Tag Archives: Christianity

“I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Steve Simms

Are you a “good person”? According to Jesus the phrase, “I’m a good person,” is a stealth oxymoron. Jesus said; “No one is good–except God alone.” (Mark 10:18) In fact, Jesus calls 3 groups of people “evil” or “wicked:” 1) His … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, all have sinned, Beyond Church, Bible, ekklesia, evil, good person, greed, Jesus, Jesus Christ, judge, judge not, judgment, Luke, Mark, New Testament, oxymoron, Pharisees, problem of evil, Savior, sin, sinfulness, source of evil, there is none righteous, Uncategorized, wickedness, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cereal, cars, & church alternatives . . .

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

If for many centuries, almost everyone in the world who ate breakfast always had some brand of cereal, we would think it strange if a few people started talking and writing about having pancakes for breakfast. Breakfast cereal eaters might … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Beyond Church, change in church, change management, changes in worship, ekklesia, fresh expressions, house church, lay testimonies, messy church, nontraditional church, personal testimonies, Quakers, salvation testimonies, simple church, Spirit-led, Uncategorized, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Forgivers, enemy-lovers, and Divine visitation

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Christ-followers are called to be forgivers and enemy-lovers. We cannot afford to be offended when our comfort zone is breached. So how are we doing? “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Are you: 1) … Continue reading →

Posted in André Cox, being religious, Beyond Church, General Andre Cox, Holy Spirit, How to forgive., Meeting for Worship, presence of God, religious ceremonies, secularism, simple church, spiritual disciplines, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God dropped two burning books in my lap.

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Steve Simms

A retired Nazarene preacher called me and wanted to donate his personal library of 9 big boxes of books. How could I say no? So this week I picked up two of those hundreds of books. Bang! They shook my … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible type revival, Christian books, ekklesia, house church, Is the church failing?, Let The Church Be The Church, Martin Lloyd-Jones, organic church, Raymond C. Ortlund, revival, revival fires, simple church, spiritual awakening, Steve Simms, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Church = Audience? Or Team?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

Is a church service with only one speaker like a band with only one instrument? (That’s an oxymoron, isn’t it?) Jesus said: “New wine must be poured into new wine skins.” If we want the new wine of the Holy Spirit, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, agreeing in prayer, audience, Beyond Church, binding and loosing, Christian community, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek word for, house church, Matthew 18:20, organic chruch, simple church, team, the lost of the Bible, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hope for those burned out on politics

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Steve Simms

Administrations come with fanfare. Administrations go with disappointment. It’s an ongoing cycle that can leave us discouraged. Here’s hope for those burned out on politics . . . Jesus prayed and taught us to pray for An environment ruled by The … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan Redpath, Beyond Church, body of Christ, casting your vote, ekklesia, house church, how to know God's will, Jesus Christ, kingdom come, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, kingdom values, organic chruch, poem, political environment, quote, simple church, Steve Simms, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized, where two or three are gathered | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your heart’s condition is more important than how you worship . . .

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Steve Simms

The most important thing in worship . . . –Writing about Christ-followers meeting according to 1 Corinthians 14:26 where ordinary people are free to share as they feel prompted by the Spirit, I can get overly enthusiastic and perhaps come … Continue reading →

Posted in church format, church organization, church program, church programming, contemporary church, control in church, going to church, how to do church, how to get involved in church, kinds of church, making church interesting, messy church, religiious texting, rethinking church, seeker-church, texting, texting in church, the perfect church, types of church, Uncategorized, What is church?, worship planning, worship service, worship wars | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is a “spiritless boredom” the norm for church?

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Steve Simms

Here are some powerful quotes from The Coming World Revival by Robert E. Coleman: “God’s people everywhere increasingly yearn for something more in the life of the church. We go through the motions of religion, but there is no power. For many … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty of holiness, Billy Graham, boredom in church, challenge to pastors, clergy, clergy laity, compromise, evangelists, joy of the Lord, laity, Leighton Ford, overcoming boredom, pastors, Robert E. Coleman, The Coming World Revival, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Christ-followers are called out to be Christ’s City Council

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

Jesus said (in the original Greek) “I will build My ekklesia.” Ekklesia was the city council in Greek city-states. (The Greek word literally means called out ones. The Greeks chose it as the name for their city council because citizens were called out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible quotations, Bible verses, called out ones, church elders, city council meeting, Divine healing, faith healing, gifts of healing, Greek, Greek city-states, Greek New Testament, Head of the church, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church, I will build my church, Matthew 16:18, On this rock I will build My church, organic church, the gates of hell, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grace replaces the old with the new

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Steve Simms

Grace makes new It it doesn’t Replace your place, It’s not grace. If it doesn’t Replace your pace, It’s not grace. If it doesn’t Replace your face, It’s not grace. A place beyond Distant from God To intimacy with God. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2 Corinthians 5:17, a new creature, all things have become new, Amazing Grace, Bible, conditional grace, extreme grace, for by grace your are saved, full of grace and truth, gives grace to the humble, God's grace, grace definition, grace greater than all my sin, grace of God, growing in grace, if any man is in Christ, If grace is an ocean, living in grace, New Testament, old things have passed away, saved by grace, saving grace, Uncategorized, understanding grace, what is grace | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment