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Entitlement Interstate :: DANGEROUS SIDE ROADS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 10/30/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Pastor Steve begins a new sermon series using the analogy of five dangerous side roads we can take on our Christian walk.

The dangerous side roads are the Entitlement Interstate, Escapism Extension, Intrigue Intersection, Futility Roundabout and Control Corner.

The Entitlement Interstate is dangerous because it distracts you from caring about others, blinds you to personal responsibility, and makes you miserable.

So how do you avoid the danger of the Entitlement Interstate? The answers can be found in Philippians 2!

You can live a life of thanks for what you have received. You can value others highly. You can have the mindset of Christ. You can keep your eyes on the prize. You can recognize the holiness of the gift of salvation you have received.

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Baptism

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 9/18/21 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve leads us through the 3 aspects of Baptism.

The physical aspect is shown as we are “buried” with Christ through Baptism.

The family aspect is shown as we are children of God.

The commitment aspect is shown as baptism is a public display of our commitment.

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Faith and Freedom Through Christ

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 9/11/22 by Chaplain Branden Root.

What does living on a submarine have to do with faith and freedom through Christ?

Use your trial to advance the gospel as Paul did while in prison.

Encourage others to live out their faith boldly and proclaim the gospel.

Move others to proclaim the gospel.

Rejoice because Christ has been made known to the lost through our trials.

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That Thing You Hate About You :: THE FOURFOLD GOSPEL

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 9/4/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Jesus is our Sanctifier.

Most of the things we dislike about ourselves are things that are sinful. They are deeply embedded in our nature.

How do we enter sanctification?

We must get real by seeing that we are not sanctified.

We need to see Jesus as our Sanctifier. Just as you received Jesus as your Savior, it may be wise to receive Him as your Sanctifier.

We need to stand down and surrender to Jesus.

We need to trust that Jesus began a good work in us, and He will complete it.

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What It Means To Be Saved :: THE FOURFOLD GOSPEL

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/28/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

The fourfold gospel is that Jesus is our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King.

What does it mean to be saved?

Being saved means being blessed. The blessing is beyond this world, and the blessing lacks nothing.

Being saved means being wanted. You have been wanted for a long time. He wants you!

Being saved means being redeemed.

Being saved means being marked for inclusion. You are made part of the family. You are marked by the Spirit of God. You have a deposit that promises much more.

Being saved changes your life forever.

Your life is changed!

You’re wanted by the God who made you and loves you. The mistakes in your life that you felt took value from your life can be used by God to bless others. It means having the Spirit of God in you and anticipating something even greater. It means having Jesus who changes everything.

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Closing The Distance Between My Head And My Heart

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/21/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

What does the Bible say about the heart?

The heart is tricky.

Tending to the heart is the most important thing you can do. We are to guard our heart because everything we do comes from it.

A clean heart comes from being close to God. Only He can clean it.

The main thing is to give your heart to God.

God is asking for a genuine heart. Only God can clean a heart. And He will speak to your heart.

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Back To School – Wisdom From Some Grads

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/14/21 by Pastor Steve Shields.

As we head back to school, recent grads gave their wisdom to be applied to the new school year. Listen as Pastor Steve uses the wisdom from the Bible to connect the graduates thoughts.

Don’t live in regret. Philippians 3:13

Use obstacles to grow. Philippians 3:14

Have fun – Trust God. Don’t overthink and stress about everything that happens. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Avoid distractions. Ephesians 5:15-18 and Matthew 13:22

Find motivation. Colossians 3:23-24

Find other Christ-followers. I Thessalonians 5:11

Ask yourself, would doing this make ______ proud of me? Ephesians 5: 1-3

Look to God for your identity. Genesis 1:27, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10, I Peter 2:9 and Jeremiah 29:11.

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Strange Things :: BIBLE STORIES

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/7/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

When you see strange things in Bible stories, it is time to take notice. The people asked for a sign after the feeding of the 5,000. It is strange to ask for a sign after you’ve been given a sign.

It’s strange that a Rabbi would identify Himself as Life.

It’s strange for a human to tell others to eat His flesh and drink His blood.

It’s strange to remain with Jesus when He says such strange things.

Peter says we stay because Jesus fills our real needs. Deep in you spirit, you long for eternity. Deep in your heart, you long for God. Deep in your person, you long for belonging.

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