Teaching from Curwensville Alliance (Pastor Steve Shields)
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Pastor Steve takes us through Luke 12:35-48 and asks the question are you ready for the end times?
What are the essentials? The return of Jesus Christ is an absolute certainty and He expects us to be ready. Don’t confuse end-times study with end-times preparedness.
Being prepared means being the people who do what Jesus commanded. Love one another, Love your neighbor, Love God. Love your enemies, Turn the other cheek. Do good to the “least of these”. Go above and beyond. Your preparedness reveals your heart!
What does a ready heart look like? Watchful, faithful and diligent.
What kind of servant am I? Are you thinking about what matters? Are you doing what matters? Are you being who you were made to be?
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Listen as Pastor Steve leads us through Matthew 18:21-35.
When we fail to forgive, we show we don’t get it. God shows us grace, and we need to show others grace.
God shows us a grace that is grace, that is faithful, that is available to all, that is counterintuitive, that is effective, that brings glory to Himself.
We show others grace that is grace, that is faithful, that is available to all, that is counterintuitive, that is effective, that shows God’s glory and goodness. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31
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Listen as Pastor Steve goes through the parable found in Matthew 25:31-46.
The determining factor are you “blessed” or “cursed”?
Unless you have humbled yourself and understood your own need for grace, giving grace to others doesn’t come naturally. The way you live doesn’t determine your spiritual destiny – it reveals your heart.
The judgement tells us you do have to face the reality that you need forgiveness. You get to live your faith as an expression of your experience with grace.
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Listen as Pastor Steve goes through Proverbs 3:1-10, 21-35 on back to school.
Don’t forget you are being formed every day in your life. You are being formed in surprising environments.
As we head back to school remember to not set your OS for automatic updates. Consider the source. Do the math. God’s wisdom is greater than my wisdom.
As you move forward in life ask God to lead you. As you move forward in life stay away from evil. As you move forward in life honor God with what you have.
Don’t forget to trust in the Lord.
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What is the kingdom worth? If you could purchase citizenship in the kingdom, it would be worth giving up all you have. What is a person worth? In God’s eyes, your value is immeasurable.
Listen as Pastor Steve goes over the common interpretation and a concurrent interpretation of the parable found in Matthew 13:44-46.
In the common interpretation, the treasure and the pearl represent the kingdom. The man/merchant is a seeker. The response is to give all for the kingdom.
In the concurrent interpretation. The treasure is you and me. The treasure seeker is Jesus. The response is Jesus purchases persons with His blood.
Carry these truths in your heart. Pursue the kingdom of Heaven with all you have. Rest in the incomprehensible sacrifice that Christ made for you.
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Listen as Pastor Steve goes through the parable of the tenants.
People tend to reject God’s Word and those who bring it.
What’s up with the Stones? The Stone is Jesus. We get our life from the Stone.
How do we live from the Rock? Let go of sin that damages your connection with the rest of the building. Have an appetite for spiritual growth. Expect to become part of something greater. Jesus makes you one of many living stones.
The Father loves the stones. He is pleased with His Son. He is pleased with those who trust the Son. He is pleased to make us a part of the Kingdom.
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Pastor Steve will walk us through Matthew 13:3-23 and the Parable of the Sower.
You can walk with God if you really want Him. A key phrase in the passage is Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Experiencing Jesus requires your heart’s attention. People who want God don’t give up easily. People who want God don’t pretend.
Give your soil attention by giving your heart attention. Be on your guard against the evil one. Receive the presence of God deeply into your life – into every aspect of your life. Use weedkiller! Let anxieties push you to God. Manage your money intentionally. Don’t let money manage you. Allow the Spirit of God to produce His fruit in the soil that is your life.
Jesus invites you to hear the Word, understand it and let the Spirit of God use it to transform your life.
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How does kingdom growth happen?
God plants a seed. God brings the kingdom to life. The kingdom grows well in good soil. Kingdom growth is a process. Kingdom growth is absolutely certain because God makes it happen.
The kingdom is people. Not just numbers or influence. God grows the kingdom by growing us. Our place in the process is to cooperate.
How does personal spiritual growth happen?
God plants a seed. God brings you to life. You grow as the soil of your life receives the seed. Your spiritual growth is a process. God’s work in your growth is certain. Our job is to cooperate with God.
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Listen as Pastor Steve goes through Luke 19:11-27 and the parable of the ten minas.
Waiting is more of an art than a science. Science has predictable events and repeatable outcomes. Art is more open-ended. Perhaps more from the heart. We play a role. We manage our mina.
How do we play our role without a script? By knowing the Director. By knowing the big picture and the flow of the story. By knowing yourself. By being aware of need. By listening to the Holy Spirit.
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Listen as Pastor Steve speaks about drifting in our spiritual lives.
Who are the people who drift or kind of get lost? It can be people like you and me who drift. Often it isn’t due to something catastrophic.
It’s easy to get lost. We can get sidetracked by sin. We can get sidetracked by life. Even the good things in life.
How do we avoid drifting and avoid being sidetracked? Keep the main thing the main thing! Be sure you follow the right person. Be sure you are looking in the right place.
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