Teaching from Curwensville Alliance (Pastor Steve Shields)
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Listen as Bernie speaks on Luke 24:13-34.
Do you ever second guess God?
In our passage we see the disciples were disappointed, and they were second guessing what they thought was to be. God is often doing things that are different than we are expecting.
When second guessing God, we need to go back to the Word. If you get lost, make your way back to where you knew you were. Sit down with God, and get familiar with His Word.
The disciples thought the cross was the end, but it was just the beginning. If you have ever misunderstood God and His plan or His actions or found yourself confused and perplexed, you are not alone.
Don’t give up! Keep walking and surround yourself with other believers.
Second guessing means we doubt His plan, timing and goodness. We need to trust God in the middle of uncertainty.
Doubt, impatience, feeling lost results in our attempts to take control and make things happen. Instead we need to stand and lean into God. Trust Him. Do the will of God today and repeat that tomorrow and repeat the next day. Keep your eye on Him.
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What you find at the wrong tomb. A sadness that you long to escape. You look for ways to cover it up, to hide it even from yourself with things like substance abuse, constant busyness, sensuality, getting smarts, more stuff. You also find a cynicism that you cannot shake when looking at the wrong tomb. When struggling with cynicism you are almost always looking in the wrong direction. You find a despair that paints everything black when at the wrong tomb.
Think about these symptoms. A sadness that you long to escape. A cynicism that you cannot shake. A despair that paints everything black.
What you find in the empty tomb. A peace that rises above your circumstances. A relief that Jesus can be trusted. A reason to live well – to persevere and not despair.
Today’s Spirit-led choice: I will turn to the Living One, trusting Him and following Him.
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Listen as Pastor Steve speaks on three ironies of Palm Sunday.
The One who comes as King does not pursue a throne. What’s the deal with the king who doesn’t pursue a throne?
The One who rides in peace causes mayhem in the temple. It makes you wonder what might need turned over in your own life.
The One who rides in triumph is riding to His death. Death for those in Christ is not to be feared.
What does Palm Sunday say to you? You and I must enthrone this King in our midst and in our hearts. This King will want to rearrange our lives. The King has come to eliminate whatever keeps you from God.
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Listen as Pastor Steve goes through Philippians 2:5-11.
The power of Christ. The power to surrender. The power to serve. The power to lay down His life.
The purpose of Christ is to die that we may live. The purpose of Christ is to win our love. The obedience to death – even death on the cross whispers our worth and shouts God’s love.
The preeminence of Christ. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is not based in fear or coercion, but rather based in the person Jesus is.
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The mind of Christ is in you as Philippians 2:5 tells us.
Where do we get the mind of Christ? The mind of Christ is given us at our salvation. The mind of Christ takes root in you through the Holy Spirit. The mind of Christ works in you by God’s grace.
How the mind of Christ shows in life. You cease promoting your brand. You consider others before yourself. You consider others above yourself.
It takes humility to allow the mind of Christ to lead your life. The mind of Christ surrenders personal ambitions. The mind of Christ maneuvers you into servant roles. The mind of Christ puts no limit on love.
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Give attention to your conduct regardless of the circumstances. Even if the worst happens. Whether times are good or bad. Pay attention to how you respond. James 1:20 tells us human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Give attention to how your conduct affects others. You conduct affects long time Christ followers. Your conduct affect those who have yet to follow Jesus.
Give attention to the universality of your experience. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us the temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. Bone hitting bullets are common. This doesn’t make it easy, but it does put things into perspective. Pay attention to how believers have stood before you.
When the bullet hits the bone remember Philippians 1:27a. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
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What is courage? Courage is not fearlessness. Courage is doing the right thing in the face of fear.
How to source courage. You know God by knowing His Word. Joshua 1:8a tells us Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night. You apply God’s Word to your heart. You believe God’s Word that He is with you.
Being courageous acknowledges the reality of your fear even the danger. Being courageous means to step forward into what you know God wants. Being courageous means to believe that you cannot lose when you trust God that you cannot lose.
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Listen as Pastor Steve goes through Philippians 1-12-19.
Let adversity tell you what is really important. Adversity has a voice. Adversity is afraid. Adversity actually reveals what’s important…..
The Gospel. The Gospel transforms the worst of us. The Gospel transforms everyday people. The Gospel transforms the nations.
Let adversity transform you constructively. Let your light shine no matter what. Quietly note the ways your adversity can be used to inspire others.
Let Adversity cement your commitment. See adversity for what it is – a tool God uses to bring people to Himself. It will come to an end, and that end will be glorious.
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Pastor Steve begins a new series through the book of Philippians.
The Bible is honest about family. There are shining metaphors and blemished reality.
Some Biblical bases for our love. We are IN Christ – together (Philippians 1:1). We’ve left behind a non-Christ past and embraced a Christ filled present and future (1:3-5). We are IN the game together (1:3-5). We’re in partnership together. We are IN process together. (1:6) We are IN grace together (1:7). We are IN touch together (1:8). We are INformed together (1:9-10).
What drives our love? The Holy Spirit – His presence and power. Us as we surrender to Him in humble dependence on Him.
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Listen as Pastor Steve goes through Luke 2:41-52.
Jesus if fully God. Jesus is fully man. Jesus is One. One will, one undivided person, one unified divine being. Anything either nature does, the person of Christ does.
Growing in wisdom like Jesus. Be intentional in seeking wisdom. Put yourself in the right place. Place yourself with the right people. Be intentional about dropping the arrogance. Wisdom begins where arrogance ends.
Growing in wisdom like Mary. Be intentional about discovering the intentions of God.
Your homework! Write these down. Three places you can go to find Biblical Wisdom. Three people who can give you Biblical wisdom. Three things God did recently.
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