Grace Bible Fellowship

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)