Tag Archives: quotes

Beyond predictable religion to unpredictable, untamed ekklesia (quotes)

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Steve Simms

Church is caught in continual predictability, perpetually presenting the same basic program week after week. That’s one reasons millions of people are leaving church and calling themselves “Dones.” However, the Greek New Testament concept of ekklesia is never the same from … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Catholic mass, Chet Akins, church, country music, ekklesia, Eleanor Roosevelt, Francesca Battistelli, Frans de Waal, George R.R. Martin, Gordon Parks, Greek New Testament, house church, James Dashner, James Woods, Jesus Christ, Leo F. Buscaglia, Mark Batterson, Nashville, New Testament, organic chruch, Pope Francis, R.T. Kendall, Ralph Abernathy, simple church, Skye Jethani, T.F. Hodge, Uncategorized, unpredictable | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Going (gone) with the wind of the Spirit . . .

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Steve Simms

A church cannot program the Holy Spirit. So why do we try? Why do we try to direct the Holy Spirit when we gather for worship, rather than humbly allowing the Spirit to direct us? The Spirit is free like … Continue reading →

Posted in A.W. Tozer, Acts 2, as many as are led by the Spirit, Be filled with the Spirit, C.T. Studd, coming of the Holy Spirit, demonstration of the Spirit, discerning of spirits, don't put out the Spirit's fire, filled with the Spirit, fire of the Holy Spirit, flow of the Spirit, flowing in the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, Gone With The Wind, hearing the Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, Holy Spirit teaches, How to be led by the Spirit, how to flow in the spirit, how to grow spiritually, I will pour out my Spirit, in step with the Spirit, in the Spirit, led by the Spirit, Madame Guyon, mighty rushing wind, Samuel Chadwick, Second chapter of Acts, the wind blows where it will, Uncategorized, Watchman Nee, wind of the Spirit | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“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

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

Quotes from “Quench Not The Spirit”

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Steve Simms

I love how God introduces me to books. This morning as I was wondering if I am writing too much about ekklesia (participatory Spirit-led worship meetings based on 1 Corinthians 14:26) I saw a huge stack of books someone had … Continue reading →

Posted in as many as are led by the Spirit, Be filled with the Spirit, Christian spirituality, demonstration of the Spirit, discerning of spirits, don't put out the Spirit's fire, filled with the Spirit, flowing in the Spirit, hearing the Holy Spirit, hearing the Spirit, Holy Spirit flow, Holy Spirit teacher, How to be led by the Spirit, how to flow in the spirit, leading of the Spirit, led by the Spirit, listening to the Spirit, ministry of the Spirit, New Testament, obeying the Spirit, outpouring of the Spirit, release of the Spirit, sensitivity to the Spirit, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, spiritual, taught by the Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit will teach you, Uncategorized, what is the Holy Spirit, what the Spirit is saying, with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, witness of the Spirit, words taught by the Spirit | Tagged , , , , | 1 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

When God steps out into the open

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

People can hide from God in church, however, ekklesia brings God out into the open. Ekklesia is an adventure of the spiritual kind. It’s never the same, always exciting, and deeply moving. If you need some excitement in your life, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Einstein, David L. McKenna, faith, faith-based, hiding from God, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Quotations, Quotes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When church is so-so, perhaps it’s time to sew-sow

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Steve Simms

If you find church to be so-so; maybe you need to go beyond church and sew-sow. Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible–Ekklesia sews biblical truth and practical advice together in a warm, friendly, easy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible, boredom in church, ekklesia, giving, Henri Nouwen, house church, overcoming boredom, reaping what you sow, Romans, seed faith, simple church, sowing and reaping, sowing into ministry, Uncategorized, where there is hatred let me sow love, William Barclay, you shall reap what you sow | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does Donald Trump need forgiveness?

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Steve Simms

Paul of Tarsus said: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing.” (Romans 7:18) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “Here is a trustworthy saying that … Continue reading →

Posted in all have sinned, Bible, chief of sinners, evangelicals, faith in politics, have mercy on me a sinner, Jesus prayer, Philokalia, repent, repentance, salvation, saved, sin, sinner, the way of the pilgrim, Trump forgiveness, Uncategorized, what does it mean to be saved | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment