Grace Bible Fellowship: Recent Episodes
Alan Simmons
This page is the home for the weekly and other podcasts of Grace Bible Fellowship. We are a fellowship of believers that purpose to know God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to equip believers through discipleship. Showing God’s love, we strive to reach a hungry world with Jesus Christ through obedience to the Great Commission. Our desire is to become and encourage others to become fully devoted followers of Christ. We want to be a part of witnessing lives saved by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, and helping believers grow as Christ’s disciples.
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In the first installment of a two-part message, Brother Alan Simmons uses two passages of scripture, Psalm 34:17-18 and Psalm 147:1-8, as the focus of a powerful reminder of the need to praise the Lord and how our pride can often get in the way of our spiritual health. Rather than calling on the Lord when we realize we need His guidance, we usually rely on ourselves. Sometimes it is a lack of faith, but usually it is our sense of pride - the "I don't need anyone's help, I can do this on my own!" Bro. Alan explains that while the Lord desires to deliver us when we find ourselves in these situations, He will not intervene as long as our pride stands in the way.
(This message is from July 27th, 2025.)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins with 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11 and shares observations on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be a tool that makes our lives easier or a tool of great evil. He highlights how both apostles Paul and Peter warn us to be sober-minded, or clear-thinking, when we are confronted with so-called "Christian messages" generated by AI. AI is not of God, but is programmed by sinful human beings, many of whom are not called by God. So why are so many believers and pastors willing to use new translations, Bible study aids, sermons, and music created by AI? Who do so many believers fall for the AI-generated "Christian-themed" Facebook reels, TikTok, and X reels, and other social media posts without any hesitation? Listen as Bro. Alan points out the dangers of AI, why Bible study is increasingly important, and why we must start weighing what we see against what the Bible teaches.
(This message is from January 4th, 2026.)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins with a reading of Daniel 3:12-18 and focuses on the story of three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego. Carried away into captivity by the Babylonians, who made them eunuchs, and they served in the royal court of Nebuchadnezzar. The other royal court officials who despised them devised a plot to rid themselves of the three Hebrew men. Bro. Alan examines how the attitude of the Babylonian court officials who saw the Hebrew men as a threat are much like those today who see the followers of Christ as a threat to their agenda.
(This message is from March 9th, 2025.)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins with a reading of James 1:19-26, and begins with an introduction of how easy it is to listen without hearing what's being said. We've all experienced this where someone will say something to us and we react without listening to what is being said. Often, our reaction is one of action, feeling the need to do something when all the other person really wanted us to do was to listen to them. Bro. Alan shares how we can often do this to the Lord and it can have disastrous consequences as believers. Often mistaking the leading of the Holy Spirit on our hearts and minds, we can often make hasty promises, jump to the wrong conclusions, and take action that the Lord never intended us to do, claiming we were doing it because we felt "led by the Spirit." Yes, the Spirit was leading us, but the Lord wanted us to listen to hear, and not jump to conclusions or into action immediately.
(This message is from September 22nd, 2024)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons shares how the book of James has a dual message for the believer and the church - the assembly of believers in the same chapter! Using chapter 5, Bro. Alan explains how the chapter is focused on how we, the individual believer, is to live a life as if we are ready for Jesus to return at any moment. He explains how this mindset is important because it affects everything we do. He discusses how it helps us face those who mock the faith we have in our Lord, just as it did in Enoch's day and in the days of the first century church. But James' epistle doesn't stop there. He discusses the importance of prayer - and Bro. Alan explains how many churches do not set aside time to come together as a congregation to pray. He asks a rhetorical question based on James' statement - the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, how much could the church accomplish if the congregation gathered and lifted their voices in prayer?
(This message is from September 29th, 2024)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons shares an important message that asks a crucial question facing many believers today - do you want to be an apprentice or a workman? Using 1 Peter 2:2-3, he explains how the Lord does note expect us to learn everything there is to know about being a follower of Christ once we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. But as Paul wrote in Hebrews 5:12-14, at some point, believers are expected to grow beyond the milk of the Word - the basics of our faith - and handle the more meatier things. Using 2 Timothy 2:15 as the backdrop, Bro. Alan explains using a common example, the apprentice, the workman, and the master, to show how when we first come to receive Christ, we are apprentices, learning from older Christians around us, who should be workmen. And as we grow and mature in our faith, we should strive to become workmen, mentoring younger apprentices so they, too can become workmen ready to serve our Master, Saviour, and Lord, Jesus Christ!
Bro. Alan stated in his message Paul wrote this to the church in Jerusalem. There are some commentaries that claim this is where the epistle was first read; there is not enough evidence to claim that the book of Hebrews was written to any one group of Christian Jews at any one specific early church.
(This message is from October 6th, 2024)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons concludes this final part of a five-part series on the life of the apostle Paul. Beginning with the reading of the key passage of scripture, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Bro. Alan explains how Paul explained through each of his letters how the things we go through as believers - both victories, hardships, and our spiritual failures, are teaching tools for our personal ministry the Lord Jesus Christ calls us to. Bro. Alan also explains there's two callings on every believer's life - the basic calling we all have that includes sharing the gospel with all we meet. But there's a specific calling we have as a member in the local body of Christ - the local New Testament Church! Each person has been given a set of talents and gifts uniquely crafted for the Lord's purpose to be used for His glory and honor. And no one's gifts, abilities, talents, or calling is any less important or more important than anyone else's. Each one is equally important in the eyes of our Lord. And each of us has a unique testimony of how we came to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, making us uniquely able to reach others who have similar backgrounds and experiences to ours. Like Paul, we must be willing to make ourselves available for His will.
(This message is from March 3rd, 2024)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues on the fourth part of a five-part series on the life of the apostle Paul. In this installment, after re-reading 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Bro. Alan recaps what we've learned about Paul. We've reached the point where Paul knows there's more that the Lord wants from him. He knows that the Lord has called him for a specific purpose. Because of Paul's past, a Hebrew scholar of the Law, and a devoutly religious man by all outward appearances before he became a follower of Christ, his new calling was completely opposite of everything he had done and ever known before. But he had something he never had before - contentment knowing he was following the Lord's plan for his life. Being obedient to the will of the Lord in our life brings unspeakable joy, and Paul was understanding this as he trusted the Lord with every obstacle he faced. And Paul wasn't content to do the minimum effort either. Everything he did he always tried to do it to the best of his ability in honor of the Lord who had given him so much more than Paul felt he deserved.
(This message is from February 25th, 2024)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues the third part of the five-part series by reading 2 Timothy 4:1-8, a letter to Timothy written at the end of Paul's life. In this installment, we see how this man, who once persecuted those who spread the gospel of Jesus was now boldly sharing the gospel with everyone he met! Paul's conversion and excitement didn't start with his missionary journeys throughout the Mediterranean world, but began when he felt the burden of sin lifted from his heart and mind. We read throughout his epistles of the "new man" and "new creature" we become when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior and surrender our hearts to Him. Even as a much older man, Paul never forgot the excitement and joy that filled his heart when he received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Paul understood the changes that Jesus brought into his life and he wanted to tell as many others as he could about how they, too, could experience that change.
(This message is from February 18th, 2024)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues in the second part of the five-part series by reading 2 Timothy 4:1-8, a letter to Timothy written at the end of Paul's life. Before Paul could begin his life as a missionary, spreading the gospel of his Lord, Jesus Christ, he had to be discipled in his new faith. For this task, the Lord chose Ananias, an older Christian in age and in the faith to teach Saul about his new faith in Jesus. See, even though as Saul, he was a well-educated man and understood the Law of Moses and was considered a scholar of the Jewish faith, he had to relearn everything from a believer's understanding. But Ananias was hesitant and even asked the Lord if he was sure because of Saul's reputation.
(This message is from February 11th, 2024)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins this series by reading 2 Timothy 4:1-8, a letter to Timothy written at the end of Paul's life. Why begin a study of the life of Paul with a look at the end of Paul's life? In this passage, Paul wrote, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day..." (v7-8). Have you ever wondered how Paul was able to say that? Would you want to say that about your life as you prepare to leave this world? Listen as Bro. Alan introduces this series about Paul's life.
(This message is from February 4th, 2024)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons concludes this series with the final part of a four-part series with a look at that unspeakable gift given by God to the world. For each of the other parts of this series, we've shared how in John 3:16-18, that gift given has been the source of our salvation. That first Christmas was about Jesus coming to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). As Bro. Alan shows us through scripture in this final installment, there is so much of our relationship with the Lord that depended on the reality of that first Christmas. The woman at the well wasn't there to witness the first Christmas, but she believed in what it did for her. We are much like her; we were not there to see the shepherds bowing at the manger or the wise men bringing gifts to the infant king, but we know what that first Christmas - and the gift of salvation it brought to the world - means to us.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
(This message is from December 24th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues with the third part of a four-part series with a look at the important reminder of why the church - the local New Testament body of believers needs Christmas. Using John 3:16-18, 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, and 1 John 2:1-2, Bro. Alan shares how the church needs to use the Christmas season as an annual time of reflection and re-dedication to the charge our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave to us. Within this message is an important point - without Christmas there would not be a church.
(This message is from December 17th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues with the second part of a four-part series with a look at the important reminder every believer needs every Christmas - the reminder of the importance to offer the Lord the sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise. Bro. Alan uses two people, Mary, the woman chosen to be the mother of Jesus, and Simeon, a elderly devout man of faith, and both were chosen and blessed by the Lord because of their faith in God. But neither story stops there. Both Mary and Simeon offered the Lord heartfelt worship and the sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise for His blessings, promises, and praises. Bro. Alan offers a challenge to make this Christmas different - why not offer the Lord thanksgiving and praise for all He has done for you?
(This message is from December 10th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins a four-part series on the need for Christmas. Using Isaiah 9:2-6 and John 3:16-17, Bro. Alan shares how it doesn't matter if Jesus wasn't actually born on December 25th as much as it does the reasons why Christmas is needed. Christmas is the recognition of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God and the fulfillment of promises made by God to Eve, Abraham, David, and many prophecies recorded in scripture. Christmas is the evidence of God's love and great compassion towards humankind. Christmas is needed by both the lost without Christ and those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Yes, there is a need for Christmas in the world today.
(This message is from December 3rd, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons shares, using stories from the lives of David and Jeremiah, how worries, doubts, and fears can cause numerous problems for us if we do not keep a proper focus. He shares how, if we lose perspective, we can become embittered, angry, and hurtful to our closest friends and family to the extent where they will avoid us. We can also reach the point where we will believe God has abandoned us, come to believe the worst about others (imagine they are plotting against us even when they may not be), and even begin plotting revenge against those we think might have wronged us. But as both David and Jeremiah remind themselves, God's grace is sufficient and is renewed every morning!
(This message is from November 26th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons concludes this six-part series with a look at Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees teachings of the Law of Moses regarding divorce. Considering themselves wise in understanding the Law of Moses, they neglected God's design for marriage in Genesis. Jesus' stern rebuke of their traditions, stemming from their interpretation of the Law, and his later rebuke of the Sadducee's attempts to trap Him with their false system of religious beliefs, were the foundation on where Jesus reiterated His original intent of the design of marriage and the roles of men and women. In this message, Bro. Alan explains that in Heaven, the roles of male and female do not exist and why these roles are only tied to our time on Earth.
(This message is from November 19th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues with the fifth part of a six-part series looking at the roles of men, women, and marriage as initially planned by God. In this installment, Bro. Alan provides a brief overview of the previous messages and proceeds to discuss why Adam was created before Eve. Adam was being taught, by God, to work and to be the spiritual protector of his future family before Eve was created. In this message, Bro. Alan discusses the importance of prioritizing the roles of spouse, children, and work, what God intended, and the real spiritual consequences of losing sight of what's really important in a world that's spiritually blind.
(Programming note: Bro. Alan repeats a lot of the message from Part 4 in this message, but adds some detail to highlight the differences between Adam and Eve's relationship and marriage before their fall and the relationship between men, women and marriage after the fall.)
(This message is from November 12th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues with the fourth part of a six-part series looking at the roles of men, women, and marriage as initially planned by God. In this installment, Bro. Alan provides a brief overview of the previous messages and proceeds to discuss why Adam was created before Eve. Adam was being taught, by God, to work and to be the spiritual protector of his future family before Eve was created. There was a lot of responsibility Adam was given before the Lord created Eve. God's plan for Eve was not to be lorded over or to be a slave for Adam, but to be a help-meet, his partner for life. And together, they were to create a home where they both felt safe, loved, and honored. This is God's plan from the beginning for men and women - and remains His plan for humanity today - and Satan's desire to destroy.
(This message is from November 5th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues with the third part of a six-part series looking at the roles of men, women, and marriage as initially planned by God. In this installment, Bro. Alan briefly introduces the previous two parts, and introduces how God intentionally made men and women different than the rest of creation. Adam and Eve were not spoken into existence, as was everything else - including the angels in Heaven. They were formed by the very hand of God - something unique in all of the created universe. But the uniqueness of humankind does not end there. God created Adam and gave him a unique opportunity that was to be for all men after him - the chance to work alongside Him. Bro. Alan shares how it was the Lord's intent to work with men in the way He worked with Adam, side by side, as we see modeled in the Garden of Eden, before the fall of Adam and Eve and sin entered the world.
(This message is from October 29th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons continues with the second part of a six-part series looking at the roles of men, women, and marriage as initially planned by God. In this installment, Bro. Alan shares how the confusion we see in the world around us is not from God, because the Bible clearly tells us He is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). The confusion we see surrounding gender roles, sexuality, marriage, morality, spiritual issues within churches and the lives of believers stem from a common source - Satan. Bro. Alan also discusses the spiritual danger many believers place themselves in by willingly adopting and compromising with the world to be accepted by the world rather than to hold themselves to the standards set by God.
(This message is from October 22nd, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons begins a new six-part series looking at the roles of men, women, and marriage as initially planned by God. To do this, Bro. Alan takes us on a journey to the very beginning - to the Garden of Eden and begins with the creation of Adam and Eve and how the social movements of today seek to not only undermine God's plan but to offer one that promotes confusion, hatred towards one another and God and is built upon false assumptions about God's plan. It is about erasing the nuclear family - man and woman - designed to complete and be a help-meet for one another.
(This message is from October 15th, 2023)
In this message, Brother Alan Simmons uses Psalm 13:1-4 to discuss an important issue we have all experienced at some point. We have all become angry with the Lord. Everyone has had the experience of praying for something to happen only to have it seem that the Lord ignored our pleas. And because we still have our old nature to deal with, we get angry with God. In this message, we see how Job, Peter, and David became angry with the Lord and these three men, whom we should model our response to our anger after.
(This message is from October 8th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons uses Psalm 103:8-18 to introduce how we are to handle failure. Everyone has experienced failure, whether it's in our profession, our personal relationships, or our walk with the Lord. But what Bro. Alan points out in this message is how our failures can be more important than our successes because we learn a lot more from them. But if we are not careful, our failures can also have some real consequences, especially when they begin impacting the way we see ourselves, our relationship with others, and especially our relationship with the Lord.
(This message is from October 1, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons begins by sharing two passages of scripture, Romans 8:26-28 and 2 Timothy 1:7-9, 12 and discusses how the Lord does not want us to suffer, but wants to give us what we need most - His healing love. He wants us to come to Him with all our physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds much the way a child comes to their parent or grandparent whenever they need comfort and care. The Lord also intended for us, in our pain and anguish, to reach out to others - not only for help, but to help those we can. The Lord also gave us the local body of believers - the church - to help us on our journey towards healing from the pains of life.
(This message is from September 24th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons continues with the third part of a four-part series called "The traits of a good servant." In this part, we continue to share how a much older David, a man after God's own heart, made a difficult decision where he wanted to change who he allowed in his inner circle of friends. He made a decision that he no longer wanted to be around anyone who did not love the Lord as he did. He even called people who were not as sincere in their relationship with the Lord as he was wicked for trying to convince him to compromise his walk with God. As followers of Christ, David's sentiment in this psalm is how we should measure our friendships and serve as a warning about who we consider our innermost and closest of friends.
Programming note: Part four will be reconstructed. We had a hardware issue on September 17th which caused us to be unable to record the message as it was delivered. A link will be provided here when it is posted.
(This message is from September 10th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons continues with the second part of a three-part series called "The traits of a good servant." In this part, we share how a much older David, a man after God's own heart, made a difficult decision to change what he would allow in his life. He made the decision to be more careful with what he allowed in his sight, with what he did both in the presence of others and in the times when he was alone. He wanted everyone who knew him to be able to see the love of the Lord in all that he did. There's a lot we can learn from David's decision to live for the Lord and apply this kind of passion towards our own life so we, too, can be a pleasing servant to Jesus, the one we call Lord.
(This message is from September 3rd, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons follows up the message from last week, "Which servant will His return find you being?" with a follow up message, "The traits of a good servant." Each believer should desire to hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" as they enter into Heaven and stand before the throne of the Lord. Using Psalm 101:1-8, Bro. Alan uses this powerful writing of David, a man after God's own heart, on how we can live a life that's pleasing to the Lord. As Bro. Alan points out, David wasn't a perfect man, but he did put his faith in the Lord and was never afraid to repent and trust in the Lord, even when he knew judgment for sin was coming.
We had a technical issue with the audio recording. A portion of it had to be reconstructed.
(This message is from August 27th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons follows up the message, "What will you be doing?" (from August 13th, 2023) and discusses the two types of servants Jesus identified by Jesus by the end of Matthew 24. There are only two types of servants; each person must ask themselves this simple question: what type of servant am I? - Are you a good servant, doing the will of your Master, and anxiously anticipating your Lord's return? Or are you the slothful, evil servant, seeing your Lord has not yet returned, not believing He will return, picking fights with your fellow servants, and ignoring the things your Master has called you to do? The scriptures make it clear - there's only two types of servants - good and evil. There's nothing in between. You're either one or the other.
(This message is from August 20th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons discusses the warning given by Jesus in Matthew 24 - what will you be doing when He returns? The Bible gives us a clear picture of what that day will be like when He returns to gather those who have put their faith in Him before the Tribulation begins. The day of His return will be like any other day; you will be doing something. The question is will He find you prepared or will He find you not ready for His return?
(This message is from August 13th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons discusses the often misunderstood view of the role of works and faith. He uses James 2:14-20 and Ephesians 2:8-9 and shares how there is no conflict in what James and Paul teaches - in fact, both apostles are in agreement. Our works do not have a role in our salvation. Our salvation comes through faith in Jesus alone. When we add or take anything away from salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, we become a thief and a robber. When we say that our faith in Christ alone excuses us from living a Christ-focused life without any sort of works that makes it evident we are a follower of Christ, he calls our faith dead. No, works do not save but they become evident our faith in Jesus is a living faith that calls us to have compassion as Jesus has had compassion on us.
(This message is from August 6th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons begins with the warning found in Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, this is especially true. The Bible is clear that our emotions cannot be what our understanding of salvation means. It's too easy for us to get caught up in the moment. It's too easy to be led astray by our emotions. Bro. Alan explains how Satan understands us better than we do, taking advantage of how easily our emotions can be manipulated. When we begin to doubt our relationship with the Lord, based on how we feel, we become an ineffective witness for Christ - and that's just what Satan wants. Powerless Christians.
(This message is from July 30th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons shares how our attitude towards the trials we face and towards the Lord can determine how well we handle it. Using Psalm 77 and Psalm 23, Bro. Alan shows how David, knowing the stories of the past and how the Lord had worked in the lives of Moses, Joseph, Joshua, and others helped him to put his faith and confidence in God. As David grew older, he could think back to being delivered from lions, bears, Goliath, Saul, and even from his own sins, each time the Lord reaching down and helping David in his times of trouble. We can have the same confidence when we face our trials as David had once we allow the Lord to be our great Shepard.
(This message is from July 16th, 2023)
In the last part of a two-part series, Bro. Alan Simmons completes this series by explaining the Lord does not want us to see Him as a grievous taskmaster who is determined to rule our lives by a set of rules that proclaim "you must do this" and "you must not do that." Rather, the Lord wants us to desire a deep, personal relationship with Him. What we miss about the relationship He desires is we try to understand it and compare it to other intimate relationships we are familiar with - parent to child, husband to wife, friend to friend, but we cannot grasp the dynamic of Creator to creation - and that's what our relationship with the Lord is. And because He is holy, He had to provide a way to overcome our sinful nature for that special relationship to be possible.
(This message is from July 16th, 2023)
In the first part of a two-part series, Bro. Alan Simmons introduces the series by explaining how each of us were made for a purpose by a loving and compassionate God. He designed each one of us from the womb with one desire - a personal and deep relationship unlike anything we can imagine. He wants that relationship to be because we, too, desire that intimate relationship with our Creator. And what's fascinating about the entire thing is the Lord didn't create exact copies of anyone - there is something that makes each one of us unique. The invitation He offers to everyone is "come, let us reason together." It is His will that all will be saved.
(This message is from July 9th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons asks an important question - do you desire a better country? He explains how many Christians are looking at the situation faced by our modern world and are wondering what happened to their country. Sadly, as he explains, the answer is found in John 3:19: men loved darkness rather than light. But the Bible does offer hope, as Bro. Alan explains - the country we desire is a far better country.
(This message is from July 2nd, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons gives a timely warning about the dangers of recreating the God of the Bible into something that fits better into our life rather than us allowing the Lord to conform us to His image. When we take anything away from the God of the Bible, when we add anything or take anything away from the gospel of Christ, we are recreating God in our own image - we are creating a totem. And in a very dangerous and real sense, we are no longer worshiping God. We are worshiping a false god - an idol of our own making.
(This message is from June 25th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons considers the current American culture's war on men and fatherhood and reminds us that from the beginning, God ordained two important roles for men and women. From the beginning, God's intent were for men and women to be an inseparable team, each other's strengths complementing the other's weaknesses. There's no greater nor higher calling for a man to be a husband and father. In a society that's increasingly hostile and dismissive towards men, the Lord holds men in the highest regards and accountability. He also shows how the Lord's plan for men doesn't stop when the children are out of the home - the Lord still has more for you to do. (Happy belated Father's Day from our fellowship family to all fathers out there!)
(This message is from June 18th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons focuses on the important message in 1 John 4:9-10 and discusses how much God loves each one of us. Even before He created the world, He already had a plan in place for the redemption of every man and woman willing to seek Him out. He didn't create the opportunity to tempt Adam and Eve to sin, but he gave them the opportunity to exercise their free will. Yes, He loved them that much. And since that time, he continues to demonstrate His love for humankind through the gift of salvation purchased through the death of Jesus Christ and continues to demonstrate that great love through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And He is crazily in love with you that he knows you better than you know yourself.
(This message is from June 11th, 2023)
This is the final message of a three-part series based on Ephesians 4:29-32 where Bro. Alan Simmons brings focus to the fourth verse of our key passage (verse 32). The apostle Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, wrote the way we avoid grieving the Holy Spirit is to completely change the way we think about and treat those around us - especially other believers. Bro. Simmons reminds us that Paul's letter to the Ephesians, particularly this passage, concerns how we treat each other. How can those outside the church ever expect to believe who Jesus is when they cannot see a difference in how we treat one another inside the church and among the body of believers.
(This message is from June 4th, 2023)
This is the second message of a three-part series based on Ephesians 4:29-32 where Bro. Alan Simmons brings focus to the third verse of our key passage (verse 31). The apostle Paul wrote those things should be put away from you" and the word choice is very clear. It is to be a continual and intentional act. And through Paul, the Holy Spirit addresses the reasons for "corrupt communication" as "bitterness, wrath, clamour, and evil speaking." And how with malice - the intent to do evil to others - we are to put all of these out of our hearts so we will not grieve the work of the Holy Spirit in our life or the lives of those around us.
(This message is from May 28th, 2023)
This is the first message of a three-part series based on Ephesians 4:29-32 where Bro. Alan Simmons shares the importance of watching what we say to others. In this introduction, he begins by focusing on how in the book of James, Hebrews, and Jeremiah, there are warnings about what we say and about the condition of our heart. Even David, in Psalm 139, asked the Lord to search his heart and to lead him away from wickedness. We begin by looking at what the Bible describes as "corrupt communication," why we must focus on what we say and make sure we edify others - both those who do not know Christ and the believers. But Paul also gives us a strong warning about grieving the Holy Spirit.
(This message is from May 21st, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons considers the current American culture's war on femininity and motherhood and reminds us that from the beginning, God ordained two important roles for men and women. From the beginning, God's intent were for men and women to be an inseparable team, each other's strengths complementing the other's weaknesses. There's no greater nor higher calling for a woman to be a wife and mother. In a society that's increasingly hostile to mothers, the Lord holds motherhood in the highest regards. He also shows how the Lord's plan for mothers doesn't stop when the children are out of the home - He still has more for you to do. (Happy belated Mother's Day from our fellowship family to all mothers out there!)
(This message is from May 14th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons reminds us that one of the most dangerous things we can do as believers is to allow our questions to go unanswered. When we become confused or uncertain about our faith, about the trials we face, or about temptation, we often become embarrassed or ashamed to ask questions. And that's when spiritual confusion comes into our life. Satan will begin to use this uncertainty, as he did with Eve, to cast doubt on what she knew was right. The pharisees asked Jesus questions but did so not out of a heart seeking understanding, but to find a way to condemn Him. If we are not careful, we, too, can do the right thing but for the wrong reason.
(This message is from May 7th, 2023)
Teaching out of the gospel of Matthew, Bro. Alan continues to examine the importance of measuring our life against the only tool we have - the Bible. When we measure ourselves against the scriptures, it shows us the need to repent of our sins. It also shows that even though we are now His children, we still fight a sin-nature. No, it will not mean we will live a perfect and sinless life, but it means we will become more compassionate when we seek to edify those around us and keeps our focus on the love of Christ rather than on religion. It keeps us from becoming legalistic - something that Jesus had to continually point out to the Pharisees during His time on Earth.
(This message is from April 30th, 2023)
Teaching out of the gospel of Matthew, Bro. Alan explores how we are to examine our own lives before we begin to correct others. So often, as believers, we hear other Christians and even the lost tell us to "don't judge unless we want to be judge." But what they often mean is they do not want to have God's standards of morality measured against their life. And if we are honest with ourselves, we all have areas of our life where we fall short of the holiness the Lord calls us to live. Listen as Bro. Alan discusses the importance of having a common standard - the Bible - where we examine what we do and what those around us do.
(This message is from April 23rd, 2023)
Teaching out of Romans, Bro. Alan explores how we are encouraged by the teachings of Paul to examine ourselves and our attitudes towards the sin we keep in our lives. As Jesus hung on the cross, he bore the consequences of sin, not only the sin we committed in the past, but the sin we would commit in the future. But He also bore the the habits and the pull of sin - the desires of sin which is why the hymn writer was able to pen, "my sins, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more!" Jesus took our sins and bore them on the cross and calls us to be more than what we were, and calls us to a life of holiness. And in recognition of what He has done for us to redeem us from the wages of our sins, Paul encourages us to live a life where we put our old habits in the past and follow the example Jesus gave us.
(This message is from April 16th, 2023)
This is not the typical Easter Sunday message but is meant to be one that is thought provoking. Bro. Alan asks the question, what if there were no resurrection Sunday? How important is it to the Christian faith? Just as in the immediate days after the days of Christ's resurrection, there are those today who reject the very idea of Jesus' resurrection but claim to believe in Him. Without the resurrection, there is no forgiveness of sin because we do not have a savior. Without a savior, there is no remission of sin and we stand unforgiven, dead in our sins and trespasses. Our very salvation depends on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(This message is from April 9th, 2023 - Easter Sunday)
One of the most difficult things to deal with is loneliness. Loneliness affects everyone - those who believe in Jesus and those who don't. We all experience times when loneliness overwhelms us. Unfortunately, loneliness never travels alone but brings friends along - depression and despair. Despite social media and more communications possibilities at our disposal, feelings of depression and social isolation are common. Brother Alan explains how as believers, and within the Bible, the Lord has explained reasons we feel loneliness, what we can do about it, and how we can help other believers who may be feeling experiencing feelings of loneliness.
(This message is from April 2nd, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan teaches from 1 Corinthians 12:12-18 and discusses the attitude, as believers, we should have towards other members of our own local New Testament church and towards other denominations where the doctrinal differences are minor. He also discusses how we are to use our natural talents and abilities to work towards the common goal of the local New Testament church we belong - for the edification of its members and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear it.
Programming note: Bro. Simmons suffers from chronic hemiplegiac migraines. During this sermon, he was dealing with the symptoms and the pain caused by a severe migraine. Thank you for your understanding and prayers.
(This message is from March 26th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan teaches from the life of Abram from the first story of his life the Bible records in Genesis 12. After being called out of Sumeria and into Canaan, God promised the 75-year old Abram that He would make of him a mighty nation, would make Abram's name great, and he would be a blessing to all. But God's promise did not stop there. The Lord also promised Abram that to his heirs would be given all the lands where he had been led by God. But as a famine began to affect Sumeria and Canaan, rather than turn to the Lord for guidance or even remain in Canaan and trust the Lord to fulfill His promise, Abram came up with an idea. Abram's idea involved traveling to Egypt and having Sarai agree to lie about their relationship to save Abram's life.
(This message is from March 19th, 2023)
In this message, Bro. Alan teaches from Psalm 46 and explains how even when everything seems to be going wrong, the Lord wants us to turn to Him. In this psalm, David uses some pretty horrifying imagery - think of how scary it would be to see the ground disappearing in front of you, or watching mountains break away and slide into the ocean, or a fierce ocean storm with all of its huge waves crashing around you and the strong winds tossing you around, or even the tallest mountains shaking around you. Those are real-life occurrences happening all around us and just the thought of any of those are enough to terrify even the bravest among us. But David reminds us "Selah" - stop and consider or stop and think of God, our refuge and strength. He is there for us in our time of trouble.
(This message is from March 12th, 2023)
In this third and final message of a three-part series, Bro. Alan concludes this message with a look at as Christians, we have, through our faith in Jesus, a special relationship with God. The price of our special relationship with God is the shed blood of Jesus - just one drop of it was enough to redeem all humankind from the sin debt owed. And because of the price paid, our heart's desire should be to live to the high standard the Lord has called us to do. Not because we have to but because we want to out of the abundance of love for Him. He understands our struggle with our flesh and the temptations we face but He does not excuse our willingness to sin. Yet he still loves us and calls us to be a holy and peculiar people for His divine purpose.
(This message is from March 5th, 2023)
In this second message of a three-part series, Bro. Alan expands the study of Achan and compares Israel's calling to follow the Lord and to live a holy life to the calling of the life of Christians to live a holy life. As believers, Jesus Christ calls us to live a holy life and to resist the temptation to sin. Bro. Alan explains how Jesus warned us not to be double-minded when it comes to living a holy life and being tolerant of sin in our lives. Using the letters of Paul, James, and Peter, Bro. Alan explains how believers are called to be holy, to be clear thinking, and to understand the special relationship we have with the Lord through the blood of Jesus.
(This message is from February 26th, 2023)
In this first message of a three-part series, Bro. Alan begins the series in the seventh chapter of Joshua. After a tremendous victory at Jericho and another battle that should have been easy, Joshua and the children of Israel suffer a massive defeat at Ai. As the passage unfolds, we begin to see some applications that can be made in Israel's struggle against Ai and the Christian's battle against sin. Someone brought the accursed thing into the camp of Israel, and Israel struggled in its battle against the Canaanites. In the life of a Christian, sin can keep us from having the joy and blessing the Lord desires us to have.
(This message is from February 19th, 2023)
In this first message of a two-part series, Bro. Alan looks at the apostle Paul's introduction to 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 and looks at the three reasons we suffer from trials, tribulations, and troubles. But did you know that the things we go through are used by the Lord as teachable learning experiences so we can learn about compassion? True compassion originates from the Lord; as His believers, we are to show His love and compassion to others who are hurting. We are to be conduits of compassion to other believers and the lost by giving the same compassion He has given us.
(This message is from January 29th, 2023)
In this third and final part of the series, Brother Alan focuses on the section of the key passage, Luke 17:31-37. Within Jesus' warning, everyone will be doing something when He comes to bring us home before the Tribulation begins. It's too late once we hear the trumpet sound to worry about those around us who do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior. It's too late to get our life in order, to decide to live a holy life, or to decide to repent of the sins in our life once the trumpet sounds. The time to become concerned about our walk with Christ Jesus and the souls of those around us is now, while we still have time.
(This message is from January 22nd, 2023)
In this second part of the series, Brother Alan continues to share the teaching of Jesus found in Luke 17:22-37. In the continuation of our study on this important teaching of Jesus, we look at the world at the time of Noah and Lot. On both the day the great flood began and the day of Sodom was destroyed, for those afflicted, the day started like any other day. The sun came up, the morning began as it usually did. For those whose faith was in the Lord, the door of the ark was shut, they were led by the hand from they city by angels. Before executing judgment, the Lord sent warnings that bore witness of what was to come.
(This message is from January 15th, 2023)
In this new series, Brother Alan shares the teaching of Jesus found in Luke 17:22-37. We look at Jesus's teaching of how life was in the days of Noah and the days of Sodom - up to the very moment God's judgment began and the important lessons we can learn from them. As a part of this, there are the testimonies of Noah and his family and Lot and his family and why being God-centered matters when it seems the world is increasingly turning its back on God.
(This message is from January 8th, 2022)
In this final message of our journey to the manger, we end with Joseph and Mary taking Jesus to the Temple eight days after His birth. On this day, they met an older man named Simeon, whom the gospel of Luke describes as a just and devout man. Listen as Bro. Alan explains why this meeting was by divine appointment, why it confirms the testimony of the righteousness of Joseph and Mary, and a promise kept to a faithful man, Simeon. Just eight days after Jesus’ birth, Simeon gives a blessing to the parents and a prophecy to the young mother of the future that awaits her and her Son, Jesus.
Programming note: In the previous message, "The Journey to the Manger: Jesus," a common story was shared about Simeon being the former high priest of Israel. In this message, Bro. Alan presents the historical evidence of why this story is inaccurate and who this elderly Simeon actually was based on historical evidence. He also gives a warning of why Christians should always check stories we hear against the Bible and verifiable secular history.
(This message is from January 1st, 2022)
In the previous three messages, we've studied the importance of Bethlehem, Joseph, and Mary. Before the world was created, the Lord knew the significance of Bethlehem at the moment of the Messiah's birth. And at the time of the birth, He would know of the testimony of Joseph and Mary as being righteous by faith at a time when the Hebrew religion had grown cold through strict observance of the Law (works). It was at this time when Jesus, the Son of God would be born into this world. In the fourth part of this message, Bro. Alan explains how the journey to the manger was foretold from the beginning, from before the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
(This message is from December 25th, 2022)
Ever wonder why God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus, the incarnate Son of God? In this message, Brother Alan Simmons explores the testimony of Mary and what we can learn about this woman of God. We look at how Mary, an essential part of the Christmas story, was a woman whose family raised her, knowing it was more important to remain faithful to the Lord and her faith in Him than to give into the pressures and social customs of her age.
(This message is from December 18th, 2022)
Ever wonder why God chose Joseph to be the surrogate father of Jesus, the incarnate Son of God? In this message, Brother Alan Simmons explores the testimony of Joseph and what we can learn about this man. We look at how Joseph, often a small or insignificant part of the Christmas story, is a man who is a role model for men of all ages.
(This message is from December 11th, 2022)
Ever wonder why God chose Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus, the incarnate Son of God? In this message, Brother Alan Simmons explores the Old Testament, the lineage of Jesus as given in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, and the secular history surrounding Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Roman Empire to explain the conditions God foreknew would exist at the time of the birth of the Messiah.
(This message is from December 4th, 2022)
In the books of First and Second Kings and Chronicles, we can read the testimonies of the kings of Israel and Judah. Most are recorded to have a testimony of having done "evil in the sight of the Lord." A few have the testimony of doing "good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God" or "walking in the ways of David, his father." In this message, Bro. Alan Simmons explores the testimonies of two kings, Rehoboam and Asa, and how their lives were remembered by the Lord and their impact on others. At the heart of this message is the recurring question - how would your life's story be written if God were to lay it on the heart of someone to write the testimony of your life down as seen through His eyes?
There's no shortage of options when it comes to satisfying physical hunger. Every community in America has restaurants that offer discount menus for combos, stores selling junk food, and even convenience foods ready to eat with just a touch of a button and some brief time in a microwave. But nothing satisfies hunger, as does a good home-cooked meal. The same thing happens in our spiritual journey. We all experience spiritual hunger, and the world offers a lot of spiritual junk food. Humanistic philosophies and false religions will satisfy spiritual hunger - but only briefly. This temporary satisfaction is soon replaced by more spiritual hunger. Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can satisfy our spiritual hunger.
(This episode was from October 30th, 2022)
There's no shortage of things to worry about in our world today. With a world gripped with the after-effects of COVID-19, a stalled economy, increased crime, the threat of World War III, and growing social unrest, everyone seems to be worried about what will happen next. But there's good news - the Lord doesn't want us to live in fear! In this message, we explore a few places in the Bible where the Lord, through writers in the Old and New Testaments, tell us we can place our complete trust in the Lord and not be afraid to face the challenges the world or Satan throws our way.
In this message, we explore the relationship between faith and works. Focusing on James 2:14-26, Brother Simmons explains as our love for the Lord grows, we desire to do things that please Him. We do these things not because we are expected to but because we know they please Him. James isn't writing, as some claim, that works must be added to our faith in Jesus for our salvation. But James is saying that the demonstration of Christ's love - or what Paul calls the "new creature" - should be evident when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
In this message, we consider four scriptural measures we can use to look at our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, our relationship with other believers, and our hearts. Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:8-13, Brother Alan Simmons begins by asking difficult questions about our relationship with Jesus. Do we have the ability to comfort, edify and exhort other believers? Are we able to accept edification when we need it? How do other believers feel about working with us - both at the workplace or on projects at the church? The final scriptural tool is, do we have the peace the Lord offers us within our hearts? The Holy Spirit will not allow us to be at peace with others if we are not at peace with the Lord.
In this message, one of the most challenging questions facing a believer is asked. What's holding you back from becoming the follower of Christ you've been called to be? What holds us back doesn't necessarily have to be wealth, but anything we lift up and set between us and the Lord we say we love. We'll look at the lives of three men, Abraham, Nicodemus, and the rich, young ruler mentioned in the gospels of Mark and Luke. We'll look at the choices they made, the cost of their choice, and the lessons we can learn from them.
In this message, we look at several different things regarding the importance of singing and its role in worship. Nearly all believers are familiar with singing songs and hymns of the faith in the various services of the local church meeting. But singing can be an essential part of our daily personal devotional time with the Lord, too. But there's an important thing to remember about the songs we sing for our Lord and Savior. Solomon gives us that warning in Ecclesiastes.
In this message, we consider the constant message of what the Lord has always required from those who follow Him - to love, honor, and obey them with all their heart, soul, and mind. The Lord's plan for humankind has always been for a relationship that we choose. God will not force us into a relationship with Him, but He does want us to love Him with our entire being. And out of our love for Him, we should be willing to be obedient to Him.
In this sermon, we look at why the local New Testament church is an important part of God's plan for Christians. Based on Acts 2:46-47, 1 Corinthians chapter 12, and Hebrews 10:25, we look at how the church - the local body of born-again believers is to be a place of refuge from the world around us. When we meet as believers, the Lord's content is for it to be an experience like nothing else - a place where we are all equal, loved, supported, encouraged and much more.