in a hunka hunka burnin', Acts, alternative lifestyle, apologists, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, burning heart, change, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, church, church history, early church, Jesus Christ, Kenneth McFarland, message, Music City, Nashville, organic church, participatory church, religion, revival, riot, simple church, spiritual combat, spiritual warfare, testimonies, The Salvation Army, the way we do church, turned the world upsidedown, witness, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Jesus Christ — Dead Or Alive?

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Steve Simms

Easter celebrations are over — the traditions, the religious ceremonies, the decorations, the egg hunts, the dress-up, the family gatherings, the greeting cards, the candy.  So what do you do after Easter?  Here are two choices: 1)  You can send … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, adventure, alternative lifestyle, Bible, celebrations, challenges, choice, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, church, dead man walking, deciision making, early church, East Nashville, God, greeting cards, hearing Jesus, holiday, holidays, jail, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Movement, meaning, Music City, mysticism, non-material reality, non-traditional church, opportunity, organic church, participatory church, presence of Christ, religion, religious ceremonies, spiritual, spiritual growth, supernatural | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What does the contemporary American church have that the early church in the Book of Acts didn’t have? Here are some possibilities . . . Christian tradition, ministries that people named with their own name, hierarchy, money, church buildings, self-confidence, freedom, one person in control of a church, denominations, laymen, the separation of life into sacred and secular, Bible schools and seminaries, conferences, religious TV networks, televangelists, tax-free status, clergy, a high level of organization, the fear of witnessing to others. Can you think of more things that we have that the early church didn’t have?

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Steve Simms
Posted in Acts, American, American church, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, church, church history, church structure, clergy, denominations, early church, ekklesia, freedom, laymen, non-traditional church, organic church, religion, sacred and secular, simple church, televangelists, the way we do church, Uncategorized, values, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wake Up Church! Present The Pervading Holy Presence!

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Steve Simms

Should church consist of: A pre-arranged program or a pervading Holy Presence? A man-made message or God-breathed spiritual life? Passively watching a pastor or priest perform or people passionately pursuing God’s Presence and Person? Religious head-knowledge or radical heart-transformation? Being conformed … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, American church, Bible, bold statements, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, Christianity, corrupt culture, early church, ekklesia, going viral, guts and glory, kingdom of God, lifestyles, missional, movement, mysticism, Oh my God, organic church, people of God, religion, revolution, sermon, sermons, simple church, the way we do church, Uncategorized, Viral Jesus, wake up, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

The Top Ten Boldest Quotations From The Book Of Acts

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Steve Simms

Would you like to read some really bold statements?  The Book of Acts is full of them.  After reading through Acts 6 times in 3 months, I have picked out my The Top Ten Boldest Quotations From The Book Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, bold statements, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, church history, conscience, courage, gifts of the Spirit, God's government, guilt, history, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, lifestyles, making decisions, miracles, morality, mystery, mysticism, non-material reality, normal Christianity, organic church, Paul of Tarsus, Peter, Peter and John, prayer, presence of Christ, presence of God, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religion, repent, repentance, revelation, salvation, Sanhedrin, simple church, sin, Spirit-led, spiritual combat, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, spiritual warfare, surrender to God, Top Ten, Uncategorized, wages of sin, What is church?, Why be a Christian? | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Drenched With God / Soaked With HIs Presence

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Steve Simms

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you . . .”  As I read those words yesterday morning, the picture of a man drenched with water popped into my mind.  I’ve always thought about the Holy Spirit … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, acts of God, Bible, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, church history, early church, evidence for God, General Linda Bond, gifts of the Spirit, glory, God, having a form of godliness, hearing God, hearing Jesus, history, Holy Spirit, kingdom of God, movement, mystery, mysticism, New Testament, normal Christianity, Oh my God, organic church, powerhouse, presence of Christ, presence of God, quench the Spirit, religion, revelation, sermons, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, supernatural, The Salvation Army, tradition, voice of God, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

3 Questions For The American Church

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Steve Simms

1:  Which set of words bests describes a typical American church service: A) Lesson, lecture, liturgy, program, study about God, sermon, ritual, religion, boring, dull, routine, passive, solemn, humanly controlled; or B) Experience, encounter, presence of God, demonstration, manifestation, awe, … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, American church, change, Christianity, church, church structure, early church, East Nashville, freedom, hearing God, house church, joy, mystery, mysticism, non-traditional church, organic church, presence of God, religion, sermon, simple church, sin, Spirit-led, spiritual, tradition, Uncategorized, words | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Dancing With God (The Holy Spirit 3-Step)

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Steve Simms

Dancing With God (The Holy Spirit Three-Step) I am reading through the Book of Acts for the fifth time in two months and asking God to show me why the early church had so much more passion and power than … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, acts of God, angels, awe, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Book of Revelation, Christ, Christian history, Christianity, church, church history, dancing, dancing with God, disciple making, disciples, discipling, early church, East Nashville, evidence for God, gift of God, gifts of the Spirit, God, guidance, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Heaven, history, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Movement, lifestyles, movement, Music City, mysticism, Nashville, New Testament, non-traditional church, normal Christianity, organic church, praise and worship, prayer, quench the Spirit, recovery, religion, repent, revelation, Scriptures, simple church, spiritual, spiritual formation, The Salvation Army, voice of God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Acting Out Acts — Sound Bites From The First Christians . . .

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Steve Simms

“Filled with awe . . .” “Filled with wonder and amazement . . .” “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” “Performing  many signs and wonders among the people.” “We must obey God … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Acts 5:29, alternative lifestyle, awe, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christianity, church, church history, disciple making, early church, history, house church, Music City, Nashville, normal Christianity, organic church, Quotes, repent, simple church, spiritual growth | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

What The Church Can Learn From The Super Bowl

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Steve Simms

It is Super Bowl Week.  I just read an article about what people would give up to watch the Super Bowl.  Here’s an excerpt: “What exactly would you be willing to miss to be able to attend the big game … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Christianity, church, early church, football, house church, Jesus, Jesus Christ, lifestyles, NFL, Playoffs, religion, simple church, spiritual, Super Bowl, tradition, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments