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Who Are You Partnering With?

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 09/01/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Partners have shared experiences. Those shared experiences are often life changing experiences. They could also be a point of reference for the future.

Partners have shared values. Christians have the shared value of that which honors Christ as well as that which helps others find Christ.

Partners have shared objectives. Partnerships help us grow in love. Partnerships help us grow in purity. Partnerships help us find meaning in living.

Who are you partnering with?

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Functioning As A Family :: 2 THESSALONIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/25/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve discusses how the local church is a family as seen in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18.

In the New Testament you see the local church as a family again and again. The family bond comes down to two things – a shared love for Jesus and their proximity to one another.

We also see in this passage three warnings.

Beware of unproductive idleness. If you do not concern yourself with what God gives you to do, you’ll likely concern yourself with things that don’t concern you.

Beware of disruptiveness and dissension.

Beware of drift or straying from the Truth.

What are the steps we can take in order to beware of these things? Look for ways to contribute. Accept the differences. Don’t let them disrupt what the Spirit is doing. Stay the course.

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Back To School Essentials

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 08/18/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

This isn’t just for students going back to a school building. This message is for everyone! Listen as Pastor Steve speaks on Luke 10:25-37.

There are 3 essentials we all need as we live our lives. Love, integrity and self control are seen in the story of the Good Samaritan.

Loving your neighbor as yourself means choosing to love whoever God puts in your path. If you chose to love whoever God puts in front of you, how would that change your heart?

Integrity is making reality conform to your words. Integrity is the opposite of hypocrisy. Integrity comes with being near Christ.

Self control gives you powerful influence. Self control gives you the ability to love. To make the rugged choice to do the right thing.

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Essentials for the Christian Journey :: 2 THESSALONIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 08/11/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve goes through 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 and discusses the essentials for the Christian journey.

The essentials for the Christian journey are a serious commitment to the truth that transforms life, a sincere covenant that encourages your heart, a sustaining community that carries the Gospel, a spiritual concern for one another and a shared confidence that God is good.

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The Day of the Lord – Keep Your Cool :: 2 THESSALONIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 08/04/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve leads us through the passage in 2 Thessalonians about the return of Christ.

Christ’s return is yet to come; so, don’t let false teachers confuse you. There will be clear indicators of the day of the Lord.

The deceivers will be in high gear. There will be rebellion with the world turning away from light to all that is dark. The man of lawlessness will come.

BUT, God is in control! Evil is subject to God’s control. It is limited by God. Evil is overthrown by God’s power. We rely on the certainty of the return of Christ. These are the reasons Christians can keep there cool.

There is God. Do you have Him?

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The Shine of Suffering :: 2 Thessalonians

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 07/21/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve speaks on how we can shine through suffering.

We shine more and more as we grow in Christ. We shine more and more as we press on. We shine more and more as we prove God right.

Suffering can be difficult. Suffering is unfair. God is going to make a radical adjustment.

Shining is a journey. There is something about suffering and staying the course that brings a blessing that nothing else can. Suffering is a time to shine for your own benefit. We should pray for one another. Pray that we would shine in suffering.

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Respect – A Key to Healthy Ministry :: 1 THESSALONIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 07/07/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Respect is a key to healthy ministry. Leaders must respect those they lead.

Respect means we recognize their service. Acknowledge everyone’s hard work. Recognize that spiritual leaders carry burdens that others do not understand. Hold spiritual leaders in high esteem with loving regard.

Respect means to prioritize peace. Keep the main thing the main thing. Keep the good news of Christ central in all you do. Contribute to a nurturing atmosphere.

Respect means to personalize application. Focus on God’s goodness. Make it personal. Look for God to speak to you. Yield to God’s transformative presence.

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Letting Go Of Anxiety :: 1 THESSALONIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 06/30/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

God gives us tools for overcoming anxiety.

God gives you knowledge. The knowledge that God is in control. The knowledge that God is faithful.

God gives you an identity. You are a child of the Light. To live your new identity as a child of God, you give attention to what’s important and trust God’s faithfulness, love and hope.

God gives you belonging. You belong to Jesus. You have everything you need if you are trusting in Christ. We will be together with Jesus.

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Hope For The Grieving :: 1 THESSALONIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 06/23/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

What happens to believers when they die?

They follow the pattern set by Jesus. They are given special priority during the rapture, Their bodies are resurrected. They will be reunited with loved ones. They will be in the presence of Jesus. The future brings us present comfort.

The destiny of the believing is the hope we long for in Christ. In Christ there is an abundance of hope. Christians grieve, but we grieve with hope.

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Values Owned BY Christ Followers :: 1 THESSALONIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/16/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve speaks on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 and the beauty of values.

The beauty of values are they are beliefs that you own. Values are beliefs that cannot be forced. Values are beliefs that can be adopted. Values are beliefs that steer our life.

Some values belong to Christ followers. We value personal growth. We value the Word of God. We value being set apart. We value God’s gifts. We value respectability and respectfulness.

We own these values more and more. Living them out will become more and more natural. Being set apart will become warmly familiar. Cherishing God’s good gifts will become non-negotiable.

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